Posted by utchris2003 on July 22, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like they were trying to play hack a shaq on Parker.

Posted by Bigger_Al on July 22, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn and the Detroit Bad Boys live on.

Posted by knoxdaniel on July 23, 2008 at 12:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Punch 'em in the throat CP3!

Posted by RJ_Vol on July 23, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Probably not an ESPY moment, but you gotta' love that toughness!

Posted by VOLS85 on July 23, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

atta girl candace, don't take sh*t off anyone!

Posted by utchris2003 on July 23, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just saw it on ESPN...looked to me like she was just standing up for herself.

Posted by bcbobcat82 on July 23, 2008 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GIRL FIGHT!!! GIRL FIGHT!!!

Posted by gnm53108 on July 23, 2008 at 1:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bobcat..LOL!
What 85 said.

Posted by Kosmo on July 23, 2008 at 1:45 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on July 23, 2008 at 3:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What VOL85 said.

Oh yeah, I love how Parker used the classic Fulmer line, “I’ll have to watch the tape.”

Upon further review of the tape, it looks like they better think twice before they try to punk you Candace!

Posted by jr2miles on July 23, 2008 at 5:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The game was to physical from the start, but Candace stood up from herself. Alexis even came over and pull Pierson off of Parker way to stay together Ladies. There will be a lot of supensions after the league watch the tape.

Posted by LadyVolFanForever on July 23, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish Candace had not thrown the punch but I don't blame her. The officials were worse than lousy and had no control of the game ! Detroit always plays too rough/dirty and their coach expects it. If warnings had been given earlier, this mess would not have happened. The one thing that has disappointed me about the WNBA, is the poor job by the officials.
There is a lot of jealousy out there and Candace has been beat up, baited and taunted. With so very little control over the court, this was bound to happen.
I am sorry Lex has to play for Laimbeer, she deserves better ! Keep going forward, Candace !!!

Posted by mrallvols on July 23, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

it really shows that the vets in the wnba are really jealous of the next wnba rookie/possible player of the year the vets are jealous that CP3 has come in and did thinks that hasn't been done before but the bottom line is CP3 makes mo money mo money mo money P.S. kick a** CP3 don't take sh** from nobody remember you are apart of the GREAT LADY VOLS!!!!

Posted by volwalk on July 23, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know this is getting a little old but I feel there needs to be a change at the top. Pat is responsible for this and so is Phil.

Best regards,

John Adams

Posted by WVVOLFAN on July 23, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCfla, LOL

cat fight, cat fight....

Posted by ALLVOLGBO on July 23, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was so disappointed (at first) with Candace. Here is a young woman EVERYONE looks up to. But then as I saw the replay over and over and over again I just thought Candace was defending herself. I did not see her throw a punch but I am glad she did. I was wondering the same as other posters if everyone was getting jealous of Candace. BUT no need to get jealous just get better and beat her (ha like that would happen). But Kudos to Alexis for trying to stop the malee instead of getting into as Shannon did. Bless Shannons heart..you can take the girl out of NY but you can't take the NY out of the girl. GO CANDACE..GO SHANNON!

Posted by Hopson2008 on July 23, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hilarious, this will definitely improve the ratings! I might even start watching women's basketball.

Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on July 23, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not only is this women's basketball, it's the WNBA.

Who cares?

(Where's the Ashley countdown when it's actually needed?)

Posted by rockytopron on July 23, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I watched the game and even though it will never be said by any of the WNBA officials this fight's blame belongs on the officials calling the game. They allowed the Detroit players to harass, foul, hack the Sparks all game long with barely a call.

At the end of the game it was Cheryl Ford who should have been given a technical and ejection for her actions against Candace.

It was Plenette (what kind of name is that anyway) Pierson who dragged Candace to the floor and then ran to stand over her and taunted her.

Good for you Candace for standing up for herself and showing the league that not only are you the best player in the league you will not take that crap from anyone.

BTW, did you see how well all of the Lady Vols played in that game last night.

Posted by marinevol on July 23, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GoshDarn, how much time did you spend reading an article and posting a comment about a sport you say you care nothing about? Strange.

Posted by volfan on July 23, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well...what can you expect from a team coached by Bill Lamebrain? One of the dirtiest players to ever play in the NBA and now it is being carried over to the team he coaches in the WNBA. If suspensions are forthcoming, then it must also include the coaches and apparently the officials who allowed the game to get out of hand. Stay the course CP3! We love you and you have our support.

Posted by rocky_topper on July 23, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Goshdarnfootballplayer, sounds as though you might be a tad bit jealous over the lady vols success in regards to your beloved football team.

Don't get me wrong, I attend both and actually am a booster to both programs, but I still know an ace from a spade, and I love to see both or either programs succeed which IMO exemplifies a "true Big Orange" fan! Too bad you are a jealous and classless!

Posted by rocky_topper on July 23, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm actually proud of Candace for standing her ground. Veteran pro players often try to push rookies around and try to intimidate them (Holdsclaw had these same problems as a rookie)by bullying tactics. I guess they know now Candace won't take that crap! Kudos to CP3!

Posted by BillBrasky on July 23, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They shoulda brawled in their bras. And maybe thrown baby oil and buckets of water on each other. Who do they think they are, men?

Posted by MillisaAnn on July 23, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You have my support Candace! :) :) :)

Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on July 23, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I didn't read any of it actually. Unfortuantely I had to stomach M.D. for about 15-20 seconds discussing it this morning on the radio before I figured out he wasn't going to let it go.

Jealous? No. I hope the Lady Vols do well as I do every other UT sport, I just think women's basketball is very boring and it gets overblown in this city. Check the ratings of the WNBA and compare them the the ratings of that grand league - the XFL.

Classless? I thought that was a pre-requisite for posting on this website.

True fan? Well, whatever. Think what you like.

Posted by cmoore7 on July 23, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Remember when that Florida post player thought she wanted a piece of CP3? She got one look into the eye of the tiger and headed for safety and shelter.

Posted by jr2miles on July 23, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah! Candace showed them that she can not only play but also fight. I am so happy she let it be know that she was tired of the beating and the league should really look at the whole situation.

Posted by 98reax on July 23, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The filthy-minded who are aroused by this should just find another site suitable for their insatiable appetite for trash. Those making fun and enjoying the brawl for the sake of controversy in the WNBA should join them there.

I WISH Candace could have been in control enough to let it go. BUT, that would be asking the darned near impossible of a very young athlete (of anyone). It's the most difficult thing to control your emotions when someone is disrespecting you. I cannot imagine. What would any of us do if someone threw us to the floor(dirty), then came stomping over you (taunting dirty), stranding over you and mouthing in your face (crossing the line in disrespect) when all you've done is play the game?

Could I control my reactions? No matter how peace-loving I am, I doubt it.

I do not see Candace throwing a punch. I see her protecting herself when Piersen was walking over her. Ford is the one who should have been ejected, earlier in the game. She plays like her father, for sure.

I wish this had not have happened. Especially for people like BanditVol who has no respect for anyone. And GoshDarn, how low can you go? You have nothing to contribute to this forum of interest to anyone. Hopson, an obvious offspring of Bandit&GoshDarn, you are a reject here too. Bill Lambeer encourages dirty play. He coughed up the above mentioned. He antagonizes officials too. He's in large part responsible for the poor officiating. He was constantly mouthing to and about the female official. He should have drawn a technical for the remark he made about her ejection from the league.

Many media types are loving this brawl because they have no respect for the league and they want it gone.

Posted by fortandrews on July 23, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why MUST the WNBA think they have to play like the NBA and start all of the "crap" that goes on with them. I stopped watching the NBA and it looks like the colleges are getting into the same "boat" with the NBA. If this trend continues the sport of basketball will turn into "flag football". As every one knows BB should be a game of "SKILL" not who can talk trash and get into fights.

Posted by Dobervol on July 23, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We dug ourselves a "whole" in the first half? Great job proofreading and spelling, AP.

Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on July 23, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

98reax -

I can go much lower, don't tempt me. :)

Posted by VolMama on July 23, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Candace!!! I am not one for the fighting, because I work at an Elem. School and help with the B-ball teams. You try to teach the players how to play and play fair, but you just can't stand and let people run over you like people try to do Candace. I will always be a Lady Vol Fan. What if we had a WNBA team with all ex-Lady Vols on it, Who would the Coach be? Good Luck to All the Lady Vols in WNBA!!!!

Posted by tenncorncob on July 23, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

split tail fighting, it don't get no better...lol....

Posted by numbersvol on July 23, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THIS IS AN EMBARASSMENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AND TO THE LADY VOLS. CANDACE SHOULD KNOW HOW TO ACT. SHE IS IMMATURE AND NOT A DISCIPLINED PLAYER. IF I WERE PAT, I WOULD BE ASHAMED THAT I DID NOT DO A BETTER JOB OF COACHING CANDACE. SHE WAS ALWAYS ALLOWED TO LOAF AND DO AS SHE PLEASED WHEN SHE WAS HERE.

