We Regret to Inform....The Houston Comets Will Cease Operations

Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#1
#1
U

uncommonclay

Bench
#3
#3
nothing and nobody lasts forever ...

especially comets ...

i feel fortunate to have seen them while they blazed so brightly ...

sad to see them gone ...

but not forgotten ...
 
StevenHW

StevenHW

Starter
#4
#4
From the 'Houston Chronicle' news online site, here's a local story on the Houston Comets disbanding, as well as a weblink to a photo gallery:

(Photo gallery)
http://www.chron.com/sports/photogallery/Comets_2008_season.html


Here's the article:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6141621.html


PLAYERS AVAILABLE

The league will hold a dispersal draft on Dec. 8 for the players who were still under contract to the team. Free agents Tina Thompson, Latasha Byears, Mwadi Mabika, Hamchetou Maiga-Ba and Michelle Snow will not be eligible for that draft...
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StevenHW

StevenHW

Starter
#5
#5
Article on the Dispersal Draft, scheduled Monday, December 8th:

http://www.wnba.com/news/comets_081202.html

The Monarchs get to pick at #7. Who should they select, if the person is still available? Free agents are not eligible for the draft, so ex-Monarchs players Maiga-Ba and Byears are out. Same thing for Tina Thompson, Michelle Snow, and Mwadi Mabika.
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#8
#8
"Multiple investors have come forward and expressed significant interest in purchasing the Comets and having them continue to play in Houston in 2009,” said Orender. “However, we made the judgment that we would not be able to complete a transaction with the right ownership group in time for the 2009 season. The WNBA is extremely grateful to the Comets organization, to the city of Houston and to the team’s loyal fans for helping build both the WNBA and the game of women’s basketball.”
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Um...is it just me or is that bolded segment striking anybody as a bunch of $@#@*!?


Let me get this straight, the league HAD investors interested in buying in AND having them play in Houston but couldn't see a way to make this happen to keep the team in Houston for 2009.

Seriously...? Really...?

This seems insane to me. I'd rather her tell me that they had nobody step up than tell me she had "multiple investors" This seems near the time of the year when they blew up the Sting after having an investor group in place.

Amazing..
 
G_M

G_M

Starter
#10
#10
Monty'sBiggestFan said:
Um thanks for paying attention to the situation GM, appreciate your comment here. You are about 5 years slow on the uptake but your comment is salient nonetheless

:rolleyes:
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I was just asking a legitimate question....

I realize the league has never made money but given the current economic situation I believe the question is more relevant than it has been in the past.
 
creative one

creative one

Bench
#11
#11
I had a longer message wiped out :)mad:), so I'll keep this one as short as possible.

1. Many condolences to the Comets and their fans for what has taken place. It's hard to imagine how this league can sustain itself without such a significant chunk of its history.

2. Donna Orender is greedy. Don't think the league couldn't run the Comets for a year until a new owner was found. They could've done it that way, but the league doesn't get $10 million like it would from the purchase of an expansion franchise.

Eventually, the "fold and expand" model will scare off interest by potential ownership.

3. Outside of Lyttle, none of the dispersal draftees look enticing (i.e. worthy of being in the Monarchs' rotation). We'll need to improve our team (yes, we need to improve at several positions) through free agency and competitive training camp sessions. As for who we're getting in the draft, it's more than likely going to be Sequoia Holmes, and she's more than likely going to get cut before the second preseason game.

4. Would be nice to at least make a pitch to Tina Thompson, but our GM lacks the mental capacity to see that such an acquisition could actually HELP this team (as opposed to playing Russian roulette with DeMya Walker and her health).
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#12
#12
G_M said:
I was just asking a legitimate question....

I realize the league has never made money but given the current economic situation I believe the question is more relevant than it has been in the past.
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The NBA is not subsidizing it and has stopped doing so for a while now. This league is no different than any other professional league that will struggle during the economic times we're facing. (See: NHL, NASCAR and on and on).

Nobody's going to make money hand over fist right now and I think the presidents/commissioners of those sports are understanding the economic realities and will continue to do so. The ones that are flush are sucking off the tailpipe that is their long term network deals, the WNBA is no different having just inked another one with ESPN/ABC. So to answer your question or pose it in a different way, how long can any sports league survive in this economic climate on the money they have from the long term media deals?

The answer? Who knows, but they better figure it out.
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#13
#13
I would make a measured pitch to Tina as I think would any team. She's the most valuable piece from that lineup that would make sense. But she's just as risky a move as DeMya is (roulette and all) because she's as injury prone (just not as devastatingly so) and she like Yo likes to raise the "I don't know how much longer I want to play" flag every year. So they are equal to me so I'd stick with the devil I know than the devil I don't. If she wants to come here, I'd clear space for her, but I ain't outbidding anybody for her services for a year and hopes she decides to play more than that and that I can sign her again. Not when I signed Brunson as my future and they play the same position.

The only other name I like and would consider making a run at? Not sure it would be fruitful...but Maiga-Ba could fit back in this rotation, especially since she has figured out how to shoot FTs and can score in more ways than just rolling to the basket. Other than that, I agree Lyttle is the only one worth talking about - that roster was crap.
 
