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2001 ESPN.COM CHAT TRANSCRIPT - #2 |
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ESPN 2001 Bird has led UConn to two straight Final Four bids. Bird was recently named to the Associated Press Preseason All-America team, she is a preseason ESPN.com All-American and has helped lead UConn to the Preseason WNIT title already this season with a 69-50 victory over Vanderbilt. The following is a transcript of the November 27 chat: Sue Bird: Hello everyone!! I'm ready for your questions!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: I've actually not given much thought to it but that sounds accurate. It depends on how Ashley Valley and Maria Conlon. But Diana is the type of player who can play any position and be effective. So I'm sure coach Auriema will come up with a scheme.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: I think it's both. We have the mentality that we don't want to take any team lightly. We prepare for every team the same way. But when people doubt you, it does give you some extra incentive to prove something.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: It hasn't affected anything in terms of that. College sports are all about time management and you find time to do what is important to you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: We have great chemistry, not that we didn't last year but we had some young players last year that made it tough. But we know what everyone can do this year. That will be a big difference.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: Hmmm ... Good question. I think it would come down to Morgan who would be very determined to win. I think she would have a good shot at it!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: First you start with ball handling, I do that as much as possible because you can always get better. After that it's shooting, three-point, going to the basket, etc. Just getting my shot off.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: I've never been to Aruba or Cancun or any of those places. Some place south of the border. It would depend on who I went with instead of where!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: Not really. I'll be fortunate enough to be playing so it doesn't' really matter to me. I do like the East Coast.. but it really doesn't matter to me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: We do live together and it is an experience. IT is the first time we have lived in the same quarters. It makes for some interesting conversations and scenes but it's lots of fun at the same time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: All the things you have accumulated you get so I will keep one of everything and give some away to family and friends and those who really want it .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: Fan mail is tough because we get so much. I try to answer as much as possible. Send a stamped envelope with your mail and it will help!! We can get it back quicker that way, that is the key to getting your fan mail answered.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: First, thanks for writing. Yes, we do use it as motivation. To overcome what we did and to get to the Final Four was an accomplishment in itself. But it did sting not winning it all. We don't want to have a repeat of that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: I think our bench can match up with the other schools. We are lacking experience on the bench but at the same time, we have some talented players out there. If they can play to their strength and do the little things they will have an impact .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: The fact that we practice so intense and I have played so long, I just have confidence in myself. Slumps happen. It's all about how your react to it. If you miss the first ten, you just think you will make the next ten. You just try to not get down on yourself.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: Ironically, The Sopranos and Sex in the City are two of my favorites. Also Friends and Seinfeld. I can only guess what your favorite is ..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: He has challenged me so much and helped me mature mentally. Don't get me wrong,he has helped with my shot and all those things, but he has really helped me with the mental aspect of things.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: My role is to be a leader as it has been since I got here. I have the ball the majority of the time so I have to set the tone. I have to score more this year, everyone has to pick up that slack. And I have to be consistent. We will do well against the Big East. It will be competitive just like every other year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: Definitely Heather! Sue Bird: If you have a picture you want signed, send it along ..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: I like everything from Dave Matthews to Ludacris to DMX to Dixie Chicks. I like all kinds of music. I think music is one of my favorite things. It's a hobbie I guess, I collect CDs.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: It's helping a lot. She practices against us. She is a practice player who tries to make us better. To do well against her, come game time you know you can play against anyone. She is quite but she will tell you what you need to know and coach you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: Yes, for the first time in four years. It was really fun.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: She will help definitely. She has the god given ability and talent but she has improved leaps and bounds mentally from last year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sue Bird: I'm not sure. I'm not sure I could be a head coach but Maybe an assistant in the near future. I have to find something to do in the offseason!! Thanks for reading and asking questions. I really appreciate it. Hopefully I will see all of you in San Antonio!!! |
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