Purple Reign's Keys to Round 1 Victory over Comets

[Purple Reign]

One year ago I suggested that the keys to defeating the Comets in the WCF were the following: http://www.kingsfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7506


2005
HAYNIE MUST GROW UP
Haynie has to step forward and become a player in this series because she is needed. She can not commit those foolish rookie turnovers that she has throughout the year. Between Lawson, Newton and Haynie, Haynie being the pure point has the ability to do so.

STOP THE COMETS TRANSITION GAME
It is no question that position by position the Comets are the faster team:
Sheryl Swoopes runs the floor like a 15 year old child. She is amazingly fast for her age. She finds a way to clear the lanes on the dribble and take the ball straight to the basket on transition. The Monarchs have to get back with a quickness. This also means that they have to consentrate on points in the paint and less quick shooting.

WEAR THE COMETS DOWN
The Monarchs have a huge advantage on the bench, even without Ticha. The defensive presence in Tanty Maiga and Erin Buchler has to be present. DeMya Walker has to be the All-Star off of the bench. I like what she was doing off the bench before injury #2. The Comets have absolutely no matchup for her. In fact I will say if DeMya plays well the Monarchs will win. The Comets starters will play heavy, heavy minutes.
WEAR THEM DOWN!!!

and of course......

DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO WIN GAME #1
I hope that the league addresses this Three game playoff format. It makes Game one so crucial and give the advantage to the higher seed. With that said if you lose game one, game two and three are played in a less than 24 hour turn around time. WHO MADE THIS SCHEDULE? 3 games in four days plus 2 games in less than 24 hours, does not favor the injured team. That would be our beloved Monarchs. Plus Houston showed that they can win on the road. If we lose game one.......

INTANGIBLES
Experience - COMETS
Home Court - MONARCHS
Desire - MONARCHS (WNBA Championships Houston 4, Sacramento 0)

 

[NothinButHoops]

All great points Purple Reign...I can't break it down as nicely as you can, but I do agree our bench must play like they did during the season. Show maturity, eliminate turnovers, be agressive, establish the inside game. Our defense is the key, rebound & make the easy shots. We cannot allow Snow, Swoopes & Thompson to dominate the paint. They will get their points, but don't allow them too many 2nd chance opportunities.
They will have their crowd, but we have played well in big games. The Monarchs control their own destiny...this game is huge.
We don't know the word lose...
''WE RUN THIS''!

 

[Purple Reign]

ONE YEAR LATER, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED......

WEAR THE COMETS DOWN
Sacramento has an even bigger advantage on the bench over the Comets than they did last year. The Monarchs are statistically better offensively, defensively and most important in the paint. Allow your 10 deep roster to run the floor and wear down the old legs of Swoopes. Thompson and Staley.

SNOW VERSUS YO
Michelle Snow is Yolanda Griffith's toughest assignment in the league. Snow is long and quick and has given Yo fits all year. If Yo can elevate her play especially on offense and draw Snow into a mental game, maybe Snow can experience some foul trouble.

NICOLE "KA"-POWELL
Nikki P must stretch the defense. BE AGRESSIVE, BE AGGRESSIVE PLEASE BE AGGRESSIVE. Make Swoopes work on the defensive end. 10 points per game with 2 or 3 3's should get the job done.

DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO WIN GAME #1
I said it once, I will say it again.....I hope that the league addresses this Three game playoff format. It makes Game one so crucial and give the advantage to the higher seed. With that said if you lose game one, games two and three is in the best WNBA arena in the country. BUT GET IT DONE IN GAME ONE!!!


INTANGIBLES
[COLOR="DarkOrchid"]Experience[/COLOR] - Even
Home Court - Monarchs
Desire - Monarchs (they have a chip on their shoulder with something to prove)

MONARCHS IN TWO