Live Chat Transcript with Elaine Powell
Dec. 2, 1998
Question:
That's all for tonight. Thanks for chatting, Elaine. Do you have any final thoughts to share with your fans?
Webmaster -- Anytown -- 1998/12/02 17:48
Answer:
Just for everyone to continue to come out and Support the Power! -- every team
in the league, actually, because the fans are more important than they think
they are.
Question:
E, I'm going to the game in Seattle Friday, How much does it help to have POWER fans there cheering?
Tracy -- Beaverton -- 1998/12/02 17:25
Answer:
It's great, really -- that will help us tremendously -- that we have some Power fans
there because I'm sure they'll have their whole stadium packed.
Question:
When you were on CNN last season as "the play of the day" with that falling down-shoot-from-the-floor-spectacular-make-the-shot, what did your friends and family think?
superfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:26
Answer:
I guess everyone looked at it like "you're lucky" which it probably was.
Question:
You have a knack for spectacular plays, like last second shots -- I can think of the ones early on vs. Colorado, the one before halftime vs. San Jose and the halfcourt shot at Seattle. Do you practice those or is it luck, or what?
powerfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:26
Answer:
We practice stuff like that -- Coach Dunn will take a few minutes out
of practice and pretend it's a 6-second clock. If someone hits a half
court shot (I think it was Delisha last year) we get out of practice -- so
it's fun -- she makes it fun.
Question:
As a fan, I'd love to see the format (primarily the scheduling) of the ABL succeed. What do you think is key for the ABL to succeed in the competitive market of Women's professional basketball?
Claire -- Beaverton -- 1998/12/02 17:28
Answer:
I think we will probably need more TV time so we can rate as a professional
league. If they don't really know about us and they haven't seen a game,
then it would be better. Once they have seen a game, then they would
change their mind.
Question:
What is it like to go out in the community, to schools, and such? Do you enjoy it? Do you like working with kids?
powerfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:28
Answer:
Oh, I enjoy it -- that's the fun thing -- you meet different people and
different kids, answer different questions.
Question:
Elaine, You're good, you're really good, have we really not seem your best yet? If so what would improvment look like?
Jake -- West Linn -- 1998/12/02 17:30
Answer:
I don't think so -- I'll probably do the same thing, but do it harder.
Question:
Hi, Elaine. Thanks for taking time to chat! Are you worried at all about the Seattle game on Friday night? I've heard that the Reign are out for some vengeance!
Ann -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:30
Answer:
If I worry, then they'll have an advantage, so you can't go in and worry
about what happened in the last game. You have to go in there thinking
this is a new game and a new place and we've just got to play harder.
Question:
Do you think your parents presence at a game will affect your play?
Kathy -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:31
Answer:
No -- I like having them there, but it doesn't make me play harder or anything
like that.
Question:
how tough is it to play for coach dunn? is coach bequette as tough as coach dunn?
sammy -- eugene -- 1998/12/02 17:32
Answer:
I don't think they're tough -- I just think she makes you play. She doesn't
let you lay around and lay back. If she sees that you can play, she's not going
to let you do nothing with it.
Question:
Is the Portland Power going to have commercials like the Seattle Reign? With the lockout, it wouold seem like the perfect time to take visibility to another level.
Claire -- Beaverton -- 1998/12/02 17:32
Answer:
I don't know. If they come to us about it, we'll be there -- but that's kind of hard
for me to say.
Question:
Elaine, will your brothers come out to visit when your parents do?
superfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:32
Answer:
No -- just my mom and dad and my sister.
Question:
from the outside looking in, it looks like your team has played really well recently...but as a player, how do you feel about the way the team has played recently?
louise -- salem -- 1998/12/02 17:17
Answer:
I think from the first two games that we lost, we learned, and we knew
what to work on to improve. Now we're doing better. So I can say it's coming
along as we go.
Question:
How has your game changed playing with Sonja Henning?
Jeff -- St. Louis -- 1998/12/02 17:18
Answer:
It's a lot better because Sonja's a leader. She helps you see things that you
might not notice and that helps a lot.
Question:
What are practices like with Coach Dunn? Who has had the most influence in your career?
powerfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:18
Answer:
They're like any other practice with any coach. Most influence has been my
mom and dad.
Question:
What kind of a dog do you have? and did you have it before playing in Portland? (Is the rain really that bad there?)
Raven -- San Diego -- 1998/12/02 17:19
Answer:
I've got my labs -- I had one before I got to Portland and one after I got
to Portland. It's hard to walk the dogs when it's raining all the time, so
they're back home in Louisiana.
Question:
What is something that most of us fans don't know about you?
powerfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:19
Answer:
Nothin' special -- I'm just a normal person.
Question:
Have your parents come out to see a POWER game?
Aubrey -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:20
Answer:
They haven't come out to Portland, but they're planning to come out this
month. They came last year to Atlanta. They'll probably make it to Nashville.
Question:
What is your personal goal for the season, Elaine?
louise -- salem -- 1998/12/02 17:21
Answer:
Just to play well all around.
Question:
are there one or two elements of your game you feel you've especially had to change in order to make the transition from College to Pro Ball?
rabeca -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:22
Answer:
You have to beat everybody with speed. You have to execute.
Question:
Who was your favorite "Camper " at Women's Fantasy Camp?
Ann -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:23
Answer:
Everyone.
