Eshaya Murphy Waived

Despite a strong start to the season, Shay Murphy fell out of the rotation.  Joy Cheek will bring a big body and the ability to shoot from range.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2010

FEVER WAIVES MURPHY, RE-SIGNS ROOKIE JOY CHEEK

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever has waived fourth-year guard Shay Murphy and re-signed rookie forward Joy Cheek, as announced by Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Kelly Krauskopf.

Murphy was a part of Indiana’s WNBA Finals roster in 2009 and played in 15 games this season despite battling a nagging right wrist injury sustained in the waning moments of the Fever’s loss at Tulsa, May 29. During the club’s first five games, Murphy was one of Indiana’s brightest stars, averaging 11.2 points and a team-leading 7.0 rebounds per game. In 10 games since the injury, however, she has averaged just 2.0 points and 2.6 rebounds.

Cheek, 6-1, was Indiana’s third-round draft pick last April and one of the team’s final cuts in training camp. The former Duke standout averaged nine points in two preseason games with Indiana and led the club with six rebounds per game.

Said Krauskopf, “We are hopeful that the next month or so will give Shay time to heal her wrist and be ready for a strong season overseas. I hope we have the opportunity to bring her back to Indy next season.”

The Fever, 11-6 at the midway point of its summer schedule, plays seven of its next 11 games at Conseco Fieldhouse where it has won seven straight. The defending Eastern Conference champion, Indiana currently trails Atlanta by two games and second-place Washington by one. The Fever battles Atlanta and Washington in five of those next 11 games.

Following its first visit to the WNBA Finals and three consecutive sellout crowds during the 2009 WNBA Playoffs, the Indiana Fever is eager to pursue a sixth straight playoffs appearance and a return trip to the Finals in 2010. The Fever hosts the Connecticut Sun during its annual Kids Day presented by Knozone on Wednesday, July 14 (1:00 p.m.) and entertains the East-leading Atlanta Dream on Friday, July 16 (7:00 p.m.). Season and single-game tickets are available at FeverBasketball.com or by calling (317) 917-2500.

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Gory Details from the Chicago Sky about their 0-4 record vs. the Fever

Audrey Reynolds breaks down the gory details here. 

Unfortunately, Shameka Christon looks to be out for quite a long time with surgery tomorrow and then another 2-4 weeks to heal.

Kevin Messenger adds the following statistical tidbit:

Chicago’s Sylvia Fowles, named earlier in the day as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, had game highs of 26 points and 18 rebounds. The rest of the Sky roster totaled 25 points and 16 rebounds.

No wonder Big Syl is an Olympian and a weekly Player of the Week. 

The Fever and the Sky meet once more this year.  July 27th at Conseco Fieldhouse.  I am really interested in Coach Key's frame of mind for this upcoming game.  Can the Sky take one game?

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The Dog Days of Summer

It's the dog days of summer, locked right in the middle of the WNBA season.  I'm on the road this week, having just moved last week, so it's been a mess around here.

The last stretch of four road games for the Fever have been unquestionably tough.  According to Hollinger, the Fever have faced the toughest WNBA schedule thus far this season, adjusting for the strength of competition.  

So coming out of games with Seattle, Washington and Chicago with a 2-2 record has been good, even if both those wins were against Chicago.   Chicago is better than their record, so the Fever have been fortunate to go 4-0 this season against them. 

Two games came down to inbound passes in the late game. 

Against Chicago, Indiana were able to draw an improbable 5-second violation with their denial defense.  Against Washington, it was a long five seconds but no call was made and the game was over once Washington inbounded the ball and were summarily fouled.

The game against Seattle was another game where referee discretion weighed heavily.   After a "let 'em play" first half, the officials tightened up the second half, taking the Fever by surprise and all but handing the game to the home team, which didn't need much help. 

The main defensive issue is to identify faster perimeter players that need a Tully or Tamika blanket when those players get hot.  It's not clear what can be done when Sue Bird drops 9 points and assists for 2 more in 90 seconds, of course.

Tonight, the Fever play the Tulsa Shock at home.  They are looking for a better result than the loss the last time these two teams met, which is still regarded as the most surprising game outcome of the season according to Massey.

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