The WNBA playoffs are out of the question. The worst overall record in the league is all but ensured. Vacations can begin in nine days.
But the Utah Starzz were reminded ad nauseam at practice Friday morning that the season isn't over yet. Wind sprints culminating the workout served as an exclamation point for the message Starzz coaches Denise Taylor and Greg Williams were attempting to convey."Right now it's a true test to find out who are the competitors and who are the professionals," said Taylor. "It's a matter of pride at this point."
Utah (6-17) hosts the Los Angeles Sparks (10-13) tonight at 7:30. The Lisa Leslie-led Sparks, with five games remaining, certainly have more to play for. Los Angeles is still in the playoff hunt, two games behind Western Conference-leading Phoenix.
The Starzz have five games remaining, too, including three at home. They are just hoping to end a four-game losing streak and salvage some pride before their season ends Aug. 24.
"We'll have 7,000-plus fans come in here who haven't given up on us," said Taylor. "I've told the players we need to play hard for them, the fans. Plus these last five games are not just about this season. It's about the stage we are setting for next season."
A win tonight would even the season series between the Starzz and the Sparks at 2-2. Utah overcame an 18-point first-half deficit to earn it's first-ever victory over Los Angeles in the second game of the season. The Starzz have dropped two straight to the Sparks since then, however.
Leslie, who some consider the best female basketball player on the planet, hasn't been as dominating in the WNBA as many expected. Still, she is having a solid season. Leslie leads the league in rebounding (nine per game) and is third in scoring (15.7 points per game). Guard Penny Toler averages 13.1 points.
Wendy Palmer, who scored 28 points in one Utah win over the Sparks, is fifth in the league in scoring (15.1) and second in rebounding (7.6) Starzz's center Elena Baranova, one of the top three-point shooters in the WNBA, averages 13.1 points and 7.5 boards.
The Starzz will head out on the road Sunday morning for a game that night at Phoenix. New York visits the Delta Center Tuesday with the home season coming to a conclusion Thursday night when the Starzz face the Charlotte Sting.
STARZZ NOTE: Guard/forward Megan Compain was waived Friday and forward Deborah Carter was activated from the injured list to fill the roster spot. Carter was placed on the injured list July 26 with a sore knee. She averaged 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14 games prior to going on the injured list. Compain was activated from the developmental squad Aug. 1 after Raegan Scott was placed on waivers. She played sparingly in four games and did not score.