Dixon Signed For Multi-Year Deal

It's not a surprise but should stir a contraversy.

Coach Thompson announced that Tamecka Dixon has been signed to a multi-year contract.

I know some of you are appalled, but I've made it no secret... I like her. She's fun to watch, and she came off the bench last year to average 12 points and 3.2 rebounds and assists per game. Stats aside, she added a spark (please forgive the pun) that we needed.

Team policy precludes the disclosure of the details, but I'm as curious as everyone else.I hope she proves me right again!

(Photo by Bob Levy, Houston Chronicle).

Swoopes Might Play At This Late Date

From the Houston Chronicle:

Sheryl Swoopes has missed all but three games this season with a lower back injury. On Sunday, when the Comets play their final game of the season against the Los Angeles Sparks, coach Karleen Thompson hopes to see Swoopes on the court.

"She has worked really hard to get better this year, and I know it's been tough for her to be watching from the sidelines," Thompson said. "I don't know if she will be playing on Sunday, but I really hope she is."

I'm sitting on my hands to keep from interjecting my own thoughts. Oh... what the heck!:

I would love to believe that Swoopes wants to return to the Comets. I would love to see her back in that uniform. I would absolutely love it. I'm just not so sure she feels that way.

Time will tell.

SASS Fan Viewpoint and League Conspiracy

Last night's game wasn't televised, so my only impression came by webcast.

There has been much talk among fans, however, that Houston played a dirty game and the referees turned their heads. And a photo was provided as proof.

Some fans have gone as far as to say that the League condoned the behavior, because they didn't want to see Houston fail as a franchise.

Here's my reaction:

1. I don't condone, nor do I want to watch a team that plays dirty. Playing hard and physical is one thing, but I don't respect dirty, in the least.
2. I don't want the Comets to emulate the play of the Sparks, of old.
3. This sort of accusation would have never been directed at Van Chancellor's Comets. He never would have allowed that style of play, regardless of standings. His hard fast rules might just be why he was decried by fans. The lesson here? Be careful what you ask for.
4. It wouldn't be the first time a game was settled by referee's calls. I don't condone it, whether it is bad officiating or officiating with an agenda... but the agenda, I understand. Hear me out.
5. I'm a great believer in the League conspiracy. By season 3, the Comets had a 'hit' on their heads with the referees. My theory then was that in order for the League to survive, other markets had to be successful. Though we're in Season 11 now, the success of the League is still tenuous. Perhaps we have come full circle. Perhaps other franchises are now feeling the weighted hand of officiating. It's not fair. In true sport, it's not fair at all. In addition to sport, however, the WNBA is a business, and it's entertainment. I thought then, what I hope you all will think now. If this is what it takes to ensure the League's success and longevity, so be it. What the WNBA provides, in terms of opportunity, hope, inspiration and spirit to young girls and women... is priceless.
6. Not to discount the allegations, but I don't hear the Silver Stars (or their media) whining. According to the San Antonio Express-News: You've got to make baskets to score points, after all, and that wasn't in the Silver Stars' toolbox on Friday. 21 0f 70 from the field, and shooting just 30% (their lowest percentage of the season) doesn't win ball games.

Closer Than the Score Indicates: Fever 79 Comets 77

The Comets fell just short (77-79) of defeating the league's best, Indiana Fever.

And it wasn't that the Fever played poorly. The Comets played to their potential. Ahead much of the game, and leading by as many as 12 points in the first half, the game ultimately slipped away from them in the final seconds... with 3.8 seconds left, and a half-court shot shot from Tamecka Dixon, the final buzzer sounded.

Detractors, nay-sayers and ye with little faith had to swallow some pride as OLD GALS and l.a. CASTOFFS, Dixon and Byears, really contributed to this win. And notably, for the first time this season, five Comets scored in double figures:

Latasha Byears 15
Tina Thompson 13
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba 12
Tamecka Dixon 12
Sancho Lyttle 10
Crystal Smith 9
Michelle Snow 6

Quotable quotes:

Coach Karleen Thompson: "I saw some really good things again." I thought we'd pull it out. I really feel this loss."

Fever forward Tamika Catchings (lead scorer with 23 points): "They've come on really strong and have so much talent. After the way they played tonight for most of the game, I can't imagine how they are on the bottom of the standings in this league."

Photo by Kevin Fujii, Houston Chronicle.

Another Comets' First... and Swoopes' Return

The Happy Houston Chronicle points out that, for the first time in the history of the WNBA All-Star Game, the Comets did not have a player voted into the starting lineup. And that's really sad news, for Tina Thompson, especially.

