The Date: Saturday, July 30, 2K11
The Locale: The Prudential Center, Newark, NJ before tipoff of WNBA New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury matchup.
RG: 15 years in, how proud are you of the success of the WNBA to this point?
NL: It's gone beyond where I thought it would be, especially with the level of talented players that the league has had in the past and that are now currently playing. We knew that there was going to be talent, but one of the most important things about the history of anything is respecting who came before you, and also respecting the totality of the 15 years, not just the fact that we've had great players for a 6, 7, 8, 9-year stretch. The Becky Hammons, Ruth Rileys, Tamika Catchings, Sue Birds, Maya Moores; they respect the history of the game, and I think that's really important. The veterans want to be remembered because they have 'skin' in the game....I have skin in the game and so does Ann Meyers-Drysdale, Lynette Woodard, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper and all of the women who've played pro basketball before the WNBA came into existence in 1997. We just want to be remembered for our contributions, and todays player does, and I dig todays player. They are beautiful, talented, saavy, and they are great gatekeepers of the game. Our game is in really good hands.
RG: Your thoughts of Teresa Edwards' induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
NL: I am so proud of that young woman. She did so much, not only collegiately, but for international basketball as well. It's the culmination of the game saying 'THANK YOU' to her.
RG: Your head coaching stint with the Texas Legends in the National Basketball Developmental League....How was that experience for you?
NL: It was unbelievable. I was given the opportunity by the team's owner Donnie Nelson and I am so thankful for that. We had a lot of work to do. There's no thumbprint for making history; You're creating it for others to follow. We were successful as a team in making the playoffs, and I had one of my players Antonio Daniels called up by the Philadelphia 76ers to fill a vacant roster spot for their playoff run. The NBDL is a league of opportunity, and giving people a chance to reach their NBA dreams. My guys were amazing all season for me and I'm so thankful for the Texas Legends in giving me that opportunity.
RG: I see the National Basketball Developmental League as a nice platform for talented players who are not able to initially crack a roster spot on an NBA team.
NL: It's big. We're splitting hairs for guys going up or down. There were over 22 call-ups a year ago during the 2K10 season, and it's unbelievable the level of talent in that league. I'm very proud of the guys!
*Also during the interview, Nancy mentioned that she is a BIG New York Yankees fan and is a good friend of current team manager Joe Girardi. She became a Yankee fan by following the legendary Hall-of -Famer Mickey Mantle, and when she was 10 years old, she had a pet dog named after beloved Yankee player Bobby Murcer.
*Lieberman is now the Assistant General Manager for the Texas Legends after coaching the team into the Playoffs during the 2K10-2K11 season. For all things happening with Nancy, log on to her website, http://www.nancylieberman.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment