i don't know why i'm doing this, or what inspired me, but i wanted to put together the 12 player team (gotta make it more legit than 11 player teams) i would choose for the WNBA.. i chose the team based on style of play and my thoughts of a team that YOU couldn't beat.. i wanted to tie my hands behind my back, by not choosing players like Taurasi, etc.. i would love to debate my team vs anybody that thinks they can field a better team and beat my team.. i promise you that you won't beat my team.. and yes, I'd coach the team.. our offense would be ridiculous and the defensive schemes would put me in the Hall of Fame (only jokes, but i do feel good about my chances!).. i also made sure that my FAM was on the team.. plus i know their traits and skill set.. but let me get to it..
My Starting Lineup
PG: Temeka Johnson
SG: Cappie Pondexter
SF: Tamika Catchings
PF: DeLisha Milton-Jones
C: Sylvia Fowles
Reserves
PG: Epiphany Prince
G: Ketia Swanier
SF: Essence Carson
SF: DeWanna Bonner
SF: Tamera Young
F: Candace Parker
C: Erika De Souza
On paper, i know you're scratching your head.. No Sue Bird? No Lauren Jackson? And no Taurasi? yup, that's right.. there were a few players that i really wanted (like Crystal Langhorne), but i just couldn't fit them on the team.. i wanted a team that could play uptempo and a half-court game.. this team fits.. my biggest thing was making sure my bench would be able to run the other team off the court.. Epiphany is the game changer off the bench.. Essence and Tamera are my shutdown defenders.. They are my glue players.. They will defend whoever.. we saw Essence come into form during the playoffs.. she's not intimidated by anyone.. DeWanna is the ultimate glue player.. a player that can get me 15 and 8 in a blur.. Erika is a force.. just when you thought we were soft, she appears.. Candace i'd want inspired by being on the bench.. like how she was in Russia.. she murdered 2nd units.. Ketia will be able to flourish in a guard capacity.. i want her to be a blur.. i want her as a 1-person fast break.. point blank..
my starting lineup? come on now.. Meek is the general.. the team falls in line after her.. Cappie is my DWade.. she's going to give me buckets and get in the zone faster than any other player.. Catch is my LeBron.. does everything VERY well.. DeLisha? that's my bully.. she does the dirty work and can score w/o having plays designed for her.. Syl? what more can i say? on my team, she'd dunk EVERY game..
think you can put together a squad that beats us? let me know.. you won't win, but i love you thinking that you can!!
i - Q..
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Offseason..
Although Meek and Ketia are on their game w/ their foundations, I'm beginning to use this time for bigger endeavors.. For me, right now is about power moves and planning.. Less task management and more business development.. There are so many things that need to be developed if you're trying to stay ahead of the game.. My focus for this offseason is not as much about my players, but the future of the game.. Because, I feel that we've tried every "traditional" method to get noticed, but that isn't working.. That hasn't brought anyone any closer to the players.. At least not in a huge way.. The loyal supporters are seeing more, but the overall general public still have no idea..
I'm not going to point fingers or anything like that.. At the beginning of the night, we have to work with what we have.. I'm now focusing on working in a larger network.. A larger sphere of influence.. It's not much that I can speak on, but it is something that has given me a bit of hope.. I'm truly learning and leaning on people that have some sort of inside connection to the game.. And in a crazy way, they are leaning on me just as much as I am leaning on them.. If you could only see the BBMs and text messages that I receive from major players in the game.. That's not bragging, that's just speaking the reality.. I feel their excitement when we have conference calls.. I get excited after the calls and my ability to keep moving forward w/ my head held high.. I'm nowhere close to being there or done, though.. Nowhere..
i am motivated, though.. For me, I'm thinking global.. I'm not thinking nationally.. The women's basketball market is so much bigger than the US.. Most of you already know that.. But, the opportunities are there.. That's a big part of what I'm working on.. Some things will be for the US, but so much more will be for the global community.. I have to continue to make a way for these women to make real money and real opportunities.. And for those of you that feel that they shouldn't be chasing money, then I would look you in the eye and ask what Snoop cypher you just came out of.. Look, these women have proven their love for the game.. They shed their blood and tears.. Forget the sweat.. That's a given.. They've given their all just to get to the WNBA.. So, yes, I am focused on finding and creating more financial opportunities for them.. So, if they are done after 6 seasons, then maybe they can tour the world putting on clinics.. Maybe they can tour the world on a quest for women empowerment.. Maybe they can tour the world providing fashion to other women who are not 5'1".. Who knows? What I do know is that I'm not going to stop.. What I do know is that I'm committed.. Even when it may not appear to be that way.. Cool? Cool..
i - Q..