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Luv13fan

Luv13fan

Bench
#14
#14
Sadness...

Since it has been awhile since I have posted I thought I would jump in on this one.

First... Sad Day for the league that the Comet situation couldn't be salvaged.
Very Very Sad.

As for the Dispersal I think it will be Holmes too. And she could very well be the surprise pick-up for the Monarchs. Depending on how athletic she is, and her defensive prowess (I have no idea what that is yet), it could resolve some issues out on the wings. Then again she may not.

I know we have been in the Market for a Wing to back up Nicole. She could be it. Not sure what the chances are to get Marissa Coleman but Competition in Camp would actually be a refreshing thing.

There is the notion of Maiga coming home. But If we do get Holmes and Coleman, that makes for a major logjam at the wings. But as I said before competition is good.

I would take a look a the Comet guards but the only one that could prove to be valuable at this point is Pee Wee, and she is too expensive to take or keep without grooming a Point guard for the future. Plus she is in the dispersal.

So as crazy as this sounds maybe we could look at Michelle Snow.


Yes she is a head case, I know. But I have always wondered how she would perform in a different environment.

Well I guess we are gonna find out soon enough. She is uber talented and capable of really good things on the court. All-Star not that far removed. I would be intrigued to see what Mo could do with her.

Oh yeah and if Miss Tina wanted to Chill here for a season or two. No Objections here.







 
creative one

creative one

Bench
#15
#15
Oh crap! :eek: I forgot Snow was a UFA. Okay, scratch the TT idea and let's go after the player who's younger, taller, and better defensively. We need someone who can at least physically match what San Antonio (Wauters), Seattle (Jackson), and LA (Leslie) has inside. Make it happen!

On the WNBA.com website, another name was brought up in connection with the Monarchs: Renae Camino of Australia. She's 22, which means she's essentially a second-year pro. Her numbers aren't all that, but she is pegged as a shooter and it would be nice to have as many of those options as possible. She's good for at least a training camp invite.

http://www.basketlfb.com/clubs/joueuse.asp?id=26001077419

I'm all for picking up Holmes and inviting her to camp to compete for a spot because she works HARD, but I know she's likely to get cut. She shot 25% from the field for Houston and also shot 25% from her overseas team in Spain (who cut her). We already had a player like her, and her name was LaTangela Atkinson. So, I'd say "yes" to her as a training camp invite with absolutely no strings attached.

We still need to do something about the Aqua problem. The thought of bringing in Erica White to beat her out is intriguing, but I don't think her game or her attitude fits here. Also, we should be looking at taller options at back-up PG since LA likes to play around with midgets. Does Pee Wee take a major pay cut in hopes of getting the ring? Or do we FA training camp and/or draft our way to a better alternative?

As for Marissa Coleman, I say pass (if we had a shot at her, and we don't). She's essentially Powell Jr. with a much worse attitude. And given how fundamentally lacking Harp was when she arrived, I wouldn't touch another former Terp with a 10-foot pole.

My gut tells me we're either going to draft Ashley Paris or Lyndra Littles (assuming she returns this season), and both of them are combo forwards who could fight for a rotation spot (though they probably won't land a spot).
 
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creative one

creative one

Bench
#18
#18
StevenHW said:
I have a hunch that some other team selects Ashley instead.
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She wouldn't go any higher than 6th. No team picking ahead of us (Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, Minnesota, Phoenix, and Indiana) would want her, much less need her. We don't technically NEED her, but it would be worthwhile to have more competition in training camp at the forward position. It would help if she had a better outside shot.
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#19
#19
I'd hope they aren't looking at Paris, admittedly I'm more impressed with what she's done to get ready for the season and the next level - I don't see a need. I also like Bonner of Auburn as a pick and she could be there at 7.

The player picked in the draft AFAIC needs an outside shot and needs to be taller than 5 something and I hope that's the on the charts for them too. Although I have a slew of guards that I'd like too. Unless the guard is a point and one of the noteworthy ones should be there too.
 
creative one

creative one

Bench
#20
#20
I don't like any of the guards (point or shooting) in this 2009 draft, especially long-term. If Bonner is there at #7, she's probably the most worthy of selection at that spot. 2010 has way better guards (strong guards with WNBA bodies...the kind that Detroit snatches up and makes into All-Stars). If we need a guard for the future, take Dixon in the expansion draft, whiff on Snow/Thompson, and hope for a rash of injuries so that we land in that 2010 draft lottery. OR...just trade whatever you can to get Beard.
 
Luv13fan

Luv13fan

Bench
#21
#21
What we need...

