David King of the San Antonio Express-News takes a good, long, in-depth look at the diminuative point guard and her struggled to make a name for herself, including her struggles as she decided to join Team Russia for its’ playoff run. One of my favorite parts of the article doesn’t detail Becky’s stateside troubles, but those within her own Olympic squad across the pond.

It also helps that Hammon, who has three years left on what is reportedly a $2 million contract with CSKA, won over members of the national team. Some had objected to the idea of playing with a U.S. point guard, both in the media and with Grudin, before the 2007-08 season.

“There was a big question mark about ‘How is she going to fit in with the Russian girls? How is she going to treat them? Is she going to be a pain in the butt on this team? Is she going to be a good teammate? Is she going to be somebody we can trust and rely on?’” Hammon said.

“And after they saw me on a day-in and day-out basis, they’re like ‘OK, we’ll take her.’”

King also provides a basic Olympic primer for those who want to know what to expect prior to the Olympic games.

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Hammon begins quest for Russian gold

Well, that’s because it was — and since we’re talking about it, it’s because he was fired Saturday. From the Washington Post:

General Manager Linda Hargrove said the completely demoralizing nature of the back-to-back losses to New York (77-56) and Detroit (99-62) was the tipping point. The embarrassing losses put the playoffs farther out of reach for the Mystics (8-14), who’ve qualified for postseason play four times in their 11-year history.

“It probably wouldn’t have happened had we lost those two games, just lost them,” Hargrove said. “But the way we lost them and the way we didn’t compete . . . was very much a part of the decision.

“Whenever you are going through a bad stretch sometimes you can keep everybody together on the same page and continue to work toward a common goal. I don’t think I really felt the connectiveness with our team and Tree for a while. I think we won some games in spite of maybe not having a real together feeling with everybody.”

I guess you can ask yourself why he can’t get a full season to see if the team buys into his plan, but when you get your ass handed to you twice in a row, sometimes you don’t get to ask the questions.

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Mystics fire Tree Rollins

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Sylvia Fowles expected back before Olympic break

Jackson and Bird have nearly been inseparable since last fall when they linked in Russia to win EuroLeague and Russian Superleague titles for Spartak Moscow. But Jackson will leave Seattle today for a two-day vacation then return to her native Australia to train with her national team for the Olympics.

For a list of all the players competing in the Olympics, check out the league’s site.

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WNBA Olympians begin exodus

On July 5, the Dream was losing, 19-6, to visiting Chicago, the W.N.B.A.’s second-sorriest team, but Atlanta’s loyal fans were shrieking and pounding ThunderStix. A crew hired for the third straight game to blast streamers out of air cannons at the final horn to toast a win was close to packing up and heading home.

But an upbeat vibe prevailed during a Dream timeout — a consequence of youth (only two players are beyond their third W.N.B.A. season) and inner calm (spirituality permeates this roster like perhaps few others in professional sports).

Two hours later: 91-84, Dream. The cannons fired as part of Operation Cobra, the covert party designation from Sarah Davis.

One thing that made me chuckle a bit were the follow grafs.

An unanticipated bonus of the player’s everyday salaries and the owner’s business as a condominium developer is that nearly all the players are neighbors in the same complex. While sharing meals or watching episodes of “The Bachelorette” together, they can commiserate. And bond.

“I’ve never been part of a team with this type of chemistry,” center Katie Feenstra said.

So I spent my Monday nights the same way the Dream did; watching “The Bachelorette.” Of course, mine was because I work at an ABC affiliate and I didn’t actually hear any sounds, but the show is one 6-7 TVs near me. Anyway, good article about the team and their chemistry, even if they did have some fights.

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How did the Dream work through 17 losses?

 Representatives of the WNBA have met with Mayor Sheila Dixon to discuss the possibility of moving a franchise to Baltimore once a new downtown arena is built, Dixon said today.

The mayor also said she’d like to see the new facility built on the same downtown site where the 14,000-seat 1st Mariner Arena stands.

Dixon mentioned the possibility of attracting a women’s basketball franchise after being asked if a new arena should be large enough for an NBA team.

