Hear comments from the Comets after Practice

Sheryl Swoopes: ...so much better..." -- Down Home BBQ

Van Chancellor: " ...just banged up..."

Tom Cross: "...the league approved it..." -- Italian Ice Hut

Pistons like things Tough

I picked the Detroit Pistons to win the 2006 NBA title back in October. I did pick them to beat the Spurs in the Finals; so, one part of my prediction is now wrong. The Pistons begin their Eastern Conference Finals tilt tonight versus Shaq, D-Wade, and the Miami Heat. For some inexplicable reason, Detroit's offense went south versus the Cleveland Cavaliers; however, I believe Detroit will play much better versus the Heat because I believe the Pistons have much more respect for Miami than they did the Cavs. This group of Pistons has a "flick the switch" mentality; so, when they lost Game 5 to the Cavs, the Pistons didn't worry or panic. They simply re-focused and managed to get the job done in Cleveland for Game 6.

The Pistons thrive in the underdog role. The more people doubt them, the more they like it. Therefore, when the national media tabbed them as the team to beat for the title, the Pistons were unaccustomed to that role and played poorly. However, when people began doubting them after that Game 5 loss, the Pistons re-gained that chip on their shoulder and that "us against the world mindset" in which they thrive.

Now that more people are picking the Heat to defeat the Pistons in this series, I expect the Pistons to prevail once again.

Pistons in 7.

Comets lose season opener to Silver Stars 79-63

Check out these post-game mp3s from Sunday's loss by the Comets:

Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes: "...consistent performance..."

Comets G Dawn Staley: "...we need a win..."

Comets post Mistie Williams: "...a butt in the gut..."

Comets G Roneeka Hodges: "...we got outplayed..."

Comets Two Days from Cut-Down Day

Listen to what these four had to say after today's practice:
Van Chancellor: "...about 10 days..."

Kayte Christensen: "...just anxious..."

rookie post Mistie Williams: "...very confident..."

rookie post Tiffany Stansbury: "...a little bit of both..."

Tina Thompson practiced today; and, she looked fantastic!

Dominique Canty practiced as well; however, since she's not yet able to participate in full-court scrimmage, the team practiced in the half-court.

Sancho Lyttle practiced as well.

Dawn Staley sat out practice which I expected considering how many minutes she played last night.

Tamecka Dixon didn't practice; but, she was able to do more exercises than earlier in the week.

For some reason, three local tv stations (KPRC, KHOU, FOX) showed up at practice today. Look for interviews with Van; Tina; and Mistie Williams (on KHOU). Mistie and Tari Phillips even did "The Twist" for KHOU.

Detroit Shock Blast Comets 85-70 in Preseason Finale

I was a little surprised at the comments from the Comets after losing to Detroit Wednesday night; however, you can listen for yourself...

Dawn Staley: "...a little beat up..."

Kayte Christensen: "...at least we played hard..."

Post-game comments from Van Chancellor

Listen to comments from Van Chancellor and Kayte Christensen

Houston Comets head coach Van Chancellor: "...really, really well..."

I apologize for the background noise in this interview with Comets forward Kayte Christensen...
Kayte: "...unrestricted free agent..." (part 1)

Kayte: "...extra pressure to perform..." (part 2)

Kayte: "...salary cap issues..." (part 3)

Kayte: "...energizing defensive player..." (part 4)

NBA Playoffs 2006 - Conference Semifinals Schedule Update

From the NBA

Please note:
On Saturday, May 13, the San Antonio at Dallas game time is changed to 7:00 PM Local/8:00 PM ET and will now be televised by ABC and ESPN Radio and the Detroit at Cleveland game time is changed to 5:00 PM ET and will now be televised by ESPN.

NBA Playoffs and Dominique Canty

I'm watching the Detroit Pistons trying to hold off the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals series; but, I wanted to post this mp3 from today's Houston Comets' practice:

Hear HRR chat w/ Comets guard Dominique Canty

Dominique: "...the go to player..."-- Down Home Bbq

Note: I'm planning to conduct more and more interviews this year; but, I need new sponsors for my "tags". If you're interested in reaching many people for a reasonable price, please get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Happy hoops...

Congrats to UH's Tye Jackson

I want to congratlute each of the 37 young ladies named to try-out for USA Basketball's Under 20 Team.

However, I especially want to acknowledge University of Houston Lady Cougar and Houston's own Tye Jackson from Westfield HS.

Tye Jackson Invited To U.S. U20 National Team Trials

Good luck, Tye!

From the Comets...

