WNBA Open Thread: New York Liberty Beat Indiana Fever 87-72 In Game 2

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 3:51 PM EDT

Who: #4 New York Liberty vs #1 Indiana Fever

When: 4 p.m. EST on NBA TV/WNBA LiveAccess

Where: Prudential Center - Newark, NJ

What: Game 2 of the first round series between these two after Erin Phillips won a thriller (or heartbreaker) for the Fever in Game 1.

Preview & keys: Game 2 Pre-Game: Indiana vs. NY Liberty

2011 WNBA Playoffs Series Preview: New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever - Eastern Conference, First Round

Remember, you can also follow along on your mobile device at mobile.swishappeal.com or on your iPhone using SB Nation's free iPhone app.

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Comments

LET'S GO NEW YORK!!!!

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Kia Vaughn would like to dedicate her MIP award to

and

for choosing not to play with the Liberty in 2011.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I love Taj

I am glad I get to keep cheering for her.

I have no love for McCarville and as far as I am concerned she is welcome to join those who never come back to the WNBA.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I miss Mama Taj

I bet SHE’D box out TSB. I’m just saying.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

"I have no love for McCarville ... "

I actually like McCarville quite a bit… one of the league’s better passing centers.

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

It's not about her ability

It’s personal.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

She did battle with Whalen.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, and Whalen was the class act MCCarville wasn't

I fell in love with Whalen in college the same day MCCarville joined my shit list for all eternity.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Are we talking NCAA tournament at Maples Pavallion?

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Minnesota 68, Stanford 56
March 24, 2003
NCAA Tournament Second Round
Stanford, Calif.

Game Summary:
Corrin Von Wald led four Golden Gophers in double-figures scoring as No. 6-seeded Minnesota upset No. 3-seeded Stanford, 68-56, on its home court to advance to its first Sweet 16 in school history. Von Wald scored 19 points, including a clutch 8-for-8 performance from the free throw line in the second half. Lindsay Whalen added 13 points and six assists. Shannon Schonrock matched her career high for the second straight game with 12 points. Kadidja Andersson chipped in 11. A Von Wald jumper with five seconds left in the first half gave the Gophers a 31-29 lead and the momentum at intermission. The Gopher defense held Stanford scoreless in the first five minutes of the second half while building a 10-point lead on an offensive putback by Janel McCarville. She finished with a game-high 11 rebounds. Stanford (27-5) fought back to within a point at 50-49 with 7:23 left on a three-pointer by T’Nae Thiel but the Gophers would not fold, going on an 8-0 run over the next five minutes. Minnesota made 10-of-12 free throws in the final minute of the game to secure the victory. The win broke Stanford’s 26-game winning streak in Maples Pavilion.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be the day

Some of the Gophers knew how to behave on and off the court. Some didn’t.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

"Oh, so you have a daugher"

“Why do you say that?”.

“Oh, you have a girlfriend named Kia?”

“No, I’M KIA!”

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Justine has assured me that all the appropriately superstitious things have been done

Therefore, NY will win.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Since people love to bash bad commentators...

Shout out to LaChina Robinson – she has become one of the best TV commentators.

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

True story

I second that.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

BOX OUT AND REBOUND!

Please?

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

Seconded.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

DO NOT HURT LEI

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

Kia Vaughn looking aggressive early

Like that.

Proving Shannon right about that MIP thing… ;)

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Someone tell Philips she is not supposed to be the star for Indy

Stop playing so well!!

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

It's all Lin Dunn's fault

She obviously got offended when Dunn got all cranky, while mic’ed up, about “not having a point guard” the other night. heh.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

That was so hilarious, but so true.

Can you imagine Indy with one of the league’s great point guards? It would be insane.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Scary thought.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

"I am so sick and damn tired of not having a...

…nevermind. Didn’t say anything. Nothing to see here."

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoops, that was supposed to be

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

THREEEEEEEEEEES from NKP

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

And LEI!

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

LEI FOR THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

Ah, so we're having a shootout.

Fun.

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

"Shooters need to shoot"

“If Leilani doesn’t shoot she serves no purpose to the New York Liberty”.

Is that a knock on her point guard abilities Sue??

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

Yes...

I disagree with that assessment, in general.

But she hasn’t been nearly the distributor she was last year… so.. :/

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Is they just need someone to run around, not shoot, and not distribute with great efficiency

They’ve got Colson. And Colson’s D is probably better.

I don’t agree that 3s are all Lei is good for, but they are a major part of why she’s out on the floor.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

This is another horrible commercial

They really play upon men’s insecurities don’t they? Too shot. Too bald. Geez.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

Timeless Torches

Not as badass as the Sparks Ole Skool Crew.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

Not sure they should allow men in these

“Timeless torches” groups. We don’t allow them when they are young.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

Or maybe that should be

we don’t want them when they are young. Although that is actually NBA. WNBA has coed dance groups.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I was gonna say!

