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Parker gets taste of life in L.A.
Agent plans to take advantage of opportunities
Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press
Candace Parker strikes a pose during a photo session at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday.
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LOS ANGELES - Candace Parker made her debut Friday as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks, a meet-and-greet session with local media inside Staples Center, as well as a formal introduction to her new teammate, three-time WNBA most valuable player Lisa Leslie.
Parker took a morning flight to Los Angeles after a whirlwind week in Florida, where she led the Tennessee women's basketball team to its second consecutive national title Tuesday in Tampa, then was chosen No. 1 overall by the Sparks in Wednesday's draft.
"I'm very tired," she said. "I took a long flight here, but it's just been something that, you're not going to get these hours back. Winning a national championship and then turning around and being drafted No. 1 is an amazing feeling ... it's too bad that it had to happen, bam, bam, bam, because you had no time to sit back and absorb it."
Later on Friday, Parker won the John R. Wooden Award as college basketball's top player. Lady Vols coach Pat Summit, whose title on Tuesday was her eighth, accompanied Parker to receive the Legends of Coaching Award.
Parker will have little time to absorb life in Los Angeles this weekend, as she's scheduled to attend class Monday night in Knoxville. She plans to graduate from Tennessee in May with a degree in sports management. In between, she'll return to Southern California for the start of training camp April 20.
Although Los Angeles and Knoxville share little in common in terms of size and population, Parker already sees some similarities.
"Playing for such a big program, with a lot of expectations and just a lot of following, I feel like coming to L.A. is a good change, but in some ways, it's similar," said Parker, who is originally from the Chicago suburb of Naperville, Ill.
Leslie, who took last season off because of pregnancy and the birth of her first child in June, did not officially meet Parker until Friday, but they had been trading text messages.
Leslie says she looks forward to being Parker's mentor, both on and off the court.
Men have already approached Leslie at her gym and congratulated her on the addition of Parker, attention the team has never received this time of year.
"Guys, they're into our game, following our sport, but to follow the draft and to follow the NCAA tournament and to really be abreast of what's going on, and now we have the No. 1 player, this is great for our sport," Leslie said. "This is great for women's basketball."
Leslie, 35, doesn't foresee any bitterness, specifically referring to the animosity that developed earlier this decade between Lakers stars Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
"This is the beauty of the sport," she said. "I came along and I was a lot better than a lot of the centers that played the game, and now you have another player who's even more phenomenal than me coming along. Then, there's going to be someone behind her, so this is how it goes, this is part of life and I love it."
Parker's agent, Aaron Goodwin, says he plans to take advantage of Parker's marketability and the opportunities available in the a big city such as Los Angeles, but will be careful not to let her get "oversaturated."
Goodwin, who previously represented NBA star LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and currently represents Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Kevin Durant of the Seattle SuperSonics, said Parker would be a great representative for apparel and shoe companies, but also didn't rule out non-sports related promotions, such as modeling and cosmetics. He envisioned a day when young girls will lace up basketball shoes with Parker's name emblazoned on the sides.
"Why continue to wear LeBron James shoes or Michael Jordan shoes if you've got a hero," he said. "This a great market to try and help those things happen."
The only issue that may slow her early marketability is the short window between the WNBA draft and the next month's start of the regular season.
"There's such a short window between the draft and the ability to cultivate some of these relationships and then get into training camp," Goodwin said. "It's going to move kind of quickly."
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Posted by ICorangeP on April 13, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not to steal the thought of this article but I wanted all Lady vol fans to hear this version of our Nation Atheism, this will bring a tear to your eyes and lump in your throat, if not, nothing will.
This posting is in connection of the shameful act of the Stanford players that did not place there hand over their heart while our National Atheism was played in the final four game. ALL of the Tennessee players along with Pat did so, only ONE Stanford player, and there coach, showed the proper respect to our country. A sad commentary to the players/school.
Please click on this link and enjoy some of the finest young Lady's you will ever hear!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS5...
Posted by ICorangeP on April 13, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry about that, I do know how to spell ANTHEM but I still have tears in my eyes. Please do not let that take away from the GREAT singing of our NATIONAL ANTHEM!
Posted by adimatteo on April 13, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting, I was thinking the same thing, as I was at game.
