May 23, 2006

• Press Conference Transcript

Sue Bird
(look for more Birdy quotes in the press conference transcript)
What does it mean to once again have the opportunity to represent your country?
Being able to represent my country is something I will always cherish and value. To see "USA" across your jersey is an amazing feeling and will always be an honor for me.

What makes the World Championship different from an all-star game?
The World Championship team is much different from an all star game because of what you're playing for and who you are playing with. The one similarity is that its the best of the best but with the World Championships, only 12 are selected and of course, just Americans. Like I said, its what you're playing for as well. You are playing for your country against the other best players in the world.

You've played behind Dawn Staley over the past two ‘majors,' what has she taught you in order to help you step up as the starting point for this team?
Playing behind and with Dawn Staley was one of the best experiences of my basketball career. Being able to learn from someone with so much knowledge was extremely helpful but more than anything just watching how Dawn handled herself. The confidence she carried herself with and how she got the best out of her teammates is something I will always remember, and hopefully try to emulate.

Tamika Catchings
What does it mean for you to return to USA Basketball as a member of the 2006 USA World Championship Team?
I'm definitely honored to be back on the list. I'm really excited about having the opportunity to play and I'm looking forward to it. I'm still a little in shock, when I got the phone call from (USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team Committee chair) Renee' (Brown) and she let me know that I made it I was so excited about having the opportunity again.

How do you feel about playing for the coaching staff led by Anne Donovan?
I'm very excited that Anne got the head coaching job, I know she's going to do a really good job. I'm really excited that Dawn has the opportunity to be on the coaching staff. That's one of the things when I heard she was coaching I was like, ‘dang, I hope I get the opportunity to play for her one of these days.' You know, not really knowing how long she was going to be playing in the WNBA. I'm excited about the whole coaching staff and being able to have the opportunity to play under them. And then with the team that (the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team Committee) put together, it'll definitely lead to a successful team.

What do you think of the eight players who have been named to the team so far?
Having the experience of all of us playing together in the past helps puts us ahead of schedule as far as the training period goes. One thing we're always concerned about is all the other countries have the time to prepare to play for the World Championships and the Olympics. But I think that with every experience we have of playing with one another before, plus having the overseas experience, really puts us ahead of schedule as far as the training process goes.

You've played a lot professionally in Russia and South Korea, as well as in numerous international competitions for USA Basketball, can you assess the competition the team will face in Brazil?
Like in the previous years, Russia and Australia will probably be the two biggest ones. After playing in Russia, they're pretty much preparing right now even though some of their national team players are playing on different teams, for the most part they're all on the same team, they're clumped onto two or three different teams. So they're having the opportunity to play together right now and that's huge for them. So between Russia and Australia, those are probably our biggest competitors. I think also that Brazil, as the hosts, will be helped by hosting the World Championship also.

Lisa Leslie
What is it about USA Basketball that keeps you coming back?
It's an honor to be able to represent our country and to wear the red, white and blue. I guess I always say that, but it really is true. To be able to stay on top for so many years, it's almost like you want to continue to defend our country and our title. It's hard to let that go.

What do you think of the core group and how do you see the team progressing this year and into the future?
Well, I could have picked this team (laughs). I think it's strong, it's pretty much the core of our Olympic team that one gold. I'm pretty sure we're only going to get stronger. I understand that Candace Parker had a really good time playing with the USA team in Australia this past spring. That's only going to add strength to our inside game in the future. As you lose players like Natalie Williams or when Yolanda Griffith retires, you lose players like that, we're still going to get stronger so that makes me feel confident for the future.

What is so different about playing for a USA Basketball team as compared to an all-star team?
It's just different. It's one thing to play for my city, Los Angeles, I love playing in front of my family. But to represent my country is more like an opportunity...it's not war, but it's a battle to find out what country is the best. You have the opportunity to be a role model for more than just Americans, but for women in general around the world. I love that too. It's just an overall blessing to be able to represent my country so many times in the Olympics and in the World Championships. I'll be the coolest grandma ever, once I have some kids and some grandchildren! They'll be like, ‘look, grandma won all these gold medals.' It'll be funny. But rally, it's something I really am proud of, representing my country.

You and Dawn Staley have been on every USA Basketball team together as an inside-outside threat. How different will it be with her on the team, but not on the court with you?
For me, personally, it will be great because she's always been that floor leader for us. She was my roommate (on USA Basketball teams) since 1989 so to have her there makes me more comfortable. But her passion as an athlete that she brought to our team, she was always like ‘go girl, get on the block. We need a basket. Shoot jumpers.' I'm sure she'll be saying the same things to me from the sidelines. It will give me more confidence just having her there. You know how loyal and passionate she is for the game in general and her passion has always been contagious. I'm sure it'll still be that way with her as a coach.

