The rest of the Comets, who are for the most part young, raw and new to the ways of the WNBA, scored 41 points, which on the surface appears to be respectable. But there are insipid problems beneath the surface. Perhaps the biggest and most lingering question is whether someone, perhaps Tanisha Johnson who signed a free-agent contract Saturday, is capable of being the intimidating, rebounding, offensive force in the middle the Comets have lacked almost from the beginning of their existence. Tiffani Johnson, who came back to training camp having lost 44 pounds and supposedly with a new, more aggressive attitude after spending the past year playing professionally in Turkey, was the same timid Tiffani, getting only four points and three rebounds against the Sol. Danielette Coleman, a free agent, backed up Johnson and managed only two points and three rebounds in 10 minutes.
Problems exist elsewhere, too.
Coquese Washington, in her first start as a pro at point guard, had a difficult time running the offense. Though Houston held a 32-29 rebounding edge, there were periods when the Comets sat back and watched as the Sol got one offensive rebound after another and intimidated on the defensive boards as well. Chancellor was pleased with the 84 points and enthused over Thompson's 43-point effort. After reviewing videotape of the game Sunday morning, he was satisfied with most aspects. I thought our defense has got to improve, but I didn't think our defense was as bad as our rebounding was.