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Chat Reel: Van Chancellor
Houston WNBA coach talks 4-peat
Posted: Friday May 26, 2000 12:55 PM
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Houston's Jennifer Rizzotti starred at Connecticut, where she was the 1996 Big East Player of the Year. Jonathan Daniel/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Thanks for joining CNNSI.com's chat with Van Chancellor, coach of the WNBA's Houston Comets. Welcome Coach Chancellor!
Van Chancellor: Thanks.
From Elrey in Houston, Texas: Who do you think will be the strongest rival of the Comets this season - the Mercury or the LA team and why?
Van Chancellor: You know, I really think that between L.A., Phoenix and Sacramento... Phoenix has some great players, L.A.'s got great chemistry this team and Sacramento didn't get hurt in the expansion draft. They'll be great competition.
From John in Farmington, Conn.: Do any of the four expansion teams stand out as better than the other three?
Van Chancellor: I think Seattle is a really good basketball team. They and Portland are a little ahead of Miami and Indianapolis.
From Sooz in Daytona Beach, Fla.: When you were at Ole Miss coaching Peggie and Jennifer Gillom in the 1980s, did you ever think that one day there would be a successful women's professional league? Were you there when Ole Miss dedicated the new women's athletic center named for the Gilloms?
Van Chancellor: Never dreaming when I coached the Gillom sisters that we'd have a women's basketball league and that it would be as successful as the WNBA has become. The dedication at Ole Miss, I was able to attend.... I was very proud of them. It's not every day that if you're not dead or in your 80s that you have a building named after you.
From Liz Turner in Dallas, Texas: Do you think that playing your first regular season game against last year's playoff opponent is unfair or it is a good idea? (Compared to last year's Washington Mystics)
Van Chancellor: I think for the interest of the game, we've got to bring back the shot that Teresa Weatherspoon made. I think it's a great game for the opening game of the season.
From Guest: First of all, congratulations on three championship seasons. Are plans still being made to build "Kim's Place"?
Van Chancellor: We're still trying to do that. I think the response has been outstanding. That was such a loss to all of us personally and player-wise. I'm glad that we're at least having that place.
From John in Los Angeles, Calif.: Have you finalized the Comets' roster? Will Amaya Valdemoro-Madriaga get more playing time this season? She would make an awesome sixth woman!
Van Chancellor: We have finalized the roster and Valdemoro will get more playing time. She scored 11 points in 10 minutes last night.
From B. Chandler in Orlando, Fla.: I am a huge Comets fan and I love watching the "BIG THREE" play. What intangibles does anyone possess that really makes the Comets special?
Van Chancellor: We have such great practice habits. We have the big three, but we've been fortunate to bring players in that are complementary that work well with them. That's been very exciting.
From Scott Melesky in Milwaukee, Wis.: Can you talk to me about the play of rookie Abbie Willenborg? How is she adjusting to the pro game?
Van Chancellor: She's adjusted really well. The sad part is that it'll be tough for her to make this basketball team at this time.
From Jordan in Manhattan, N.Y.: Will Janeth Arcain become the starting point guard this season?
Van Chancellor: There isn't any doubt. Jennifer Rizzotti has played really well lately.
From Guest: I love watching the Comets - can you make it 4-for-4 in WNBA championships? That's quite a challenge!
Van Chancellor: For us to four-peat, the key will be to take one basketball and share it with a lot of different players.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today with Coach Chancellor - thanks for joining us!
Van Chancellor: Okay, thank you very much.
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