Comets prep for Seattle
What a difference a day makes?!
Yesterday's practice by the Houston Comets was no where near as sharp as today's shootaround session.
"We had good practices all week. I think yesterday's practice was a little too lax," said Comets Head Coach / GM Karleen Thompson this morning. "Sometimes it gets like that when you have tough practices then you see 'it's not going to be that tough tomorrow'. I think the players came in yesterday a little too lax; but, we picked it up today at the shootaround."
"We re-focused and we're ready to play."
Earlier this season, the Comets (1-7) lost to to the Seattle Storm (7-4) in Seattle 64 to 63; so, tonight's game is a chance to pick up their second win of the 2008 WNBA season but also even the head-to-head match up with the Storm.
One very basic key the Comets need to establish tonight is playing well the entire ball game.
"We need to play as a unit for a full 40 minutes," added Coach Thompson. "Forty minutes of defense first and let the offense happen. We definitely have to look to try to stop Sue (Storm point guard Sue Bird) or Lauren (Storm power forward Lauren Jackson). We did a good job containing them in Seattle."
Comets center Michelle Snow added, "We haven't played play a full forty minutes; but, we've had a week off to work on some things: focus. Learning what we need to watch at the end of games and concentrate on at the end of the game. That's what we need to do tonight."
The Comets' team defense (allowing about 78 points per game) has been a disappointment thus far this season.
"At times, our defense is great -- but not for forty minutes," added Karleen. "We're still trying to work out the kinks. We just have to get everybody on the same page to the point where everyone is "on a string" and part of that goes with trust to be able to go out and help (on defense) and know that somebody has your back on the weak side. We're still working on that. We work on our defense every...single...day. We put an emphasis on defense. Hopefully, we can showcase it tonight."
Tonight's game will be just the third home game for the Comets thus far this season. The game also begins a three-game homestand for the Comets; so, starting the homestand with a victory is important.
"We've been on the road six out of our eight games. It's been tough; but, we've been in every game. So, I think just to be able sleep in their own beds and not have to get on a plane and not have delays and different things like that. Just to be able to focus and stay home and let our crowd help us."
Swoopes' Homecoming
Tonight's game will also be the first time All-World player Sheryl Swoopes returns to Houston -- as an opponent -- and faces the Houston Comets in front of the Houston Comets fans.
Coach Thompson expects tonight's crowd to welcome Swoopes with open arms.
"I think they're going to be extremely happy and excited to see her back in Houston," Thompson stated. "Of course, they would want to see her in a Comets' uniform. We all would. But, she's not. But, she's still Sheryl Swoopes; and, she still played in Houston and done so much for the Comets' organization and women's basketball. I'm sure and I know the fans are going to embrace her tonight; and, it's good that we see her, too."
Michelle Snow is looking forward to Swoopes' return as well; but, Snow still wants the Comets to win tonight's game.
"Honestly, Sheryl has done a lot for Houston. The city of Houston and the Comets. I'm a huge fan. I always have been (a Swoopes' fan). She's in another mind. I don't mind the fans giving her a standing ovation; but, once that first jump ball is tossed, she is no longer here. It's all about Houston getting a win and rebuilding this program."
Yesterday's practice by the Houston Comets was no where near as sharp as today's shootaround session.
"We had good practices all week. I think yesterday's practice was a little too lax," said Comets Head Coach / GM Karleen Thompson this morning. "Sometimes it gets like that when you have tough practices then you see 'it's not going to be that tough tomorrow'. I think the players came in yesterday a little too lax; but, we picked it up today at the shootaround."
"We re-focused and we're ready to play."
Earlier this season, the Comets (1-7) lost to to the Seattle Storm (7-4) in Seattle 64 to 63; so, tonight's game is a chance to pick up their second win of the 2008 WNBA season but also even the head-to-head match up with the Storm.
One very basic key the Comets need to establish tonight is playing well the entire ball game.
"We need to play as a unit for a full 40 minutes," added Coach Thompson. "Forty minutes of defense first and let the offense happen. We definitely have to look to try to stop Sue (Storm point guard Sue Bird) or Lauren (Storm power forward Lauren Jackson). We did a good job containing them in Seattle."
Comets center Michelle Snow added, "We haven't played play a full forty minutes; but, we've had a week off to work on some things: focus. Learning what we need to watch at the end of games and concentrate on at the end of the game. That's what we need to do tonight."
The Comets' team defense (allowing about 78 points per game) has been a disappointment thus far this season.
"At times, our defense is great -- but not for forty minutes," added Karleen. "We're still trying to work out the kinks. We just have to get everybody on the same page to the point where everyone is "on a string" and part of that goes with trust to be able to go out and help (on defense) and know that somebody has your back on the weak side. We're still working on that. We work on our defense every...single...day. We put an emphasis on defense. Hopefully, we can showcase it tonight."
Tonight's game will be just the third home game for the Comets thus far this season. The game also begins a three-game homestand for the Comets; so, starting the homestand with a victory is important.
"We've been on the road six out of our eight games. It's been tough; but, we've been in every game. So, I think just to be able sleep in their own beds and not have to get on a plane and not have delays and different things like that. Just to be able to focus and stay home and let our crowd help us."
Swoopes' Homecoming
Tonight's game will also be the first time All-World player Sheryl Swoopes returns to Houston -- as an opponent -- and faces the Houston Comets in front of the Houston Comets fans.
Coach Thompson expects tonight's crowd to welcome Swoopes with open arms.
"I think they're going to be extremely happy and excited to see her back in Houston," Thompson stated. "Of course, they would want to see her in a Comets' uniform. We all would. But, she's not. But, she's still Sheryl Swoopes; and, she still played in Houston and done so much for the Comets' organization and women's basketball. I'm sure and I know the fans are going to embrace her tonight; and, it's good that we see her, too."
Michelle Snow is looking forward to Swoopes' return as well; but, Snow still wants the Comets to win tonight's game.
"Honestly, Sheryl has done a lot for Houston. The city of Houston and the Comets. I'm a huge fan. I always have been (a Swoopes' fan). She's in another mind. I don't mind the fans giving her a standing ovation; but, once that first jump ball is tossed, she is no longer here. It's all about Houston getting a win and rebuilding this program."
posted by Kris G @ 12:22 PM
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