New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul gets to warm the bench for poor decision-making

I know we talked about this story last week, but I am putting Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul on the bench for poor decision-making.

We now know JPP’s right index finger was amputated resulting from playing with fireworks on July 4th. He's already supposedly in a bad place with the Giants and this situation does not make it any better!

Use your head Jason, you're smarter than this!

Tina Charles hits a milestone; and Becky Hammon continues to break through

Epiphanny Prince Returns Home

Epiphany Prince joins the New York Liberty after missing the first 10 games of the season due to a prior commitment with Russia's National Women's Team. In her season debut with the Liberty, Prince scored a total of 12 points and had 2 assists along with 3 rebounds.

Prior to the start of the season, Prince’s former team, the Chicago Sky, traded her to the Liberty for former Rutgers guard Cappie Pondexter. Prince also played for Rutgers. Both Prince and Pondexter are now playing for WNBA teams in their respective hometowns.

Tina Charles’ Big Show

Liberty forward Tina Charles scored her 3,000th career point during a recent overtime win against the Washington Mystics. Tina also scored the game winning shot! Go, Tina!!!

Becky Hammon Cutting Through Glass Ceiling

Becky Hammon scored another milestone. She is a coach of the NBA Summer League.

VIDEO: DeAndre Jordan's decision to back out of the verbal agreement to join Dallas Mavericks turns sports world upside down

Deandre Jordan caused quite a stir this past week when he gave a verbal agreement to join the Dallas Mavericks and then reneged on the handshake and returned to the Los Angeles Clippers for a 4-year max deal worth an estimated $88 million. Did Jordan open up a can of worms? Is there a lesson here for future free agencies?

VIDEO: Serena Williams defeats Spaniard Garbine Muguruza in straight sets 6-4, 6-4; greatest women's tennis player ever

SERENA WILLIAMS takes Wimbledon; she defeated Spaniard Garbine Muguruza in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. In so doing, Williams completed the “Serena Slam” by winning four straight majors, a second time for her. This is Serena’s 6th Wimbledon win and her 21st Grand Slam. If Serena wins the US OPEN, she would become the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988 to complete the calendar-year grand slam.

The New York Liberty secured a first place berth in the Eastern Conference after a 3-game winning streak. The ladies of New York hosted two back-to-back games against the San Antonio Stars (84-68) and the Connecticut Sun (64-57). They finished on top in Phoenix after a close game against the Mercury (75-73). They are currently the first team to reach 10 wins in the Eastern Conference and in the process turning in their best season performance since 2001.

On July 15th, the Liberty put on a show for a crowd of 18,617 people at Madison Square Garden for “Camp Day.” This was a special game for Brooklyn native Epiphany Prince because it was her first time playing on her hometown court with her new team. Prince was able to help the Liberty defeat the San Antonio Stars by contributing 13 points and 4 assists.

Epiphanny Prince helps the New York Liberty defeat the San Antonio Stars

After a tough game on the road against Atlanta, forward/guard Essence Carson fell out of the Liberty's starting line-up. Carson started 12 games this season but her inability to put points on the board during the team's defeat against the Dream landed her on the bench for the games following the team’s fifth loss of the season. However being on the bench did not stop Carson from helping her team bring on another victory. Carson led the Liberty in points, scoring a season high of 16 points off the bench against San Antonio.

Essence Carson comes off the bench to help the New york Liberty to victory

To bring home another win, the Liberty had no choice but to carry on their momentum into the following night’s game against the Connecticut Sun. The team struggled a great deal in the first two quarters. New York was down by as much as 8 points in the second quarter, a clutch 3-point goal by hometown hero Epiphany Price, followed by a mega block made by rookie Kiah Stokes prevented the Sun from taking a double-digit lead over the Liberty. Upon entering the second half, New York was down by five points (33-28), but within the first three minutes of the 3rd quarter, the Liberty were able to turn their five-point deficit into a 3-point lead.

Liberty's Kiah Stokes blocks shot of Sun's Kelsey Bones

The third quarter was the holding place for New York’s biggest plays. All-Star, Tina Charles scored 9 of her 22 points, veteran Swin Cash showed that she still has game after she nailed a 3-point field goal with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter. Cash’s three-pointer changed the momentum of the game; the Liberty intensified their defense and continued to dominate Connecticut's offense throughout the fourth quarter. After making five out of her eight blocks in the third quarter, Kiah Stokes sealed the deal on completing her franchise record once she swatted away Connecticut's, Kelsey Bones attempted layup with 4:24 remaining in the game. By this point in the game, the energy in the world’s most famous arena was through the roof. The Liberty kept their defense tight making it difficult for the Sun to take another lead for the remainder of the game. New York solidified yet another home win and their first place position in the Eastern Conference standings.

