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WNBA won't decide until Thursday about penalties
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Jerry S. Mendoza/Associated Press
Los Angeles Sparks' Candace Parker (3) scrambles for a loose ball against Detroit Shock during the first half of their WNBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich.
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The WNBA always seems to crave more attention.
Mission accomplished, albeit it without a dunk or fantastic play.
The Detroit Shock — and assistant coach Rick Mahorn — were involved in a skirmish with the Los Angeles Sparks, making the WNBA a hot topic on TV, sports-talk radio and blogs.
"A lot of people are paying attention to the WNBA right now that have probably never followed it," Shock guard Katie Smith said Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press. "Is it the right kind of attention? No. But I don't think the publicity hurts. In hockey, people live for the fights.
"Who knows, maybe we'll meet in the WNBA finals and there will be even more interest."
Now, the league is left to decide which of the participants will be punished and its decisions are expected Thursday before Detroit plays at Houston and Los Angeles travels to face Connecticut.
"The WNBA is reviewing the incident in its entirety," WNBA spokesman Ron Howard said Wednesday.
The melee at The Palace of Auburn Hills — also the site of the infamous brawl between the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and fans in 2004 — broke out Tuesday night with 4.6 seconds left in a game won by the Sparks.
Detroit's Plenette Pierson and assistant coach Mahorn were ejected, along with Los Angeles players Candace Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones.
Parker and Pierson got tangled up and fell to the court. Deanna Nolan tackled Parker and Mahorn appeared to push LA star Lisa Leslie to the court. Milton-Jones responded by punching Mahorn in the back.
A message seeking comment was left on Mahorn's cell phone and for Sparks coach Michael Cooper and Leslie via Sparks spokesperson Alayne Ingram.
"Rick Mahorn is getting the bad end of the deal," Smith said. "I'd bet all the money in the world on him that he didn't push her. Unfortunately, the people in charge of the game shouldn't have let it get that point. Thankfully, nothing too crazy happened."
The fracas started moments after Parker and Detroit's Cheryl Ford had to be separated after Ford fouled Parker.
After Ford tried to restrain Pierson, her right knee buckled and she left the floor in a wheelchair. The team said the standout forward will miss the rest of the season and playoffs due to a torn knee ligament.
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant said he jumped up when he saw the highlights on TV in Las Vegas, where he is practicing with the U.S. Olympic team.
"Candace is going to be a target. She's an incredible player," Bryant said. "I think it's good for her that she didn't back down and I think it's good for her teammates to step in there."
Bryant added that one fight in the league's existence "is a hell of a track record."
When order was restored, Parker, Pierson, Milton-Jones and Mahorn were ejected, and Nolan and Los Angeles' Shannon Bobbitt received technicals.
Leslie seemed to believe Mahorn intentionally pushed her.
"I don't even know why he was pushing me down," she said Tuesday night after a 84-81 win. "I wasn't swinging or hitting anybody. I was just going to go help my teammate up."
Mahorn insisted he was trying to protect the integrity of the game and the league.
"I would never push a woman," he said after the game.
Shock coach Bill Laimbeer — who teamed with Mahorn to form the core of the Pistons' "Bad Boys" clubs that won championships in 1989 and 1990 — and Los Angeles' Michael Cooper also came to Mahorn's defense.
"Rick Mahorn is known as a peacemaker, from even the brawl we had here with Indiana," Laimbeer said. "He went out there to get people off the pile, and to get people to stop the confrontation. That's who he is, that's what he does."
Cooper said Mahorn was acting as a peacemaker.
"But he's just too big," he said.
WNBA president Donna Orender's dilemma will be to decide who will be suspended and for how long. In 2005, the Shock's Elaine Powell was suspended five games for striking Washington's Coco Miller during a game. Although Powell has never had the stature of Parker or even Milton-Jones, the league hasn't been shy about suspending a star player. Phoenix's Diana Taurasi served a two-game ban last season for inappropriate conduct toward game officials after a loss to Detroit.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by vol98champ on July 23, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am still trying to figure out what Candace did wrong. Ford initiated the initial problem and Candace appeared to only verbally object. Pierson obviously initiated the contact at the foul line, grabbed Candace's left (injured) shoulder, pulled her down, and rushed at her screaming, who knows what, before running over her. Candace simply tried to protect herself. Why in the world was Nolan not ejected for tackling and pinning Candace? The commentators and officials were wrong in most of the things they said and did. I believe there was an attempt to get Candace to swing at Pierson so Detroit could steal the game.
Posted by pammyvol1000 on July 23, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you vol98. Looks like there were more people involved in this that are not being punished. Lisa Leslie was clearly knocked down and if it was an accident, he clearly did not try to help her up.
There's a lot of jealously out there because Candace is getting a lot of attention. That's what it boils down to. Plain ole jealously.
I just hope this does not hurt her in a bad way.
The Olympics are not far away.
Posted by ncvol on July 23, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope all ends well.
Go Vols!!