And under the caption, 'Swoopes' return in doubt', Karleen Thompson is quoted as saying, "We are being careful with her injury, but I don't have a good idea on when she will be able to play again."

Comets Defie the Mystics with 95 Point Game

Now this is what I'm talking about! Comets make it two in a row! After a somewhat shakey first half, Karleen's crew came out and played for keeps in the second half.

Tamara Moore, Alana Beard, Hamchetou Maiga-Ba, right, scramble for the ball.
(AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Steve Ueckert)

Box Score Highlights: Tina led with 23 points. But the big story is that our li'l rookie, Ashley Shields came off the bench to score 20 points in 21:19 of play! Maiga-Ba was also on fire, with 18 points. Tamara (8), Roneeka (7) and Sancho (&) had pretty good games as well, and their points don't totally reflect the full extent of, nor the timeliness of their contributions.

Note to all: We need to continue to work on those turnovers!!! Yikes, 23! Hang on to the ball, ya'all!

Comets Fire Up First Win Against Sparks

We did it! We really did it!

Not only did the Comets log their first W, but they soundly defeated l.a. in the process!

The final score was 74-64 and while Michelle Snow (21, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turn overs) and Tina Thompson (20, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover) led by far in points, almost everyone who played, scored:

Hodges (9, 4 assists, 1 turn over)
Smith (8, 1 rebound, 4 assists)
Byears (5, 2 rebounds, 1 assist)
Maiga-Ba (5, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 6 turnovers)
Moore (5, 3 rebounds, 3 assists)
Shields (1)

The exceptioins: Sancho Lyttle started, played 13:40, snatched 6 rebounds, caused 3 turnovers and didn't score. Tari Phillips played 3:09 and didn't score but didn't cause any turnovers.

In a game that was equal parts lackluster and brilliance (because we never fell behind), our girls came out and played four complete quarters. They actually got the crowd in the game, for the first time all season. And when the final horn sounded, you would have thought we had won the Championship!

Congratulations Karleen and Hilton... on your first win. (I heard on the radio that Hilton got the game ball. I'm thinking he deserves it because the checks must have cleared!).

O... Hilton

As I was sitting here, stewing over a commercial I saw on television this weekend, featuring Hilton and Baby Paris half selling furniture and half cheering for the Houston Comets...

I ran across this letter to Hilton, on The Houston Roundball Review, which begins by saying,

"Please do something. Anything. Pronto."

I hope Hilton reads it. Something needs to happen, and soon.

I just have this bad feeling, though, that Hilton is in over his head. The lack of continuity in management and, frankly, coaching... has predictably sunk our ship. I know people had their problems with Van, but I always thought he was handcuffed by the League (conspiracy theory, I know and firmly believe). But if Van and his coaching and training staff had seen us through a couple of years in transition, I believe we would be writing about a different story.

Karleen's Comments on Game 6

Quote from the Houston Chronicle report, after last night's disappointing game:

"We don't have that killer instinct," Comets coach Karleen Thompso said. "We don't have that dog in us that comes out to win the games.

"Without that, we don't deserve a win."

Now that I know we need a dog to come out and win the game for us, I'll be taking Miss C to all the games. She's definitely up for a full four quarters worth of play!

Game 6, Stop the Bleeding!

"We need to stop the bleeding,'' Houston coach Karleen Thompson said. "We're not going to give up until we get a win.''

That's good to know.

Meanwhile, the 3-and-2 Sun will try for their fifth straight win over the Comets (third in a row in Houston).

Silver Stars "Shoot" Past Comets

OH and 3!

Nice first quarter, Girls... but then, OH.

Exciting to watch, and the new talent is great... but 18 unforced turnovers???

Coach Karleen Thompson was frustrated after the game and said that the team just could not put together 40 minutes of solid play. She compared the streakiness to a roller-coaster ride.

Thompson is doing the right things as coach; the plays are there, the talent is there, the team is well conditioned. They are just struggling with chemistry. The Comets cannot seem to play together for more than two or three minutes at a time. Communication on the court isn't there.

I'm not sure I agree that Coach is doing ALL the right things. Substitutions seemed to me to be all or none. It seemed that she substituted all five at once, leaving no consistency on the floor.

And something is wrong with Swoopes. She either isn't feeling well, or she isn't "feeling" well. Mention was made (0n 610am, I didn't notice, personally) that she was grabbing her back. Maybe that's it?