Lynx: A letter to WNBA prez backing Taj as team's 5th all-star

Madame president ...scratch that

Dear president Richie ... scratch that

Ms. President Laurel Richie,

I hope this e-mail reaches you in time. I know you have an important decison to make on Wednesday. Maybe one of your first big decisions since being named president of the WNBA this year.

I want to help. We met once briefly. I was among the 10-12 reporters who interviewed you at the Target Center before a recent game. I kept switching hands holding my video recorder. I only had a small space between two bodies to stick my arm straight out and get your voice clearly.

I promise I will transcribe that interview and post it sometime soon. But this is really important. You have to replace an injured starter for the Western Conference all-star team. Los Angeles Sparks center Candice Parker got the most fans votes (19,376) but can't play. She has a knee injury.

Lauren Jackson of Seattle got the second most votes (12,529) but is also unavailable. Bad hip.

Yes, she is almost a senior citizen, 40 years old. And, yes, the Lynx have four other all-stars already. But Taj belongs on the all-star team. It's easy to make a case for her.

Look at her body of work. Taj's name is on many WNBA all-time lists. She is:

* Second all-time in career rebounds, 2,716

* Seventh in field goals made, 1,783

* Seventh in blocked shots, 386

* 12th in career points, 4,547

* Fifth in minutes played, 12,080. She has played in 386 games and started in 384. Barring injury she will play in her 400th game later this season. Only four other players have done that. Katie Smith of Seattle will become the fith before Taj gets there.

Everybody in the league knows Taj. She has played on seven teams and been a seven-time all-star in 13 WNBA seasons. The Lynx signed her as a free agent in Feb., partly to set a good example and mentor some of the younger players.

She is also playing well this season. Let's compare her to other possible centers you could name:

Gms Min. FG pct. FT pct. reb asst. bls pts.

Comments: Not shooting that well, but getting rebounds and passing well, finding open teammates for baskets. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve also raves about her post defense. And plays a lot, especially at 40.

Gms Min. FG pct. FT pct. reb asst. bls pts.

Liz Cambage, Tulsa 14 23.7 44.9% 81.7% 5.3 0.4 1.2 13.6

Comments: Liz is a 6-8 rookie from Australia. She plays for worst team in WNBA and is one of team's two main go-to scorers. (Taj is probably fourth or fifth option for Lynx.) So Liz is scoring more, but Taj is getting more boards and assists.

Gms Min. FG pct. FT pct. reb asst. bls pts.

Comments: Just about anyone could average 11.4 points for the run and gun Mercury who average about 93 pts. per game. Taj has her beat on rebounds, assists and blocks and plays a lot more.

Gms Min. FG pct. FT pct. reb asst. bls pts.

Ruth Riley, San Antonio 13 18.3 54.2% 66.7% 3.9 1.8 1.0 5.7

Comments: Taj has better stats almost across the board.

Jayne Appel, Riley's teammate, actually got the fourth most fan votes (5,315) at center behind the two injured centers and Taj. But she has played only 10 games, all as a reserve. She is averaging 2.4 points and 3.5 rebounds, meaning she should not be in the discussion for an all-star spot.

FIVE IS OK

President Richie if you are worried about having five players from one team in an all-star game, there is precedent.

Back in 2006, the Connecticut Sun had five all-stars. And by golly, Taj was one of them. If that is not an omen to do it again, I don't know what is.

The late Margo Dydek, Nykesha Sales and Lindsay Whalen, one of the four Lynx already in this year's all-star game, were the three Sun players named as starters.

Sales was hurt. She couldn't play.

Led by Douglas' 16 points, the East won 98-82. Taj, the late addition as she could be again, had 10 points as did Whalen. Seimone Augustus, an all-star for the Lynx that season as she is this year, had 16 for the West, making 7 of 11 shots, including two threes.

The fourth Lynx going to the all-star game for sure is Rebecca Brunson, one of the biggest fans of Taj on the team. Brunson, who could start in Parker's place, says Taj is amazing and offers so many intangibles: leadership, work ethic, not measured by stats.

The four Lynx going to San Antonio for Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game (ABC-TV) would be a lot happier if the team on-court coach was flying there with them. And she should.

President Richie, I'm sure you will do the right thing. I was happy to be able to offer some counsel.

Did I tell you how well you handled the interview at Target Center? OK.

Roman Augustoviz