Houston Rockets forward/guard Tracy McGrady was courtside at Mohegan Sun Arena Sunday to watch Nykesha Sales and her Connecticut Sun teammates clinch their second straight WNBA Eastern Conference regular season title with an 80-77 victory over the Washington Mystics.Sales and McGrady became good friends during their days in Orlando, when she played for the Miracle while he was playing for the Magic. During halftime, McGrady took a few minutes to talk about his old pal.
How long have you known Nykesha Sales?
“Wow. It’s been for a few years.”
Did you go to many Orlando Miracle games?
“I used to go to a lot of them. That was my girl. I used to go and support her, and she would come to a lot of our games.”
Describe what you like about Nykesha’s game.
“She’s fearless. She’s a fierce competitor, she goes all out. She leaves everything on the basketball court. When she goes home, she can look herself in the mirror and say she did whatever she could to help her team win. Shoot the ball. Her defense is unbelievable. She has a great feel for getting steals on the defensive end, and she’s a great competitor.”
Do you think people have enough appreciation for the level of play in the WNBA?
“In order for them to appreciate it, they’ve got to watch it. The people that don’t understand the game and know what these girls go through – especially the girls – they’re league is real tough. You can’t even compare it to the NBA as far as their salary, and how these girls are living. They’re on a real serious drive, and I have the utmost respect for them. They have families to support. Most of these girls have to go overseas in order to support their families, and just to keep doing what they want to do. I appreciate it because I know, from the outside looking in. I don’t think a lot of people appreciate women’s basketball, and I think they should.”
So you enjoy watching the WNBA?
“Absolutely. I’m a basketball junkie. I support all sports. I’m a baseball fan, but I love to watch girls’ softball. I just love it all.”
