Houston Comets Fan Club

With the recent suspension of the Houston Comets, the players will be put into a dispersal draft on Monday, December 8. All Comets players, with the exception of unrestricted free agents, are eligible to be selected in the draft.

Dispersal draft pick order

The order selection was based on the inverse order of the 2008 regular season finish. Each team will make their picks but keep in mind that there are only 9 eligible players so not every team will select a player and some teams may pass on account of salary caps and what they can afford.

1. Atlanta Dream
2. Washington Mystics
3. Chicago Sky
4. Minnesota Lynx
5. Phoenix Mercury
6. Indiana Fever
7. Sacramento Monarchs
8. New York Liberty
9. Los Angeles Sparks
10. Connecticut Sun
11. Detroit Shock
12. Seattle Storm
13. San Antonio Silver Stars

Since Atlanta finished last, they will have the fortune of selecting a possible rising star in Matee Ajavon, a successful guard out of Rutgers who showed some potential to be a dynamic scorer with 11 double-doubles in 2008.

However, as exciting as that may be for the Atlanta Dream fans, the WNBA has predicted that the Dream will pass on Ajavon to try and score Sancho Lyttle, the Comets first round draft pick from 2005.

Unrestricted free agents

Unrestricted free agents are not eligible for the dispersal draft and will become free agents on January 5, 2009. Those players include Tina Thompson, Michelle Snow, Hamchetou Maiga-Ba, Mwadi Mabika and Latasha Byears.

Personal note

It’s hard to watch our beloved Comets meet this end and be picked apart; absorbed by the league. For more than a decade they were a team, the Houston Comets. A team we were all proud of and supported. They brought us 4 championships and a host of memorable moments.

Today they are individuals being weighed for their value; being selected not only for their talent but also their salary. It was tragic enough to watch Sheryl Swoopes play for Seattle and even harder to see her go last season. Monday we’ll watch the whole team go.

Bookmark This Site With The Tools Bellow

Filed under: Houston Comets | Post a comment

This is a sad day in WNBA history and women’s professional basketball. One of the corner stone teams, Houston Comets, has folded and will no longer exist but in the memories of the fans and in highlight clips.

Why did Houston Fold?

The Houston Comets ceased operations Monday after the league was unable to find a viable buyer of the franchise.

In 2006, the NBA’s Houston Rockets ended their affiliation with the Comets. The team was then sold to Hilton Koch who mismanaged the finances and the running of the business. The franchise was quickly over their head and could no longer afford regular team operations. So the WNBA took control of the team during the 2008 season but was unsuccessful in finding a buyer for the franchise.

What Happens to the Houston Comets Players?

The players will be going into a dispersal draft that will take place on Monday. Most players will be dispersed but several are unrestricted free agents and won’t be included in the draft.

And Then There Were 13

The poor health of the Comets was no secret through out the league but WNBA president Donna Orander says the Houston situation was the exception not the rule.

“I think we have very responsible owners who are very focused on running quality businesses,” she said. “I think that everyone here understands that there’s a history here that predates this economic crisis that created extremely tough challenges for the future success of the Comets and unfortunately we weren’t able to overcome them.”

As for the league, it’s growing stronger every season. A TV deal was just signed with ESPN and the league has experienced attendance gains for the second consecutive season. And lets not forget outstanding players, like Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker who continue to push the league with their talents.

A Great Franchise, the Houston Comets

• One of the first WNBA teams began in 1997
• Won the first 4 WNBA Championships
• Produced some of the leagues most heralded players, including Sheryl Swoops, Tina Thompson, and Cynthia Cooper.

Swoopes, who played 11 seasons with Houston before signing with the Storm last season, was disappointed.

“I am saddened by today’s news regarding the Houston Comets,” Swoopes said in a statement. “Having been a part of the team, one of the WNBA’s first, for the majority of my career I can’t help but think of the rich basketball history created there with the first four championships. I will always feel a deep connection with the city of Houston and Comets fans and would like to thank them for their support and passion over the years. While this situation is unfortunate, I am focused on and excited about the 2009 WNBA season.”

Links: seattlepi.com

Bookmark This Site With The Tools Bellow

Filed under: Houston Comets, Players | Post a comment

Tina Thompson led USA to a crushing win over China with 27 points Monday night, 108-63.

Thompson dominated the first half making 13 of her 27 points in the first quarter and ended the half with 21 points. Thompson shot 89% making 8-9, only missing a 3.

Read Full Article
Video: USA Women vs. China

Bookmark This Site With The Tools Bellow

Filed under: Olympics | Post a comment

Olympic Schedule

Bookmark This Site With The Tools Bellow

Filed under: Olympics | Post a comment

Tina Thompson led with just 12 points against the Minnesota Lynx Saturday night.

The Comets drop to 9-12 so far for the season.

Turnovers seem to be the key. The Comets had 6 turnovers in the 1st quarter alone, 17 overall leading to 23 Minnesota points. Houston committed 22 turnovers against L.A. on Wednesday as well.

“We didn’t come out with enough energy,” said coach Karleen Thompson. “They were the aggressors. That is what we want to be. Once that ball gets sliding downhill it’s hard to stop.”

Tina Thompson will be joining the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing.

Bookmark This Site With The Tools Bellow

Filed under: Houston Comets, Players | Post a comment