I'm not going to point fingers or anything like that.. At the beginning of the night, we have to work with what we have.. I'm now focusing on working in a larger network.. A larger sphere of influence.. It's not much that I can speak on, but it is something that has given me a bit of hope.. I'm truly learning and leaning on people that have some sort of inside connection to the game.. And in a crazy way, they are leaning on me just as much as I am leaning on them.. If you could only see the BBMs and text messages that I receive from major players in the game.. That's not bragging, that's just speaking the reality.. I feel their excitement when we have conference calls.. I get excited after the calls and my ability to keep moving forward w/ my head held high.. I'm nowhere close to being there or done, though.. Nowhere..
i am motivated, though.. For me, I'm thinking global.. I'm not thinking nationally.. The women's basketball market is so much bigger than the US.. Most of you already know that.. But, the opportunities are there.. That's a big part of what I'm working on.. Some things will be for the US, but so much more will be for the global community.. I have to continue to make a way for these women to make real money and real opportunities.. And for those of you that feel that they shouldn't be chasing money, then I would look you in the eye and ask what Snoop cypher you just came out of.. Look, these women have proven their love for the game.. They shed their blood and tears.. Forget the sweat.. That's a given.. They've given their all just to get to the WNBA.. So, yes, I am focused on finding and creating more financial opportunities for them.. So, if they are done after 6 seasons, then maybe they can tour the world putting on clinics.. Maybe they can tour the world on a quest for women empowerment.. Maybe they can tour the world providing fashion to other women who are not 5'1".. Who knows? What I do know is that I'm not going to stop.. What I do know is that I'm committed.. Even when it may not appear to be that way.. Cool? Cool..
i - Q..
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A New Day..
yesterday's love proved to be an inspiration for me to keep going w/ the blog.. i know that i have some loyal readers and supporters, but i also know that i haven't kept up w/ the blog the way that i should have.. yesterday made me realize that a voice is definitely needed to provide another view of things..
i'm still feeling a certain way about the Cappie situation.. i'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but just watching the comments people left, the various chatboards, etc, it just made me feel that many of you just don't get what the players go through.. a lot happens behind the scenes that fans are never privy to.. i think a lot of you know that, but tend to forget during the heat of the moment.. that's cool and all, but as good of a job most of these women do staying out of the news, tabloids, discussion boards, etc, they still see and hear what all is being said.. now w/ Twitter and Facebook, they definitely do.. there were people talking about greed (are you really serious?) related to playing for money.. injuries, etc..
actually, let me pause there.. aside from my NFL FAM, these WNBA players play through more injuries than a little bit.. i would say that on any given night 70% of the league is playing at less than 100%.. i know people have a problem w/ the way that i say things, and throw numbers out that aren't true facts.. for you, it is what it is.. that's my style to have fun w/ facts and figures.. i have 2 engineering degrees from Northwestern, i've earned the right to play with as many numbers as i want.. when you get through discrete mathematics and every other form of math, you're allowed to do that (only jokes, but you get what i'm saying).. but seriously, these women play through an amazing amount of injuries just to play for their families and support systems here in the US..
ok, un-pause..
i value the off-season like you wouldn't believe.. all of my players have been going non-stop since their season's ended.. no lie.. first, the season ends, and you deal w/ all of that.. the injuries, the disappointments, etc.. then, they figure out where they're going next.. and i'm not talking about overseas.. i'm talking about in the days following.. do they go home? go on a mini-vacation? do they go and handle other business opportunities? the list goes on.. then you have to weigh it all against how much time they have before heading overseas.. for some, that might only be a week or 2.. i know for a fact that one of my players hasn't had a break since the season ended.. she's been getting on her "brand" grind.. foundation stuff, personal stuff, business stuff.. she's motivated to establish her life after basketball..
i read something funny when someone talked about basketball needing to be all that the players concentrate on.. are you serious?? no, no, really.. are you serious?? and what happens when these athletes are no longer playing? you're looking at them then on some, "what happened to all of your money? why weren't you preparing for life after sports?".. that irony is hilarious.. we all go to work, but most people that work for The Man, have plans to leave The Man.. that's called inspiration.. that's called preparation.. so, are you now saying that because these women are entertaining you, they need to shuck and jive for the 5-8 years they can play the game at an elite level? after having shucked and jived all through high school and college playing for *cough* free?
ok, that's a different blog - which i WILL write about in the future - so i'll just make my final statement..
imagine working all year, and you saved up your vacation time for a big trip w/ your family and friends.. you've worked hard all year long, even putting in overtime to obtain more income for this trip.. you weren't mad at all.. you did your job, with that end goal (vacation) in mind.. now imagine on the day before your last day, your boss comes and says, that 2 week vacation? well, i need you back here in 4 days.. what would you do? how would you feel? what would you say? how would you react? that's a lot to think about in a short period of time.. well, that's how these ladies are EVERY season.. EVERY year.. they get to the end and realize that they still can't take or catch a break.. EVERY year..
now ask yourself again, is it so bad that Diana is considering taking time off? although i feel that most of you all wouldn't have a negative thing to say if she actually did.. ahh, i digress..
i - Q..
i'm still feeling a certain way about the Cappie situation.. i'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but just watching the comments people left, the various chatboards, etc, it just made me feel that many of you just don't get what the players go through.. a lot happens behind the scenes that fans are never privy to.. i think a lot of you know that, but tend to forget during the heat of the moment.. that's cool and all, but as good of a job most of these women do staying out of the news, tabloids, discussion boards, etc, they still see and hear what all is being said.. now w/ Twitter and Facebook, they definitely do.. there were people talking about greed (are you really serious?) related to playing for money.. injuries, etc..
actually, let me pause there.. aside from my NFL FAM, these WNBA players play through more injuries than a little bit.. i would say that on any given night 70% of the league is playing at less than 100%.. i know people have a problem w/ the way that i say things, and throw numbers out that aren't true facts.. for you, it is what it is.. that's my style to have fun w/ facts and figures.. i have 2 engineering degrees from Northwestern, i've earned the right to play with as many numbers as i want.. when you get through discrete mathematics and every other form of math, you're allowed to do that (only jokes, but you get what i'm saying).. but seriously, these women play through an amazing amount of injuries just to play for their families and support systems here in the US..
ok, un-pause..
i value the off-season like you wouldn't believe.. all of my players have been going non-stop since their season's ended.. no lie.. first, the season ends, and you deal w/ all of that.. the injuries, the disappointments, etc.. then, they figure out where they're going next.. and i'm not talking about overseas.. i'm talking about in the days following.. do they go home? go on a mini-vacation? do they go and handle other business opportunities? the list goes on.. then you have to weigh it all against how much time they have before heading overseas.. for some, that might only be a week or 2.. i know for a fact that one of my players hasn't had a break since the season ended.. she's been getting on her "brand" grind.. foundation stuff, personal stuff, business stuff.. she's motivated to establish her life after basketball..
i read something funny when someone talked about basketball needing to be all that the players concentrate on.. are you serious?? no, no, really.. are you serious?? and what happens when these athletes are no longer playing? you're looking at them then on some, "what happened to all of your money? why weren't you preparing for life after sports?".. that irony is hilarious.. we all go to work, but most people that work for The Man, have plans to leave The Man.. that's called inspiration.. that's called preparation.. so, are you now saying that because these women are entertaining you, they need to shuck and jive for the 5-8 years they can play the game at an elite level? after having shucked and jived all through high school and college playing for *cough* free?
ok, that's a different blog - which i WILL write about in the future - so i'll just make my final statement..
imagine working all year, and you saved up your vacation time for a big trip w/ your family and friends.. you've worked hard all year long, even putting in overtime to obtain more income for this trip.. you weren't mad at all.. you did your job, with that end goal (vacation) in mind.. now imagine on the day before your last day, your boss comes and says, that 2 week vacation? well, i need you back here in 4 days.. what would you do? how would you feel? what would you say? how would you react? that's a lot to think about in a short period of time.. well, that's how these ladies are EVERY season.. EVERY year.. they get to the end and realize that they still can't take or catch a break.. EVERY year..
now ask yourself again, is it so bad that Diana is considering taking time off? although i feel that most of you all wouldn't have a negative thing to say if she actually did.. ahh, i digress..
i - Q..
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Cappie & Team USA..
well, if i'm going to do this blog, i might as well get my hands dirty, right?
i've stayed away from most things Cappie.. having met her, she's real cool.. and she's from Chicago.. on top of that, she can flat out ball.. i used to tease on some "how can she call herself the D.Wade of the WNBA?" or "who does she think she is?".. then i watched what she did in NY, and that changed my whole rationale of Cappie.. to me, Cappie is that ball player that just balls.. she laces them up and just goes at you.. she's not going to be your best friend.. she's not going to act fake to you on the court.. ask Phoenix.. she's a competitor.. this year, she grew into being 1 of my top 3 favorite WNBA players.. on the court.. y'all can guess who the 2 are that are above her.. but she's definitely a player that i would pay to see..
now that i got that out of the way, let's talk about her as a person.. i read the recent article about her not joining Team USA.. to put it bluntly - who cares? it's her time.. it's her game.. it's her legacy.. who are we to get into her head and tell her what we want her to do.. yea, she's into fashion.. and? yea, she left Phoenix to have a bigger "life" opportunity in NY.. and? as a Chicago native that left to go be in NY, i get it.. NY is the place to be.. NY is a rare place where you realize that you don't need to be anywhere else to get what you want or be set.. real talk.. i applauded her decision to leave Phoenix and go create her own WNBA legacy.. and look at what she did in that first year!! she took a team that not many people felt had a legitimate chance, and got them to the doorsteps on the WNBA Finals.. that says something.. and off the court? she's living her life.. Fashion Week, magazine features, NBA connects.. she's on top of the world.. let her breathe.. please..
these women have NO TIME! they go from job to job, country to country trying to earn a living.. and now we have a player that has a choice.. and she made it.. you don't like her choice? so what.. many NBA athletes passed up the opp to win a gold medal/World Championship as well.. i'd have to do my research, but I believe Cappie has both already.. what she doesn't have is the time to go conquer the other facets of her game of life.. she's not just a basketball player.. she's a brand.. she's smart enough to know that.. and i'm smart enough to see that and applaud it..
do you, Cappie.. if i was on her team, i probably would have sat her down and agreed to the decision she made.. but that's just me..
i - Q..
i've stayed away from most things Cappie.. having met her, she's real cool.. and she's from Chicago.. on top of that, she can flat out ball.. i used to tease on some "how can she call herself the D.Wade of the WNBA?" or "who does she think she is?".. then i watched what she did in NY, and that changed my whole rationale of Cappie.. to me, Cappie is that ball player that just balls.. she laces them up and just goes at you.. she's not going to be your best friend.. she's not going to act fake to you on the court.. ask Phoenix.. she's a competitor.. this year, she grew into being 1 of my top 3 favorite WNBA players.. on the court.. y'all can guess who the 2 are that are above her.. but she's definitely a player that i would pay to see..