Question:
Elaine, How does this year's POWER team compare to last year's?
Barbara -- Beaverton -- 1998/12/02 17:13
Answer:
This year we have more bench depth -- I think that's it really -- we don't
have to get so tired.
Question:
How do you compare Portland with the rest of the ABL cities, in terms of fans. Also, what kind of dogs do you have?
powerfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:14
Answer:
It seems like every place we go there is great fan support, but I have to
say Portland fans are really better because they love the game and they
love coming out to watch us, and basically we let them know that we care
too. I have two labs -- one is two years and one is a year.
Question:
What is the adjustment like, going from college to pro ball? How long do you think you will play pro ball?
powerfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:16
Answer:
As long as my body can take it, really. It's more physical. It's a faster-paced
game.
Question:
Since you're not longer a Rookie, do you have any advice for Danielle?
Trudy -- Wilsonville -- 1998/12/02 17:16
Answer:
No -- I'm sure Danielle has to play like she knows how to play -- she can't
look at it as a rookie.
Question:
How did the opening night loss to San Jose affect the mindset of the team? (it seems positive!)
Jeff -- St. Louis -- 1998/12/02 17:16
Answer:
That was a learning game, I think. We worked on things we didn't do well,
and improved.
Question:
What do you do in the off-season in Louisiana? Do you go to Monroe or Baton Rouge?
powerfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:17
Answer:
I have a house in Baton Rouge so I go there. I go home to Monroe every now
and then to visit my parents.
Question:
What kind of music do you listen to? Do you have a favorite song? And what would you say your favorite thing about the ABL would be?
ABL Fan -- -- 1998/12/02 17:10
Answer:
Favorite music -- I listen to a lot of rap music. Favorite song -- I listen
to No Limit music -- so everything on that label I like listening to.
Question:
Who do you feel is the toughest player for you personally to go up against?
Barbara -- Beaverton -- 1998/12/02 17:11
Answer:
Myself -- I can only stop myself from doing what I need to do. If I tell
myself I can't guard then I can't guard.
Question:
From a players perspective, how do you relate to the Portland/Seattle rivalry? Does this affect the players performance (ie, being more jazzed for a Reign game) or not? Also, is there a team you fell more of a rivalry with?
Jeff -- St. Louis -- 1998/12/02 17:11
Answer:
Everybody really, because you want to beat everybody -- you can't just key
into one team.
Question:
How do you like the staff of the front office of the Power? Are they nice to you?
louise -- salem -- 1998/12/02 17:11
Answer:
Everybody is nice -- this is a family thing around here.
Question:
Do you feel you get more attention from your opponent's defense than you did at the beginning of last year.
Barbara -- Beaverton -- 1998/12/02 17:08
Answer:
Yeah -- pretty much. I guess I was a surprise last year.
Question:
Who is your best friend on the team?
louise -- salem -- 1998/12/02 17:09
Answer:
Everybody really -- I hang out with Delisha alot, but everybody gets along
really well.
Question:
EP! I read an article on you and it was hilarious! :o) It was talking about the jokes you play on Delisha Milton, and about your dog, Tyson, among other things. :o) So what's the best joke you've pulled so far? Good luck this season!
ABL Fan -- -- 1998/12/02 17:07
Answer:
I haven't pulled any of them yet, so I'm still thinking of something.
Question:
I am also from LA living in Portland and the only way to get catfish here is to have it sent from Louisiana!
Power Fan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:07
Answer:
Good idea -- I haven't tried that yet.
Question:
Elaine...You are the best shooting guard in the league as far is i'm concerned...My question is, i have friend in the power office who told that you like gag jokes like whoopie cushions and stuff...did you really bring those to the fantasy camp??
louise -- salem -- 1998/12/02 17:06
Answer:
Yeah -- sometimes I like to joke around.
Question:
Has the transition from sunny Louisiana been a difficult one?
Power Fan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:05
Answer:
A little bit -- I mean, it rains in Louisiana too, but not everyday like
it does here.
Question:
E: I understand that you like catfish...So do I...Have you found a good place in Portland to get catfish?
biff2 -- the couv -- 1998/12/02 17:03
Answer:
No -- the catfish down here is not like Louisiana.
Question:
Hello, Elaine: we are so glad you are playing in Portland? What do you do in your free time? What did you want to improve on most during the summer? And how hot does it get in Louisiana in the summer? We love you in Portland
powerfan -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 17:01
Answer:
During the summer I improved on shooting the ball more, using my right hand
more, and working on my strength and conditioning. Free time? I usually
lay around and watch TV or play video games. It gets to around 100-102
in Louisiana. By the way -- my favorite video game is Mortal Comeback 4.
Question:
Hi Elaine! You're having a great season so far...Do you feel any pressure to live up to last year's SUPER performance??
Biff -- Portland -- 1998/12/02 16:58
Answer:
Yeah -- but basically I don't think last year was a super performance. I expect more of myself this year.
Question:
Welcome to the Player Chat, Elaine. How are you tonight?
ABL Media Relations -- Palo Alto -- 1998/12/02 16:58
Answer:
Fine -- how are you?
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This whole deal was originally done by Medius Interactive and the American Basketball League, but I saved what you're seeing here before it vanished forever. (Since I was a season ticket holder, I feel they owe me something). Think of me as an historian. Future generations of young girls need to know what could have been.
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