Cappie Pondexter Chat Transcript
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All season long, Tuesday means WNBA action on ESPN2. Tonight features the defending champion Phoenix Mercury hosting the Washington Mystics at 10:30 p.m. ET from US Airways Center.
While the Mercury (0-4) have stumbled out of the gate this season, Cappie Pondexter has continued the stellar play that earned her Finals MVP honors a year ago. She currently leads the league in scoring with an average of 26.8 points to go along with 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds.
Cappie joined us for a chat on Tuesday prior to the game to discuss the matchup with the Mystics, the Mercury's early season struggles and how they can get back on track to defend their title in the tough Western Conference.
Admin: (2:19 PM ET ) We're here with Cappie Pondexter of the defending champion Phoenix Mercury!
And remember, Cappie and the Merc take on the Washington Mystics tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
But it's time now to chat. So without further ado, heeeeeeeeeeere's Cappie!
Cappie Pondexter: (2:20 PM ET ) Hey everybody, thanks for taking the time to chat. It's a great time in the WNBA. It's just like the motto Expect Great. It's fun to watch, a lot of energy. It's a great year, especially with the Olympics. Keep up the support. Hopefully the Mercury can get a win tonight.
Chris : Gray , Louisiana : Hi Cappie , Just to let you know I'm a basketball player myself and a big fan of yours when im not watching the suns play but anyway after a 0-4 start how do you think the team can get back on track to defend the title this year ?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:22 PM ET ) I think the best thing is to take it a game at thime. It's a long season in a short period of time. I've seen teams in the past have a slow start and get to the Finals. We just need to stay positive and keep working hard everyday. That's what we've been doing. Hopefully we'll get a win tonight.
Mike (Washington, DC): Hey Cappie, whats the game plan tonight vs the Mystics? How bad does this PHX team want to get in the win column?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:23 PM ET ) We want it real bad, especially for our new coach, Corey Gaines. We really want it for him. Hopefully we'll go out and play our game. Under coach Westhead and Corey we don't focus on the other team. We always focus on us. We need to keep doing that. That's the best thing.
Matt (Sandusky, OH): What is the biggest difference in coaching style between current Mercury head coach Corey Gaines and former Mercury head coach Paul Westhead?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:24 PM ET ) It's not a big difference at all. It's the same exact system. We return five players from last year's team and everyone else is new, that's the biggest difference. The system is the same, just some new blood with the new players.
Highland Park,NJ: Congratulations on making the Olympic team! Would your role on the team be more as a PG or SG ?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:26 PM ET ) I think it will be both. In the training sessions I've done with them I've shown my versatility and that's why I made the Olympic team. I think playing point and being able to back up Sue will help the team.
Emily- Arkansas: Cappie, I know what a competitor you are!!!! I have the same type of fire for winning you do!! It must be frustrating(for you, Dee, and the whole team) coming off a title, and starting off so slow. So what do you do in order to stay positive and keep the mindset of a winner?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:28 PM ET ) We have a totally different team. Everybody's attitude is different than last year. At this elite level, everybody wants to win. We just need to go in and practice and work hard. If you work hard it will eventually come around for you. That's what we need to do is keep working hard. It is definitely frustrating that we've started so slow.
Emre (İstanbul - Turkey): hi cappie! i'm a fan of Fenerbahce, and you of course. I think you are by far the sweetest thing i've ever seen on court. I really love ur play and attitude. :) I almost cried when i learned u wont be here back again next season. Still, i wish u all the best, thnx for the memories. My Q: do you think phnx can still win it all with many teams making huge progress this season? and which team(s) surprised you most at this early stage? We love you back here!!
Cappie Pondexter: (2:31 PM ET ) The sweetest thing ... ooh! Fenerbahce was a great place. They showed me so much love and respect and I loved being there the past two seasons. They have a winning spirit and I really loved being around it. It was sad to say I was leaving and I hope to be back. For the Mercury, I think we defintely can win. Our style of play is like no other. It can help us and hurt us at times. It's a long season and I think we can do it. The team that has surprised me the most so far is Minnesota. They've got so much positive energy over there. They play with a lot of enthusiasm.
Dan (Bridgewater, NJ): Who will give you the most problems defensively, Essence or Matee?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:31 PM ET ) Ha. I'll give them both some credit. They'll both be tough. I just want to see them do well no matter what.
joi/slim (detroit,mi): Wudup Cappie! you are a very good defender and u got an awsome stroke.. i was just wondering who is ur favorite rapper?? thanks C.P. for answering.
Cappie Pondexter: (2:33 PM ET ) Wudup Joy! I have to say Lupe Fiasco. Lil Wayne is a little different character and I like that, but I have to say Lupe.
Linda E. (Toronto, ON): I know you will be getting a ton of basketball questions,so here is one that is a little different. How many tattoo's do you have, what are they of, and what is the meaning behind them?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:36 PM ET ) I've got 12 tattoos. I don't want to go through all of them. I have two that are very important to me. The one above my shin it says Forsaken All I Trust Him. The first letter of each word spell out FAITH. Whenever I'm down I rub that and rememeber that it's all about faith. I have another on my hip. Its footprints, the famous religious quote. One set of footprints is when I carried you. I got both of these when I was going through some things. So whenever I'm down I look at those to get me through.
Michelle Surprise, Arizona : June 3, 2008 My question for Cappie Pondexter of the awesome Phoenix Mercury; Cappie during your offtime away from basketball what is your favorite hobby that you enjoy doing the most? From: Michelle Cantelme
Cappie Pondexter: (2:37 PM ET ) I like to sleep and relax and watch movies. I shop sometimes, maybe have a nice dinner. But for the most part, just relax.
SM (Philly, PA): Cappie - Everyone knows you're a great scorer. However at the 2 spot you have some tough people to defend. Who do you like guarding the most and why?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:38 PM ET ) I would say Seimone gives me a great challenge. She is one of the toughest guards to defend. She moves well without the ball and she uses screens really well. So I'll say her, plus she's a really good friend.
Emily: Lakers or Celtics? How many games?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:40 PM ET ) I'm kind of neutral because these are the teams I wanted to make it. I just want it to be a really good Finals. I really want it for KG because he hasn't won it before. But I also want it for Kobe because he hasn't won it without Shaq and everyone said he couldn't.
Dan (Bridgewater, NJ): Could you ever see Vivian Stringer in the WNBA?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:41 PM ET ) I don't know. I asked her about ti before. She said it's hard for her when players leave, she gets really attached to her players. No question she has the ability to do it, but the pros is different. You can't always get as attached as you can in college.
Nadia Maplewood, New Jersey: Hi cappie, My questions are I know you and Diana are really close friends but If you and Diana had to play one-on-one who do think would win? And what Is the one thing that you like most about Diana? and Why?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:42 PM ET ) The one thing that I like most about Diana is her personality. She's so personable. We're so goofy and silly around each other. I like that most of all. If we are playing one-on-one and shooting all of our shots behind the three point line, then she would win. If we were playing and I could drive against her, then I would win.
Kalia Bellamy Phx, AZ: Cappie, when you are on the court who or what inspires you the most?
Cappie Pondexter: (2:43 PM ET ) I don't know if anyone inspires me. I inspire myself with the passion I have for the game. I want to win for my team, my organization, the coaches, myself, God.
Cappie Pondexter: (2:45 PM ET ) Tune in tonight 7:30 PT and 10:30 ET and watch us. I think its going to be a great game with great matchups. Look forward to chatting with you again. I'm out. I'm off to get a sandwich here in this hot Phoenix weather.