DeLisha Milton-Jones
You were injured and unable to compete in the 2004 Olympics, does that make your desire to come back for another USA Basketball team that much stronger?
Having to sit at home and watch my teammates go and compete for another gold medal was disheartening on one hand and exhilarating on the other. Exhilarating because the I knew that the competition was fierce and I knew that our women were ready. And it was disheartening because I wasn't there and I really wanted to be a part of it and get that second gold medal. I also knew that Dawn (Staley) probably wouldn't come back for another one and I would have loved to have played with her before she finished up her USA Basketball career.

You mentioned Dawn Staley, while you weren't able to play one more time with her in 2004, you'll be coached by her this year. Are you looking forward to that?
I think that's going to be great. You know Dawn, she was already a coach out there on the USA Basketball floor. She makes any coaches job so much easier because she has that coaches mentality when she's out there. She's constantly talking, directing and teaching, and fussing (laughs), and a little bit of everything. I really do appreciate having a player like her on the coaching staff.

You've played with all of these athletes on various USA Basketball teams in the past, what do you think of this core group?
Not a bad group at all! I think that there's a lot of experience there mixed with a little bit of youthfulness with Catch, Diana Taurasi and Sue. I think we have a good chance with just these eight to win another gold medal and I'm sure who else they add will only benefit the USA team.

You've got several years of experience competing professionally overseas and with USA Basketball, can you assess some of the USA's biggest threats?
Each country poses a different threat for us. I know that Russia will always be in the game. They're all big from position one through five. They really can't match our athleticism, but they are very fundamentally sound. When it comes to position one through five, they can all handle the ball and shoot the ball well. So they'll be a test for us.

I think Cuba will be a tough match-up for us well. They're lacking in some of the fundamental skills that we will have, but they will play hard and never, ever give up, no matter what type of lead they have or what type of lead you have.

I think the team of the future is the Czech Republic. They were the European champions and I played with most of their players this past season when we (Brno) won the EuroLeague title. These girls are big, they're big like the Russians from position two all the way to position five, everyone is over 6-1 so that will be a true test. And they have some athleticism in several positions so I look to them to be making a lot of noise in the future.

Of course you can't forget about Australia. Anytime you have Lauren Jackson on the other team, you have your hands full. If she's not playing, I would almost be more likely to say they are on our level. But you put a player like her into that in that mix, that changes everything. She does so much on both ends of the floor. They will definitely give us some good competition.

Katie Smith
What is it about playing for USA Basketball that keeps you coming back?
"It's representing your country, it's as big as it gets. It's also that loyalty, of being a part of something. You start basically from ground zero and move up. I've been a part of it for quite a few years and so have the other players. There's that camaraderie, loyalty and the pride of representing the USA through our competitions and going out there and winning."

What makes this different from an all-star team?
"There's more on the line. As I said, it's the pride. All-star games are nothing compared to this. You have to put aside everything. Yes, we have the best players in the world but when it comes down to it, it's a team game and a team sport. You have to go out there with the referees, the fans, you have to pull together and use your strengths to come out on top. I guess that's what the challenge is. You're going out there and finding a way to beat people when you've only been together for a month or two weeks, it's that challenge. There's a competitiveness that we all have, not only to be the best, but to be the best together and in the world.

What do you think of the make-up of the team so far?
"I like it. I like the mix of the old and the young. We have people who want to play and who love to play. It's not about anything but that. We have that veteran leadership, which is being passed along through practice and games and all these competitions, so these young players can step up in the years to come and lead. I think it's a nice mix of experience and newcomers who have kind of been there, but who are still getting their feet under them. I'm excited because we have a lot of talented players and the best thing about our team is that our first wave goes out there and does their thing, then the second wave is as strong as the first. We continue to keep it coming, there's no drop-off."

Sheryl Swoopes
Check out the Press Conference Transcript for Swoopes' quotes!

Diana Taurasi
What does it mean for you to be able to play for the USA at this year's World Championship?
I'm very excited to be named to the team. It always is a honor to represent your country in international competition. The World Championship is very important to us and we're going to have to play at the highest level in order to win.

Who do you see as some of our toughest competition?
This year there will be four, maybe five teams that will be strong and have a chance to go all the way. Brazil, Russia and Australia have great players and will contend to win the championship. We're going to have to be ready to take them on.

Tina Thompson
Check out the Press Conference Transcript for Thompson's quotes!