Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Plebe, post: 3426680, member: 6927"] I have nothing negative to say about Cynthia Cooper as a person. Every personal interaction I've seen form her has been classy. I'm not surprised to hear your nice anecdote. But her coaching stint at USC was obviously none too successful, and I think she just had a tendency to run what I'll call a loose ship. As a player she is an absolute legend. She has a great life story. Grew up in Watts. Was successful at USC but somewhat overshadowed by Cheryl Miller and the McGee sisters. Toiled in relative obscurity in the European leagues for over a decade before the WNBA was founded. (She did play on the 1988 and 1992 Olympic teams, though.) She was 34 when she became the WNBA's surprise MVP. Her play not only led the first dynasty in the W but electrified the entire city. (Don't get me started about how much I miss the Comets.) I believe that what allowed Cynthia to build such a successful career as a player was how innately driven she was, and her personal work ethic and discipline emanated from that innate drive. I haven't really seen an ability to impart that to her players -- after all, how do you teach something that always came innately to you? [/QUOTE]