Dishin & Swishin Podcast: The Roundtable Returns! A look at the first part of the WNBA seas

[DishNSwish]

Today’s panel consists of:

• Mechelle Voepel, ESPN
• LaChina Robinson, ESPN and Fox Sports
• Ticha Penicheiro, former WNBA star and agent for Sports International Group, Inc.

The group covers a great deal of information in just over an hour discussion on topics including:

• What is going on with the Sparks?
• Phoenix and Minnesota battle for Western Conference supremacy
• Point guards, point guards, point guards (and we even brought our own to the discussion!)
• The continuing evolution of Diana Taurasi
• Posts! Brittney, Courtney, and Elena, oh my! (and we brought our own post to the discussion too!)
• Is the Dream really so much better than the rest of the East and is this “the year” they take the next step?
• Lin Dunn working magic in Indiana again? Why are we surprised?
• Who will make the playoffs in the East from the five teams not based in Atlanta?
• What to make of the New York Liberty this season
• Rookies, from Chiney and Alyssa Thomas in Connecticut to Shoni-mania in Atlanta
• All-Stars! We know who the fans voted in, who should be selected for the rest of the spots?
• MVP picks at this point, and who will win each conference

Enjoy!

http://j.mp/1sD9cHC

 

[Striper69]

Finally got a chance to listen to the whole thing. Always great to hear the experts opine about the WNBA!

 

[DishNSwish]

I hope you liked it; loved the point guard discussion and the perspective Ticha brought to the table

 

[Striper69]

Wish the Tulsa Shock situation had been discussed or maybe it was and I missed it. They're just a hair away from being one of the top teams in the league. Maybe Cambage will come back next year and get serious.

 

[DishNSwish]

We focused more on individual play of Skylar and Paris then the time as a whole; with a limited time, it's tough to cover all the teams, and as entertaining as Tulsa is, they are still last in the west right now.

 

[Striper69]

It's a tough league this year. Just think what it'll be like next year with Achonwa, Jen Hamson and Gray playing as well as the next set of draftees!

They may need to expand the league. I think Philly or Newark, Delaware is ready to support a team.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Dave, you took a pass on Michelle's question about Renee Montgomery's contribution for the CT Sun.

 

[DishNSwish]

I gave a politically correct answer I thought.

That there's inconsistent minutes, Donovan has not been holding to her "whoever plays better plays" decree, and its not working out great.

Politically correct.

 

[Striper69]

Dave, you took a pass on Michelle's question about Renee Montgomery's contribution for the CT Sun.

I listened again and he said he didn't know how it was going to work out.

I thought Renee looked pretty good at the game I went to against the Shock. She blew right by Angel Goodrich a couple of times and they took Goodrich out of the game after that. Maybe the Sun can try to use her like that more often. She's a lot like Tiffany Bias and Danielle Robinson in that regard. I didn't know she was that quick!

 

[Wbbfan1]

Right, you did give a Politically Correct Answer. However, Mechelle wasn't looking for a Politically Correct Answer, She wanted to know WHY. You're close to the team and others that know whats going on and that's the answer Mechelle wanted.

I gave a politically correct answer I thought.

That there's inconsistent minutes, Donovan has not been holding to her "whoever plays better plays" decree, and its not working out great.

Politically correct.

 

[DishNSwish]

Right, you did give a Politically Correct Answer. However, Mechelle wasn't looking for a Politically Correct Answer, She wanted to know WHY. You're close to the team and others that know whats going on and that's the answer Mechelle wanted.

You are correct, and there are somethings that simply cannot be shared when you cover a team. Just like some stuff I see/hear with UConn. Mechelle knows that, and let me off the hook with the info I was able to share.

 

[ChicagoGG]

You are correct, and there are somethings that simply cannot be shared when you cover a team. Just like some stuff I see/hear with UConn. Mechelle knows that, and let me off the hook with the info I was able to share.

Understandable - you can't burn your bridges....

 

[Wbbfan1]

I understand what's being said, however, that's the problem with Journalism today. Reporters, Commentators etc are more concerned with their personal beliefs, relationships to teams, individuals and/or access then reporting facts. I do agree that information of a players life off the court should not be reported on, unless it directly impacts their ability to play on the court. Players have a right to Privacy. Anne Donovan's relationships with the players does impact the ability of the team on the court and IMHO is fair game and should be reported on. If there are issues between the players and management that is impacting the play on the court, that's also fair game. Instead all concerned hide behind Political Correctness.

 

[DishNSwish]

Wbbfan1, you are entitled to your opinion and if you don't like my work, you are free not to listen.

However, that said, I'm going to do what I feel is fair and correct to all parties involved, and that's not going to change. I am just not going to air a team's dirty laundry in public, that's not my job and not one I aspire to have.

If you're looking for a hard-hitting expose on something, my coverage isn't going to give it to you. If you're looking to be informed and entertained, and have the women's game discussed and analyzed then I'm your cup of tea.

 

[hoophuskee]

Thought it interesting various topics. IMO looks like LA will begin to roll But just wondering -- for Dave and others - do you think Parker "wants" to be more of a "pg" and deliberately wants to play away from the basket? I realize she has to play more as a pg when her team was missing Toliver (more of a sg anyway). But putting Harding to the bench I don't think that's the answer. I don't understand why they can't see they need a pg and I'm wondering if that is Parker's influence that she wants to play from the top of the key instead of relying on getting the ball closer (ie relying on a pg)? It always seems every year they need a pg. I don't follow it though that closely and maybe to find a pg with size to offset Toliver being a small sg - there isn't much available. They just seemd to be more foused overall on the "athlete" than the "position."

 

[Striper69]

They had a good point guard with Prahalis and let her go.

They can't expect her to save the team in a few days. She needed time develop and find what she could do for the team. Dumb move to let her go.

 

[Striper69]

Wbbfan1, you are entitled to your opinion and if you don't like my work, you are free not to listen.

However, that said, I'm going to do what I feel is fair and correct to all parties involved, and that's not going to change. I am just not going to air a team's dirty laundry in public, that's not my job and not one I aspire to have.

If you're looking for a hard-hitting expose on something, my coverage isn't going to give it to you. If you're looking to be informed and entertained, and have the women's game discussed and analyzed then I'm your cup of tea.

She kinda threw you under the bus there...

if they were winning then it wouldn't be brought up.