now that i got that out of the way, let's talk about her as a person.. i read the recent article about her not joining Team USA.. to put it bluntly - who cares? it's her time.. it's her game.. it's her legacy.. who are we to get into her head and tell her what we want her to do.. yea, she's into fashion.. and? yea, she left Phoenix to have a bigger "life" opportunity in NY.. and? as a Chicago native that left to go be in NY, i get it.. NY is the place to be.. NY is a rare place where you realize that you don't need to be anywhere else to get what you want or be set.. real talk.. i applauded her decision to leave Phoenix and go create her own WNBA legacy.. and look at what she did in that first year!! she took a team that not many people felt had a legitimate chance, and got them to the doorsteps on the WNBA Finals.. that says something.. and off the court? she's living her life.. Fashion Week, magazine features, NBA connects.. she's on top of the world.. let her breathe.. please..
these women have NO TIME! they go from job to job, country to country trying to earn a living.. and now we have a player that has a choice.. and she made it.. you don't like her choice? so what.. many NBA athletes passed up the opp to win a gold medal/World Championship as well.. i'd have to do my research, but I believe Cappie has both already.. what she doesn't have is the time to go conquer the other facets of her game of life.. she's not just a basketball player.. she's a brand.. she's smart enough to know that.. and i'm smart enough to see that and applaud it..
do you, Cappie.. if i was on her team, i probably would have sat her down and agreed to the decision she made.. but that's just me..
i - Q..
Thursday, September 16, 2010
WNBA Finals - My Thoughts..
so yea, i'm the absent-minded blogger right now.. supposed to be daily, and i'm almost on a weekly schedule.. my bad..
today, i'm blogging as a fan/marketer of the WNBA.. that's it.. so i'm not talking about my FAM or anything like that.. i'm talking as a fan w/ a marketing background..
i didn't watch game 1.. it didn't interest me.. i barely knew when it was coming on.. it was lost in the cloud of the NFL season starting and the finals for the World Championships.. now, with that said, what would win out on my schedule of things to watch? "things that make you go hmm".. even w/ picture-in-picture, there were way too many games (some of which my NFL FAM were playing in) and again the World Championships (shoutout to Andre Iguodala who I saw last night at Three Peas Art Lounge - shameless plug, but it's my blog!!).. the WNBA lost out..
but it lost out, 1 because neither team interests me as a fan.. Seattle's style of play does nothing for me.. i'm sorry Seattle fans.. yes, they can play the game.. yes, they have some elite players.. but, no, i don't think they are exciting.. i've seen them on TV and courtside.. i just wasn't impressed.. the coach is doing his job.. he's exploiting the way the game is called and utilizing his players like no other coach out there.. my hat is tipped to him.. this is not a shot at him.. this is me talking about what I like to see as a fan.. sadly, his team does nothing for me..
now ATL, they are slightly interesting.. Angel makes it hard to not believe in her skills.. she gets buckets like Swoopes used to.. but then what happens? i tune in for a few minutes of game 2 and she's dropping a dud.. there goes my interest.. the game was sloppy.. no excitement.. nothing.. i tried, but couldn't get through 2 minutes straight.. i tried to turn back to it, but same result.. i heard ATL made a comeback, but not during the time i was watching.. from a Finals perspective, it just didn't do it for me..
when i think about last year's Finals, that was an exciting series.. close games.. an underdog like Phoenix (even if they were the better team, the media made it appear like EVERYONE wanted Indiana to win) played an uptempo game.. then you have Catch.. she is just a phenomenal player.. i'd watch her any day, because she does the little things and the big things.. and does them extremely well.. she has secret/cheating moves like many of the NBA players.. she gets it in!! the games were also close.. but look at Twitter.. last year, EVERYBODY was watching the games and tweeting about it.. not just the diehard fans, but also the casual fan.. more importantly, the big media names were watching and tweeting about it.. what happened from last year to this year? yea, some NBA dudes are tweeting about it, but even when LeBron tweeted about it, he then quickly changed the channel and tweeted something else.. then turned back and forth.. he was doing what i was doing.. maybe he watched it a minute longer than me, who knows, but he obviously wasn't glued to the TV..
it's wild, because to me, women's basketball is the purest form of basketball.. i love watching high school and college games - no not on some R.Kelly stuff.. they do things ALL players should, but don't, due to their rare athletic traits.. pass and pick away.. pick and roll.. backdoor cuts.. transition defense.. everything.. it's a beautiful thing to watch.. but not so much in the WNBA.. something is lost.. i've always said/felt that WNBA players graduate into the minor leagues.. that's my opinion.. there are many reasons for this.. salary cap, politics, bad refs, bad coaches, etc.. the talent on most teams fall off considerably from the 7th player to the 11th player (or however many players they have now).. yes, that's the case in NCAAs as well, but those players still get it in.. when they get in, they KNOW it's their only shot, but they play to their strengths and the fundamentals.. in the WNBA? not quite.. i've seen some BAD players this year.. i mean, really bad.. it's made me scratch my head.. all of that together makes it hard to watch at the end of the season.. VERY hard to watch.. especially when it's not that exciting..
trust me, even if i was a Seattle fan, i wouldn't be excited about this finals.. aside from wanting them to win.. that's why i used a lower case "f".. nothing upper about it..
i'm hoping game 3 shows me something (assuming i will watch it - for a few minutes at least, i will), otherwise it'll be a long offseason and the excitement for next season won't nearly be the same.. i'm praying that last season wasn't a fluke w/ the excitement the whole league brought.. i know this season needs a do-over..
i'm just sayin'..
i - Q..
today, i'm blogging as a fan/marketer of the WNBA.. that's it.. so i'm not talking about my FAM or anything like that.. i'm talking as a fan w/ a marketing background..
