After losing six straight games, included two huge road losses this week, the San Antonio Silver Stars need to do something drastic. And on Saturday, they did.
On Saturday evening the Silver Stars announced that head coach Candi Harvey has been released of her coaching duties and assistant coach Shell Dailey has been promoted to Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the 2003 season. In addition, assistant coach Tammi Reiss was let go by the Silver Stars as well.
"We are thankful for everything that Candi and Tammi have done for the franchise this season," said Chief Operating Officer Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil. "Coming into this season we expected great things from this team and unfortunately those expectations have not been met. We felt it was time to make a change and I am confident that Shell can lead the team into a new direction."
When the season began, the transplanted Silver Stars had aspirations of improving on their Western Conference Finals appearance last season. But after their 81-54 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night, San Antonio fell to 6-16.
Following the loss, Harvey hinted that the Silver Stars might look to shake up the roster before the trade deadline.
"It's not ruled out," Harvey said. "The trade deadline is the 31st (of July). We haven't ruled anything out.
"In this league you have to have five people on the floor that are doing something productive all the time; whatever combination, whether it's starters or the people on the bench."
Harvey was not been happy with the effort being put forth by her starting five during the losing streak and expressed her displeasure on several occasions. Though talented, the San Antonio team has failed to play consistent, focused basketball so far this season.
The Silver Stars have the worst assist-to-turnover ratio in the league and have had numerous nights with over 20 turnovers. The players have continued to keep their confidence and morale up despite their woeful ways.
Hopefully the shake up in the coaching staff with wake up the Silver Stars and get them on track to make the playoffs.
The Silver Stars are currently in sixth place in the Western Conference. The top four teams in each conference are awarded a playoff berth.
San Antonio returns to action Sunday night at SBC Center against the Cleveland Rockers at 6:00 p.m.
