April 9, 2001

The following is not a typical athlete's journal entry. You will not read about how many points were scored, who won, or who was difficult to guard. Mostly because of what you'll read about below. Instead, you will experience The World According To Me. I'll be posting new entries regularly, so stay tuned ...

March is over and an NCAA champion was crowned. There is less than a month to go before training camp starts but before we look ahead to the 2001 season, let's take a look at a different kind of March madness that took place in My World.

I was disappointed that UConn didn't win the championship but was happy for Notre Dame. They had a terrific season. However, my greatest enjoyment in St. Louis came from hanging with some of my former teammates, spending time with friends and playing pick-up ball .

Before heading to St. Louis for the women's Final Four, I made an appearance at the NBA Store in New York City. Bob Lanier and I were honored to join the puppets from the hit children's TV show Between The Lions to read to kindergartners. Even before we started, the kids had me laughing hysterically. Bob Lanier was introduced to the children as "Big Bob." This prompted one of the little boys to say, "They should call you Big Belly." Soon after that comment, another little boy told me that I could play in the NBA if my hair was shorter because then I'd look like a boy.

The amusement didn't end there. Bob read a book to the children about a red dog. The book was entitled Clifford's First School Day. The book seemed appropriate for the kids until we got to the part where Clifford got up on a table and sniffed yellow paint. I couldn't help but be reminded of the public service announcements airing on TV now that warn of the dangers of "huffing." I guess poor little Clifford was high on his first school day!

A few days after my experience with the youngsters at the NBA store, I spoke to college students in Baltimore, Maryland. I gave a speech at the Community College of Baltimore as part of women's history month. I thought my speech was going well until I looked up and noticed a gentleman in the audience sleeping. The next time I glanced his way, he was awake and laughing at one of my stories. A few minutes later he was sleeping again. Trust me ... there is nothing worse than thinking that you are putting someone to sleep with your speech! When I was finished giving the talk, I mentioned my napping friend to the organizers of the event. It was at that point that they informed me that the gentleman is narcoleptic! (I'm thinking that might have been a good piece of info. to tell me BEFORE my talk started.)

Right after my speech, I headed to St. Louis and had a really good time at the women's Final Four. I was disappointed that UConn didn't win the championship but was happy for Notre Dame. They had a terrific season. However, my greatest enjoyment in St. Louis came from hanging with some of my former teammates, spending time with friends and playing pick-up ball. It was also a good learning experience.

Some tidbits I picked up while in the city of the Arch ...
Banks not only give out lollipops at the drive-thru but they also give out dog treats. Just make sure the pup looks cute and sticks his head out the window!
The movie Someone Like You is not good.
The downtown Marriott has a bar with interesting corner entertainment.
Target stores are full of Funk Soul Brothers.
Not all hiking trails are well marked.
The YMCA has a sweet hoop court.
There is a "Help" button on the computer that can actually help you.
Poison ivy itches.
There's nothing better than a good friend.

Speaking of learning, on April 5 I participated in the Principal For a Day Program. Summer Sanders and I joined NBAE President Adam Silver at MS247 (a public school in New York City). It is a dual-language school and the kids are wonderful. I look forward to seeing them at some Liberty games this summer.

A young friend of mine had Fat Joe as her Principal for a Day. When I asked who Fat Joe was, her emailed description was, "Fat Joe is a fat guy who use to be best friends with Big Pun. Big Pun was a fat rapper who was really fat and he died of a heart attack I think like two years ago." Gotta love the way kids describe things!

Under the "Are You Kidding Me?" Category
The Philadelphia Eagles recently named a new "special teams quality control coach." What the heck is a quality control coach? And, does that really apply to special teams?

Thumbs Up/Down Movie Review
Billy Elliott: A decent movie with dancing. Lots of dancing.
Chocolat: Really enjoyed this one. Just like hearing the way the title is pronounced.

Time for a Shout Out to:
Abbie at Fat Tuesdays: Thanks for the on-the-job training.
Summer: Great packing story.
Honey Bears on "time-out."
Well-dressed waitresses at Johnny's.
Jan: Hope the elbow feels better soon.
Car-lending amigos who tolerate consistency.