Carter Back With Phoenix...Taylor released by Lynx -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

ARICA CARTER GETS SEVEN DAY CONTRACT 

Using the emergency hardship exemption clause that the WNBA has in place, the Phoenix Mercury has signed Arica Carter to a seven-day contract. Carter started the season nwith Phoenix and played two games before getting cut. 

The Mercury roster resembles more of a MASH unit than a WNBA lineup.Guard Essence Carson is out for 6-8 weeks with a calf injury. Forward/Center Sancho Lyttle will sit for 4-6 weeks with a bad knee. Diana Taurasi is having back issues. Briann January and Alanna Smith are both in boots because of foot injuries. 

All that's missing are Hawkeye, Trapper John and Radar. 

Even with a roster of just eight healthy players, Phoenix rolled against the Washington Mystics 103-82 yesterday. Carter saw four minutes and scored her first WNBA points...hitting the only shot she took. It was a reunion of sorts...Louisville teammates Carter and Myisha Hines-Allen both saw action...Myisha getting six minutes, getting three rebounds, creating two assists and hitting a free throw in her time on the floor. 


Carter's role on the Mercury is clear:  Get the ball to Brit Griner and play defense. Griner had 26 points yesterday in the Phoenix win.

Let's hope Carter can stay with the Mercury past the seven-day clause. A lot of that will depend on how long Phoenix guards Taurasi, Carson and January are out.  

Give 'em all you got while you have this second chance, A.C !!!


TAYLOR RELEASED BY LYNX

On the other spectrum of the roller coaster that is WNBA lineups, the Minnesota Lynx have release forward/guard Asia Taylor, using another aspect of the hardship clause. This is some clause, right? Apparently, the Lynx are healthy, wealthy and wise. 

Without her, the Lynx fell to Indiana on Saturday -- 86-75. 

Taylor played in eight games for Minnesota in her month-long stay, the Lynx going 4-4 in that stretch. In her last game, against, Washington, she saw just two minutes in a loss -- gathering a rebound. 

Her highlight of the stay was the 13-point, 17 minute performance she had against Chicago back on July 10th. 

Here's hoping that she gets the call again soon, if not with the Lynx, another WNBA roster. 

DURR UPDATE

The Cards "other" Asia in the WNBA -- Asia Durr -- came back from the All-Star break and resumed her role as a starter for the New York Liberty. She saw 21 minutes Saturday in  a Liberty loss to Connecticut 94-79. "Nite-Nite" had three points, on a three, and added three assists and two rebounds. Her groin may still be a little "tender" -- and those can take a while to heal fully -- so the limited minutes are understandable. 

The Liberty are in a bit of a funk lately, losing their last four on the road. Let's hope they can straighten it out and get in a position where they're a playoff contender. At 8-13, New York is 6 1/2 games behind Eastern Division leader Connecticut. 


OUR HEARTS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU

Here at CARDINAL COUPLE, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with those in El Paso and Dayton.

Such senseless acts of violence. When will it stop? 

Where are we safe anymore? All of us are potentially subject to the crazed, misguided actions of someone who has a person, ill-founded and inane "agenda" to fulfill. 

As a white male, it is particularly distressing to see these crimes of hate coming from racist, crazed people of my gender and classification. It has to stop, whatever it takes. Whatever happened to the age old principles of "love thy neighbor" and "we are all in this together"?  

I won't get into the aspects of gun control here. I do have to wonder why we lead the world in senseless shootings, though...when we are the nation with the most opportunities and freedoms. 

A special nod of recognition to the police forces of these two and other cities. A rapid response in Texas and Ohio that undoubtedly saved hundreds of lives.

When will it stop? 




paulie
xxxxx