Chat Sessions, 8/02/00
New York's Becky Hammon does a mean Tina Turner impression of "Private Dancer." Although Becky may not have Tina's pipes, the 5-6 guard out of Colorado State has talent that lights up Madison Square Garden (and the scoreboard).
Hammon completed her college career ranked as the WAC's all-time leading scorer (men and women) with 2,740 points (21.9 ppg), passing Keith Van Horn, now with the Nets. She teamed up with the Knicks' Allan Houston for the Sony 2Ball Competition at the 2000 NBA All-Star Game.
Now in only her sophomore season, Becky has notched a place in the league's top 10 in three-point field goal percentage (.397), three-pointers made (48) and free throw percentage (.873). And she has even earned a starting role for the playoff-bound Liberty and the respect of New York fans -- which isn't easy.
The spotlight was on Becky as she performed a live chat from the NBA Store in New York on Aug. 2. This is what she had to say:
Amanda at 3:01pm ET
Becky-
Hi! I think you are so awesome. You deserve the WNBA's Most Improved Player award! What do you think contributes to your improved play this year? Good luck in the playoffs!
Becky Hammon at 3:01pm ET
I think it's confidence and being comfortable and getting the opportunity to get out there and play. I'm just taking that first year, learning from it and improving on it.
Kay at 3:02pm ET
A lot of poeple are saying you're the most improved player this year. When you look around the league what do you think? signed - CSU fan
Becky Hammon at 3:03pm ET
I think I have a good shot at winning that award. But in this league, everyone comes back improved. It'll definitely be a huge honor if I win it -- it says a lot about the type of player you are and the type of work ethic they have. I just think the opportunity to play and be in a game situation helps you to play better.
April Weiland,AZ at 3:03pm ET
Dude! Everyone is on the Becky Hammon bandwagon now. Do many people recognize you in public and bother you?
Becky Hammon at 3:04pm ET
In Colorado and South Dakota, people definitely notice me, and in New York it's starting. It feels good. People are becoming more aware of the Liberty and players like myself. We just want fans, and the support we've been getting has been tremendous.
Tony Burns at 3:05pm ET
Becky, I'm the sports writer in Arkansas who interviewed you twice while you were at Colorado State. Your confidence has always been there but how shocked were you when no one drafted you last year? Also, did not being drafted turn out to be a blessing since you ended up with the Liberty?
Becky Hammon at 3:06pm ET
I was definitely disappointed last year. Just looking at who got drafted, I was disappointed, but I don't think I would have ended up in New York if I had been drafted, and I think this is the place for me. I turned it into a learning experience though, and it's a sweet feeling to be making an impact in the league now knowing that a lot of people passed on me.
Danielle at 3:07pm ET
Who is the "clown" of the team ... who provides the comic relief?
Becky Hammon at 3:07pm ET
Crystal is definitely funny and keeps everybody laughing. Sue has a dry humor and spouts off like random things. There's different things coming from everyone, though, and it's very comical in our locker room.
Emily at 3:07pm ET
Hey Becky,
If you were on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," which one of your teammates would be your phone a friend? Keep being awesome!
Becky Hammon at 3:08pm ET
I think either Sue or Rebecca -- they've been around long enough, and it would depend on what the category was. If it were movies and stuff like that, I'd go with Rebecca. If it were like foreign languages, I'd have to go with Spoon or Vickie, someone who's been overseas.
Laura at 3:08pm ET
Hey Becky! I was wondering if you would ever think about writing a World According To Me, like Rebecca Lobo, to keep Becky Hammon fans informed about whats up in your world? Good luck in the playoffs -- lead the Liberty to the Championship!
Becky Hammon at 3:09pm ET
I do have a web page that you can go to -- beckyhammon.com -- we'll try to keep it updated. Something like that might definitely be possible in the future, though.
LaUrEn at 3:09pm ET
When do you think Rebecca Lobo will come back, and if she does this season, how do you think it will affect the team?
Becky Hammon at 3:10pm ET
I'm not sure what the status is on Rebecca right now. I know she's been working hard, and if she did come back, she'd bring a lot of knowledge and leadership as well as rebounding and scoring.
Coach Miller at 3:10pm ET
Your lost coach who listens to every game was wondering, are you coming back to Fort Collins before going overseas?
Becky Hammon at 3:10pm ET
Hi, Kurt. I will definitely be coming back to Fort Collins -- we'll have to hook up and go out to dinner or something.
Vanessa at 3:11pm ET
Hey Becky,
If you could go on a date with any celebrity, who would it be?