My thought was that it doesnt seem to matter whether somehting significant or minor, our program, our people do and say the correct thing!!!!!!!!
Posted by johnlg00 on April 13, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Returning to the theme of the article, I think Candace will be, hands down, the most heavily marketed female athlete to date. If she should manage to win a second NCAA championship, an Olympic gold medal, and a WNBA championship IN THE SAME CALENDAR YEAR, she could, with her looks and personality, be as ubiquitous as LeBron James by this time next year, if her manager wants to go that route. It is probably good to go slow at first, but if all I mentioned above comes to pass, the demand for her will be irresistible.
Posted by utkvolsfan01 on April 13, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ICorangeP:
I really think you need to pay more attention to your words before you post them. Please go back and watch the National Anthem from the 2007 Championship game. Tennessee players did not place their hand over their heart. So unless you consider our Lady Vols shameful and unpatriotic you should probably reserve your comments for some other subject. BTW Rutgers did it right last year. Just a thought!
Posted by ICorangeP on April 13, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
utkvolsfan01 you may be right on the 2007 game I did not see that one but regardless I do not care who does not show proper respect to another person, or our country, whether it is a Tennessee player or a candidate for president of the United States, it is WRONG.
You say Rutgers did it right last year then I guess Rutgers did it wrong this year. If that is true then you do know right from wrong. Sir, I am a great fan of the Lady Vols as anyone, but no one has the right to be disrespectful.
By the way did you listen to the singing of the National Anthem on the above link? That was my main point.
Just a thought!
Posted by utkvolsfan01 on April 13, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the video very much, it just seems as though people forget where Tennessee's heart was last year during the National Anthem. No need to beat a dead horse (aka Stanford). I think losing the game was enough of a beating.
Posted by LadyVolFanForever on April 13, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Candace will be fine and very successful. All she has to do is what she has been doing. Keep both feet on the ground, be humble, be kind, work hard and keep making us Lady Vol fans proud !
Posted by rogatl2002 on April 13, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you people have GOT to be kidding me. stop JUDGING people and clean up around your OWN front door. my sincere apologies to any stanford player or alumni who might happen to read this article. not all tennessee fans are mean spirited and judgmental. congrats again to the awesome LVs and the great candace parker and also to the gracious and talented stanford cardinal. good luck to you against everyone except our LV.
Posted by sgtvols on April 13, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
it has a been a delight to have the best lady player that has ever laced up a nikki play for the volettes. i think she will dominate the pros just as she has done for college. pat is the best at recruiting the best in character and talent. thank you lord for pat summitt. now just buckle up and wait another great year in 08-09
Posted by mparker on April 13, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I cannot BELIEVE you people. I really, really can't.
My goodness, this is supposed to be a young ladies day in the sun, and all you can do is harp on your nazi-inspired, dead-in-the-head symbolism.
I will paraphrase, and keep this simple: While I may present my loyalty to the state, my religion (or lack thereof), and to my ancestry, I will also support your ritght to do NONE of those things.
This ain't no dictatorship, folks, and I REALLY RESENT YOUIR EFFORTS TO MAKE IT ONE!!!!
BUG OFF AND BE GONE!!!!
Posted by BigOrangeJeff on April 14, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. - attributed to Voltaire
Posted by mparker on April 14, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bigorangejeff:
very discerning, and exactly the source!!!
Posted by volchiq on April 14, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When I played ball in high school (in the mid-90s)I would say that a majority of my team's players and also the players of the schools that we played stood at attention (with our hands respectfully behind our backs). I am patriotic and I don't think that the other players that stand at attention are thinking that they are being un-patriotic. It was my way of saluting the flag and my nation with respect. Where is it said that you are unpatriotic if you don't cover your heart? That is a conception of those that are trying to stir something up to overshadow our championship.
Let it go people and stop looking for insult where there isn't any!
Posted by LVFanIR on April 14, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ICorangeP did steal the main thought of this article but he did bring to my attention the link to a great singing of our N. A.
Regardless the point about Ms Parker is right on she will make it great in the pros, she is with two other Lady Vols now right?
Now it is wish time, what a team it would be if all of the other Pro Lady Vols were to play on the SAME team? WOW! no one could stop them.
