Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
April 10, 2001

Hughes was runner-up for Coach of the Year in 2000. (Allsport)

With the WBA draft just around the corner, Cleveland Rockers head coach Dan Hughes joined us for a live chat about his team's great finish last year and the upcoming season.

Hughes took over the Rockers who were in the basement of the WNBA and propelled them to the top of the league. The Rockers improved their regular season record from 7-25 in 1999 to 17-15 in 2000. They finished second in the Eastern Conference where they beat Orlando two games to one in the playoffs and then lost to the New York Liberty in three games in the Eastern Conference Championship game.

Hughes became the head coach of the Rockers in October of 1999 after a run as assistant and interm head coach of the Charlotte Sting for two years. He helped guide the Sting from fourth to second in the Eastern Conference and lead the team to their first playoff win against Detroit. Chat transcript below.

Dan Hughes: I am pleased to be a part of this discussion today and I look forward to the upcoming WNBA draft on the 20th!

Question: Hey coach! Congrats on your runner-up nod for Coach of the Year. You really turned our team around. How is Ann Wauters progressing?

Dan Hughes: Ann is really having a nice year and continues a great progression. She is only 20 and has become one of the best centers in Europe. She is getting more confident in the low post and I am seeing her as more of a factor to score. I personally saw her play a month ago and I am very pleased with what is happening with her game.

Question: Coach, why did you gravitate towards coaching women instead of men? What made you take that career path?

Dan Hughes: That is a really good question because I had a great experience coaching the men. It is something I wanted to do. When I was coaching men there was a moment where I was looking for jobs and could have continued Division I with men but I took a job with less money because it felt like the right thing for me and my family. It was what I wanted. It wasn't a bad experience with the men but this felt like the right thing for Dan Hughes at the time.

Question: Have you set goals for yourself and the team yet? If so, care to share?

Dan Hughes: I think we (and myself) have a goal of having the team in the playoffs and positioning ourselves to move through the playoffs. Anything we do here and anywhere I have been is positioning us for the playoffs. The style of play, the conditioning.. all of that. When I met the team for the first time last year after a 7-25 season was that our goal every day was the playoffs. That will never change. The situation the Rockers are facing is challenging. We have players in Europe and coming back to the team, some coming off injuries. We are a young team. We have to do the things to come together at the end of the season. We will have challenges early but by the end of the year, we will have put ourselves into a good position by July and August. From a coaching standpoint we have to meet the challenges we face especially as we come into the key stretch going into playoff time.

Question: Each year Lake improves. What do you expect to see from her this year, in her second season of starting?

Dan Hughes: The same thing! I look for continued improvement in her game. I see improvement in her perimeter shot. She has always been a player who, from an athletic standpoint, can create a lot. What I want to see is her breaking down the opponent's plays. She is very creative and I want to bring that out in her play. Cynthia Cooper was one who made great plays at the end of her moves and those are the same goals I have for Lake. After making the move to the basket she can either deliver it or pass on the double team. She is also one of the key leaders on our team. She showed it last year and the continuation of that is something that will enhance the Rockers.

Question: Who do you feel is the best overall athlete in the WNBA draft coming up?

Dan Hughes: That is an excellent question! Possibly Marie Ferdinand. But there are a number who are debatable. Like Tamika Catchings.

Question: Everyone has been talking about Jackie Stiles and how great she is and is going to be. Does she really have what it takes to be a great WNBA players (she is a bit small in size)?

Dan Hughes: I think she has the potential to be a great offensive player. Her size may be a factor defensively but she plays big in my eyes. She has the uncanny ability to create space to shoot the ball. She can penetrate on transition or half court and space herself on the stop. The only difficulty she may have is if she has to match up with a big perimeter player on the other end. I think she will be a special player in the WNBA.

Question: Any chance Ruth Riley will fall to 11th? I think her post play would be a good fit for the team.

Dan Hughes: I agree! I am doubtful but hopeful that she would fall that far. I would love to see that happen!

Question: With all the injuries to stars like Abrosimova, Catchings and Ralph, do you think that lowers the talent pool for this year?

Dan Hughes: No.. I think those players will be included. Their recovery is on schedule and I don't think it will have a big effect on the draft and they should go in a very high position.

Question: Who's going to be the #1 pick in the draft this year? How does your spot in the draft shape up? Who are you looking to get?

Dan Hughes: I think if Jackson from Australia is in the pool, it will be her. Otherwise I don't know. You'd have to ask Coach Dunn. Our spot is a debate I have just about every day. We pick #11. There is some depth to the draft and we could get a good player but whether it meets our needs is something I question. I think we have to see where the top 10 fall. I think the directions the 7-10 picks go will determine if the good player we get is an absolute fit or not. But I think this is deep enough that we will get a good player at #11. We hope she will be a good fit for our returning players as well.

Question: This is the first year that the 4 rounds will be shown on TV, this has to make you happy in the fact that the ladies are getting more attention?

Dan Hughes: Oh yeah! It's great! I had the first pick last year. It was enjoyable. I think it was on NBA.com TV. This year I think it is on ESPN2 and that is even better. That is an exciting day and I am pleased people can share in the moment around the country. It helps acquaint the public with the players. I know here in Cleveland they have followed the WNBA and the Women's college game and the people are asking me about players coming into the league before they get here. That is marvelous!

Question: What would you say to a basketball fan who's not particularly interested in watching the women's game? What would you do to make them a fan?

Dan Hughes: The first thing I would ask them to do is to experience the game, especially in person. I would really like them to go to a game and analyze the experience. What I have found is that if you are a basketball person and you watch the game, it is amazing for me to hear them reflect on the experience. Teamwork on offensive play, competitiveness, the athletic ability is impressive and the people are not aware of that. I would tell them to experience and then reflect on it. I have people who have become fans of the league after that. Even if they have only seen NBA or NCAA and just men's ball. I can't tell you how many, even experienced coaches who say this is the best ball they have seen. So I tell them to watch it and see that it hits them and they realize what they like the most about basketball. I know many who have become fans of the league after going just once. And I mean dedicated fans. There are certain aspects in the women's game that are more prevalent than are in other forms of the game. But I think they will like it when they experience it and see what it is truly about.

Question: How are the fans taking to the team overall, in your opinion? I prefer women's ball because its a team and not a bunch of egos.

Dan Hughes: You know what? The Cleveland fans are fantastic. Anyone who was involved last year knows what I mean. We were 16-3 at home last year. The way the fan base grew and their involvement was a direct contribution to our success. The feeling I had walking in the arena was real and genuine. Our renewal rate for season tickets is the highest in the league. And when you have all that going for you it makes it a great place to play. It is a tribute to our fans and the people of Cleveland who were a reason for our success last year.

Question: If it could work, would you prefer to move the WNBA season to a fall/winter time frame?

Dan Hughes: No. I would prefer we start a little later in the year. The problem I have with the start date is that many times the players aren't in camp. We have many players who play in Europe and still are finishing their season there. I enjoy being the basketball of the summer. But I would like to have our players here in time for camp. For that we would have to start later but having it in summer I enjoy immensely. That is a good decision on the part of the league to have it then.

Question: Coach, some fans and players think that the women's college and pro hoop should be lowered. What is your thought?

Dan Hughes: No. I think you are seeing the evolution of really athletic women players coming into the league. I think the height of the rim is perfect. I think it helps the evolution and we will see that continue.

Question: Not that you can overlook anything, but what are the strengths of the Rockers heading into the draft and the season? What are you counting on not having problems with?

Dan Hughes: As I look at the team I think the strengths are that we have an athletic base of players that can be a solid defensive team. We have some depth especially in the post area. I see that as the strength of the team. To be successful we have to appreciate defensive play and rebounding. That matches the talents of the team. I think we lead the league in turnovers forced and we did that as a half court team. I also think that last year, part of our success was having a chemistry that allowed depth to be a factor. Due to that we have to have good chemistry. That is important to us. It is a long season with a lot of games very quickly. The ability to understand your role and to play to the team's strength is important as you go through the season.

Dan Hughes: I am very excited about the upcoming draft and season. I see the league continuing to develop, not just on the court but in general. It makes for great basketball for the teams and the fans. And we look forward to seeing you all out there soon. Thanks again. Goodbye!