What are "needs" for this franchise?
I am not sure we have drafted for Need in a long time, we have taken the Best Player Available. So while this off-season may not be Super rich in draft talent like last year's it will be an important off-season to address NEEDS.
IMO I think our "needs" are on the wings. Which is strange because we certainly have our share of them. But to be specific I think we need more athletic scoring guards/wings.
We also need to fill the massive void that is a back-up small forward. We don't have one. Period.
But the biggest need that a few people have alluded to in this very thread is Competition in camp.
Bump all that Whose spot will player X Y or Z fill. Bring in as much talent as is available. And let them fight it out for who will get playing time or a roster spot.
It has burned me to no end to have players meandering into camp super late and getting off to a slow start. (Yes... I am talking to you Nicole Powell). I realize the players feel they need to supplement their income overseas, and that is a very real part of the business. But I am so over the concept of bringing in Place holders for Camp.
Lets bring in some competition. Lets strengthen our bench again.
As I thought about it, I think bringing in Snow to shake things up in the post sounds more and more appealing. Think about the possibilities? Bekkah and Snow being able the throw it down. DeMya not wanting to come off the bench, Harper starting to get her WNBA legs. Throw Kelly and a couple of other post in the mix it makes for quite the competition.

As for the guards, I am not a big fan of PG's in this class either, so maybe we hold out til 2010. But I wouldn't throw Max money at Pee-Wee. That is money that could be better spent chasing after Beard, or another FA wing Maybe Maiga...
The other option is to Take Holmes and package her with someone to try and get Quinn or Harding. Quinn may be more obtainable. She is big and was a decent passer. She might be able to get that back. And if she doesn't we can always go fishing for another one in the 2010 draft.

Competition Baby... It is all about Competition.
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#22
#22
I think they've drafted need in the last few drafts where they've had at least one first round pick because at the spot they've been drafting that's all you can expect to do unless like last year the talent goes a lot deeper than the lottery range.

Whether those players worked out is probably open to debate, well not probably...it's been debated the last few years.

I don't think they can package Holmes for anything, I don't see anybody burning up the phone lines to get to spot seven in a dispersal draft for a roster that's only probably 3 players deep. If a GM trades for somebody outside of that range - I'd fire them on the spot. The better pieces from Houston outside of Lyttle and maaaaaaaybe Ajavon for what she does are UFAs. I don't think anybody would have traded Houston anything for Holmes straight up if they continued to exist.

I'd be down with Quinn and Snow, perhaps the JenZen can get them back to showing more the talent they've been more inclined to hide. Anything that creates more length (and keeps a big out of Phx and Minny) is fine by me. Quinn aint the best defender but I can cope if she can stroke from the perimeter when she's in the game. Some combination of a Hou UFA and somebody who can play wing or swing or some other assorted combo and isn't under 6'0 is whats on the list I'm handing to Santa in a few weeks. I have scenarios where we have some combination of Coleman, Bonner and some big we don't need sitting available at 7. I'm down also for loading up in 2010 and sucking $#$ for the MooreStakes in 2011. I have no shame ;)

Especially because I can see this team getting jacked AGAIN by an expansion draft or two in the interim. :mad:
 
cometsluv4play

cometsluv4play

G-League
#25
#25
Words cannot express how devestating all this is to comprehend. Rumors have been going around for years way back even during the Compaq Center days, but nothing prepares you for the actual event occuring even when really you do have warnings.

no one can say we didn't have the writing on the wall the last few years, but somehow it never happened and i guess we just some how thought maybe it never would, but it did. i'm sad, i'm mad, i'm confused, i'm shocked, i'm indifferent, i'm lost.

it just doesn't seem right, but lack of quality attendance was staring us in the face.

i don't know what i'm gonna do with myself this summer...my world has revolved around shifting things around the Comets schedule. one thing is for sure.

i have NO excuse for not being in Sacramento this summer huh?!!

:D
 
Luv13fan

Luv13fan

Bench
#26
#26
cometsluv4play said:
i have NO excuse for not being in Sacramento this summer huh?!!

:D
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Uhh NO you don't.

BTW I didn't mean to sound insenitive in the other thread. Losing the Comets has hit us all pretty hard, so I can't begin to fathom what you have been thru.

But I think we can provide you a decent share of cussing, fussin and bickering to make you feel at home.
 
creative one

creative one

Bench
#28
#28
Some really good ideas in this thread.

As for the draft, I've been told that the top two players in the country are non-seniors (one sophomore, one junior) and are both tallish perimeter players. That's all the information I'm going to divulge. Thus, it really doesn't matter when we "tank" (2009 or 2010) because we're likely to get a star guard/wing.

;);)

All joking about tanking aside, I think we should keep Holmes (or Camino) and see if they're any good. Select a player who's at least 6-0 in the college draft with the #7 pick and perhaps again with the #20 pick. Do your homework overseas and around the league to fill up the roster. Explore trades (such as those involving a player like Noelle Quinn) that actually boost the competitiveness of the roster. 15 of the 18 people we bring into camp in 2009 should be roster-worthy this time around. How hard can it be to tell the likes of Kim Smith to take a hike? :confused:
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#29
#29
I know who the sophomore is (and I'm totaaaaaaaaally into throwing the entire 2010 season for a shot at her), I'm pretttttty sure I know who the junior is.

I seriously doubt that it will be hard to tell Smith to take a hike, unless they trade somebody they d/won't have roster space for her.
 
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