Taj: Thank You Sun Fans
To the most noble and awesome fans of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island first, and then to the fans in the outermost reaches of the WNBA:It has been 20-something days since �The Game,� and I have been in a weird funk for most of that time, mainly because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. My mom lives in Houston, and so that has been at the forefront of my mind since getting back from Sacramento. Fortunately, for some people, the danger has passed. Today has been one of the few days where I have had the opportunity to sit down, in the midst of packing, traveling, sleeping, and visiting, to think about the loss, or even the series (WNBA Finals) in fact.
First, let me say a big thank you. Thank you to everyone who paid their hard earned money to make their way to the Mohegan Sun and other arenas to see me and my fellow compatriots. You guys did not have to make that trek down from Hartford, Providence, Windsor Locks, Niantic, Old Lyme, Montville, even Maine and Ft. Lauderdale. But I am so grateful you did. Most of all, I was overwhelmed by the sight of our arena packed with fans who came to see us play this crazy game of basketball. Even if some of you guys were cheering for some ex-UConn players louder than for our players.
I was extremely appreciative and awed by the reception and attendance at the WNBA�s All Star Game. You guys made that my best All-Star game ever, and got to witness a part of the surprisingly wonderful life I have with Reginald Franklin. However, most of all, I want to say thank you from the entire Connecticut Sun squad. We 12 women could say that every night we played, it was a treat to behold.
Let�s be honest: Some nights that you all came to see us, well, for lack of a better word, we were atrocious to watch. Some nights, it was like watching teeth being pulled without Novocain, knowing you were next in line with the dentist. Some nights were like watching NASCAR with all the drivers going backwards. Some nights were like watching Swan Lake do a production of Stomp. However, for all of you special fans that stuck it out, you got to see 12 women playing the way basketball was meant to be played � with us winning. 
For the most part, that is how you fans in New England like to see your sports. And for the most part, the athletes oblige. Professional football, college basketball, professional women�s and men�s basketball, and professional baseball (let us forget this past month for baseball � and remember the good times, OK?). Winning is like an institution in New England. That can sometimes be overwhelming, knowing you have to keep following greatness with greatness because it is expected of you. I have been motivated in my time in Connecticut to give my all on and off the court because of you all. My hope is that you received that when we stepped within those lines.
This last year, you all believed that we could repeat the magic we started in the 2004 season. We had our lows and highs. Some thought we would fold during the season, but each time we could have, someone stepped up and made the plays that kept us going. Whether it was Ms. Jones coming off the bench with some big points; Brooke roughing up a great opposing player; Margo coming over and blocking a sure lay-up; KT locking down a great offensive player; Cool Kesh hitting 14 out of our team�s 16 points; or DJ Whay going coast to coast for a beautiful �and-one.� Someone always came through for our team.
We all know that next year, there will be some missing faces and some different faces because of the expansion draft for the new Chicago franchise. But my sincere thoughts are that this was a special year. I hope it can be duplicated again next year. But even if we do not, I pray that we will continue to have your support, your enthusiasm, your love, your time, and your interest. From the first time I arrived in Connecticut, I was told that this town had the best fans in the country for women�s basketball. Even the most knowledgeable reporters in the women�s game. I have not been disappointed on either front. Slowly but surely, I was pulled over by the force. I have seen it in our arena, whether it is those crazy gals from Waterford High School, Miss Rose, my friends in Sections 24 and 25, or our own Uncle Willy � the love is there.
IF I did finish my career today, and I have not, I would be proud of what I have established here in Connecticut, what I did in Orlando, and what I did in the ABL. I cannot be ashamed of anything I have done in my career. It was all done because of my love affair with this sport. Just as I tried to give you all the best I had, even at this young/old age of 35. I wanted � I needed � to keep the magic going.
I am still hurting from our loss in the Finals � again. A small measure of satisfaction can be derived from the fact that Yolanda has been in the trenches with me for the same amount of time, and now she has her elusive trophy. However, that amount of happiness is small. I know that our team has been through a lot more than most teams; we also deserve our day in the sun (for lack of a better term). Many people have told me that we should be happy that we made it to the Finals again this year. I do not have to be happy about losing. It is nice to make it to the Finals, but what will make me the happiest is that title. Basketball pundits (heard that somewhere), say that the first and third championships are the hardest to achieve. Ask me if it is true next year. Michael Jordan did not win his first title during his first six or seven years in the league. I just want to achieve that once before I retire. Jordan won six titles. I want one. That is my goal next year; to not only make it to the Finals again, but to win one. I know you all will be coming along for the wonderfully crazy, out-of-control, exciting ride. Thanks for buying the tickets, for sitting in the seats, for taking the time, for reading the papers, for tuning in the television, for voting online, for driving the miles, for buying the merchandise, for being available. This coming from a professional athlete. Go figure. There might actually be some redemptive qualities in us after all. (Insert any funny or sarcastic sayings here.)
Until we meet again, I await for our next glorious step.
