I Voted For A Woman, And I Liked It

By Linda Edwards:SPM CA Writer
Posted Friday, September 19, 2008

File photo of Candace Parker by Donald Barnat.

I voted for a woman this election year.

Actually, I voted for 15 women, some multiple times. And I voted for one man too. And I was thrilled to do so.

I did not stuff the ballot box though; I was simply lucky enough to be selected, for the second year in a row, by the Los Angeles Sparks as one of their three media picks to vote for the 2008 WNBA regular season awards.

I wasn’t sure, after my last year’s votes, that the Sparks would ever pick me again. There was that little issue of voting for Minnesota’s Lindsey Harding for the 2007 Rookie of the Year over LA’s own Sidney Spencer. Armintie Price of Chicago ended up winning, but the mother of Sparks co-owner Kathy Goodman couldn’t believe I didn’t vote for Sidney! Sorry Mrs. Goodman. That was a tough one. I do think Sidney has really improved this year though. If they had a sophomore award, she would definitely be in the running, even though her playing time has dipped with the new team composition.

Despite that very tough decision last year, and agonizing for hours over whom I would pick for the last two spots on the 2007 All-WNBA Second team, this year is even tougher, although I had no problem with my selection for 2008 Rookie of the Year.

Last year the Most Valuable Player vote was one of the easier picks, despite a wonderful season by Becky Hammon, I voted for eventual winner Lauren Jackson. Her stats were phenomenal, and I thought it wasn’t really close.

This year’s MVP selection is so NOT clear-cut – at least to this voter. Stats favor Sparks’ super rookie Candace Parker and Phoenix’s current league champion Diana Taurasi, with Connecticut’s Lindsay Whalen having a very strong showing also, as only the second player in the league to average over 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game (Nikki Teasley was the first, for the Sparks, in 2003).

Seattle’s Sue Bird, San Antonio’s Hammon and Sophia Young, Detroit’s Deanna Nolan, and Whalen have excelled leading their teams into the playoffs and home court advantage.

And what about the intangibles of leadership that don’t necessarily show up in the very best stats because a star is asked to expend her energy on defense, is coming back from an injury, or has another superstar teammate? Lisa Leslie is exhibit A, as are Young and Ann Wauters from the Silver Stars, who share the only ball with Hammon, and had strong seasons, before the Olympic break especially.

And what to do about a player who is having an exceptional season, and then is injured, a la Lauren Jackson? How many games is enough to keep them in contention for the awards?

This year’s MVP winner will also be elected by the fans. For the first time ever, fans could vote online and by text message, and control 25 percent of the final outcome. Talk about a wild card! I expect Hammon, Parker, and Bird to benefit from this twist, but I don’t know if I could lay odds on which I think will win the trophy.

The All-WNBA teams were pretty clear-cut, but those darn final two spots were what I again spent hours on. And because we had to pick by position, my brain felt like a twisted pretzel after considering different permutations. Just like last year, my number 11 and 12 picks that I didn’t select for the second team seemed just about as deserving as picks nine and 10.

There were only two categories that, the minute I saw the ballots, I knew whom I was picking. One was Rookie of the Year. I love the games of both Sylvia Fowles and Candice Wiggins, but hands down, no question, there is only one winner, and she’s a slam-dunk.

The other name, as soon as I saw it, I checked off in ink. That was my selection for the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. Because the teams nominate the players for the Perrot award, you never know whom you have to choose from until you see the ballot. Despite the excellent citizens, including LA’s Keisha Brown, who were offered up, my vote went to Detroit’s Taj McWilliams-Franklin.

I admit it was a sentimental vote. I interviewed Taj in the locker room after so many losses last season, and she was always gracious and generous with quotes, one frustrating game after another. After being traded twice this season, she will have a shot for a championship ring with Detroit, and was a smart selection for them for the Perrot award. The award is supposed to be for on-court behavior, but Taj got my vote for handling her whole season with class, positive energy, and as an example of how a professional athlete should act.

I submitted my votes at the beginning of the week, along with the other media members. As I was reviewing my selections, I noticed that I had cast my ballots for three members of the Sparks this year. I tried not to be a “homer,” but when you see a group of players all year long, interview them, see their highs and lows, it’s hard to clinically disconnect when casting a ballot.

Anyway, I am happy with the women I voted for. I can’t wait to see who wins!

LINDA’S 2008 WNBA REGULAR SEASON AWARDS PICKS

Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award – Taj McWilliams-Franklin (Detroit)

Hanns-G “Go Beyond” Rookie of the Year Award – Candace Parker (Los Angeles)

Coach of the Year – Mike Thibault (Connecticut)

Most Improved Player – Ebony Hoffman (Indiana)

Sixth Woman of the Year – Candice Wiggins (Minnesota)

Defensive Player of the Year – DeLisha Milton-Jones (Los Angeles)

Most Valuable Player presented by T-Mobile (five votes cast, earning 10, 7, 5, 3, and 1 point(s) in descending order) –
1. Candace Parker (Los Angeles)
2. Diana Taurasi (Phoenix)
3. Lindsay Whalen (Connecticut)
4. Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles)
5. Lauren Jackson (Seattle)

All-WNBA First and Second Teams --

First Team:
Guard: Diana Taurasi (Phoenix)
Guard: Lindsay Whalen (Connecticut)
Forward: Sophia Young (San Antonio)
Forward: Candace Parker (Los Angeles)
Center: Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles)

Second Team:
Guard: Becky Hammon (San Antonio)
Guard: Deanna Nolan (Detroit)
Forward: Ashja Jones (Connecticut)
Forward: Seimone Augustus (Minnesota)
Center: Ann Wauters (San Antonio)