i didn't watch game 1.. it didn't interest me.. i barely knew when it was coming on.. it was lost in the cloud of the NFL season starting and the finals for the World Championships.. now, with that said, what would win out on my schedule of things to watch? "things that make you go hmm".. even w/ picture-in-picture, there were way too many games (some of which my NFL FAM were playing in) and again the World Championships (shoutout to Andre Iguodala who I saw last night at Three Peas Art Lounge - shameless plug, but it's my blog!!).. the WNBA lost out..
but it lost out, 1 because neither team interests me as a fan.. Seattle's style of play does nothing for me.. i'm sorry Seattle fans.. yes, they can play the game.. yes, they have some elite players.. but, no, i don't think they are exciting.. i've seen them on TV and courtside.. i just wasn't impressed.. the coach is doing his job.. he's exploiting the way the game is called and utilizing his players like no other coach out there.. my hat is tipped to him.. this is not a shot at him.. this is me talking about what I like to see as a fan.. sadly, his team does nothing for me..
now ATL, they are slightly interesting.. Angel makes it hard to not believe in her skills.. she gets buckets like Swoopes used to.. but then what happens? i tune in for a few minutes of game 2 and she's dropping a dud.. there goes my interest.. the game was sloppy.. no excitement.. nothing.. i tried, but couldn't get through 2 minutes straight.. i tried to turn back to it, but same result.. i heard ATL made a comeback, but not during the time i was watching.. from a Finals perspective, it just didn't do it for me..
when i think about last year's Finals, that was an exciting series.. close games.. an underdog like Phoenix (even if they were the better team, the media made it appear like EVERYONE wanted Indiana to win) played an uptempo game.. then you have Catch.. she is just a phenomenal player.. i'd watch her any day, because she does the little things and the big things.. and does them extremely well.. she has secret/cheating moves like many of the NBA players.. she gets it in!! the games were also close.. but look at Twitter.. last year, EVERYBODY was watching the games and tweeting about it.. not just the diehard fans, but also the casual fan.. more importantly, the big media names were watching and tweeting about it.. what happened from last year to this year? yea, some NBA dudes are tweeting about it, but even when LeBron tweeted about it, he then quickly changed the channel and tweeted something else.. then turned back and forth.. he was doing what i was doing.. maybe he watched it a minute longer than me, who knows, but he obviously wasn't glued to the TV..
it's wild, because to me, women's basketball is the purest form of basketball.. i love watching high school and college games - no not on some R.Kelly stuff.. they do things ALL players should, but don't, due to their rare athletic traits.. pass and pick away.. pick and roll.. backdoor cuts.. transition defense.. everything.. it's a beautiful thing to watch.. but not so much in the WNBA.. something is lost.. i've always said/felt that WNBA players graduate into the minor leagues.. that's my opinion.. there are many reasons for this.. salary cap, politics, bad refs, bad coaches, etc.. the talent on most teams fall off considerably from the 7th player to the 11th player (or however many players they have now).. yes, that's the case in NCAAs as well, but those players still get it in.. when they get in, they KNOW it's their only shot, but they play to their strengths and the fundamentals.. in the WNBA? not quite.. i've seen some BAD players this year.. i mean, really bad.. it's made me scratch my head.. all of that together makes it hard to watch at the end of the season.. VERY hard to watch.. especially when it's not that exciting..
trust me, even if i was a Seattle fan, i wouldn't be excited about this finals.. aside from wanting them to win.. that's why i used a lower case "f".. nothing upper about it..
i'm hoping game 3 shows me something (assuming i will watch it - for a few minutes at least, i will), otherwise it'll be a long offseason and the excitement for next season won't nearly be the same.. i'm praying that last season wasn't a fluke w/ the excitement the whole league brought.. i know this season needs a do-over..
i'm just sayin'..
i - Q..
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday Moments..
ok, ok, i won't front.. it's been much harder to concentrate on WBB (women's bball) w/ my FAM not playing.. i've had to give myself a bit of a breather from what was THE most difficult season i've had w/ the WNBA.. some of it had to do w/ personal things, some had to do w/ players, some w/ the teams, some w/ the league.. but when you added it all up, it didn't go the way that i wanted, nor expected, it to go.. so, for me, i've needed a break..
i told Kesh the other day that i had to stay away so that i didn't bring negative energy around.. it was nothing against anyone, just me.. i don't hide things that well.. i mean i do, but not from my FAM.. Meek will look at me and be on some "whatever Q., i know something is up, but ok, i'll let you be".. and all i'll be able to do is smile.. the same way that i KNOW when things aren't well w/ her.. that's the management bond that i love.. that's something no one can take from me, and something that players can express to others..
i had to look in the mirror on a lot of things.. the high expectations.. the "not taking no for an answer".. the "man, i can make this happen".. but the fact is, i didn't.. i tried.. my FAM tried.. my Fuzion team tried.. even when we did everything in our power to ensure success, we were let down by others that we relied on and paid to fulfill the job.. it was another eye opener for me, because at the end of the day, it was all on me/Fuzion.. i got worn down.. being 1 man, it's not enough.. the business side of FAM WBB is really just 1 1/2 ppl.. the money isn't there to commit to a full team.. yes, i use all of Fuzion to make things happen, but the resources will bankrupt me, because there just is not much (if any) money in professional WBB.. it's the sad reality.. but it's not a reality that i'm going to bow down to.. it's one that i will take additional time to figure out.. it has to work.. the future is too bright for it not to.. we just have to find a way to work inside and outside of the "system".. trust me, you don't want to walk in these shoes..
