Storm Game Blows

The Comets blew tonight. We lost, 67 - 75 in the first game of the playoffs, to the Seattle Storm that blew through Houston tonight.

The price of the ticket blew. The cost of concessions blew. And the game started late, so I'll be late for work tomorrow...

And that blows, because I'll have to stay late! Grrrrrrrrrr...

Happy Houston Comets Final, 77-51

The Comets clinched third seed in the Western Conference with a 77-51 win tonight over our arch-rivals, the LA Sparks.

We had 100% shooting with 6 minutes into the first half, and our bench played much of the game. Sheryl wasn't feeling well, and she sat out altogether.

To top it off, my section won the Party Zone celebration!!! We had balloon hats and tons and tons of signs and crape paper. It was a blast!

O... tonight was fan appreciation night, and the first folks through the door got Cynthia Cooper bobbleheads... a nice addition to the collection!

Playoff Game A v. Seattle is here on Tuesday night at 8:30pm. GO COMETS GO!!!

Comets v. sparks Tonight

In thinking about the comments I made last night, about the game tonight, there are some things I should have said.

Although the Sparks' season hasn't gone as well as the last few have for them. The Comets have an 0-3 record against them this year. For some reason, we just can't pull it together against them. And on their behalf, they have have outplayed us. In the game played here in Houston, it seemed like they just didn't miss a shot!

So, tonight is going to be a showdown. I hope we have a happy final, as they say on SportsRadio 610!

MVP: Split Opinion

It's a tough call, but I think you all know how I'm leaning... but here's what the "experts" have to say:

NANCY LIEBERMAN, ESPN Analyst:
Sheryl Swoopes, Houston
She might be at the tail end of her career, but Swoopes definitely has not lost a step over the years. She has been very consistent this season, coming up big in so many big games. The Comets wouldn't be in the playoff hunt without her, especially since Tina Thompson missed half the season.

MECHELLE VOEPEL, Columnist:
Lauren Jackson, Seattle
It's a tough year to pick just one person as MVP, but Jackson is that one -- by an eyelash over Houston's Sheryl Swoopes. Jackson has been as productive as ever, no matter how much she has been keyed on by opponents' defenses. She carries a huge load on both ends every game.

Gearing Up: Tomorrow Night v. l.a.

Alas, the last game of the Comets regular season is tomorrow night.

The girls were really fun to watch this year. (I wish I could say the same for the single game attendees that have parked their obnoxious behinds in my section this year... but that's a post for another day).

We play l.a. tomorrow night. The Comets-sparks rivalry goes way back. Some of my most memorable games from the early days are end of season and playoff games against la. I think all of the founding season ticketholders will never forget the game on the day Kim Perrot passed away. For that reason, alone, I cannot support the sparks. Talk about pitiful sportsmanship... The next game that we played them at home, during the playoffs, made up for it, though. Smirk.

And and another thing about the game tomorrow... their new coach, you know... Kobe's daddy, Joe Bryant... had better not try THIS again!!! I'm sorry, but the sparks are among the dirtiest in the league. If you're playing them, you've gotta step your aggression up a dozen notches, to stay in the game!

Fortunately, we secured a playoff berth Thursday night. l.a. will be fighting hard, because their post-season play depends on the game tomorrow night. It will be a nail biter, for sure!

Comets Swap For Dawn!

I've been saying all season... how happy I am that, for the first time, we have the ability to play a floor full of big girls.

So, it's with sadness that I learn that we've traded forwards Kristen Rasmussen and Adrienne Goodson. I will particularly miss Rasmussen's drive... and heart.

There are so many reasons to be excited about acquiring Dawn Staley! Here's an excerpt from her resume:

1. Ranks among WNBA leaders in total assists, assists per game, assists per turnover, minutes, minutes per game, free throw percentage, three-point field goals made, steals and points.
   Recorded the 1,000th assist of her WNBA career on September 1, 2004 vs. Connecticut.


2. Finished the 2004 season ranked third in the league in assists (5.0 apg).


3. Named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team in 2003, 2002 and 2001.


4. Has played in and started EVERY game of her WNBA career.


5. Scored the 2,000th point of her U.S. pro career (ABL and WNBA) on July 14, 2001.


6. Set a Sting record and finished third in the WNBA with 190 assists (5.9 per game) in 2000.


7. Handed out a franchise-record 13 assists vs. Washington in 2000.


8. Posted a career-high 23 points on two occasions, the most recent in 1999.


9. Three-time Olympic Gold Medallist for the U.S. Women’s Basketball Team (1996, 2000, 2004).


10. Named USA Basketball Female Player of the Year in 1994, and national player of the year at the college level in 1991 and 1992.

I always tend to worry about late-season trades. It's not easy for a guard to step into a Comets uniform (for a lot of reasons). I think Dawn can hold her own. And I hope that she's given the opportunity and support to really play her game. At the same time, I hope she blends well with our other players. I don't know if I can handle another change in chemistry!

UPDATE: Dawn Staley's first night in a Comets jersey was pretty successful. She scored five points, coming off the bench, and helped the team snap a three game home losing streak.

Last night's Stats:
15 minutes
2-2 Field goals, made-attempted
1-1 Three Point shots, made-attempted
1 Defensive Rebound
1 Assist