New York will attempt to continue their winning streak on the road for the next four games as they take on the West Coast. They will return home on August 2nd for the Liberty’s annual Ring of Honor induction. Six-time All-Star and current San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, Becky Hammon will be presented with the honor this year. Tip-off is scheduled for 3pm.

Tina Charles scored a season low 6 points in Liberty’s Loss to Mystics

The New York Liberty struggled to maintain its home-court winning streak, as it fell to the Washington Mystics (74-59) on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. The team shot a season low 31-percent from the field after making a season-high of 71 attempted field goals. Essence Carson and Sugar Rodgers were the leading scorers for the Liberty with 12 points apiece. After leading the team for the past 3 games, Tina Charles scored a season-low 6 points.

New York Liberty guard Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers

Both teams experienced some trouble getting points on the scoreboard in the first quarter. It took three defensive rebounds, and 1 steal by guard Ivory Latta, for the Mystics to score its first 2 points of the game. After a strong defensive battle on the court, the teams barely made it into the double digits with a 12-12 tie at the end of the first quarter. The Liberty’s offensive decisions eventually pulled through in the beginning of the second quarter, allowing them to outscore the Mystics 9-3. However, the Mystics picked up quickly with just 2:21 remaining in the first half with a 13-0 run.

Washington managed to bring its lead up to as many as 15 points in the third quarter of the game. Although the Liberty were able to get their lead down to the single digits in the fourth, the Mystics made it nearly impossible for the Liberty to take the lead for another time in the remainder of the game.

Ivory Latta was the top scorer of the game with a total of 20 points; she also scored 3 out of 10 3-pointers for her team. Washington shot 44.3 percent and made 27 field goals which is a season high for a Liberty opponent. This was the second time that the Liberty had fallen to the Mystics this season. In the teams’ first meeting, the Liberty trailed by just 5 points. Head Coach, Bill Laimbeer believed this game exposed how much the team relies on their leading scorer, Tina Charles.

“We count so much on Tina (Charles) to score and she had a really bad game offensively... We have to find other ways to score. We’ve been getting by until tonight.”

Despite this loss bringing the Liberty down to the third spot in the Eastern Conference standings, with a 2-2 record, Guard Essence Carson keeps a positive outlook for the rest of the season.

New York Liberty guard/forward Essence Carson

“It’s a tough loss, but we will rebound from it and look to come out better. It is only the beginning.”

The Liberty will continue the remainder of its season without rookie forward, Rebecca Allen. She is out due to a cartilage injury to her right knee and will return to Australia where she will undergo surgery. The Liberty will try to grab another home court win on Friday, June 19th at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.

Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers

New York Liberty veteran Tina Charles had team-high 12 points despite loss

It seems as if the ladies of the New York Liberty are still fighting to find their team chemistry, after Wednesday’s 85-72 preseason loss to the Atlanta Dream.

The Liberty started off strong, in what can be considered a successful first half. They managed to maintain a 7 point lead after a series of baskets made by starters Kiah Stokes, Tanisha Wright and Essence Carson.

Unfortunately, the Liberty had 9 turnovers which allowed Atlanta to take the lead at the end of the first quarter. Liberty guard, Sugar Rodgers came through with a fast break layup that helped the Liberty gain a 5 point lead with 6:21 remaining in the first half. However, the Liberty fell behind at the half resulting in a 44-39 Atlanta lead.

The team experienced many difficulties during the third quarter, where the Dream took their biggest lead of 18 points after a turn-around jump shot made by rookie Samantha Logic.
It wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter, when the Liberty made an outstanding turnaround with a 14-0 run. A foul charged to Logic bought Rodgers to the line where she went 1of 1, helping the Liberty bring Atlanta’s lead down to 11 points.

Though much effort was put forth by the Liberty in the remaining minutes of the second half, they failed to bring Atlanta’s lead down to single digits. Four players from the Liberty scored in double figures. Vet. Tina Charles led the pack with 12 points, Rebecca Allen (11), Sugar Rodgers (11), and Essence Carson(10). Rookie center Kiah Stokes almost reached her second double-double of the preseason finishing up with 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Following Wednesday’s game, the team made the decision to waive guard Amber Orrange and center Shanece Mckinney. Orrange was the Liberty’s second round draft pick, drafted 23rd overall. She made an appearance in both preseason games averaging 6.5 minutes per game. Mckinney played two seasons with the Liberty, after joining them as an undrafted free agent. She averaged 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. She, too, appeared in both of the Liberty’s preseason games making one start. Head coach Bill Laimbeer made the official announcement early Thursday morning.