Posted by 98reax on July 23, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

[The Sparks’ Marie Ferdinand-Harris made two free throws, and Pierson and Parker began jostling for position on the second free throw.

The two were shoving each other when Parker landed on the floor. Pierson walked menacingly toward Parker, and the two started wrestling. Parker appeared to throw a punch.]

The above excerpts are from the Detroit Free Press. I just don't see it that way. Pierson was doing all the shoving after the shot went up. I have not yet seen Candace 'appear' to throw a punch. I saw Nolan throw Candace to the floor after someone had pulled Pierson off her. I think it would have been so very tragic if Candace (or any of the Olympians) had been injured enough to keep them from participating in the Olympics.

And what was Katie Smith jawing to the ref about with her foot on the basketball as this melee erupted? Was she asking them to get the game under control? With 4 seconds to remaining?

Posted by 98reax on July 23, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

numbersvol, you are so wrong. Candace is human, are you? GoshDarn, you are there. But you have lots of company down there. Here comes a corncob.

Posted by volboy81 on July 23, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That Plenette Pierson person should be thrown out of the league. It was ALL her fault. She started it on the play before when either her or Ford grabbed the ball out of Parker's hand WAY after the whistle blew. Pierson basicly attacked Parker as she ran back down the court after Parker's foul shots. Candace was taking up for herself & shouldnt be suspended. Leslie DID talk to the media after the game and stated that Mahorn pushed her, but she didnt know why. Milton-Jones was WAILING on Mahorn after he pushed Leslie! Not sure why Bobbitt got a T. I didnt even see her during the brawl. Hornbuckle and Spencer were also innocent bystanders, as were most of the players.

Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on July 23, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

98reax -

I would really like to know what I said that was so low because I asked who really cares about women's basketball, esp. the WNBA.

It's actually been interesting to listen to talk radio outside of the Knoxville area today on the national shows. Every show has treated this story like a complete joke.

I really just wish women's basketball fans in this area would fully understand where it stands on the heirarchy of the sports lexicom in the US.

Posted by faithfulvol on July 23, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CP3 had to stand up for herself. They harassed LA the entire game. CP3 took all she could take and then when she was on the ground and Pierson came at her, she had to take her down. I too thought Hornbuckle had her girl CP3's back. I don't care which WNBA team they are on. Orange blood runs thick!!! Parker should not receive negative publicity over this. She was only defending herself.

Posted by Sheepscape on July 23, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mahorn looked like a mosquito was bothering him.

Posted by faithfulvol on July 23, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

numbersvol..........get real!!! Pat Summitt's coaching led 5 players to the WNBA draft this year. Pat's coaching led Parker to #1 draft pick. I don't think Pat Summitt has any shame of her coaching Candace. Candace Parker is a role model and she is a class act!!!! She was defending herself. Do you not think Pat Summitt would have wanted Parker to defend herself? YEAH I THINK SOOOOO!!! Did you see replays on TV or did you watch the game lastnight?
If you even watched this game, CP and Lisa Leslie both were trashed the entire game. The officials did a horrible job. If you are a vol fan at all you. You do not need to down Candace Parker over this. She only did what any human would do. Not to mention she got up and walked away. While Pierson was having to be held back by Hornbuckle and Ford. If Parker were inmature as you said, she would have beat down on Nolan when she got on top her. Candace Parker, true vol fans have your back. You did what you had to do!!!!! GO LA SPARKS....ALL THE WAY #1
GO VOLS

Posted by iowavol on July 23, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, some real interesting comments, especially from folks claiming they watched the game. Several have it right that the officials are to be blamed the most for not taking control, especially when punk Lambeer was cursing them about fouls that didn't exist. Lambeer should have been thrown out of the game with about 4 minutes left. He is the most classless person in basketball period, followed closely by Mahorn. Mahorn says he was getting his players off the floor, but watch the replays, he walked straight for the LA players and past his own players he could have easily ushered back to the sidelines. You can't throw 500 lbs of jerk at a 140 lb woman and expect that person not to be pushed backward. I say suspend both Lambeer and Mahorn for the rest of the season and send a real message.

As for the rest, the ladies were playing hard and without the officials sending warning shots, who can blame the anyone for the melee erupting. On the other hand, CP3 did a real good job pushing Pierson out of the lane which resulted in Pieson going to floor, which resulted in Pierson tripping up CP3 and causing her to go to the floor who then took down Pierson after she lorded over CP3 and then CP3 knocked the sh!t out of Pierson. Way to go Candace - you rock! One thing for sure, this aint over.

