Hey Everyone. I have been patiently waiting for my account to be "verified" so I could weigh in on this issue.
I have friends who are Sacramento Monarch players. I know many who work in other areas for the Maloofs (marketing, security, equiptment managing, etc...). I socialize off the court with players after watching the games (in person) at many out of state locations.
This is my two cents: Whisenant is NOT a good women's basketball coach. He "closed" practices when it became evident that his choice to sit Guilliana was horrible. The second team routinely beat the first team in practice, in large part due to Guilliana's effortless three-point shot. His ego prevented him from admitting as much, so he closed practices to prevent "outsiders" from knowing it.
Whisenant "brow-beat" our perimeter shooters. He had them afraid to "pull the trigger". Any shooter who has it in the back of their mind that if they take a shot and miss will be yanked from the game develops a noticable "hitch" in their shot. If you have any games on film, review them. Notice how many of our perimeter shooters "hitch".
Whisenant publicly denounced our perimeter shooters, instead of admitting that he himself does not know how to motivate female athletes. Pay attention to how our shooters did in the beginning to the end of the season.
Whisenant does not know how to properly substitute. He takes a person who is totally red-hot and sits them on the bench for long stretches, then puts them back in after they have totally cooled off. Sorry, these ladies are professionals, and they aren't tired. They have more gas in the tank then Whisenant gives them credit for.
Whisenant NEVER taught them any offensive scheme. Hello, this is the WNBA, we NEED an offense!
Whisenant NEVER made defensive adjustments. EVER. Every team in the league knew this. This is not men's basketball, this is women's and we have some very talented perimeter shooters. This defense left us vulnerable to the skip-pass, outside shot, by design.
Whisenant does not utilize his time-outs to stop opposing team's scoring runs. How basic coaching is that? Just ask any Jr. High coach and they will tell you!
Whisenant did not treat these ladies equally. He would allow some of the players to get away with walking out of practice, fist-fighting on the bus, etc and others he would make pay a fine if the player was simply a few minutes late to practice due to traffic! How does this build a "cohesive unit"? It doesn't, it only builds resentment.
We got to the Western Conference Finals not because of Whisenant, but because we have a talented team with a lot of experience, and heart. Whisenant is a cancer for this team, and he needs to be cut out! We need a real coach, these ladies have worked hard enough, long enough, and they deserve it!
The fans have waited long enough, paid enough money into this organization, and deserve a banner to hang.
Fire Whisenant, Hire a real coach!
That is my two cents worth.
the Bard