Yolanda Kicked Out of Practice

Purple Reign

Purple Reign

Starter
#1
#1
Yikes!!!:eek:


Monarchs' Griffith kicked out of practice

By Melody Gutierrez -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 5:26 pm PDT Monday, August 7, 2006

Yolanda Griffith stormed off the court during Monday's Monarchs practice after coach John Whisenant yelled for her to go to the locker room. Griffith kicked a sign on her way out and did not return to the court. She was unavailable for comment following the 2 1/2 hour practice. Whisenant wouldn't elaborate as to what caused the outburst.
"I don't have anything to say," Whisenant said. "I don't want to make a mountain of a mole hill."
The tension comes as Sacramento prepares to take on the Sparks on Wednesday in Los Angeles and Minnesota on Thursday at Arco Arena. The Monarchs wrap up the regular season Sunday in Phoenix. One more Sacramento (20-11) win would clinch second place in the Western Conference behind the Sparks (23-9).
Houston and Seattle are tied at 17-14 in third, but the Comets have a 2-0 record over the Storm if it comes down to a tiebreaker. Those teams face off in Houston in the final game of their seasons on Saturday.
The third place finisher will play Sacramento in the first round of the Western Conference, which begins as early as Aug. 17.
 
Purple Reign

Purple Reign

Starter
#2
#2
I don't know if anybody noticed the exchange that Coach and Yo had in the second half. As she was heading to the bench, she stopped with Whisnant, and began what seemed to be a heated conversation. Not so heated that they made a scene, but heated enough to grab my attention.
 
StevenHW

StevenHW

Starter
#3
#3
Part of Purple Reign's post:
I don't know if anybody noticed the exchange that Coach and Yo had in the second half. As she was heading to the bench, she stopped with Whisnant, and began what seemed to be a heated conversation...
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Are the public allowed to watch Monarchs' practice sessions? Is there a cost? Or is it only restricted to staff employees or STH?

Of course, I have no firsthand knowledge of this. But my initial reaction is that we shouldn't make much out of it. Practice sessions can sometimes be heated and tempers will flare up on occasion. Does anyone remember nearly ten years ago when former Golden State Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo said something to Latrell Sprewell during a practice, and Sprewell responded by choking Carlesimo?

So who knows, maybe this incident with Yo will give the team an extra shot of something before we take on the Sparks on Wednesday! :)
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#4
#4
It's restricted to staff and media. Maybe he wanted her to sit out? I hate to be on the receiving end of whatever Yo does to channel whatever this emotion is next time they play or next time she gets to return to the practice court.
 
VF21

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#5
#5
StevenHW said:
Part of Purple Reign's post:


Are the public allowed to watch Monarchs' practice sessions? Is there a cost? Or is it only restricted to staff employees or STH?

Of course, I have no firsthand knowledge of this. But my initial reaction is that we shouldn't make much out of it. Practice sessions can sometimes be heated and tempers will flare up on occasion. Does anyone remember nearly ten years ago when former Golden State Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo said something to Latrell Sprewell during a practice, and Sprewell responded by choking Carlesimo?

So who knows, maybe this incident with Yo will give the team an extra shot of something before we take on the Sparks on Wednesday! :)
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I think you're mixing the two events. In the first post, PR is relating the story about the Monday practice session. In his second post, I think he's talking about the last game - not a practice session.
 
Luv13fan

Luv13fan

Bench
#6
#6
Definately Mountain out of Mole Hill

First of all...

There is no competitive player that hasn't got Kicked out of Practice once in their career. It happens. Now if it was a pattern of behavior then that would be different.

When you think about it, it is high tension time. We have played some good games but when have hardly had a game when we were operating on all cylinders. Not by any stretch of the Imagination.

We are heading into the play-offs and I really don't get the sense of urgency from this group collectively. See what happen to Seattle when they had an emotional breakdown against Houston. (Who could likely be our opponent).
I have talked about that Killer instinct that we seem to lack. The inability to finish a team off and truly dominate them. Perhaps Yo getting Kicked out of practice is good thing.

I have no idea what happened. I am sure they have kissed and made up. Because like I said before, Every Great player has been kicked out of practice. However; it could send a mighty profound message to the rest of the team.

Everyone needs to step it up as the play-offs approach. So here is to Take a Lemon and Making Lemonade.

BTW... Weren't STH promised an Open Practice this season? I find it amazing that they open practice to the press, but STH's can't have one open practice. MS&E at their finest.
 
Purple Reign

Purple Reign

Starter
#7
#7
Luv13fan said:
The inability to finish a team off and truly dominate them. Perhaps Yo getting Kicked out of practice is good thing.
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I'm sorry, I don't think your superstar, the unquestionable leader of your team, the face of your franchise getting kicked out of practice is ever a good thing. I'm not saying it is a big deal, but how can that be good. That is like saying that losing a game is a good thing. I love Yo. And none of us know exactly what happened, but now is not the time to have your superstar and your coach not on the same page.
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#8
#8
Fan open practices are fluff, so I can live without one. The onliest thing I want that they so far haven't delivered on is a video/DVD of last year's title run.

Either its a slow sports day or the practice flare up was out of the ordinary. It made the banner of the front page of the Bee. I tend to side more with the latter interpretation, although I doubt this was the first time things have gotten heated in practice this late in the season. I also don't think anything will come of it and it has probably blown over or will soon do so.
 
nancgo

nancgo

Bench
#9
#9
Sometimes I want to be kept in the dark about internal "family" issues. As long as it's resolved in a win. The post-season is about to start, the Monarchs aren't guaranteed 2nd place yet, and they just came off a game that shouldn't have gone into OT. All of their nerves are on edge, IMO, and they're letting off steam. I agree, it had to be a slow news day. And one of the team captains should set an example, but sometimes things just get heated. We don't have all the scoop, so we can speculate all we want. I hope they all harness that energy and bring it to the LA game for a win. I hope Ticha gets mad again, and goes off. This team needs to get back what little swagger they had, and end the regular season in a strong, positive manner.
 
RoyalDiva

RoyalDiva

Starter
#10
#10
Let's not wring our hands with worry over this unless it becomes a continuing pattern. It's a very heated, emotional time, and things like this are a natural consequence sometimes.
 
Luv13fan

Luv13fan

Bench
#11
#11
Not Necessary at All

You know I would have to agree...

No one really needed to know all of that. And it couldn't have helped anything to have it sitting in the next days newpaper.

However, Like I said... That **** Happens. Expecially around Play-off/Tournament time. Tensions are high. As for being the leader of the team... Sometimes you are the one that Takes on for the Team. You say what everyone else is afraid to say. You Blow of the preverbal Steam.

At any rate, I like the Chippi-ness.

And I think the edge will serve them well come play-off time.
 
NothinButHoops

NothinButHoops

Starter
#15
#15
No I missed it, what all was said? I was watching the Mercury game & forgot to the show was on. Thats the problem with the media, they always gotta get things started. It's ironic it made the front page!
 
slugking50

slugking50

All-Star
#17
#17
Coach T ripped Melody Gutierrez saying she ran with it without knowing any facts about the situation. Said she should have waited a day to find out why and just how often players do things like that. Coach T said Yos very fiery and wants to win. That her fire is what makes her such a great player.

He also ranted on the Bee more.


The show was hosted by Jason Ross and Scott Marsh while Koz and Krista were in LA.
 
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