COMETS SWEEP SPARKS AND HEAD TO THEIR 4TH CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

So, there it was, the last 2 minutes of the Sparks best season ever and they couldn't finish on top. But what a great game it was, definitely one of the best battles in the WNBA to date and better than any of the routs that have been plaguing the WNBA playoffs, thus far. It came down to the final 1:09 because the Sparks didn't score again, in a second half that saw neither team ahead by more than 4 points until the final score, 74-69. On Sunday, August 19 the Los Angeles Sparks lost to the 3 time defending WNBA champion Houston Comets in front of almost 15,000 people, including DEREK FISHER, DIANA ROSS and JIMMY SMITS, at the Great Western Forum.

CYNTHIA COOPER hurry up and retire, let someone else win, please!!! Only Houston is happy with this, WNBA fans are bored with this Houston Comets championship franchise. Although, the Sparks limited league MVP and scoring champion, SHERYL SWOOPES, to 8 points and member of Houston's big 3, TINA THOMPSON, to only 7 points, they had no answer for the MICHAEL JORDAN of women's basketball, Cooper. She led all scorer's with 29 points, had 5 assists and 3 steals. Despite Cooper being the only one of the big three playing big, JANETH ARCAIN, who also had 3 steals and scored 16 points, picked up the slack for the trio. As if that's not enough, Arcain blocked DELISHA MILTON'S last attempt at a lay-up to keep the Sparks in the game. Unfortunately, the Sparks could not contain Arcain, who made 3 of 4 free throws in the last seconds to keep the Comets lead. Where'd she come from and when is she going back?

So there goes a phenomenal season where Coach MICHAEL COOPER was named WNBA Coach of the Year for helping his team to a 28-4 record, including two 12 game winning streaks. A season of high hopes for LISA LESLIE to win the MVP award and a 2nd best record of 49 consecutive free throws made. However, as in all sports, there's always next season and LA can taste it. I can't wait!!!!

ONE DOWN TWO (SERIES) TO GO
8/14/00

On Sunday, August 13 in front of around 10,000 fans at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California the Los Angeles Sparks eliminated the Phoenix Mercury with a clean sweep. The Sparks beat the Mercury on their home court in Phoenix the previous Friday. By far, this was the most exciting contest of the first round of the playoffs, the eastern conference teams don't stand a chance against the west. CHERYL MILLER, the Mercurys head coach, kept her team in the game for 3 quarters. They were only down by 6 at the half. But that didn't stop Coach MICHAEL COOPER's girls from blowing it wide open in the last 10 minutes of the game. From that point on the Sparks held a double digit lead, finished 1 past the century mark and won by 25 points (101-76). The Mercury played well but the Sparks have raised the level of Women's Basketball. They are the best conditioned team, which means no matter how much you score if you can't finish with a last run then you don't win. Not only in tip-top shape, LA's ladies play smothering defense and move the ball perfectly on offense. They have brought "showtime" back to the Forum by scoring 25 fast break points. That means a quarter of those 101 points were some pretty sweet dishes. Once again, LISA LESLIE, MVP favorite, was high scorer with 29 points and tied MWADI MABIKA for most boards (8).

On Thursday, August 17 the Sparks head to Houston to face the only team that poses a threat to them, the 3 time WNBA Champion Houston Comets in game 1 of the best of 3 Western Conference Finals. The Sparks took all 3 of the regular season meetings. The Sparks finished the regular season with a 13-3 road record so Coach Cooper nicknamed them the "Road Warriors". Game 2 will be held at the Great Western Forum on Sunday, August 20.

LA Ladies Begin Their Mission
8/11/2000

For the second time this year Los Angeles basketball begins its "second" season as the Sparks play the Phoenix Mercury this evening in game 1 of the first round of the 2000 WNBA playoffs. Although the Sparks ended the season with a loss to the Utah Starzz, which ended a 12-game winning streak for the Sparks, Coach Cooper and the girls need not worry. This season ending loss is similar to the NBA World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, who also lost the last game of the season. Coincidence, I think not, it's just an LA thang. Like the Lakers in the NBA the Sparks enjoyed the best record in the WNBA at 28-4. Now, let's see what these girls can do!!