so today was truly based on 2 immediate events, and a future event.. probably spent about 3 hours on them.. that's it.. which is a step in the right direction.. cuz during the season it was like a 12 hour job.. no lie.. but you think i'm scared? think again.. we'll figure this out and get it right.. WAY too many ppl counting on me making it happen.. i'm not one to disappoint.. i'm just sayin'..
i - Q..
i told Kesh the other day that i had to stay away so that i didn't bring negative energy around.. it was nothing against anyone, just me.. i don't hide things that well.. i mean i do, but not from my FAM.. Meek will look at me and be on some "whatever Q., i know something is up, but ok, i'll let you be".. and all i'll be able to do is smile.. the same way that i KNOW when things aren't well w/ her.. that's the management bond that i love.. that's something no one can take from me, and something that players can express to others..
i had to look in the mirror on a lot of things.. the high expectations.. the "not taking no for an answer".. the "man, i can make this happen".. but the fact is, i didn't.. i tried.. my FAM tried.. my Fuzion team tried.. even when we did everything in our power to ensure success, we were let down by others that we relied on and paid to fulfill the job.. it was another eye opener for me, because at the end of the day, it was all on me/Fuzion.. i got worn down.. being 1 man, it's not enough.. the business side of FAM WBB is really just 1 1/2 ppl.. the money isn't there to commit to a full team.. yes, i use all of Fuzion to make things happen, but the resources will bankrupt me, because there just is not much (if any) money in professional WBB.. it's the sad reality.. but it's not a reality that i'm going to bow down to.. it's one that i will take additional time to figure out.. it has to work.. the future is too bright for it not to.. we just have to find a way to work inside and outside of the "system".. trust me, you don't want to walk in these shoes..
so today was truly based on 2 immediate events, and a future event.. probably spent about 3 hours on them.. that's it.. which is a step in the right direction.. cuz during the season it was like a 12 hour job.. no lie.. but you think i'm scared? think again.. we'll figure this out and get it right.. WAY too many ppl counting on me making it happen.. i'm not one to disappoint.. i'm just sayin'..
i - Q..
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Back in Action..
i'm missing days, i know, i know.. reality met my life, and they had an interesting week of conversation.. moving on..
yea, so my interest in the WNBA is VERY slim right now.. all of my players are ghost, and i have no desire to watch the Seattle Storm take on the ATL Dream.. while i am rooting for ATL to take it home, the matchup just doesn't move me.. it takes me back to the years right after MJ left.. the finals just weren't the same.. i give it to Angel, though, she's ballin.. i was never that sold on her game, but she gets buckets.. she's making a name as a scorer.. starting to remind me a bit of Sheryl Swoopes, but i know it's too early for those comparisons.. but yea, i doubt i'll watch more than a combined 15 minutes of that series, if that.. no disrespect, as i'd do that in other sports, too.. i'll be like Diana and watch Jersey Shore (that was a hilarious shot at the league, on the low from DT3!)..
so, i'm assuming that most of you think that my time is done w/ my players.. nope, far from it.. they stay active.. Syl is Syl.. she doesn't take a break.. for her, it's more about us figuring out what steps/strides to make in 2011.. her presence needs to be felt even more.. so, it's strategy time for the Big Syl brand.. i'll put that hat on and get to work..
Ketia - a lot of offseason Ketia4Kidz work to handle.. starting w/ this camp in Brasil.. then her own camp down in Columbus, GA.. and a few other things.. it's not a game, and this offseason, we're on a mission to get her recognized and get the foundation to the level that it needs to be.. it's going to be interesting, but you can plan on a lot of face time at the bases around the country.. she supports the military like no other, so it's time that everyone takes notice..
Meek - well, if you know Meek, you know nothing has changed.. we were talking after the game, and the days since her last game.. i'm going to be quiet on what's in store w/ her.. but y'all know that Meek doesn't stop.. the biggest thing is the 2nd Annual Temeka Johnson Weekend on September 24th & 25th.. details to come..
but yea, this will be an interesting offseason.. so much in store.. and trust that the FAM is expanding on the WNBA side of things.. i'll be doing some "consulting" w/ a few other players (with big names), and will be kicking some major moves into action at the end of 2010 as well.. it's what i'm supposed to do.. knaa'mean?
until tomorrow..
i - Q..
yea, so my interest in the WNBA is VERY slim right now.. all of my players are ghost, and i have no desire to watch the Seattle Storm take on the ATL Dream.. while i am rooting for ATL to take it home, the matchup just doesn't move me.. it takes me back to the years right after MJ left.. the finals just weren't the same.. i give it to Angel, though, she's ballin.. i was never that sold on her game, but she gets buckets.. she's making a name as a scorer.. starting to remind me a bit of Sheryl Swoopes, but i know it's too early for those comparisons.. but yea, i doubt i'll watch more than a combined 15 minutes of that series, if that.. no disrespect, as i'd do that in other sports, too.. i'll be like Diana and watch Jersey Shore (that was a hilarious shot at the league, on the low from DT3!)..
so, i'm assuming that most of you think that my time is done w/ my players.. nope, far from it.. they stay active.. Syl is Syl.. she doesn't take a break.. for her, it's more about us figuring out what steps/strides to make in 2011.. her presence needs to be felt even more.. so, it's strategy time for the Big Syl brand.. i'll put that hat on and get to work..
Ketia - a lot of offseason Ketia4Kidz work to handle.. starting w/ this camp in Brasil.. then her own camp down in Columbus, GA.. and a few other things.. it's not a game, and this offseason, we're on a mission to get her recognized and get the foundation to the level that it needs to be.. it's going to be interesting, but you can plan on a lot of face time at the bases around the country.. she supports the military like no other, so it's time that everyone takes notice..
Meek - well, if you know Meek, you know nothing has changed.. we were talking after the game, and the days since her last game.. i'm going to be quiet on what's in store w/ her.. but y'all know that Meek doesn't stop.. the biggest thing is the 2nd Annual Temeka Johnson Weekend on September 24th & 25th.. details to come..
but yea, this will be an interesting offseason.. so much in store.. and trust that the FAM is expanding on the WNBA side of things.. i'll be doing some "consulting" w/ a few other players (with big names), and will be kicking some major moves into action at the end of 2010 as well.. it's what i'm supposed to do.. knaa'mean?
until tomorrow..
i - Q..
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hello - Good Mornin..
this is feeling like a beautiful rainy day..
not sure why i'm in such a good mood, but i haven't felt like this in a minute.. yesterday was so long and draining that i wasn't sure what i was going to feel like today.. it's not that yesterday was bad, because from a FAM standpoint, it was good.. it was just so much going on.. meetings, phone calls, even longer phone calls.. dinner meeting.. it was wild..
but the main focus from yesterday's agenda was Temeka's weekend.. i was on the phone w/ people from Baton Rouge and New Orleans all day, pulling out the stops.. i even talked to Momma Meek a few times.. shoot, and 1 of her sisters.. it wasn't a game.. we have one event that i'm truly putting my all into.. it HAS to be a success.. i know it will be.. my team put in work.. but BIG shoutout to @Esynaj - @MsVelvetFist & @ThreePeasArt - 3 amazing women that are truly bringing this together.. i've said it many times.. women get it.. i typically view my job as the heavy hitter stuff.. so, when they get it to where it needs to be, i come in and just make the calls or contacts to the people to get answers in minutes.. not that it always happens in minutes, but yesterday, i had the hot hand.. everyone i called gave me the answers and support that i needed.. it was a blessing.. and it was all for my FAM..
today is more of the same.. finalizing the details, but also some bigger things w/ some WNBA legends.. i think people thought i was playing.. they thought wrong.. with a clear head, i'm usually on point.. w/ these legends, and what they are allowing me to do? man, watch out.. talk about a game changer.. but for me, the biggest thing is the younger players learning from them.. the game doesn't last forever, and now is the time to truly set up next steps.. when the game ends, another opportunity begins.. that's what i want my FAM to understand and take advantage of.. the legends told me, "Q, if they want something, the only way they can get it is if they ball better than everyone else".. that hit me, and it resonated.. we can do all of this stuff w/ and for the league, but at the end of the day, the league is only going to support those that force their hand.. and in this case, forcing their hand means playing better than the rest of the players in the league.. for Syl, that's a given.. for Meek, she's close.. for Ketia, that's what she should strive for..
it's the FAM - let's go!
i - Q..
not sure why i'm in such a good mood, but i haven't felt like this in a minute.. yesterday was so long and draining that i wasn't sure what i was going to feel like today.. it's not that yesterday was bad, because from a FAM standpoint, it was good.. it was just so much going on.. meetings, phone calls, even longer phone calls.. dinner meeting.. it was wild..
but the main focus from yesterday's agenda was Temeka's weekend.. i was on the phone w/ people from Baton Rouge and New Orleans all day, pulling out the stops.. i even talked to Momma Meek a few times.. shoot, and 1 of her sisters.. it wasn't a game.. we have one event that i'm truly putting my all into.. it HAS to be a success.. i know it will be.. my team put in work.. but BIG shoutout to @Esynaj - @MsVelvetFist & @ThreePeasArt - 3 amazing women that are truly bringing this together.. i've said it many times.. women get it.. i typically view my job as the heavy hitter stuff.. so, when they get it to where it needs to be, i come in and just make the calls or contacts to the people to get answers in minutes.. not that it always happens in minutes, but yesterday, i had the hot hand.. everyone i called gave me the answers and support that i needed.. it was a blessing.. and it was all for my FAM..
today is more of the same.. finalizing the details, but also some bigger things w/ some WNBA legends.. i think people thought i was playing.. they thought wrong.. with a clear head, i'm usually on point.. w/ these legends, and what they are allowing me to do? man, watch out.. talk about a game changer.. but for me, the biggest thing is the younger players learning from them.. the game doesn't last forever, and now is the time to truly set up next steps.. when the game ends, another opportunity begins.. that's what i want my FAM to understand and take advantage of.. the legends told me, "Q, if they want something, the only way they can get it is if they ball better than everyone else".. that hit me, and it resonated.. we can do all of this stuff w/ and for the league, but at the end of the day, the league is only going to support those that force their hand.. and in this case, forcing their hand means playing better than the rest of the players in the league.. for Syl, that's a given.. for Meek, she's close.. for Ketia, that's what she should strive for..
it's the FAM - let's go!
i - Q..