Posted by BigOrangeHustler on July 23, 2008 at 7:39 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by RichRollin on July 23, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looked like ole' girl got slammed by a sitting Candace, maybe I saw things differently. I also did not think that Lisa Leslie got slammed, but all women will look at it that way. She fell while his hands were on her. Come on , I guess you girls did not see L.Leslies teammate straight punch dude in the back, while he shrugged it off like a bug bite. I guess from a woman's standpoint Mahorn getting punched by a girl is O.K., maybe even funny. But had he turned around and smashed her face then you would not like that. If Lisa Leslie tries to turn this into something, then if I was Rick Mahorn I would get a Lawyer for the Gal that punched him!! I was proud of Candace , but The rest of it was crap, dude did not slam her.
Posted by RichRollin on July 23, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Besides, how could Mahorn help Leslie up if he was getting punched in the back. L.Leslie's coach even said that he felt the other coach was just trying to break it up. If anything I think Lisa Leslie wants attention that she does not get anymore, due to Candace. One thing I think we all can agree on is that Candace straight went into the league and took over. Has there ever been a rookie of year and MVP all at once? Get ready cause' it's about to happen!!
Posted by pammyvol1000 on July 23, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Give me a break!! Mahorn clearly pushed her Leslie. He should have gotten more than a punch in the back.. if you know what I mean.
Posted by pammyvol1000 on July 23, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BigOrange:
Does that mean that guys who watch men's BB is gay?
Posted by IPOrange on July 23, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's a link to the article that hasn't been edited like the one found here. It has a few more pieces of information not mentioned above:
http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?...
Does anyone have a link to a video clip of the incident?
Posted by DesertVol on July 23, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey BIGORANGE,
R U GAY?? Why don't you save your personal problems for your shrink...No one really cares if your gay, it's 2008.
Posted by ZR on July 23, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a disgrace to the University of Tennessee. Has Pat made a statement? Candace Parker is going to be thrown into the same group as Haynesworth for his thug-action of stomping on someone's head.
Posted by utchris2003 on July 23, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After seeing the replay a few times, I did like the fact that Alexis Hornbuckle (who plays for the Shock) came in and wrestled away whoever was on top of Parker and then got back in her face when she tried to go back at her again.
I guess karma sucks bc I just saw that Ford tore her ACL in the melee.
Posted by lempga on July 23, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THANK YOU pammyvol1000!!!!!!!!!!!!
My wife & I enjoy basketball!!!!! Period!!!
Besides that BigOrangeHustler, why did you read the article in the first place? Get a life.
Posted by utkjoe29 on July 23, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Probably because all of the feminazis come on the men's page after a loss or a bad game or you know if they pat eachother on the a** in a manner that is unacceptable by chubby people w/ mullets that might be women... but in the end I love the University, but don't understand why the women (bball) supporters view themselves diffently than any other UT supporter! Go Vols!
Posted by ladyvolfaithful62 on July 23, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I watched the game, and the many replays. Even watched on the interet today. From what I see, Candace was only trying to defend herself. I've listened to and watched the LA games when they have been on ESPN or NBA TV. One thing is consistent, Candace is always getting knocked around - purposely, and the officials rarely do anything about it. She is the new face of womens basketaball which means she has a big target on her back. I truly hate that she is having to face a suspension and possible fine for something that was clearly not her fault. CP, my prayers are with you. As for Alexis, she looks like she is not a happy camper. But, I was so happy to see her pull Pierson away from Candace and keep her restrained.
Posted by AllLadyVol on July 24, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's an idea- how about officiating the games more consistently and crack down on the hard fouls which the star players inevitably attract?!
If Pierson had been called for the elbow on the box-out none of this would have happened.
Plenette Pierson was a loose cannon before this skirmish occurred, attacking Parker, screaming and throwing punches at the world. At least she plays in the right town for that sort of thing.
Parker is fierce and doesn't back down but she'll inflict far more damage with the ball in her hands.
DaddyVol, this woman wonders why Mahorn's hands were on Leslie at all and not trying to restrain his own players.
Posted by LadyVolFanForever on July 24, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you AllLadyVol, well said. The league and their lack of control and effective refs must take a huge blame for this.
ZR, Candace Parker is NOT and NEVER will be a disgrace to UT !
I am proud of Lex and sorry she was drafted by Detroit.....any other team would have been better.
Posted by Sheepscape on July 24, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Numerous outlets have complete video of the fracas. I think Candace was completely within her rights. I also do not think Mahorn was to blame for what happened with Leslie.
Posted by drgoofy on July 24, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Plenette Pierson has always been a thug(ette). Those who follow women's college basketball may recall that Ms. Pierson was suspended then later sent packing by Coach Sharpe during the middle of the season. She never completed her college career and went straight to the WNBA. Her punishment should be much more severe than any punishment Candace may receive.
Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on July 24, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Both of them and Mahorn should be suspended for the season.
But because the league is nothing more than a PR front for the NBA that loses more and more money annually and Parker at least brings fan in to help recoup some losses, she'll probably get a game or 2.
Posted by volfan on July 24, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Review, review, review the tape of the game in it's entirety. Check the hard fouls, and lack of expertise in the calling of the game. Seems to me that the refs should shoulder the brunt of the incident. WNBA or NBA, or college, high school, etc should never allow hard fouls to go unpunished. When I tried to play, In high school, just the mere hands on, or bumping, accidentally or not, was a cause for a foul called and/or ejection. My how the game has changed, and not altogether for the good. Used to be that it was a finesse game and not who had the meanest bully...a la "Lamebrain Laimbeer."
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