Monarchs win and have record-setting night!

The Sacramento Monarchs went up 1-0 with a crushing 95-71 win over the Detroit Shock, and in the process set the record for points and 3-pointers in a Final´s game. Kara Lawson led a balanced scoring attack with 22 points, and Nicole Powell with 21 points. The Monarchs shot 10-19 behind the arc, out-rebounded the Shock and forced a record-setting 24 turnovers by Detroit. Bottom line, Sacramento played like a champion defending their title. Detroit must regroup and find a way to win in Detroit on Friday night. Otherwise, it could be a quick series with the Monarchs wrapping it up in Sacramento on Sunday.

WNBA FINALS 2006 Preview

The returning champions, the Sacramento Monarchs and the Detroit Shock have made it the WNBA finals. It is best of five series that starts in Detroit tonight. You can catch it on ESPN 2 at 7:30pm.

I know that this star loaded series will be an exciting one. For Detroit, there is a very talented starting lineup of point guard, Deanna Nolen, sharp-shooter, Katie Smith, versatile, Swin Cash, boards-cleaner, Cheryl Ford and a very long, Ruth Riley. However, the supporting cast off the bench does not go much further than Plenette Pierson. The Shock are a quick, strong team who forces teams into bad shots or turnovers and runs a quick fast break down the floor. They can also really hurt you on offense with a lot of different weapons and especially on the boards. To beat the Monarchs, they must shut down Yolonda Griffith and keep the shooters in check. If Detriot plays good defense and get out in transition, it could be a long game for Sacramento.

For Saramento, they have a very experienced distributor in Ticha Penecheiro and a tough, center in Yolonda Griffifth who will carry the load, as well as a talented supporting cast of guards including Kara Lawson, Nicole Powell, Maiga-Ba Hamcetou and Kristen Haynie. At the four position, Demya Walker has regained her shape and is backed up by the most improved player in the WNBA, Erin Buescher. They may not be the top seed in this series, but they have the experience of being the returning champs. They are a smart team and have a lot of depth. They must continue to run the offense through Yolonda Griffith and work the ball on the outside to get open shots for Kara Lawson and Nicole Powell. Also, the ability to control the tempo of the gamae is key. They must not let the pace get to fast or this team will be in trouble. The Monarchs must take care of the ball and run their offense well to get good shots. The key is for the Monarchs is to get back quickly on defense to stop Detroit´s fast break for easy points. In the half court set, they must play smart, keeping the shooters in check, but also very physical, especially inside to protect the boards from an ambitious Cheryl Ford.

It is a tough one to predict, but I would say the Monarchs will win in 4 games.

Paradise in Garda, Italy

It felt like paradise in Garda, Italy. Tobi and I needed to get away for the weekend and treat ourselves. We have been preparing for next season by practicing hard with the men´s basketball team in Rosenheim and by doing a lot of weight training. Also, since we arrived nearly a month ago in Germany, it has been mostly cold and rainy. We missed the summer sun, so we went to Lake Garda in Italy.

We stayed in the mountains with an amazing view of the lake and the small town of Garda. We layed by the pool with a pina coloda in hand, enjoyed the delicious Italian food, took a course on windsurfing- wow, that is a hard sport, went tubing on the back of a boat- it was such a funny experience, and played golf on one of the most beautiful courses I have ever seen. Needless to say, it was exactly what I needed! ...now we must get back to reality.

Taurasi drops 47 in a 3-0T win vs. the Comets!

Diana Taurasi had a record setting night in a must win game for the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi and the Mercury seem to be on a quest to make the playoffs. The Mercury must win their next two games, and the Houston Comets must lose one, in order for the Mercury to get in the playoffs.

Taurasi has been putting up career numbers this month. Topping her recent 41 point performance, her 47 points against the Comets broke the previous record of 46 set by Katie Smith in 2001. Taurasi has already broken the record this year for the most points in a season with 805 points.