From the Comets organization:
Comets Game Notes How would you like to get exclusive up-to-date game notes before each Comets game? We'd like to give you the chance to get all of the latest Comets information for upcoming games about everything including probable starting roster, injury reports, recent transactions, and any other important day-of-game information.

To sign up for this FREE service, all you have to do is visit HOUSTONCOMETS.COM and click on Comets Insider. If you're already a Comets Insider, just update your settings to include Game Notes! If not, then sign up now! Don't miss out on any more hot offers and exclusive Comets info!

Next, Comets forward Tari Phillips practiced today; and, to the surprise of some, Tari was in good basketball shape.

Practice was intense and productive. The Comets are looking good and getting ready for the 2006 season.

Tina rolls her ankle. HRR Chat w/ Mistie

Houston Comets forward Tina Thompson rolled her right ankle in practice today when she stepped on Kayte Christensen's foot. Tina didn't finish practice. The ankle throbbed a lot; so, she's walking with a limp right now. She should be okay. Heck, she was a cheerleader; motivator; analyst; and a ref while sitting in a chair the remainder of practice.

I interviewed Comets rookie post player Mistie Williams after practice. Check out her comments:

Mistie Williams: "...performing to my abilities..."--Elvin Franklin, Jr.

Mistie Williams: "...stop thinking..."--The Satellite Man

Comets' Tom Cross and NBA All-Rookie Teams

HRR chat w/ Comets' Dir. of Player Personnel Tom Cross

Tom Cross: "...all belong in the league..."--RCS Sports

Also, Chris Paul of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets headlines a talented group of rookies named to the NBA All-Rookie Team, the NBA announced today.

Paul, the only unanimous First Team selection, is joined by Toronto’s Charlie Villanueva (56 points), Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut (55 points), Utah’s Deron Williams (46 points) and New York’s Channing Frye (45 points).

The T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team consists of Indiana’s Danny Granger (43 points), Charlotte’s Raymond Felton (40 points), Houston’s Luther Head (28 points), Atlanta’s Marvin Williams (15 points) and Boston’s Ryan Gomes (14 points).

The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select five players for the first team and five players for the second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own team. Two points were awarded for first team votes and one for second team votes.

Listen to Sheryl Swoopes

I interviewed Sheryl Swoopes after Wednesday night's preseason opener for the Comets. The Comets defeated Charlotte 77 to 66.

Check out her comments:

Sheryl Swoopes: "...get back in shape..."--Uncle Buddys Used Cars

Sheryl Swoopes: "...take the fans..."--Matrix Financial Group

MP3s from Muggsy, Mo, and Tina

Check out these mp3s from Charlotte Sting head coach Muggsy Bogues; rookie Monique Currie; and Houston Comets All-Star Tina Thompson:

Charlotte Sting head coach Muggsy Bogues: "...learning process..."--Italian Ice Hut

Charlotte Sting G/F Monique Currie: "...do better than last year..." --Down Home BBQ

Comets F Tina Thompson: "...future players..."--Kashmere Pharmacy

Comets Announce Broadcast Schedule

The Houston Comets announced today that the team has renewed its broadcasting partnerships with SportsRadio 610 and FSN Houston for the 2006 season. SportsRadio 610 will air every game beginning with the team's preseason opener on May 3 vs. Charlotte; while FSN Houston will televise six contests, beginning on May 21 when the Comets host the San Antonio Silver Stars in their season opener.

Handling the play-by-play duties for both television and radio will be Craig Ackerman, who enters his first season as the Comets full-time play-by-play analyst. Alongside Ackerman will be Comets legend Cynthia Cooper, who returns for her third season as television analyst. Rockets Spanish Radio Announcer Adrian Chavarria will also be joining the radio broadcasts as the studio host for SportsRadio 610's pre-game, halftime and post-game shows.

In addition to the FSN Houston television schedule, the Comets will also be featured in four nationally televised games: May 23 at Seattle Storm, July 18 at San Antonio and August 1 at Sacramento Monarchs on ESPN2. In their last regular season game, the Comets will host Seattle on August 12 on ABC.

Here's a link to the Comets 2006 television schedule on FSN Houston.

Brief notes from Houston Comets practice

Sheryl was at practice today. She wore the knee brace on her right knee; but, it didn't hamper or hinder her in anyway.

I had to leave practice before it finished; but, reps from Fox 26 Sports, the Chronicle and houstoncomets.com should have quotes from her later today / tonight.

Sheryl struggled with her outside shot while I was there.

Tamecka Dixon was on fire today.

Dawn Staley made a sweet pass to Tiffany Stansbury for a lay--up.