SPARKS HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!
8/3/2000

So far, still so good...The Los Angeles Sparks focus on winning one game at a time. That's why they are 25-3 and favored to win the WNBA championship. That's not all, LISA LESLIE, the 6'5" center is favored to win the MVP award. If the WNBA season turns out anything like the NBA season this would mean that LA will be both WNBA and NBA champions and have MVP centers on both squads.

The starting 5, Leslie, MWADI MABIKA, TAMECKA DIXON, UKARI FIGGS and DELISHA MILTON play with such intensity and focus that the bench players must step up. Any bad play among these women would surely stand out. Their first year coach, MICHAEL COOPER, has them in top condition, which allows them to surge in the second half, especially in the last 10 minutes of the game. When other teams run out of steam, that's when the Sparks go in for the kill.

It's what happened in Houston. The Comets had at 56-47 lead with 14:25 to go on their home court. But that all changed with smart, tough defense from the Sparks. It's a well known fact in basketball that if you play defense, your offense will follow. That's how the starting 5, who played all 20 minutes of the second half, broke the Comets 8 game-winning streak over the Sparks in Compaq Center. This game was not only the first of the final 6 games to be played on the road, but by far, the most important. The Sparks completed a 3 game sweep of the Comets this season and have won 20 of their last 21 games.

Although most important, the Sparks did not only play Houston since they went on a 9 game winning streak. Besides Houston in the last 6 games, the Sparks defeated Phoenix 74-68, Sacramento 73-68, Orlando 78-63, Seattle 76-63 and Minnesota 73-66. Leslie scored the most points in 4 of those 5 games, adding fuel to her run for MVP. The Sparks look to end the season by winning one road game at a time because they will not be satisfied until they bring a second basketball championship to LA for the year 2000.

HOW THE WEST WAS WON - LA vs. NY - JULY 21, 2000

WNBA All-Star SUE WICKS of the New York Liberty, the Sparks eastern conference opponent last night, said, "this is the best basketball the Sparks have played in 4 years, they're the best in the league, better than Houston or anyone." When asked what makes the Sparks so much better than before, she said one word, DEFENSE. That's the same thing that coach MICHAEL COOPER said about his women's basketball team. Defense got the Sparks off to a great start with an 11 point lead with 5 minutes to go but when the energy slowed the Sparks saw themselves down by 1 point going in to the 2nd half.

At half time Cooper pressured his starters, LISA LESLIE and TAMECKA DIXON, to reignite and to start the 2nd half the same as they did the first. The entire team including bench players, ALLISON FEASTER and NICKY MC CRIMMON came out aggressive and focused. They adopted a never say die strategy for grabbing rebounds, many times hustling for 3 or 4 possessions before getting the lay-up or hitting the jump shot. When the Liberty got in the middle either Leslie or DELISHA MILTON blocked the shot right out of there, which forced New York to settle for jump shots. DIXON brought showtime back to the Forum on a go ahead pass from UKARI FIGGS. Leslie grabbed the rebound and threw it to Figgs who dribbled and passed it to Dixon, who was at least 5 steps ahead of the pack, for a layup. When the Sparks kept on their toes and constantly moving the Liberty was helpless against them.

The Sparks shot 60% from the field and held New York to 35% field goal shooting and out rebounded them 39-23. Los Angeles got their second win against the ladies from the big apple 82-66. The Sparks are now 19-3 overall and 12-1 at the Forum.

LA Continues to SPARK-le

It was a shoot-out at the Great Western Forum on Friday, July 14. A showdown between the West's top 2 seeds, the Los Angeles Sparks versus the Houston Comets. A well-known rivalry given the over 11,000 people in attendance on that beautiful Friday evening in Los Angeles. The Sparks started out flat and were down by 11 at the half. Worse than that they found themselves down by as much as 15 at the beginning of the second half. Houston did this much damage with only their big 2, SHERYL SWOOPES and TINA THOMPSON, because CYNTHIA COOPER had to sit out with a badly sprained ankle. Then, with all the determination and focus they could find and some quickness from TAMECKA DIXON and the great bench play of ALLISON FEASTER, the Sparks made a run and defeated the 3 time WNBA World Champions 63-58 for the second time this season. After this huge game the Sparks had their second meeting with the Minnesota Lynx (10-10). Not surprisingly after the huge comeback win against Houston just the night before the Sparks struggled against the play of All-Stars, KATIE SMITH and BETTY LENNOX. But the play of Allison Feaster, who in 13 minutes made 3 of 5 field goals and scored 7 points balanced things out. Those numbers don't speak for her efforts, though. In this game Feaster stole the ball, made a sweet assist to Dixon, grabbed a couple rebounds and hit a huge 3 pointer to keep the Sparks in the game. Most of the Sparks get to rest because of the All-Star game and then they will host the New York Liberty on Thursday at the Forum.