“I think we need a larger arena,” she said. “But I don’t think we should rely on attracting the NBA.”

When asked about the city’s prospects for attracting a women’s team, she said, “We’re going to see where things go.”

Now the video’s subtext talks about a team moving to B-more rather than an expansion, so it really could go either way, but you have to wonder A) could another team in that region survive and B) if there’s a team possibly moving, which team is it? Currently, there are only 2 WNBA teams without a brother-NBA team (Connecticut, Seattle). Could a third in Baltimore pull it off? What do you think? Which team do you think would move or is this the expansion talk we heard moving around during the off-season?

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The Baltimore Hamsterdams?

The thing I love about this team and a lot of champions that I get to recognize here at the White House is the fact that they understand you’re a champ on the courts, and you’re a champ off the courts. The — this team spent weekends on a Habitat for Humanity program called, “Women Build.” They served meals at homeless shelters. They honored breast cancer survivors. They helped sign up runners for Race for the Cure. They collected water bottles from fans and donated them to the Salvation Army’s Extreme Heat Emergency Project. They participated in Read to Achieve. They helped stuff backpacks with supplies for underprivileged children.

They support the junior WNBA program, fully understanding that promoting healthy lifestyles is good for America, and there’s no better way to have a healthy lifestyle than to participate in athletics. They’ve done their duty as citizens of the United States. I’m honored to welcome you. I’m proud of your championship trophy. I thank you for what you do for the country. May God bless you all. (Applause.)

Here’s a look at some of the programs the Mercury participate in throughout their community.

Take 25 Educates Families
The Mercury partnered with Local Law Enforcement on Tuesday, June 3, for National Missing Children’s Day. Take 25 is a national child safety campaign that promotes an ongoing dialogue between children, families, and communities about child safety. Law enforcement agencies were on hand to provide education materials to encourage and educate families on how to keep their children safe.

Habitat for Humanity Women Build
Mercury President and COO Jay Parry was on hand for the ground breaking of the Habitat for Humanity Women build on Saturday, February 2, 2008. As part of the Mercury’s commitment to this project Mercury fans, coaches, staff and players will help build the home for nine weekends.

You can read more about the WNBA’s philanthropic work at WNBA Cares.

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Phoenix Mercury give back

President Bush singled out Mercury stars and Olympians Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter for their efforts in the WNBA and the upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Now, this is not the first time that Diana has been here to the White House. She came with the mighty UConn Huskies. And she told me she was going to amount to something in life when I saw her. (Laughter.) She said, “I will be back,” and she is, as the champion. Welcome. Glad you’re here.

And I wish these two — these two great athletes all the best at the Olympics in Beijing. They’re going to be carrying on the great tradition of women’s basketball here in the United States. And even though it’s going to be tough, a lot of teams are getting ready for them, they’re going to come back with the Gold and America will be proud. (Applause.)

The president also received a replica championship banner and Mercury team jersey. Photos from the White House ceremony at WNBA.com.

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Phoenix Mercury visit President Bush

San Antonio Silver Stars guard Shanna Crossley was at our studio this afternoon and sat down for a brief segment. Here’s the video. Crossley at KSAT 12.

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Shanna Crossley talks rehab, watching the Stars compete

Atlanta Dream point guard Ivory Latta is the face of the WNBA’s newest franchise, and it seems to be a role that’s fitting her just fine. Courtesy of the Winston-Salem Chronicle.

Anthony (Hill): No doubt. What about you? How much have you improved since last year?

Ivory: A lot. At Detroit, I didn’t get to play as much. I’m getting the opportunity to do what I love here. I’m trying to get better every day. I have a great guard to look up to in Betty Lennox. You can’t go wrong with that.

Anthony: I hate to dwell on the start of the season. But how hard is it for you to be patient with the way things are going?

Ivory: It’s hard, without a doubt. But God has been teaching me patience my whole life. I’ve really been put into situations that really require my patience. I know things will workout for us in the end.

Latta is currently averaging 8.9 points and 4.5 assists per game in 28 minutes per.

(Newscom rocks, thanks for the pic.)

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Ivory Latta coming into her own as Atlanta’s point guard