In her 2006 rookie season, Phoenix Mercury guard Cappie Pondexter was chosen to represent the Western Conference as a reserve on the Western Conference All-Star team. In her second season, she has not disappointed and will be back as reserve for the West again in 2007. While she was chosen to attend All-Star because of her play on the court, she believes it is the interactions off the court that truly make All-Star Weekend special. Pondexter discussed her opinions and memories of the WNBA All-Star experience with WNBA.com’s Lauren Brill.

Q: What does being an All-Star mean to you?
Pondexter: “It’s a great honor to be considered one of the top WNBA players. You get to play with a lot of other great players, have fun and relax.”

Q: What is your favorite event at All-Star?
Pondexter: “My favorite event has to be the open practice event with the Western Conference.”

Q: What is your best All-Star memory?
Pondexter: “My best memory has to be when we were able to go to ‘Read to Achieve.’ They just opened a new center at the shelter.”

Q: What do you think All-Star says about you as a player and your current season?
Pondexter: “That all your hard work from the season is paying off and that people enjoy watching you play.”

Q: Do you think fans accurately vote for the best players?
Pondexter: “I think for the most part. Of course there is going to be a little bias. That is what it is about. Fans get to interact with players and that is what makes it worthwhile.”

Q: Was there any about All-Star weekend that surprised you?

Pondexter: “I was surprised that it was so much hard work. You are doing a lot of things off the court to help the community and I didn’t realize how much it was. It is a lot of hard work. All-Star weekend is not really about playing, it is about interaction.”

Q: Does All-Star weekend help clear your head from the regular season?
Pondexter: “Definitely, it’s like a fresh start. Everything from the first half is over with and the second half becomes more intense and everybody is much more focused.”

Q: Do other leagues you play in have something similar to an All-Star weekend?
Pondexter: “I played in the Euroleague All-Star game. It is very similar, but I think the WNBA All-Star is better.”

Q: If you had to guess who was going to be MVP of this year’s All-Star game, who would you choose?
Pondexter: “Becky Hammon.”

Q: How does All-Star benefit you as a player?
Pondexter: “It is an honor and prestige as well as something to put on your resume. But more than that it allows you to build friendships, give back, have fun and relax.”