Good for Renee. She's the starting PG on a very good team destined for the playoffs. Honestly I don't think she gets enough credit. She was a backup PG for so long that I don't think anyone really sees here as "elite", but they should. So happy for her - she seems to have found the right place and the right coach.
Side note - I'm hoping for the same thing for Kiah Stokes. She seems to have regressed since Lambeer left and Smith took over. Right now it seems she's in the wrong situation.
I think a a change of scenery and a visit to see the Wizard would do Stokes a world of good. I remain a HUGE Kiah Stokes fan, but right now, she's not getting it done, causing her minutes to decline this season. She was making slow but steady progress under Laimbeer, but has regressed under Kate Smith. When she returns from overseas next year, it's
imperative that she bring back those double doubles with her that she regularly puts up there.
Reading that article, and watching Montgomery grow and mature through the years since her arrival on campus in 2006, and being named the
Big East Conference Freshman of the Year, brings two thoughts to mind.
1. Renee is a leader (we all know that). She's a student of the game. She learned at the feet of the master.
2. She would make an excellent coach someday. She has a knowledge and passion for the game that she can share and teach to those coming behind her. She believes her winning ways from UConn and from the Lynx came with her to Atlanta. "
That's one thing I can bring," Montgomery said. "I've seen what it takes on a day-to-day basis. You can't buy that experience unless you were there". (Amen)
"
When you're younger you have so many goals and a lot of them are individual. Now I want to be sure that we make the playoffs. I want to get one of those bye spots. So just my approach to the game, controlling the team, is different. "My goals are team oriented. I couldn't care less if I score two points. My thing is, let's make sure we got this right. I want to win." Sounds like good "coach speak" to me.
She's go about 5-7 more years left before she hangs up her game shoes for the last time. It would not surprise me one bit to see her on a sideline as an assistant coach soon after her playing days are over. With her experience, love for the game and contacts, it won't be hard for her to secure a spot on somebody's staff as an assistant. I'm talking college or WNBA.
