Indiana Fever Practice Quotes: 2009 Finals
FEVER GUARD TULLY BEVILAQUA
On this Finals differing from 2004 with Seattle: "Its different this time because when I was in Seattle I was a backup guard behind Sue Bird and I had to be ready to go in for my short burst, but now I have to set the tone for the team. In regards to defense, I have to set the tone defensively with the pressure on the ball. Its a different mentality coming into this Finals as compared to 2004, but its been a lot a fun and a long time coming for the Fever."
On advice she's giving Briann January: "I dont really need to get in Bris ear much at all. We dont even regard her as a rookie anymore. The way shes been baptized into the league this year it didnt take long to lose that rookie tag. She is a feisty competitor and she is not going to back down when she gets out there, so I expect that she is going to have an impact on this series with Phoenix."
FEVER FORWARD TAMIKA CATCHINGS
On rebounds and turnovers in the series: "Definitely, we have to control rebounds and turnovers. Our post game Ebony [Hoffman] and Tammy [Sutton-Brown] has to exploit down low. Theyre a good defensive team, but if they have any weakness, it would be their post game. I think our interior has to be dominant."
On dictating the pace: "Yeah, we want to hold them under 90 [points]. Thats been our strategy all year, to hold the other team way under what theyre used to scoring. As far as the running part goes, we when played them here we did a good job running at first, but then we got caught with a bunch of turnovers. Same thing when they came to us, we got a lot of turnovers back-to-back-to-back and we converted and thats what they do. They run off of our turnovers as well. Were going to have to do a really good job; turnovers and rebounding are key. "
On the challenge: "Im excited, man. Im so excited to be here. Im not excited just to be here, but to get as far as weve gotten. Every year, its like this is our year, this is our year only to get the door shut. Now its like okay, were here. The doors not shut; its still open. I think its a lot better in a best of five series rather than a best of three series because it gives us a chance to practice, get our strategies right and I think well be all good."
On celebrating making the Finals: "For us, it wasnt a celebration of 'oh yeah, we won the championship.' We celebrated in the fashion that we should have after winning the East since weve been shut down so many times. We celebrated, but now its back to business. Tully [Bevilaqua] and Tamecka [Dixon] told us, 'Just imagine what it feels like to win a championship'."
On making the steal: "I just feel it and go for it. I do watch tape but not to the extent where its like okay, shes going to this way and when she goes this way [I can steal it]. For me its more when Im on the court Im trying to play in between and figure out where the balls going next."
FEVER FORWARD KATIE DOUGLAS
On getting over the hump and into the Finals: "I dont think so. For me, Ive only been with this team for two years. Obviously, last year, not even getting to the Eastern Conference Finals was a huge letdown. I came from Connecticut where we had a tremendous amount of success, having appeared in two WNBA Finals during my five years there. I was very proud of that accomplishment. So, for me, it wasnt like I had never been there before. I knew what it would take to get there, so I was just trying to lend my experience towards my teammates."
On her past Finals experience: "Hopefully, just being a leader, being vocal. Maybe educate my teammates on what to sort of expect, in terms of media coverage and things like that. Everything gets magnified now. And thats the same on the floor. Every possession is magnified, everything means more. The little things are really going to count in these games."
On winning Game 1 and 2: "Its extremely important, with us not having homecourt advantage throughout the Playoffs. Phoenix did a tremendous job during the regular season sealing that up. Its the playoffs, its always important to steal a game on the road when you can."
On being relaxed: "Yes, it has. Im not getting any younger in this league. This is my third time, so all this is not new. Im very relaxed. I feel like this is going to be a great experience. Just looking back at the last two times, Im going to just try to enjoy this one a little more because Ive been working so hard to get back to this point."
FEVER HEAD COACH LIN DUNN
On the matchup: I think thats true. I also think its a great matchup with Katie Douglas and Tamika Catchings vs. Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi. Thats some intrigue in itself. Those are four of the leagues premier and most outstanding players. Everyone talks about how Phoenix likes to run. We like to run, too. We like to run, and push the ball, and score early. When we beat them here, thats how we beat them, with an up-tempo game. I think it will be a great matchup. Theyre very, very good. Very offensive-oriented, very talented. They can just knock down shots from anywhere. So, we have to bring our A-plus defense.
