The submarine shop is as good a place as any to have lunch. For a team of women who are used to much shorter road trips, a seven-day excursion can be trying. The Shock needed to overcome the grind because the playoffs were a possibility, however remote. They needed to leapfrog three teams, all of whom were within two games of each other, but the carrot was there. The great thing about the WNBA is its close contact with fans.
Players sign autographs after every game.
They make numerous public appearances. They gladly take the time to interact. WNBA players fly on commercial airplanes, like common folk. No charters, like other major-league sports. So teams run into the same difficulties fans do.