Meek and the Mercury at practice
BOB STARKEY: A very eventful morning here in Phoenix today. GM Annie Meyers and Coach Corey Gaines. Practice started at 10 this morning. And of course I got there early and was proud to see Temeka Johnson was the first player on the court to get some shooting in on her own.
Was impressed with the energy and focus of the team so late in the season. The WNBA season is long grind and the team seemed to be locked in on playing Chicago tomorrow.
After some flexibility, the team went right into some transition drills. The fast break is the trademark of the Mercury installed by Paul Westhead and Coach Gaines. I saw it first hand the other night as they broke the league mark with 69 points in the first half. From transition work they went into breaking down parts of the man offense going 2/2 and 3/3. I was impressed with the teaching and detail of the staff and players. Following that it was time for some 5/0 and5/5.
The team than spent the last part of practice going over their game plan for Chicago before head to the locker room to watch some scouting tape.
I also had the oppotunity afterwards to pick Coach Gaines brain on some of the things they do and he was both gracious and informative (I will post the basketball part of practice at www.hoopthoughts.blogspot.com at a later time).
And afterwards, a great lunch with Meek at Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles. I knew I was about to get some great food because there was a line outside when we arrived. The food was great and as always, I enjoy my time and conversation with Meek.