August 4th, 2003: Azzi, Ferdinand, NBA Store

Jennifer Azzi and Marie Ferdinand hit tricky free throws.


Monday, August 4th, NBA store goodness. Jennifer Azzi and Marie Ferdinand made an appearance. Azzi showed up in a sweatshirt, so we were not exposed to her incredible muscles. Alas. Marie wore a Reebok t-shirt, which makes sense since she and Azzi both work for Reebok. Both of them were in shorts. They’re talking about recent events and the coaching change and the last few games and such. Marie thinks that they were tight early on in the season. Interesting that they don’t call Shell Dailey Coach. Are they not used to it yet? They discussed the new experience that is San Antonio and the concept of Azzi retiring; she says it won’t be a physical thing but it’ll be something that just happens. Cream puff questions now- what’s your teammate’s strength and yadda-doo. “I’m not gonna lie-” Jennifer is frustrated by all the losing. Well, duh, losing is frustrating, especially when you’ve won metals and all that good stuff. They’re talking about Margo Dydek now, and they both say that she changes the game; Azzi says that when she was with the Shock she was scared to drive the lane. Marie says that losing Natalie Williams was very tough, but it’s all part of the business. Azzi thinks that Gwen Jackson has a very bright future.

Ferdinand is discussing the All-Star game now; she looks forward to it because she gets to see people in different ways; she says that Lauren Jackson is really nice off the court, but is prone to throw elbows on the court, and Azzi laughed and kind of scrunched up her face in agreement. Azzi is discussing the highlights of her career- from the national title at Stanford and the transition from no attendance to the title, and then the Olympic team and winning the gold in the US. Now they’re showing clips from one of the fitness camps that Azzi runs; she has an interesting philosophy about the connection between body and mind. Marie wants to avoid the camp; I don’t blame her one bit. Marie likes to relax in her spare time… and not go to the amusement park; they showed footage of her screaming her head off on a roller coaster. She says she did it for Inside Stuff.

Questions now. One guy wants to know if they played AAU. Both of them did, and that was where Azzi was scouted. One guy sees that they have talent and wants to know if they think they’re ready to challenge LA in a year or two. Marie thinks so, but first finish off this season and prepare for next. One lady wants to know who Azzi thinks is the toughest point guard to match up against. Answer: defensively, Tamicha Jackson; offensively, Nikki Teasley, and Shannon Johnson just in general. Another guy wants to know who they think will win the title. Marie thinks it’ll be Detroit, or someone else in the east. (Then again, she picked New York. Someone hasn’t been watching both conferences.) Azzi thinks if the Sparks get Leslie and Dixon back they have a shot, but Detroit looks good, as do Houston and Sacramento. The last guy wants to know if being on a bad team affects your chances. Azzi says it would take more effort to be noticed.

The contest this time is a free throw shooting contest with a little bit of H-O-R-S-E thrown in. Jen has to use her off hand. She is not happy. Now she has to try it sitting down. This amuses her slightly. Poor Ferdy had to bounce it in; she actually got one in. All in all it was a good time. More people there than there were for the Shock; I suppose the timing was all right, and the driving, pouring torrents of rain might have kept some people away who would otherwise have come. *wrings out hair*

Jen was spotted shopping after ‘graph goodness. I don’t know why she was in the NBA stuff either, ‘kay?