On getting her team focused: Well, we had Sunday off to rest and recover a bit. I told them they had 12 hours to celebrate. And once it was daylight the next day, start focusing on the Finals. I cant say enough about our fans, the sixth man. Having 15-16 thousand people in there, hooting and hollering. Down the stretch it could have gone either way, and I really felt our fans were key in that. I was serious when I said they shook the Shock a bit. You could just tell that the atmosphere was tough for them.
On having players with Finals experience: Well, that was one of the things we did in the offseason. We secured Tamecka Dixon specifically for her experience, not only her experience as a shooting guard, but her experience in two Finals and two actual championships. So, we did that, plus we brought in Yolanda Griffith. Unfortunately she got hurt, but we still get text messages from her two or three times a day. She brought a lot of experience to our team. And, of course, Tammy Sutton-Brown and Katie Douglas have both played in the Finals.
FEVER GUARD BRIANN JANUARY
On tickets for the series: "You know I told them I only get so many and just come support me, and they are still coming. I am hoping there is going to be a big Briann January fan club, well see."
On playing in Indiana: "I couldnt ask for a better place. I am on a team with Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas, Ebony Hoffman, Tully Bevilaqua, all those players. They have helped me with my transition so much; they have made me the player I am right now. I know I have grown so much since college, and its because of them. They have been amazing role models, and the coaches, Its been just a great situation Ive been placed in."
On playing tour guide this week: "Oh my goodness, I have been asked some questions. They are trying to figure it out. They are like how hot is it? Its still in the hundreds so get ready."
On playing the Mercury: "They are great. They are a good team. When they roll, they roll. I have been watching them all season. I am still a fan; you know I watched them while I was in college. I love the way they play, I love their style of play. But I am excited to take it to them on the court."
On going from college in Arizona to the pros in Indiana: "Most definitely. On the inside, it would have been awesome to stay here. But as a player, just looking at it this was the best situation for me. Indiana has been a great for the progression of my game, my confidence. My style of play is exactly what the coaches want here. I am glad I went to a place where the coaches want me and what I have to bring."
On her contribution: "Exactly. Its been awesome. We have been doing so well this year. It would have been awesome to just be on the team, but I am actually contributing to the teams success which is awesome. And my teammates are always encouraging me; they are pushing me, making me get better everyday which is awesome."
On the final seconds against Detroit: "Oh my goodness. Come on clock keep ticking, keep ticking. Those last 30 seconds take forever. It really didnt click to me until everybody was running off the bench, I was like oh my goodness we just won the Eastern Conference championship. Its by far the biggest championship I have ever won in my life."
FEVER CENTER TAMMY SUTTON-BROWN
On preparing mentally: "Playoffs in general, its like a new season, its a different level of intensity. Everything is magnified by 10 and every mistake is magnified. Your focus and concentration have to be that much greater. Any player in this league, this is what they play for. To be in this position right now is, we definitely accomplished something great the other night in bringing Indiana to their first Finals. But, were not done yet, we still have a lot to do."
On helping bring Indiana to the Finals: "Its great and it was a great atmosphere. I think they said we had about 18,000 at Conseco Fieldhouse. It was packed and it was so loud. Just to be able to do it there on our home court and to have all the fans who have been there since day one and I know players like Tamika Catchings have been there since day one, just to be a part of that was really special."
On facing former teammate Tangela Smith: "Its crazy because Ive played with Tangela in Charlotte, but Ive also played with Cappie [Pondexter] and Diana [Taurasi] overseas. Everyone plays for this moment and plays to be in this position. I know they are going to come out hard and play well and we are going to come out hard and play well. I think its going to be a great series. I hope everyone plays their best basketball and its very competitive and its a great series. I wish them well, but obviously we are fighting for that championship."
FEVER FORWARD CHRISTINA WIRTH
On reaching the Finals her rookie year: "Great way to start. I knew when I got drafted that Indiana was a good team and I guess I didnt know how good right away but as the season has gone on I realized we could compete with anyone, so its been a pretty great experience for my first year."
On the transition from college to the pros: "The whole professional aspect of things has been different. You have to realize its a business and understand that side of it, but on the court I have the greatest role model in the world in Tamika Catchings to look up to and learn from since we both play the same position. I have learned a great deal from her. Its different, I knew coming into this I would be playing behind some great players and I just want to contribute however I could. As the season has gone on I have figured out my role and been able to help here and there, and thats all I can really ask for."