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).

Hodges Gone

WNBA's newest franchise, the Atlanta Dream, had its expansion draft Wednesday, and among the 13 players chosen by the team was Comets guard Roneeka Hodges.

Right after Hodges was drafted, she was traded to the Seattle Storm for the eighth overall pick in the draft and guard Iziane Castro Marques.

Hodges has been in the league for three years, all with the Comets, averaging 4.3 points per game, starting 4 ganes ub 2007, and scoring a career high of 17 against Pheonix.

As a fan, I never knew whether to cheer or shudder when Roneeka Hodges entered the game. I'm fond of her, though... and wish her the best! (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis for the Houston Chronicle).

Collective Bargaining Agreement

The WNBA and WNBA Player's Association announced that they have entered into a collective bargaining agreement covering six seasons, 2008 through 2013.

Under the new agreement:

• Player salaries are guaranteed to increase each year league-wide, and the individual maximum and minimum player salaries will continue to grow.
• Maximum salary increases from $93,000 to $95,000 this year, with a $2,000 increase each season.
• Veteran minimum salaries will increase by $1,000 to $50,000.
• Rookie minimums will grow from $32,600 to $34,500 this year.
• Like the expired CBA, the new agreement includes a revenue-sharing component should league revenues reach agreed-upon benchmarks.
• Adjustments to the free-agency system will increase player movement. Specifically, the number of players that each team may designate as core players decreases from two to one beginning in 2009.

I understand that the League must support itself, but it's a gosh darn shame that these numbers are so low. Is it the poverty of the fans? The greediness of Management? Corporate Skepticism? Or what? The women's game doesn't get the respect it deserves. How, how, how can we make it more successful?

(And don't tell me to buy season tickets. I've done my share. Truly, I have. My enthusiasm for the team and the League hasn't waned an iota since 1997. If we were still competing in an arena befitting of our pro athletes (in a secure location that I could get to on time), I would be there. No disrespect meant toward my team, but I have to look after my own interests as well.

The Blame Game

I don't blame Hilton for the move to Reliant.

I blame the fair weather fans of Houston.

Plain and simple.

And my only regret is that I might be viewed in that manner, so let me make it perfectly clear... my decision not renew has nothing, whatsoever, to do with our team. It has everything to do with Reliant Arena, and Reliant Arena only.

Decision to Stay Home

Hilton's decision was likely an easy one. And mine was, too. Sad... but easy.

I've been a season ticket holder since mid-way through the inaugural season of the WNBA in 1997. I rode the joyous wave of championship after championship, and I've seen them through many heart breaking times.

My commitment to this team, to women's sports and to providing dreams and aspirations to young girls has been unwavering.

Initially, I purchased two season tickets, and over the past two years have downsized to one... for a little over the price of my intial investment. I've also renewed my tickets and given them away or let them go unused in years that I knew I would be too busy and travelling too much for work to attend.

I followed them from Compaq to Toyota. Last year I even attended a pre-season game at Del-Mar (an old, old, old sup-par high school arena).

I just can't follow them to Reliant.

Hilton's decision to move the team was based on purely financial considerations. My decision to stay home was based on a NUMBER of factors:

1. Integrity. Reliant Arena is beneath the integrity of these professional athletes. I shudder at the thought of our players being looked down upon by the visiting team. It's just a disgrace.
2. Physical Location. It is physically impossible for me to travel through rush hour traffic... from where I work to home and then to Reliant. I can't leave for work at 630am and not go home before the game. And I can't give up an extra hour of my life to traffic. I just can't. It doesn't work for my life and my priorities.
3. Poor Parking. Mind you, I've been to the dog sw a multitude of times, and while I don't know the attendance numbers, I can tell you that I've walked a quarter of a mile to the arena... many times in the rain. Imagine doing that two to three times a week, in the rain. And yes... it rains that much in Houston!
4. Security. The area of town isn't the greatest. You could maybe say that about Toyota Center, but the parking garage was connected with a covered walk and was as bright as daylight.
5. Spoiled. Yes. Toyota spoiled me. The oak bars, deluxe meals and never crowded restrooms of Club Level made for such a pleasurable experience... that the comparably priced dog show dogs, dome foam and sterile, indestructable restrooms of Reliant make me feel like I should get about a $300 rebate on my ticket. No?
6. Financial. Just like Hilton couldn't afford for seats to go unfilled. I can't either. I'm just not willing to donate $850 for a seat that will go unused, except for weekend games. I might as well buy individual VIP or floor seats.

