Last season the Utah Starzz (now the San Antonio Silver Stars) were defeated in the Western Conference Finals by the eventual champion Los Angeles Sparks. This season, the Silver Stars plan to build upon that success. It's a time of adjustment for the team of veterans who are now welcoming some talented newcomers to their roster, as well as getting used to their new locale.
The Silver Stars pulled off a surprising trade, shipping off All-NBA First Team forward Natalie Williams and draft pick Coretta Brown to Indiana for 6-foot-5 Sylvia Crawley and rookie Gwen Jackson out of Tennessee. Crawley averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds last season and will be inserted into the Silver Stars' starting lineup at power forward. Jackson, who had a very successful career with the Lady Vols, looks to be an impact player off the San Antonio bench. She can shoot from the perimeter, as well as post up.
I had the opportunity to talk to a few of the Silver Stars about the move to San Antonio and the outlook on their season -- Four-year veteran, starting point guard Jennifer Azzi; All-Star shooting guard, Marie Ferdinand; and new addition, forward Sylvia Crawley.
JENNIFER AZZI
On the city of San Antonio:
I find the people here really, really friendly and very nice. People have completely welcomed us and the organization has wanted a team here for a couple years. So it's great knowing you are wanted and know you have management behind you.
On rookie Gwen Jackson:
I think she adds a lot to our team. Coming from a program like Tennessee you know already some things about her: she's going to be disciplined, she's going to play hard, she has a strong work ethic and she's also talented. So whether it be this season or next season, she's going to be able to do some great things.
On promoting the team:
I think number one, win or lose, the community will continue to embrace the team because long term this is going to be a very successful situation here. The city of San Antonio had the number three WNBA TV market without even having a team. So the support is here. It's exciting for me to be in a place where you know people want you here.
MARIE FERDINAND
On improving from last season:
Some of our bench players can be starters on another team, so I know our depth will pay off later in the year. We are going to be better because of that bench. This team will just continue to build chemistry, gel and learn about each other. We have the type of team that can make it further than last season.
On the Natalie Williams trade:
We got a bit younger and we got a bunch of girls who can play. Losing Natalie is a lot but we have the tools to make up for it. We got more versatile and got much more mobile at power forward.
On defense:
Our goal is to hold teams to 65 points We take pride in our defense and we need to do a better job on transition D against teams like L.A. But we are improving and I like our chances this season.
On the San Antonio community:
We met the marketing coordinator here already and have gone over things to be more involved in community. We need to get friendly with fans and get people in seats. But bottomline if we do the job on the court, we'll give them something to come back for.
SYLVIA CRAWLEY
On her new team:
I'm adjusting trying to learn all the different personalities, plays and defenses. It's a lot to take in. I think we are going to have a very good team. We have a lot of different personnel: power players, finesse players, rebounders, shooters. Versatility and our depth are keys. We had 35 points off the bench against L.A. So we know we have the depth needed to succeed.
On her biggest adjustment in San Antonio:
The heat. I live in NC and it's hot there but this is a different hot. It'll take some adjusting.
On promoting the team:
We need to spread the word and let people know the Silver Stars in town. We feel very welcome in San Antonio. Tell a friend, bring a friend. It's going to be a great team. I'm excited about SBC Center. I have been to several playoff games and the atmosphere is awesome. I wasn't a Spurs fan before I got here. I was a Blazer fan because I played for Portland, but I have a few friends on the Spurs. So I've been to playoff games cheering for them and I really like the team.
