| | As the WNBA embarks on its fourth season, Chamique Holdsclaw says her team, the Washington Mystics, are a team to watch in the East.
| |  | | Holdsclaw recorded five double-doubles in her inaugural WNBA season. |
"I'm proud to say the Mystics are going to be up there this year with Orlando and New York coming out of the East," Holdsclaw said during a recent chat with ESPN.com.
In case you missed the May 25 chat, check out the edited transcript below.
Jeff: Chamique, we always see and read about Pat Summitt being so stern and tough. How about giving
us a more light-hearted moment that you or your former teammates shared with her at Tennessee? Thank you.
Chamique Holdsclaw: Coach Summitt is tough but she is a real person. She would cook for us and everything. She has a
lake and we would invite us over and we would ride sea-doos. She was just a lot of fun.
I'm so proud about her being named into the Hall of Fame. I talked to her just before that and she didn't
say anything about it. She's not the type that would. I called to congratulate her and had to leave a message.
Love the Lady Vols: What's Nikki McCray's best strength as a basketball player, and is it extra special to be
teammates since you're both former Lady Vols?
Chamique Holdsclaw: I really think Nikki is a great defender and uses her quickness so well. She is the best in the game
at cutting and I just love her game.
Vols Fan: What has been the biggest difference for you between college and the WNBA?
Chamique Holdsclaw: The biggest has been realizing you have to be really responsible. You have to be motivated for yourself
day in and day out.
W. Pickens: Is there any one or two player(s) that you look at as a defensive or offensive challenge? A
player that just brings the best out of you? Good luck.
Chamique Holdsclaw: I really like playing against Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, all the great players. One person that people might not think of is Lisa Harrison who is a
former Tennessee girl. She has great athleticism and is really similar to me. She gives me a really
tough time sometimes.
Bigg Jus: Are you excited about this season with the key acquisitions that the Mystics received via the
draft?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Of course. I think we got some great talent. I was happy we got Tasha Mills, who is a female
Shaq. I was really happy with the picks we got.
Angel: Is there anything about the WNBA that you dislike?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Not really, everything has been really smooth. The hardest adjustment was the travel. We have
eight back-to-back games so it's been really tough.
Shawn: Hi Chamique. Do you have your own shoe like Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Yeah, my shoe is being finished up now. It's a new campaign and they don't want me to unveil it
until around the Olympics. It's kind of bad because I won't get to wear it this year but it will be out
soon.
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HOLDSCLAW HYPE
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Holdsclaw, the first overall pick in the 1998 WNBA Draft, scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds in her debut with the league in June 1999. As a rookie last season, she scored in double-figures in all but three of 31 games, earning her a spot on the East team for the inaugural WNBA All-Star Game.
In college, Holdsclaw helped Tennessee win three consecutive NCAA titles from 1996-98. She averaged 20.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in her four-year career in Knoxville, where she became the SEC's all-time leading scorer. Holdsclaw currently ranks third on all-time NCAA women's basketball career scoring list.
Holdsclaw's long list of accolades also includes winning the Naismith Award, being named the AP Women's Basketball Player of the Year after the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons, and being selected as an AP First Team All-American for four consecutive seasons.
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Love the Lady Vols: How do you see the WNBA race shaping up this year? Is Houston the favorite?
Chamique Holdsclaw: They are definitely the favorite. With three straight championships they are definitely still on top.
I'm proud to say the Mystics are going to be up there this year with Orlando and New York
coming out of the East.
Angel: Now that the Mystics have a good inside game and the ball will have to go inside more, do you expect
a problem with everyone getting their shots?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Everyone on this team knows who the marquee players are and that everyone is going to help
everyone. Everyone hates losing and wants to win. The average fan doesn't see the practices and
what we go through. I don't' think we have a selfish person on this team so it's been great.
Crystal Pillow: I know that you probably have a lot of players that you like to watch play. Why are you so
"drawn" to Michelle Snow? I like her too. She is my favorite player behind you.
Chamique Holdsclaw: Probably because we are good friends. I really enjoy playing with her and being a mentor to her.
She's going to be a great talent and she always wants to get better and I really respect that.
Jason: What is your favorite thing to do other than play basketball?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Just the normal things. I'm a big movie fanatic. I buy lots of DVDs and go shopping and buy CDs. The
last movie I saw was Dogma. I bought the tape the other day. It was kind of silly. I saw Three Kings also.
Jason: Does the WNBA have groupies like the NBA does?
Chamique Holdsclaw: I hate to say it, but yes, to a certain degree. We handle it differently. People are really interested in
women's basketball right now so you have to be aware of what is going on around you and be
very cautious.
M.Crisp: People say you're the female version of Michael Jordan. How do you feel about the comparison?
Chamique Holdsclaw: My friends laugh at me all the time because of that. I just want to establish myself. I don't focus
on it as much as other people do.
ken: How many hours do you practice for? Do you practice in the morning or evening?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Basically everyday. If it's not basketball it is weightlifting and conditioning. You try to take one day
off a week, usually on the weekend.
Drew Hinkel: Are you up for some one-on-one in about an hour?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Too tired from practice, sorry. I'll get you on the rebound.
Love the Lady Vols: What's your favorite WNBA city to play in, other than D.C.?
Chamique Holdsclaw: I was asked that the other day and I love playing in New York. It's my hometown. I also like Phoenix
because they have such great fans.
Meek's No. 1 Fan: Do you have a pre-game ritual?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Probably just that I pray and I always get my left foot taped first. That started way back in college.
Shawn: How much time are you spending preparing for the Olympics?
Chamique Holdsclaw: Right now I just got off a tour that lasted from last September to this April. So now I'm just
maintaining a weight program and focusing on the season. We did most of our practicing on tour.
Jason: Who will win the NBA championship this year?
Chamique Holdsclaw: I would say Lakers over Pacers.
I have to run now but thanks for all the questions. This season I hope you all get the opportunity to come check us out. This season is going to be something special, and we are going to take the league to another level.
We'll see you at the games! | |
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