Leslie dominates -- as a team player

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000

Lisa Leslie is adamant that the Los Angeles Sparks are more than just a one-horse team.

The team isn't "Lisa Leslie and the Sparks," she insists. It is a collection of talent that includes two other All-Star players in DeLisha Milton and Mwadi Mabika and reserves who might start for many other league teams.

But for the second time in less than two months, Leslie has been named the WNBA's Player of the Week. And it's obvious from the numbers the All-Star is putting up for the 16-3 Sparks that the 6-5 center is a dominating force.

Last week, Leslie helped Los Angeles extend its winning streak to 12 games, averaging 17.7 points on 50 percent shooting. She had 27 rebounds, 6 blocks and 4 assists in victories over Sacramento, Washington and Utah.

Against Washington, Leslie had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and against Utah she tied a season high with 22 points in 23 minutes. But perhaps her greatest contribution is understanding that the Sparks' success depends on more than her.

"We don't have just one player on this team," Leslie said during a teleconference after being selected Player of the Week. "Our team is very strong. I've been double- and triple-teamed since the WNBA began. ... The key is learning to be better passers and be more unselfish; learning that you're not the player that is always going to have to take those (tough) shots."

The Sparks lost to Portland on Tuesday night, ending a chance for a league-tying record 13th consecutive win. But Los Angeles rebounded with a victory over Houston on Friday.

Leslie is ninth in the league in scoring at 17.7 points and second in rebounds (9.3) and blocks (2.5). She has concentrated on defense, following the path set by first-year coach Michael Cooper.

"Coach Cooper has taught us a lot about defense and it's really helping out with the experience that we had going through the playoffs last year," Leslie said. "When it comes to defense, it's our bread and butter. Even if we're shooting bad, our defense shouldn't waver. That's important. It's about effort and hard work."

Cooper said Leslie and the other big-name players have kept their egos in check for the good of the team.

"Not everyone is going to be the superstar, but we can be a championship team," Cooper said. ... "It is about team, together everyone achieves more. That is what I have been preaching. And right now the chemistry is great."

KNEE-DEEP IN PROBLEMS: The league is having more than its share of top-level players knocked out with serious knee injuries. Cleveland forward Eva Nemcova, the Rockers' leading scorer (13.2) tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee July 1 and is out for the season.

Phoenix's Michele Timms had arthroscopic knee surgery in Australia on July 4 and is out for the year. She may also miss playing for her country's Olympic team. Minnesota's Andrea Lloyd-Curry tore the ACL in her knee June 30 and is out for the season.

Orlando guard Shannon Johnson said the high level of play is a factor. "We have games sometimes every other night and players that are playing a lot of minutes. That contributes to a lot more injuries," Johnson said in a live chat this week on ESPN.com.

THE HARD WAY: Minnesota rookie guard Betty Lennox is having a banner first season.

The former Louisiana Tech superstar is among the Top 20 in four categories and is averaging 15.2 points. She is a reserve for Monday's All-Star Game.

Lennox was an academic non-qualifier coming out of high school and attended junior college before transferring to Louisiana Tech. But looking back, her struggles seem to be worth it. Lennox will graduate from Louisiana Tech in the fall.

"It has been hard," she said. "I went to three colleges. I gained credits and lost credits. But I'm graduating. It has been a struggle. I wasn't the brightest person in class. I wasn't the smartest person. I was average and I wanted to be more than average. I'm the type of person who had to put in a lot of hours to study, a lot of hours on the basketball court. I have a gift ... and I work on it every day."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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