Sad.

Decision to Move

We all saw it coming, so I can't say I'm suprised.

The Comets announced this week that they will move from the A-List Toyota Center to the Z-List Reliant Arena (yes, that's where they hold the dog show... the gun and gem shows).

Hilton Koch has this to say:

"We are very excited that Reliant Arena will be the new home for the (Comets). As an organization, our goal is to provide Comets fans with a phenomenal in-arena experience [read: high school gymnasium feel] while at the same time maximizing the team's long-term growth potential [read: continuing existence].

Reliant Arena's smaller venue [capacity of 5,800... which should be an easy sell and make every game a sell-out... but it's Reliant, so I'd expect about half that] will be a great setting for our boisterous fans and will help create a powerful home-court advantage."

Sad.

Tina Makes All-WNBA, Grosses $5000

The 2007 All-WNBA First and Second Teams (voted by a panel of national sportswriters and broadcasters) were announced by the WNBA today.

Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson, who led all players with 243 points, was selected to the First Team for the fifth consecutive season. With her selection, she ties Sheryl Swoopes for the second-most All-WNBA First Team selections. Only lisa leslie has been voted to the First Team more often (nine times).

The San Antonio Silver Stars' Becky Hammon, who joins the First Team for the first time in her career, finished second with 217 points.

Rounding out the First Team are Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi ( third time selection with 204 points), Detroit Shock forward Deanna Nolan (second time selection with 179 points) and Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor (first time selection with 167 points).

The 2007 All-WNBA Second Team is led by Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings (146 points). She is joined by the Connecticut Sun guard Katie Douglas (120 points), Houston Comets forward Tina Thompson (116 points), Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus (113 points) and San Antonio Silver Stars forward Sophia Young.

In honor of being named to the All-WNBA First and Second Teams, each player will receive a Tiffany-designed trophy. In addition, $10,000 will be awarded to each member of the First Team, while each member of the Second Team will receive $5,000.

Five grand is five grand... or 3566.85 Euros!

Dixon Back In 2008

Looking back on the start of the season, fans were split over the January decision to waive Tamecka Dixon. Many were happy, some didn't care, and a few thought it was a mistake. Figure me in the latter category (if you haven't figured that out).

Now that she's proven herself as the Comets second lead scorer, and a front-runner for the WNBA's sixth woman of the year award... most fans have rallied behind her (in spite of her age and former affiliation!).

But Dixon says she won't be waived in 2008.

"I plan on starting the season with the Comets next year," Dixon said. "We won't
go 0-10 to start next season."

We're all aware of the grudge holding and the pouts in professional sports, but Tamecka did neither. Once re-signed, she stepped right in and played her heart out.

With all the talk of who doesn't want to play, and who wants to be traded... it's refreshing to hear from someone who truly wants to be here.

Tina Gets 2000 And Threatens to Leave

In case you missed it, buried obscurely in the previous post, Tina Thompson became only the fourth player in WNBA history to amass 2000 career rebounds... in what now appears like it might be her last game in the league.

The veteran forward has said she might leave the WNBA after this season to concentrate on a more lucrative career playing in Europe.

Thompson reiterated that possibility in an interview before Sunday night's game.

"Playing there for a couple of years, in comparison to playing a couple more years in the WNBA, is something that's more economically feasible for me at this point," she said.

"I haven't thought that much about it during the season. That wasn't something I was making a priority at all. I have another eight or nine months to make a decision."

She hasn't thought much about it during the season??? Please. Her demeanor has said she doesn't want to be here.

