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.

Most Imporatant Win So Far, Over SASS

Or should this post be titled, "Thank You, Tamecka Dixon!".

Tonight, (drum roll...) our Houston Comets both defeated their I-10 rivals and West's best San Antonio Silver Stars 69-63, and rise to 8-16, a half game out of fifth place in the West.

Turnovers: Comets 18, SS 15
Fast Break Points: Comets 13, SS 4 (wow)
Biggest lead: Comets 13, SS 3
Unanswered Points: Comets 1, SS 0
Points in the Paint: Comets 30, SS 20
Field Goals Made-Attempted: Comets 26-57, 45.6%, SS 21-70, 30.0%
3 Pointers Made-Attempted: Comets 4-11, 36.4%, SS 5-25.0%
Free Throws Made-Attempted: Comets 13-20, 65.0%, SS 16-21, 76.2%
Total Rebounds: Comets 34 , Sun 39

It was an exciting and comfortable game to listen to, and the Comets seemed to rise once again to their potential.

Tamecka Dixon 21 (helloooo!)
Tina Thompson 17 (with people all over her!)
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba 8
Crystal Smith 8
Michelle Snow 7
Roneeka Hodges 6
Barbara Turner 2

Points don't always tell the story of who contributes to a win. Becky Hammon was held to 11 points. Rebounds and assists played an important part, too:

Tina Thompson 8, 3
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba 7, 2
Sancho Lyttle 7, 0
Michelle Snow 5, 2
Roneeka Hodges 4, 1
Tamecka Dixon 3, 2
Crystal Smith 0, 4

We established excellent momentum to take on the Sky on Sunday afternoon!

Sixteenth Loss: Outshined by the Sun

The lead changed five times in the 4th quarter, but the only lead that counts is the final one. So it was another heart stopping close call as the Comets fell to the Sun, 79-81 this afternoon in Connecticut.

If you analyzed the team stats, without counting up the points, you would likely draw the conclusion that Houston pulled off the win:

Turnovers: Comets 12, Sun 14
Fast Break Points: Comets 6, Sun 2
Biggest lead: Comets 6, Sun 6
Unanswered Points: Comets 0, Sun 4
Points in the Paint: Comets 36, Sun 22
Field Goals Made-Attempted: Comets 30-69, 43.5%, Sun 30-65, 46.2%
3 Pointers Made-Attempted: Comets 6-10, 60.0%, Sun 6-16, 37.5%
Free Throws Made-Attempted: Comets 13-15, 86.7%, Sun 15-18, 83.3%
Total Rebounds: Comets 36, Sun 31

The 12-11 Sun (4th in the Eastern Conference), however, were able to close out their sixth win in a row. And the Comets fall to 7-16 (6th of 7 in the Western Conference).

Thompson and Dixon had a great game. And Turner came off the bench to make a huge difference.

Tina Thompson 18
Tamecka Dixon 18 (hellooooo!)
Barbara Turner 15 (nice surprise!)
Sancho Lyttle 10
Michelle Snow 6
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba 4
Crystal Smith 4
Ashley Shields 4

Katie Douglas led for the Sun with 25 and Asjha Jones had 22.

Up next for the Comets... Silver Stars in San Antonio, Friday night.

The 3-11

The Houston Comets banked another one in the win column by defeating our I-10 Rivals, the SASS (San Antonio Silver Stars), 75-67.

Sadly (and VERY unhappily), I didn't get to attend the game tonight, due to an enormous black, gloomy, stormy cloud over my head. I WAS, however, able to the webcast... though I was largely distracted by sweltering conditions and other discomforts.

Most of what I recollect from the webcast is Becky Hammond, Becky Hammond, Becky Hammond! Yeah, I got it... Becky Hammond. My God, she scored 32 points(!)... thank the Good Lord the rest of her team didn't show up to play.

And the most remarkable thing I see, in glancing at the stats is this: TURNOVERS.

SASS... 29
Houston Comets... 18

While still too many for my liking... it's better. It's better!

I promise you a better post tomorrow, once I cool off.