“I want to thank Amber and Shanece for all of the hard work they put forth during our training camp, I am excited about the team we are putting together, as we continue to prepare for opening night against Atlanta next Friday.”

New York will go on to face the Minnesota Lynx in their final preseason game on Monday night in Minneapolis. The team will return to Madison Square Garden next Friday, June 5th, to host the Atlanta Dream in the regular season opener. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30p.m.

Seattle Storm Selects Jewel Loyd as No. 1 Draft Pick at 2015 WNBA Draft

On Thursday night, 36 of the nation’s top women’s basketball players were drafted into the WNBA. The 2015 WNBA draft was held at the Mohegan Sun Arena for the second year in a row. It was an overall epic night for the 12-team league, each team made strategic decisions based on their team’s performance during the WNBA 2014-2015 season. As expected, multiple trades took place during all three rounds of the 2015 WNBA Draft. It was clear that the 12 teams knew exactly what kind of players they needed to help bring success to their team for the upcoming season.

The Seattle Storm selected Notre Dame’s shooting guard, Jewell Loyd as the No. 1 overall draft pick. The 5-10 junior waited until 5 days before the draft to declare her eligibility. The decision to end her college basketball career one year early was not an easy one; however it was a decision that is now known as one of the biggest game changers in the 2015 WNBA Draft. Lloyd was named espnW’s 2014-2015 National Player of the Year, was a First Team All American selection, and she was named the ACC Player of the Year. She also helped lead her team to the 2015 NCAA Division 1 Championship two years in a row. To top off her great accomplishments she scored 772 points this season, averaging 22 point per game.

The No. 2 draft pick Amanda Zahui B. also made the decision to wrap up her college career after just 2 seasons with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. She was chosen by the Tulsa Shock. Zahui B. broke records at Minnesota becoming the Golden Gophers first player to be named to the AP All-America First Team. She also set a record with 240 career blocks. During her final season she averaged 18.8 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.1 blocks.

Amanda Zahui B of the Minnesota Golden Gophers selected No. 2 overall by the Tulsa Shock at 2015 WNBA Draft

With the third pick in the WNBA draft, the Seattle Storm chose NCCA Division 1 champion, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis of UConn. The 5’11 forward was named the NCAA’s all-time leader in made three-point shots, with a total of 398. Kaleena averaged 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assist per game.

The Connecticut Sun selected Duke’s center/forward Elizabeth Williams for the No.4 overall pick. The No.5 pick went to the Chicago Sky who selected Cheyenne Parker, a forward coming out of Middle Tennessee State University. Dearica Hamby of Wake Forest was selected No. 6 overall by the San Antonio Stars. The Los Angeles Sparks selected the No. 7 pick, Crystal Bradford from Central Michigan. The University of Dayton’s shooting guard, Ally Malott, was selected eighth overall by the Washington Mystics. After a trade between the New York Liberty and San Antonio Stars, California’s all time record holder for steals and assist, Brittany Boyd was selected 9th overall by the Liberty. The Stars traded their 9th pick for Alex Montgomery, forward/guard of the New York Liberty. The Atlanta Dream selected Iowa’s shooting guard, Samantha Logic for the tenth overall pick. With a second trade of the night, the New York Liberty selected UConn’s center Kiah Stokes.

The Liberty traded its No. 16 and No. 35 draft picks along with Anna Cruz to the Minnesota Lynx. In return the Liberty acquired the No. 11, No. 23 and No. 28 selections.

New York Liberty guard Anna Cruz traded to Minnesota Lynx in exchange for the No. 11, No. 23 and No. 28 overall picks

Wrapping up the first round of the 2015 WNBA Draft with the No.12 overall pick, the defending champions, Phoenix Mercury, selected Isabelle Harrison from the University of Tennessee.

The final 24 draftees were selected in the second and third rounds of the 2015 WNBA Drafts. With a great mixture of raw and elite talent amongst the 2015 draft class, the WNBA was able to conduct another remarkable and memorable draft.

For a fun-filled conversation about the 2015 WNBA Draft, check out Naomi Grey's in-studio video.