The Weekend Ahead..

it's Friday.. yup, it's Friday..

so much going on.. from Holiday media requests for my FAM, to planning for 2011, to discussions about the upcoming Free Agent Camp in Indy, and even some Pro Development Camps with Adrienne Goodson for players that are looking for training and spending the off-season preparing for the upcoming season.. it's all coming together..

had a few VERY long and insightful conversations yesterday about the league.. It's ironic that the post on Slam came up discussing the transition period w/ Donna moving on to other things.. it was interesting, but it was also written like a piece of fiction.. no disrespect.. but that's what most have to do when trying to cover the WNBA.. there's definitely a cloud of secrecy w/ the league, and that has it's pros and cons.. i'm not here to debate it.. i've sat myself on the bench for a little bit, as I have more pressing concerns related to getting the RIGHT attention on the players.. but i do understand the points that were made.. for the record, i have nothing bad to say about Donna.. i've met her and had a few conversations w/ her, and she always had the energy that you would want from a leader.. the business side is what it is, and NONE of us know what the true backend business is like w/ the league.. yea, we know it's not that financially sound, with teams folding, sponsorships dwindling, and teams trying to be creative as possible to get and keep fans in the stands..

for me, though, i'd love for this season to be more about the players and the quality of the game.. a big part of me feels that if the TALENT is displayed on EVERY team, then some of the issues w/ fan support would go away.. i'd love for the players to just bond together and start making their OWN product better.. no, this isn't a shot at the players, cuz they work hard.. but i do know that players have to fight for themselves and their own respect too.. it's hard to focus on just getting better, when you're looking for opportunities overseas, worrying if the league will fold, handling personal affairs, and scratching your temple as to why things are the way they are.. i get it.. i'm on their side.. i see it daily.. but i'm hoping that the players can help themselves.. i'm hoping some will get more than a week or 2 off before the season starts.. i'm hoping that training camp is lessened a bit, and the current players are able to bypass it, while those trying to make it (or on the bubble to get cut) spend more time.. because, it's nothing worse than seeing a player on a team that just doesn't belong on a team.. or a player that doesn't have the same talent, make it over someone who is head and shoulders over someone that has made it.. the little things matter.. i'm hoping this year, the players just ball out, and we'll see what happens from there..

one thing is for sure, my FAM will ball out!! that i know!!

i - Q..