My favorite part of the Torch Patrol in their dancing days was the fact that I had beefcake to stare at while the female-inclined fans drooled on the cheesecake. Om nom nom balanced diet.

I am the victim of a basketball jones.

by Queenie on Sep 17, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Zellous is in?

I bet the ankle is still hurting. :(

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

Braxton and Davenport face off at the line

and Braxton with the big pushes opens up a hole.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

Did Kara Braxton actually just HUSTLE?

And of course, miss the layup, BUT STILL.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

She can only do one thing at a time?

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Heh. I just don’t think I’ve seen her run like that since she’s been here. Or possibly ever.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Sue Wicks just talked about Lei "using her height"

That’s not a sentence I thought I’d ever hear.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

Height and weight.

And something she thought she’d never see.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Fact:

Leilani Mitchell is above average height for all women in the US if she is 5’5"

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Greetings!

Ah, lunch, a small beer, and a big WBB game. One is happy.

Burn, Fever, burn!

by BearBint on Sep 17, 2011 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

Hello

What makes you a Lib fan?

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

(You can burn with desire and energy and all sorts of fine things.) Nor do I dislike them. But one must root for somebody, and I’m fond of Catchings. BearBloke does the Lib cheering in this household.

by BearBint on Sep 17, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

"New York trying to save their season".

“Back after this on MSG”.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

People can say whatever they want about Phillips...

There are a few teams outside the playoffs that wish they had someone to run point as well as she is this season…

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:41 PM EDT reply actions

Definitely

She’s just not Bird, Whalen, Hammon…

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Neither are most human beings :)

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

We’re just sort of used to seeing great point guards on the great teams, so Indy’s weird to not have one. They get away with with having a 2 at the point because Catch and Katie are also great ballhandlers.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Great things can come out of sweat.

So don’t let odor stop you.

Gillete odor shield.
-—————————————————————
According to Dr. Oz we have hair under our arms and in our nether region in order to RETAIN odor.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:41 PM EDT reply actions

Lib playoff t-shirt is

some shade of green??

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

Catching not a stranger to

out of control drives to the hoop.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

And Leilani Mitchell...

…is en fuego.

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

Sue should say more disparaging things about her

The Lei can career-high the Fever in the playoffs.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Nobody will notice in the final stats...

But Powell is playing very well today.

Not forcing anything, finding open teammates quickly.

The team is best in transition with the ball in her hands…

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

And playing very well defensively

Another steal for her on that last possession.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Stanford Powell making an appearance!

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

And getting some love from the studio here at the half.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I noticed in the stats!

And I was worried about her because she looked like she hadn’t slept!

I am the victim of a basketball jones.

by Queenie on Sep 17, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait, did Catchings really let Powell steal the ball from her?

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

Oooh Catchings just got her back.

LOL

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Sue Wicks is very understated.

Has a tinge of sadness in her voice.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:47 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Tamika Catchings is injured??

Both commentators talking about it.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

She sat out their last regular season game with a knee sprain

Something that had apparently been nagging her for a while. I’m assuming that would be what is still bothering her.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm just going to start tallying...

Another beautifully executed play by Phillips…

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

KARA BRAXTON!

lol

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

China is probably the best country to

stick after La to get a name.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Now I'm sitting here trying to find...

another good La[country] name.

Thanks. Thanks a lot. :/

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

"And your name is?"

“LaLeichtenstein”

“May I call you La”

“No you may not”.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

LaRomania

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Not bad.

I was thinking it would have to be a two-syllable country. I would like Romania better if it was pronounced “LaRoMainYa”.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh wait,

maybe that was supposed to be a bad example?

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

No I was trying to think of other good ones.

Not to make fun of LaChina’s name, but you posed an interesting idea.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

3D brushing his shoulders off... but brushing off his wrists..

Needs some lessons from Obama…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_C791egEsc

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

Insta Slim

OK so you guys are supposed to be hairless (except on your heads where you need to have more hair), thinner and taller, OK?

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

"Catchings plays with great courage regardless of physical pain".

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

That long skip pass from Kia right there

just another example of things she’s doing better this season. Double-teamed like that last year that would have likely been a turnover

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely

She walked when put in situations like that about 90% of the time last year.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

First appearance in the playoffs for Alex Montgomery

Unless I missed her the other night

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

KIIIIIIAAAAAA

RAWR!!!!

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, I like fired-up Kia.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Fired-up Kia is generally a sign of positive things for the Liberty

So I totally agree! haha

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

OK I LOLed at that one

The facial expressions are priceless.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

OMG that one's hilarious

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Cappie is taking way too many long jumpers...