1. Does the success of the league, and the hope you give another young American girl, in junior high school, not count?


2. Or do you just want out of your relationship with the Comets? And if so,


3. Was it the changing of the ownership?


4. Was it the changing of leadership?


5. Was it the dismal season?


6. Is it Houston's devoted STH fanbase, but overall shrinking attendance?...


7. Or is it truly economics...?

Because I gotta tell you... combined with her emotional distance this season, this feels like a 'KMA, Comets fans' interview to me.

I'm a HUGE TT fan, and this hurts. I want her to be here. I do. But I guess only...

Time will tell.

Ending On a High Note, V. Sparks

WNBA Playoffs... they ain't what they used to be!

Both teams out of contention, the Comets and Sparks closed out their seasons together in LA Sunday night, and the Comets came out on top, 82-72.

Tina Thompson led the scoring with 22 points and with her seven rebounds, Tina became only the fourth WNBA player (joining Margo Dydek, Yolanda Griffith and lisa leslie) to reach 2,000 career rebounds.

Turnovers: Comets 15, Sparks 20
Steals: Comets 10, Sparks 5
Blocks: Comets 2, Sparks 6
Fast Break Points: Comets 8, Sparks 4
Biggest lead: Comets 10, Sparks 10
Unanswered Points: Comets 8, Sparks 0
Lead Changes: 5
Times Tied: 4
Points in the Paint: Comets 44, Sparks 32
FG%: Comets 48.4, Sparks 43.5
3FG%: Comets 33.3, Sparks 25.0
FT%: Comets 77.3, Sparks 75
Rebounds: Comets 32, Sparks 30

And with four players in double point figures and almost everyone else both playing and scoring, the Comets played hard to the very end. (If the season was 30 days longer, I think we would definitely be in contention).

Tina Thompson 22
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba 15
Tamecka Dixon 12 (all hail that decision!)
Michelle Snow 10
Crystal Smith 6
Erin Grant (aka PeeWee) 5
Roneeka Hodges 5
Latasha Byears 3
Sancho Lyttle 2
Mistie Williams 2

Ashley Shields played but didn't score. Swoopes (in spite of rumors) and Turner didn't play.


Sherill Baker led the Sparks and scored a season-high 16 points and seven assists. And my favorite Spark, Jessica Moore, added career bests of 13 points and eight rebounds.

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.

Comets Deluged by Sky (And TS Erin)

Tropical Storm Erin, with her predictions of "minor street flooding", wreaked havoc on Houston earlier today.

Thanks to "the Angel" and his high water rescue, I'm home safe and sound, but since my car is still high (and hopefully dry) in the parking garage at work, my game experience is by webcast tonight.

And just like TS Erin did, totally unexpectedly, the Sky wreaked havoc on the Comets tonight. Losing this one, pretty much right from the first jump. Chicago started the game by outscoring the Comets 21-2, with Houston pulling to a 41-34 lead at halftime. And that's as good as it got.

Turnovers: Comets 16, Sky 8
Steals: Comets 5, Sky 5
Blocks: Comets 4, Sky 1
Fast Break Points: Comets 7, Sky 8
Biggest lead: Comets 0, Sky 10
Unanswered Points: Comets 3, Sky 0
Lead Changes: 0
Times Tied: 0
Points in the Paint: Comets 20, Sky 24
FG%: Comets 39.1, Sky 43.1
3FG%: Comets 40.9, Sky 50.0
FT%: Comets 94.7, Sky 72.2
Rebounds: Comets 31, Sky 35

The Sky had five players in double figures, but there was a vast point spread amongst the home team Comets. Tina Thompson led the Comets and scored a season-high 33 points on 12 for 20 shooting from the field.

Tina Thompson 33
Tamecka Dixon 14
Sancho Lyttle 8
Michelle Snow 4
Crystal Smith 3
Hamchetou Maiga-Ba 3
Roneeka Hodges 3
Ashley Shields 2

Going into this game, we were already out of contention for the playoffs. Perhaps this pitiful performance was a calculated ploy for a better draft pick

(But am I the only one who has a hard time watching the success of Dominique Canty ???).