The WNBA held it's second annual All-Star game on Monday, July 17 at Phoenix's America West Arena. Of course, the West beat the East 73-61 much like the men's game. Over 17,000 fans came out in support of the lady hoopsters and to party like it's 1999. Tina Thompson of the Houston Comets scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, which earned her this year's All-Star MVP award. Last year it was given to her USC teammate and current Spark, Lisa Leslie. The Sparks had 3 representatives in the game, Leslie, DELISHA MILTON and MWADI MABIKA. No one got hurt and everyone had a great time.

SPARKS 12 GAME WINNING STREAK CONSUMED BY FIRE

After the Sparks scorched the Utah Starzz on Sunday night (7/9) 92-72, the expansion team Portland Fire consumed the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night (7/11) 80-77. The Sparks entered the Starzz game on a serious hot streak. They were undefeated at home and had won 10 in a row. From the very beginning of the game it looked too easy. They jumped out to a huge half-time lead at 46-33 and were able to maintain at least a 10 point cushion throughout the second half. Coach Michael Cooper was even able to clear the bench and let backup center, PAIGE SAUER, show off her skills. She gets little playing time backing up all-star LISA LESLIE and CLARISSE MACHANGUANA. Sauer finished with a season high 7 points on 3 of 4 field goals.

The Sparks entered Tuesday's game with alot of confidence but not a lot of energy. They were still undefeated at home and facing a team that was only 5-12 for the season. The Sparks jumped out to an early 6-0 lead but that was quickly diminished by two 3 pointers made by the Fire. Portland made 9 of 15 3 pointers, which helped keep them in the game. The Fire's top scorer, SOPHIA WITHERSPOON, and tied for the league's second best 3 point
shooter, VANESSA NYGAARD, picked up their games in the absence of SYLVIA CRAWLEY, the team's top rebounder. None of the Sparks could extinguish Witherspoon's fire, she finished with a game high 29 points. Nygaard contributed with 13 points. The last 2 were game winning clutch shots, which put the Fire up by 3 points with 6 seconds remaining in the game.

MWADI MABIKA was forced to put up a long 3 that drew nothing but air. This game marks the first time that the Fire have won 2 consecutive games and the second loss by the Sparks to an expansion team (June 13 in Seattle 69-59 OT). The Sparks had not given up more than 80 points per game since the beginning of their winning streak. The Sparks will need to bring the frustration from this loss to the Forum on Friday in the battle for the Western Conference against the Houston Comets (18-2). Losses like this one to Portland can help a team to refocus after a long winning streak makes them complacent. It'll be a tough fight on Friday.

Sparks Keep Home Fire Burning

The Sparks returned home to the Great Western Forum for the last 3 of their 4 games and made a clean sweep once again. 3 of the last 4 were against teams in the top 4 of the Eastern Conference, which doesn't say much given this year's tough Western Conference leaders, the Los Angeles Sparks at #2 and the Houston Comets at #1.

The Sparks played 2 sets of back to back games. The first at home against the Cleveland Rockers (#2 in the East). This one was played close throughout but the Sparks kept their energy high and were victorious with a win by 8 points (the closest an opponent got in the last 4 games). The next night the Sparks easily smoked the Detroit Shock 85-63. Ladies, if you play with fire you get burned.

The most exciting games of the past 4 was the game won against the Sacramento Monarchs at Sacramento. With a little over 5 minutes to play in the game, the Sparks were up by 2 points but then they went on a 10-0 run with 3 pointers from UKARI FIGGS and MWADI MABIKA and the Sparks found themselves ahead 70-58 with 3:35 left in the game. The Sparks defeated the Monarchs 76-61. The Monarchs had previously handed the Sparks 1 of their 2 losses for this entire season. Then, the very next day the Sparks met CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW and the Washington Mystics. The Sparks led most of the way and held Holdsclaw to just 4 1st half points. But Holdsclaw and teammate, Olympian NICKY MC CRARY came back strong in the second half and got their team to within 2 points with 4:33 remaining in the game. Rather than fizzle, the Sparks rallied, kept up their defense and kept making baskets to defeat the Washington Mystics 79-70.