Posted by avmarep on April 15, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If any of you so called experts would bother to check, you will find that the appropiate position during the National Anthem is hands at your side or behind your back, unless you are in uniform, then it is recommended that one salute. The hand over the heart is appropiate during the reading or saying of the pledge of allegiance.
Posted by johnlg00 on April 15, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LVFanIR, although there are a fair number of Lady Vols in the WNBA, just about the only ones I can think of who are All-Star caliber are Tamika Catchings, Kara Lawson, and Michelle Snow. Much as it pains me to say it, a WNBA team made up of all UConn players would probably kick our butts. That all-Lady Vols team will be a LOT better in the future, however, with Candace, Nicky, and Alexis! I expect Alexis to excel in the pro game. She is, pound for pound, one of the strongest and best conditioned players in the game today. With just a little refinement of her offensive game, she could be a perennial All-Star.
Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 15, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
avmarep:
You have no idea what you are talking about. This discussion has absolutely nothing to do with the National Anthem nor the Pledge of Allegiance. It has everything to do with the presenting of the colors in a ceremony. Flag etiquette dictates that when the colors are presented, uniformed military personel should render a salute and civilians or military in civilian attire should stand at "attention" with the right hand over the heart. Men should remove head dress/hats and hold the hat across their left shoulder with the hand positioned over the heart.
http://www.heritage-flag.com/heritage...
This is in Federal Code and is technically law, however you feel about it. I'm not one to make judgements about people not saluting. I feel the First Amendment overrides Federal Code. However, I believe that it is the responsibility of coaches and universities to DEMAND that scholarshipped athletes observe the code as members of a TEAM. Every person has the right to express their opinions, but in certain organizations like team sports or private enterprise, the leadership also has the right to suspend a player/member/employee who chooses to forgo their privelages (playing time/employment/scholarship) in favor of expressing a polical opinion.
Posted by LVFanIR on April 15, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
vol_in_lsu_land Well said! Your information should end this discussion on proper Flag etiquette. Again well said.
Hate to say this but ICorangeP was more right than wrong.
Posted by LVFanIR on April 15, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
johnlg00 Point well taken, but now lets see with Parker and the three you named and IF we could get Holdclaw back in the Pros along with Spencer and the other Lady Vols I dare say that team would be the top team. However with all the ex players from Tennessee that are now coaches or assistant coaches we would have to have Pat as the coach of this DREAM team.
Posted by 98reax on April 15, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)
There's some mighty strong guards with the Big Orange flava in the pros. For instance, Kara Lawson, Lori Moore, Shana Zolman, Latoya Davis, Tasha Butts, Auguste; add Hornbuckle to that mix, the "Bobbittulator' and Sydney Spencer, and Brittany Jackson shooting the treys, there's point power there. OK, for the bigs, Parker, Snow, Anosiki, Fluker, Ashley Robinson, Catch, Tif Johnson, Shyra Ely; if only the great Chamiqua Holdsclaw were available and in 1998 playing condition. What a team or two could come out of that mix! I'm thinking all these LV alums are active, with the exception of Mique. One can only dream...
As for marketability, CP3 will top out at the sky level. She will sell the sport for sure with enough exposure. She's just that charming right now. I just hope the networks will provide some decent coverage for the WNBA and the Olympic team. Whatever product(s) she decides to endorse, I hope are first class.
Posted by PaulTheVol on April 15, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mparker - I agree with you 100%.
Candace Parker - Thanks for the great memories and best of luck in Los Angeles. I'll still be a fan regardless of where your hand is during the national anthem.
Posted by johnlg00 on April 16, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As you say, 98reax, there is a significant number of former Lady Vols in the WNBA. However, of all those players you mentioned, only Lawson, Snow, and Catchings made the All-Star team, IIRC. Some of the others, particularly Moore and Spencer, are close to that level and may yet make it. No doubt some of this year's grads will make it soon as well. I agree with you completely about Candace's marketability. I am confident that she will ensure that she is only associated with quality products.
Posted by faithfulvol on April 16, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We will buy shoes with your name on them Parker!!!! Go Candance!
It is exciting see our Lady Vols go to these extremes......it's awesome!
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