Becky Hammon at 3:12pm ET
I'd want to meet Matthew McConaughey, Brad Pitt or Mel Gibson -- I like all of them.
Treyquan at 3:13pm ET
Hey Becky, I am a huge LIberty fan and I think you are a great player, and I must say that you look pretty good out there playing also. What me and most guys in North America are wondering is if you are single and what you look for in guys? Keep playing good and looking good. :)
Becky Hammon at 3:14pm ET
Let's just say I'm real busy right now, so I don't have a lot of time for that kind of stuff. I don't know -- someone who's down to earth, nice, with a good sense of humor.
The Brodahl Family at 3:15pm ET
We miss you here in Fort Collins, catch your games whenever we can! What was the hardest thing to get used to living in New York AND playing in the WNBA? Continued good luck, you're doing Fantastic! Win The Championship!
Becky Hammon at 3:15pm ET
I think just that everything's go go go all the time. I miss a lot of simple things, like jumping in my car to go to the grocery store. Everything here is such an effort, or maybe I'm just doing it wrong! I don't know.
Leon at 3:16pm ET
I'm such a big fan. I have followed your carrer since your CSU days. My question is who do you admire basketball wise? Why?
Becky Hammon at 3:17pm ET
Basketball-wise, I'd say someone like Sheryl Swoopes, who can pretty much do anything. I like her game. And my teammates -- there are a few of them who I really admire their game and how smart they are.
Molly & Cori at 3:17pm ET
Becky, congratulations on your role as a starter this year! I would like to know if you weren't in the WNBA, what do you think you would be doing?
Becky Hammon at 3:18pm ET
I think I would be coaching or teaching at some level. That's probably what I'll end up doing after I'm done playing, staying involved with kids, probably at the high school or college level.
T.J. at 3:18pm ET
First of all, congratulations on a great second season. What was it like growing up in South Dakota? I am from Iowa and get sick of people referring to the Midwest states as "hick states!" Please let America know that the midwest is THE best place to live!
Becky Hammon at 3:18pm ET
Well, we're not in covered wagons anymore ... (laughs). I really liked growing up in South Dakota. I don't think I'd be where I'm at today if I hadn't. I still have a lot of small-town roots, but I like getting out into the big cities as well.
Liat Geller at 3:19pm ET
Hey Becky!
I heard you're coming to play in Israel. For which team? What did you hear about bball in in the Holy Land and what are your expectations from this experience?
Becky Hammon at 3:20pm ET
The team I'll be playing for is Maccabi. I'm just trying to take it as a learning experience and grow both as a person and as a player. It's a great way to stay in shape and improve on your game. I've never been to Israel or even to Europe, so I'm pretty excited.
Catherine at 3:20pm ET
Hey Becky! I really enjoy watching you play and hit 3-pointers. Its amazing when someone as relatively small as you can hit such good shots. How did you become such a good 3-point shooter?
Becky Hammon at 3:21pm ET
I think shooting is just a lot of practice and a lot of confidence in yourself. I just love basketball and it's the easiest thing to do to go out and take shots, and that's what I've done. That's the way to get good at anything is to put a lot of time into it.
Murray, NYC at 3:22pm ET
Becky, you rock on the court, and I'm confident you have had everything to do with putting the Liberty where you/they are now at the end of the season ... but do you ever choke on that gum you're chewing all the time?
Becky Hammon at 3:23pm ET
Everyone comments on the gum that I chew! I've done that ever since high school. I don't even notice it until I'm hit with a screen and it gets knocked out of my mouth or something. I usually chew Bazooka at home games and whatever I can get my hands on for road games ... and I always have to change at halftime.
Laura at 3:24pm ET
Hey Becky! I was wondering what you do in your free time in New York?
Becky Hammon at 3:24pm ET
Most of the time, I try to rest up or hang around the apartment. Hang out with some friends. That's about it. I try not to do too much, but we really don't have a lot of free time anyway.
Molly Chester at 3:25pm ET
Hey Becky! First of all, I would like to say congratulations on your role as a starter. I'd also would like to ask you - what do you think it would take for you and the Liberty to win the WNBA championship this year?
Becky Hammon at 3:26pm ET
Thanks for the support. I think this year we've got that missing piece, the intangible we've been missing. I think we have a good shot -- we need to protect the home court during the playoffs and gain confidence from that. And if L.A. or Houston makes it out of the West, we'll be ready for any team that we face.
Becky Hammon at 3:27pm ET
Thanks everyone for the support and all the questions. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in support of the Liberty in the playoffs. TO THE TOP