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Early Mornings..
what up, what up..
been at it for nearly 2 hours now.. woke up earlier than expected with the feeling that i didn't have enough time.. yea, that might be an everyday feeling, but today i woke up w/ the pressure to do more.. i need to find a way to manage my time better and keep my focus.. spent some time yesterday streamlining operations and re-thinking our project management system.. when business gets busy, adhering to our project management SOPs go out of the window.. and that's on me.. not on anyone else.. i'm pulling people from different projects to work on other things.. projects overlap.. projects shrink.. projects become larger.. it's the reality.. but now i need to take some time to get that back in order..
but no complaints - just stating the facts..
my FAM travels to Seattle today to begin that 2nd round quest.. game is tomorrow, though.. taking a moment to be a fan, Seattle never scares me.. i'm not sure why.. yes, Lauren Jackson is a problem.. she's a great player, i won't take anything away from her.. but the surrounding pieces just don't scare me.. Swin Cash can ball, but she's not someone that strikes fear in my heart.. not hating, just being a fan.. Sue Bird NEVER scared me.. she's a system PG, in my opinion.. she can be a beast in systems, but again, she doesn't scare me.. i think it's her speed.. yea, she can shoot and control a game - qualities you want in your PG - but she doesn't strike me as a player i fear can take over a game.. i like my PGs to be able to take over when needed.. that's not Sue, in my opinion.. but i'm not taking anything away from her.. these are just my thoughts..
Phoenix, though, is interesting.. they are NOT playing like themselves.. at all.. they show flashes.. i still think that when they ball, no one can play w/ them.. but they have to do more.. Diana is a bit off this year, which is not a bad thing.. MJ had off years and games.. he rose to the occasion.. i think Diana will do the same.. but this hasn't been her year.. i would reduce the pressure on her.. i would utilize Meek more to RUN the point.. not just go through the motions of the offense.. i would get Dupree the ball ALL the time and let her run things like Tim Duncan.. she has great hands, awareness, offense, and can pass.. i'd use my bench to keep the pace.. Ketia needs to step up.. Tan will do what Tan does.. hit shots and disrupt plays w/ her length.. DB can't be stopped.. mainly because she's slippery as a player.. how can you put a body on her? let's be honest.. she'll slide right off you and use her length and speed to get where she wants to go..
i can go on and on, but i won't.. Phoenix should win this series.. in 4 games.. yea i said it.. do what you want w/ that information.. this is just me running my mouth, as a fan..
oh, but yeah, Meek, you need to stop playing and step it up.. that last game was rough.. forget that your shot wasn't falling.. forget all that.. go to the hole.. mix it up.. use that hesitation that you worked on.. the shot will come.. but the stress has to leave your game.. i see it in your movements and on your face.. i feel your pain.. but now it's time to become numb to it all.. just play ball.. point blank - period..
i - Q..
been at it for nearly 2 hours now.. woke up earlier than expected with the feeling that i didn't have enough time.. yea, that might be an everyday feeling, but today i woke up w/ the pressure to do more.. i need to find a way to manage my time better and keep my focus.. spent some time yesterday streamlining operations and re-thinking our project management system.. when business gets busy, adhering to our project management SOPs go out of the window.. and that's on me.. not on anyone else.. i'm pulling people from different projects to work on other things.. projects overlap.. projects shrink.. projects become larger.. it's the reality.. but now i need to take some time to get that back in order..
but no complaints - just stating the facts..
my FAM travels to Seattle today to begin that 2nd round quest.. game is tomorrow, though.. taking a moment to be a fan, Seattle never scares me.. i'm not sure why.. yes, Lauren Jackson is a problem.. she's a great player, i won't take anything away from her.. but the surrounding pieces just don't scare me.. Swin Cash can ball, but she's not someone that strikes fear in my heart.. not hating, just being a fan.. Sue Bird NEVER scared me.. she's a system PG, in my opinion.. she can be a beast in systems, but again, she doesn't scare me.. i think it's her speed.. yea, she can shoot and control a game - qualities you want in your PG - but she doesn't strike me as a player i fear can take over a game.. i like my PGs to be able to take over when needed.. that's not Sue, in my opinion.. but i'm not taking anything away from her.. these are just my thoughts..
Phoenix, though, is interesting.. they are NOT playing like themselves.. at all.. they show flashes.. i still think that when they ball, no one can play w/ them.. but they have to do more.. Diana is a bit off this year, which is not a bad thing.. MJ had off years and games.. he rose to the occasion.. i think Diana will do the same.. but this hasn't been her year.. i would reduce the pressure on her.. i would utilize Meek more to RUN the point.. not just go through the motions of the offense.. i would get Dupree the ball ALL the time and let her run things like Tim Duncan.. she has great hands, awareness, offense, and can pass.. i'd use my bench to keep the pace.. Ketia needs to step up.. Tan will do what Tan does.. hit shots and disrupt plays w/ her length.. DB can't be stopped.. mainly because she's slippery as a player.. how can you put a body on her? let's be honest.. she'll slide right off you and use her length and speed to get where she wants to go..
i can go on and on, but i won't.. Phoenix should win this series.. in 4 games.. yea i said it.. do what you want w/ that information.. this is just me running my mouth, as a fan..
oh, but yeah, Meek, you need to stop playing and step it up.. that last game was rough.. forget that your shot wasn't falling.. forget all that.. go to the hole.. mix it up.. use that hesitation that you worked on.. the shot will come.. but the stress has to leave your game.. i see it in your movements and on your face.. i feel your pain.. but now it's time to become numb to it all.. just play ball.. point blank - period..
i - Q..
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