Posted by ladivolfan on July 23, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not one for fighing back, but enough is enough. Candace should be proud for standing up for herself. For all of those that say the WNBA is boring, you have just been proven wrong by CP.

Posted by supersmo18 on July 23, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

isn't that Alexis Hornbuckle in the picture behind Candace?

Posted by ALLVOLGBO on July 23, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes it is. Alexis was one of the first players to pull Pierson (spell) off of Candace. Alexis also kept Pierson (spell) from going back. And one more thing..Alexis tipped the ball out of Candace's hand at one point also..lol lol!

Posted by jimr07 on July 23, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

numbersvol--please explain how this incident is an embaraassment to the university of tennessee.

Posted by ONUV on July 23, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

candace's fault. she's thuggish with a chip on her shoulder. get the wool out of your eyes "ladies".

Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on July 23, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After watching the ESPN analysis, it seems young Miss Parker doesn't like getting pushed around a lot and snapped. I guess actually having to show up to play nightly instead of only when it is a top notch opponent is rough on Miss Parker since she now can't take games off.

Then again, it was more physical play than I believe her finace/husband (whatever they are now) has ever taken part in.

Posted by faithfulvol on July 23, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ONUV............a thug with a chip on her shoulder would have took Pierson DOWN and I mean all the way down. If you watch the clip and was watching the game. They had been ALL OVER CP all night and the officials did horrible. So, when Pierson ends up towering over CP, only human to say she was gonna pull her down. Look how Pierson responded and look how CP responded, CP got up and walked away and Hornbuckle continued to have to hold back Pierson. SAFE TO SAY who was the THUG in all of this. Parker was defending herself and I hate FIGHTING, but she had to stand for herself. Nolan jumped on top of Parker and Parker very well could have TORE HER UP if she would have wanted too. Nothing would have been left of Nolan, but Parker walked away. A thug wouldn't have walked away!

Posted by bhjohnso on July 23, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

funny how when there's a fight in the NBA then they're all thugs....

Posted by 1manningfan on July 23, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

its ok if parker got ejected, she helped bring back to back national titles to tenn ill let it pass lol...

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 23, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what a joke , i watched the game with my 8 yr old daughter, and parker did nothing unusual ,(maybe a hard foul the play before)she did a good job of clearing the lane . the other girl bumped her first and then grabbed parker arond the waist . parker then pushed her off , and they both fell. the other girl was in parkers grill flailing her arms like she was gonna punch her before she(parker) could get up. i never saw in many replays last night , where parker threw a punch. parker should have knocked the girl silly cause shes gonna get suspended and fined anyway.im proud of candace for playing rough cause she has dealt with players being rough with her for 4 yrs now.the wnba should really take a look at their officiating after this game cause the game was really out of control. and as far as laimbeer , if this were the nba or ncaa he would have been tossed in the first half

Posted by jamali76 on July 23, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know GoshDarn,you sure seem to know a lot about Candace and women's basketball for someone who doesn't watch it.I'm glad you can inform us about how lazy Candace was while at UT and how she's never played a physical game.Why are you taking the time to comment on it if it doesn't interest you?Only a little while to go and you can watch your beloved Phil work like heck to make the football team better.

Posted by ncvol on July 23, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wishing this didn't happen is asking too much.. I am so proud of our former Lady Vols and only pray this doesn't happen again. I prefer to be proud of them for their baskets and blocks.
Go Vols !

Posted by BigOrangeHustler on July 23, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a thug. Very poor representation of The University of Tennessee. Even more reason to hate girl's basketball. Pathetic....

Posted by pammyvol1000 on July 23, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I did not see Candace throw a punch. I did see another player jump on her and not let her up.
Did she not get suspended? Help me out here because it looked like there were more people involved that need to be punished. Is there another video that shows another angle?

Posted by foreverorange on July 23, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer's fault

Posted by Smallmike4pres on July 23, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Have you seen the video? They fight like they dunk!

Posted by cdldoc on July 23, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Next time Candace should tackle Rick, The Hitman, Mahorn or Bill, the Undercutter, Lamebeer! A swell pair of guys who respect the game. Ha!

Posted by bhjohnso on July 24, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i will admit that this incident garnered about 5 minutes of my attention, which is the longest continuous span i've given to the wnba to this point. so they have that going for them i guess. i'm done with it for the foreseeable future anyway.

Posted by GreeneVol on July 24, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Candace Parker is gorgeous..especially when she's mad....drool drool....