Obviously, she can hit that shot… but they’ve been better moving the ball around…

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

Powell is having one helluva game

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, yes she is

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

"Katie Douglas pleading her case".

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

Yep, that's the face. LOL

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Well hello Jeannette Pohlen

Its weird not actively cheering for her.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

Where is Mary Murphy today?

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

Wow.. Indiana is not looking good today...

Their defensive rotations are terribly slow…

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Oh wow

It’s the third quarter already? I thought this game wasn’t going to start until 6:00!

It was Phoenix then, and it's Phoenix now. Storm, you know what you gotta do!

by WaveOcean on Sep 17, 2011 5:33 PM EDT reply actions

East coast biased game times!

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Guys, I may not be able to watch tonight's Game 2

The computer lab shuts down at 8

It was Phoenix then, and it's Phoenix now. Storm, you know what you gotta do!

by WaveOcean on Sep 17, 2011 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

Hello, my name is Nicole Powell

Did you know I used to be a point guard?

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

Was she really?

Or was it more “She can play any position 1 to 5”?

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

No, she really specifically played the point for Stanford

We lose Jamie Carey and Susan King to injury and there just wasn’t anyone else. So Tara told Nicole she was it. She played point for 2 years and destroyed the Pac-10 record book in the process.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Random article from that time period

http://articles.sfgate.com/2002-02-26/sports/17530625_1_stanford-stars-kate-starbird-powell-s-game

Powell has gone from last season’s desperation choice to play point guard to this season’s first choice. VanDerveer said she is hoping that Powell’s love for the transition game, what Powell calls “Stanford basketball,” will run her team well into the NCAA Tournament. “Last year, she was thrown into it and this year she’s grown into it,” VanDerveer said.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Tara with a poetic quote.

Who knew?

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

You really need to watch more Stanford games

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Lame technical

Lame.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

Definitely a weak call

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

he signaled 23 and we applauded

because from the way she was following him around like a lost puppy, we thought it was on Katie Douglas!

I am the victim of a basketball jones.

by Queenie on Sep 17, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

So... um... what's gotten into Kara Braxton?

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

I have no idea but I'm not complaining.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Ely was too excited getting in the game finally

and forced that.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:44 PM EDT reply actions

OK... let's be bold and assume the Liberty win this one...

Early predictions for Game 3?

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

First, tell me Catchings health for game 3.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

THE LIBERTY WILL WIN!

YOU KNOW IT IS TRUE BECAUSE I AM USING ALL CAPS!

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

But seriously...

…NY is so wacky you never know which team is going to show up.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope this team, and not the team from Thursday, shows up on Monday.

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Never... ever... count out the Fever at home....

.. in a game…. three…. playoff series…

You know that’s deep because of the periods.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Sue Wicks says

“The Liberty in my opinion are a superior team to the Fever because of their teamwork”.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

My inner homer agrees.

My brain was kind of confused by that though.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Sydney Colson sighting!

by onetimer on Sep 17, 2011 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

LOL I was just going to post that!

#FreeSydTheWhizKid!!!

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Twitter needs to include apostrophes

because we can’t get a #FreeTa’Shia hashtag going until they do.

I am the victim of a basketball jones.

by Queenie on Sep 17, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Bobbitt just crossed her up something viscious though...

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Syd needs more game PT

It’s not good to leave her on the bench so she can have those experiences and learn from them. Just being a practice player is not enough.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

What exactly is the "white line defense"?

I know that is a term used to refer to the defense Whisenant played at New York and Sacramento.

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 5:59 PM EDT reply actions

Brian McCormick and I talk about this...

It’s basically aggressive “help defense”.

Coaches at multiple levels talk about imagining a line down the middle of the court to “split” it into two halves – if the ball is on the opposite half, the defender shades over to that line to stay in help.

Whisenant in Sacramento laid a white line of tape down the court to make that invisible line concrete and has his players play more aggressive D than most…

It’s unique in the WNBA, you could argue less so in basketball in general.

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Sep 17, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

OK. Thanks

by ttdomi on Sep 17, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Ticha says:

http://www.wnba.com/playoffs2005/whiteline_050917.html

What Is the White Line Defense?

Penicheiro
“It’s an imaginary line that is drawn in the middle of the paint vertically and divides where the help side defense is supposed to be. When the ball is on the left side, the people who are on the right side are supposed to have one foot on the white line.

“It’s a defense where we over-help sometimes. We invite the skip pass. We try to protect the ball out of the paint. Shots in the lane are higher perctange, so we’d rather give up three-point field goal attempts than points in the paint.

“We never double-team. We front the post and try not to let the post player on the other team touch the ball.”
— Monarchs guard Ticha Penicheiro

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 17, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions