THE LIBERTY FORWARD TACKLES THE TOUGH QUESTIONS IN CHAT
One-on-One with Rebecca Lobo
March 28, 2002
|
Should the 2001-2002 UConn team finish on top this weekend, then which squad is the best in school -- and arguably women's college basketball -- history? We're certain Lobo will have something incredibly insightful to say about it.
This offseason, the New York Liberty forward has been working on her game playing for the Springfield (Mass.) Spirit of the NWBL. In 16 games for the Spirit, Lobo has averaged 9.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. By the looks of it, she'll be in tip-top shape heading into Liberty training camp at the end of April.
Rebecca took A LOT of time out from her World for an extra-long chat on Thursday, March 28. See what she said in the party that was disguised as a live chat on WNBA.com!
Rebecca Lobo: Hey everyone. Thanks for joining me for this chat. I'm ready for some good questions, so fire away.
Courtney, MA: Hey Rebecca, I saw you at a few UConn games this year. Will you be going to the Final Four to cheer on the Huskies? Is anyone going with you? Like Jen Rizzotti or Nykesha Sales? Good luck in the upcoming season!
Rebecca Lobo: I will not be going to the Final Four this year for the first time since 1993. I was playing in an off-season league and we just finished our season so I'm not making the trip to San Antonio. I know that Jen Rizzotti is already there and I think Nykesha will be there.
Kim, Sacramento: Have you ever considered co-authoring a book with Kara Wolters. Perhaps titled something like "The Strange But True Mis-Adventures of the Big Girls." Who would play you in the movie?
Rebecca Lobo: I wouldn't mind writing a book about Kara ... but a co-authorship might be a little tough. Knowing Kara, she'd never get her pages done in time. Actually, that girl has had some hysterical things happen in her life, so it'd be good reading. I would play myself in the movie. Only Kara could play Kara!! Or perhaps Calista Flockhart would play Kara. It's a tossup.
Liat (Israel): Hi Rebecca! Glad your knee is good. A lot of people are saying that Shea Ralph should stop playing basketball due to her knees. Did you at any point think about quitting? Did you ever talk to her about what she's going through?
Rebecca Lobo: I didn't ever think about quitting. However, if I did my ACL again, I'd strongly consider retirement. I don't know how Shea has come back from 5!! I've talked to Shea quite a bit the past two months. She was my teammate on the Springfield Spirit when she hurt her knee again. However, I don't think anyone can know what it's like to be Shea ... and experience that many tears. All she wants to do is fullfill her dream of playing in a WNBA game.
CDB (San Francisco): Ms. Lobo, as the unfortunate victim of knee injuries (by the way, may you have perfect health from now on!!), do you think that Sheryl Swoopes will be able to play very well this year, or ever?
Rebecca Lobo: Everyone responds differently to injuries. Sue Bird came back wonderfully from her ACL tear. I played against Tamika Catchings during the NWBL season and she looks incredible. Since Sheryl has only had one tear, I think she'll be back to her old self soon.
Sara: I've just got one question, in your next shout out in your diary, can you give a shout out to good ol' Canadian kids? That is my dying wish -- to be in the shout outs. Maybe then I'll let you come up here and see what it's really like to live in an igloo! Just kidding! EH!
Rebecca Lobo: Well Sara ... I usually don't do shout-outs by request. But -- your dying wish? Good gracious, you need to reach for loftier goals. But ... I'll see what I can do about that. By the way, I like Canada ... even though I've never seen an igloo there.
LibertyFan33: Hi Rebecca! If your '95 team played the current Husky squad, who would win? Also, most people believe that the 1999 Tennessee Lady Vols (39-0) are the best women's basketball team ever (no offense to your team), but do you think that the current Husky team is better? Thanks for your time. I'll be rooting for you this summer!
Rebecca Lobo: I guess this is the question of the hour. Honestly, though ... it doesn't matter. Our '95 team did some really incredible and special things during that season. The 2002 UConn team is doing special things right now. And Tennessee ... well, they're Tennessee so I'll leave that alone. I love watching this UConn team play because they are so disciplined and they have fun on the court. One thing that the '95 team will always have ... we were the first National Champions in Connecticut. You can't ever duplicate the first time. And thanks for the support. It means a lot!
Is anyone else sick of seeing my big mug shot next to every one of my answers? I know my braids are sweet, but geez.
Kristen (Hong Kong): Hi Rebecca! I love reading about your World. Keep them coming! They seriously feed my soul and fill my spirit when I read them. One question: How's everything going?
P.S. TO WHOEVER CHOOSES THE MESSAGES THAT GET POSTED: C'mon, you don't get a lot of messages from Hong Kong, put mine in!
Rebecca Lobo: Wow, a message from Hong Kong. It's tomorrow there. Anyway ... everything is going great. I feel more comfortable on the court than I have since my first injury and I couldn't be happier in life. If I could just figure out an "Augsburg article" in my current crossword, life would be complete.
Angela (UCONN FAN): Hey Rebecca! I just want to say you are my absolute favorite athlete! My proudest day was when my dad got me your jersey for my birthday. Thank you for being a great role model to kids like us. Good luck this season and GO UCONN!
Rebecca Lobo: Thanks so much, Angela. I truly appreciate the support I've gotten the past three years even though I've spent more time clipping my toenails than time playing in WNBA games. Fortunately, that will change this coming season (and not because I am letting the nails grow). And ... GO UCONN!
Jay from NYC: Are you going to work on your shooting? Because I have been keeping up on your NWBL games and your shooting hasn't been good. Good job with your rebounding in the Spirit games.
Rebecca Lobo: My shooting percentage with the Spirit was not good. However, I've been working on my shooting a lot. Unfortunately, I didn't get a lot of "easy shots" while playing with Springfield and my percentage reflected that. However, I know that to play a lot this summer, I need to focus primarily on rebounding. I rebounded really well during the Spirit season. I'm not too concerned about my shot ... that will be fine this season. I PROMISE.
IsraeliVJfan: Chances are that you won't get to start this season with the Liberty. Do you think that affects your game and would you rather get the opportunity to start or at least play significant minutes on another WNBA team?
Rebecca Lobo: Starting has never been my priority when playing basketball. However, every athlete wants to play a lot of minutes. I have spent the last three years mostly on the injured list, so my priority right now is to spend as much time on the court as possible. I can only do that by earning time. That is what I plan to do in training camp.
Red, Oakland: Rebecca, I happened to see you last night on PBS, a show about breast cancer ... as you probably know Edna Campbell of the Monarchs was diagnosed with breast cancer as well. What word of advice and wisdom can you give to her and to us fans?
Rebecca Lobo: I heard about Edna's diagnosis a few weeks ago and couldn't believe it. I wish I had some wisdom to impart, but I leave that to my mom. I think we all need to recognize how important it is to get our check-ups and do our monthly exams. With breast cancer, early detection is key. When a loved one gets the disease, it is important to be there for them and to pray for them. I think it is also important to help them laugh.
Lobo fan (Florida): Hi Rebecca. I am your biggest fan! I have been behind you ever since you played at UCONN! I loved your book "The Home Team" -- my mom also had breast cancer. I wanted to know if there was any talk of doing another book? I would love it! Can't wait to see you play this year! Good luck!
Rebecca Lobo: I would really love to do another book. I guess I just need to figure out what it could be on. I love writing "The World According to Me" and would want to write a book about something that was funny. Also, my boyfriend and I have talked about writing a children's book together ... one that would make the parents crack up when they read it!
Tim (Boston): Rebecca, my buddies and I used to get together to watch you play at UConn any chance we could get. I had the biggest crush on you (still do) ... are you seeing anyone? Looking? Interested?
Rebecca Lobo: Tim ... thanks for the support. However, I started dating a guy last summer and am ridiculously happy with him. But, thanks for making this chat interesting!
Jay Lessard (New Port Richey, FL): Hey Rebecca! Living in Storrs during the 1995 season was just simply amazing! My question being, was there any part of the newly formed "Husky Mania" that you thought was just a little too maniacal?
Rebecca Lobo: The fans in Connecticut are incredible. They support the current and former Huskies with a fervor unmatched anywhere. That being said, I will never get used to someone following me into the bathroom to ask for my autograph. And, it is bizarre that most people in the state approach me like we're second cousins even though we've never met. However, the fans are the best around and always will be.
Margaret, Knoxville: Do you think the Lady Vols have what it takes to bring down the very talented UConn Huskies?
Rebecca Lobo: The Lady Vols are very good and a dangerous offensive team. However, I think that this UConn team is unbeatable if they are on top of their game. But, any team can have a poor shooting night or get into foul trouble, especially with the bright lights of the Final Four beating down. Either way, the game tomorrow night will be like all UConn/Tennessee matchups -- incredibly exciting.
Sandra Springer, Akron, Ohio: Have you ever walked into the petite section of a clothing store ... just to watch the salespeople's eyes GET REALLY BIG? Just wondering.
Rebecca Lobo: I don't go into petite stores because I haven't fit into clothes that size since third grade (seriously!). I have always squirmed when passing the Petite Sophisticate in the mall or going into a shoe store that stops at size 9. I mean, seriously ... this isn't a world of Calista Flockharts. Which reminds me ... was anyone concerned with Jennifer Connelly's size at the Oscars? Sorry, I digress.
Just FYI: If you have a sense of humor, you have to read Road Swing by Steve Rushin. It's the funniest book ever.
GoLiberty: What do you have in store for this year's WNBA season?
Rebecca Lobo: I don't know what they have in store. Perhaps some new shirts and styrofoam #1 fingers. I hope they get some bobble-head dolls. I love bobble-head dolls.
I also plan to return to the court better than ever. My body feels terrific and my game is finally back to where I need it. I expect to have a very successful and fun season!
Thanks for joining the chat. As always, it's been fun answering your questions. If your question wasn't chosen, I had nothing to do with the selection. If it was posted, I hand-picked it personally. Training camp is only a month away and I can't wait. It should be an interesting season. And, of course ... GO UCONN!
And to the inquisitive mind who asked if I'd ever pose for Playboy ... heck no. My mom would kill me!