The Sparks continue to blaze any team that gets in their way. They are 15-2 and undefeated at home where they will play their next 5 games. Any team that steps into the Forum will face a tough challenge and some of the toughest defense and one of the best teams in the league. Let's go SPARKS!!!!

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Sparks Clean Up Road Trip

Break out the brooms WNBA fans…Los Angeles basketball keeps getting hotter and hotter. The Sparks (11-2) edge closer to the WNBA Champion Houston Comets (13-2) by completing their difficult road trip undefeated. This one wasn’t easy, 2 of the 4 games were won by 5 points or less. This shows the battles that these women fought to play defense and keep scoring. Not only did the Los Angeles Sparks win 4 in a row on the road but they have won 7 in a row all together. LA’s heading toward another exciting basketball championship run this summer.

Again, the phenomenal LISA LESLIE was high scorer or high rebounder in 2 of the 4 games and even when her numbers weren’t the best she came through big. In the final road game against the Indiana Fever she made 9 of 10 free throws and had another double-double. Leslie’s great and she leads a great team, TAMEKA DIXON, high-scorer of the game with 13 points, was injured late in the win against the Washington Mystics (74-72) and wasn’t able to play against the Fever. The starter expects to return on Saturday against Cleveland at the Forum.

The road trip went as follows, June 23 versus the Sparks win easily over the Miami Sol 68-54. On June 25 the Sparks fought off the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden and won 72-67. Then, the very next day they defeated the Washington Mystics 74-72. And they completed the sweep by beating the Indiana Fever 82-73. The ladies will be happy to be at home in the Forum for the next 8 of 9 games and hear LA raise the roof at the Forum.

Sparks Energized by Lakers bringing Championship back to Los Angeles

After dropping two games on the road, the Los Angeles Sparks ended that 2 game losing streak with a win on the road against the Portland Fire. MWADI MABIKA earned her first double-double of the season and scored 26 points and shot 100 percent from the charity stripe.

The Sparks returned home on Father’s Day to face the Charlotte Sting and defeated them by 8 points. Once again Mabika was the high scorer while the sensational LISA LESLIE tied a career high with 6 blocked shots.
Maintaining their undefeated home recorded, the Sparks faced the 3 time WNBA World Champion Houston Comets on Monday, June 20. This was their first meeting since Houston defeated Los Angeles in the 1999 Western Conference Finals. Even though the Comets have 3 all-stars, TINA THOMPSON, CYNTHIA COOPER, and SHERYL SWOOPES, the Comets were unable to beat the Sparks again thanks to the Sparks new weapon, first-year coach and former World Champion Laker, MICHAEL COOPER. This Spark win came the day after the Lakers electrified Los Angeles and the world with their victory over the Indiana Pacers for the 2000 NBA World Championship. As if he hadn’t gotten enough basketball for the last 8 months, All-Star, Season and Finals Most Valuable Player, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL sat courtside with his daughter in support of LA’s lady ballers. His appearance brought the crowd to their feet and the Comets never really had a chance after that. Other celebrities who can’t get enough hoops included LA Laker, DEREK FISHER and his mother, MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN and PENNY MARSHALL.

Sparks Fizzle after 4-0 Start

L.A.’s ladies of basketball, the Sparks, began their WNBA 2000 season with four wins and no losses. The tough game 4 pitted former USC star Lisa Leslie against former USC coach and player, Cheryl Miller, who’s now the coach of the Phoenix Mercury. This battle was won by Leslie’s Sparks to the dislike of Miller. The two even shared heated words after Leslie got a technical foul after getting caught in a tussle with one of Miller’s players, Briget Pettis. According to new Sparks coach, Michael Cooper, the best start in the league and the best start in Sparks franchise history is due to his defensive attitude. If you play defense the offense will follow. His philosophy worked until that game. The next game against the Sacramento Monarchs came on the very next day in Sacramento on national television and the Sparks simply ran out of gas and lost a late 8 point lead and eventually lost by 7 points. Well, the girls’ had an excuse for that one but then they lost again to the expansion Seattle Storm. So, there goes their chance for an undefeated season but not their chance at a championship run. Hey, that’s the game of basketball, like life, you win some and you lose some