What is the difference for Taurasi this season compared to the last two seasons? How has she been able to increase her production in such a big way? First, it is the experience that comes with being a 3rd year veteran. Second, and probably most important was a key trade by the Mercury. With the trade of Anna Deforge for Kelly Miller, Diana Taurasi is moved from the point guard position to her natural scoring guard position. Here she is better utilized where she can make either the score or the key pass. Lastly, the acquisition of rookie, Cappie Poindexter, has presented the Mercury with another big scorer, which takes all the focus off of Taurasi.

With the continue of great play of Taurasi and the Mercury, along with a little bit of luck, the Phoenix Mercury just might get their long awaited playoff appearance.

WNBA Award Predictions

MVP: Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles
This was a tough category this year. I thought that Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas were also very deserving. However, based on the premise that the MVP is the player who is more valuable to her team's success than any other player is to their particular team's success, I select Lisa Leslie. At 36, she is putting together her best season yet. In addition to averaging over 20 points per game, for the first time, she is having career highs in field-goal shooting, rebounds, assists and steals. She has lead the Sparks to a first place position in the western conference. Lisa Leslie has bounced back from an injury plagued season in 2005, to show that one of the league's originals remains one of the best of the present.

Most Improved: Erin Bueshcer, Sacramento Monarchs
With Demya Walker out on maternity leave, Buescher took advantage of an opportunity and stepped up. She has almost doubled her previous season-high for points as she is averaging 10.0 points per game, while starting 12 games for the defending champs. Buescher is also averaging a career-high in rebounds, grabbing 4.2 per game, and has an incredible 54.3 percent from the field. I saw Erin Buescher play live in New York this summer and was really impressed with her on both ends of the floor. She seemed like she understood her role and did the little things to help her team win.

Rookie of the Year: Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx
Recently named to the 2006 World Championship team, Seimone Augustus has made a huge statement in her rookie year. She has led all rookies in scoring all season and ranks second in the WNBA, while averaging 22.1 points per game, behind Diana Taurasi. The first time All-Star also leads all rookies in field goal percentage (46%) and free throw percentage (89.3%). Her presence is also felt on the defensive end of the floor. Augustus has become one of the stars in the WNBA in just her rookie year! If this young talent continues to stay healthy and puts her mind to it, the future of her career is limitless.

USA Women's National Team Adds Three

The USA Women's Basketball team just got a little stronger with the addition of two newcomers, as well as an international veteran. WNBA stars Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Alana Beard (Washington Mystics) and Yolanda Griffith (Sacramento, Monarchs) have received the nod from USA Basketball Women's National Team Committee. The 15th FIBA World Championship is scheduled to be played Sept. 12-23 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The United States is looking at the 2006 FIBA World Championship to continue building upon the success it has experienced over the last decade in the international arena. Since the 1996 Olympic Games the team has posted 5 consecutive gold medals at the Olympics and FIBA World Championships. Not only have the American women finished on top of the podium, they have posted an amazing 42-0 record, an unparralled streak over the past decade among USA women's sports!

The USA Basketball Women's Senior National team Committee, chaired by Renee Brown, will continue to evaluate players for the final roster position which will be filled later this summer. I think that this is a great way to make selections. After the European tour in the spring, a core group of 8 was established. Then, the committee uses the WNBA season for further evaluation of players for the last 4 spots. This gives the borderline players from the tour a chance to differentiate themselves and make the team later in the summer. In my opinion, you can have an outstanding resume, but it should depend on who is producing on both ends of the floor, RIGHT NOW.

Diana Taurasi: A hero on and off the court

In addition to leading the Phoenix Mercury and the WNBA in scoring, Diana Taurasi is showing her heroism off the court. She has partnered up with the national organization called Kaboom! to build playgrounds in cities all across the United States. The goal is to provide safe places for children to play and the focus is on impoverished areas. For her first playground, Taurasi chose the working-class city of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

"I just thought if you had the resources, and you really want to do it and have the influence to to it, it's a good thing. Something to be unselfish about and to give kids something to smile about, whish is probably something they don't get to do every day. I don't know if it is important on a social level, I think it's important on an individual level, " she said. "If it is a cause that is important to do, then that's all that counts."