Holdsclaw Brings NBA Moves to Women’s Game

No one plays the game like Chamique Holdsclaw. She says so herself. And nearly everyone agrees.

But what does it mean? How is she different when she jumps above the crowd to snatch a rebound or slithers through defenders to sink a 12-footer?

Simply put, Holdsclaw plays basketball as if she’s in the NBA, not the WNBA.

“There’s probably a lot of players who are quicker than me. Stronger, better shooters, better defenders,” Holdsclaw said. “But I think I have a unique style and I don’t think there’s anyone who plays like me.

“I know I can go out there and create a shot, anytime I want. I’m comfortable with that, but it’s not going to go in every night. The thing I think I can bring to the table is that aggressiveness on defense and hitting the boards.”

Holdsclaw then cracked a smile and nodded her head. “I guess I’ve watched a lot of NBA basketball,” she said.

Holdsclaw is the so-called female Michael Jordan, the two-time national player of the year and winner of three NCAA championships with Tennessee. She makes perhaps the most anticipated professional debut in women’s basketball history when the Washington Mystics play host to the Charlotte Sting on June 10 at the MCI Center.

The Mystics, 3-27 last year, made Holdsclaw the No. 1 overall pick in last month’s draft, and the 6-foot-2 forward made an impact from the first day of training camp.

She turned one scrimmage into a nightmare for camp invitee Tara Davis, smothering the guard more than once with quickness and long arms to the point where Davis couldn’t do anything with the ball.

Even coach Nancy Darsch, understandably reluctant to heap too much praise too soon, already sees flashes of Holdsclaw’s greatness.

“Some of it is subtle things,” Darsch said. “She sees the floor very well. She plays with a smoothness and an efficiency. She never seems to be in a panic or in a hurry. She’s in her own tempo, and it’s a productive tempo.

“Then you have to put in that she has very good natural ability with her size. She’s been well coached, she’s been a good student of the game, and when she works hard at it, I think she is in another class.”

And, admits Darsch, there are indeed times when Holdsclaw has that NBA look.

“She’s one of the few women players that--as some of the NBA scouts like to say--can get her own shot,” Darsch said. “She can get up over people, and I think she and [Sheryl] Swoopes probably do that better than anybody I’ve ever seen.”

History is littered with top draft picks who failed to meet expectations, and expectations are about as high as they can be with Holdsclaw.

Her life story is already public record, from the loving grandmother who raised her in New York City after her parents divorced, to the decision to wear No. 23--initially because it was Jordan’s number, but more so lately as a reminder of Psalm 23, which includes the verse, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

There was her relationship with Tennessee coach Pat Summit, who was initially frustrated by the way Holdsclaw was able to shrug off a loss. After four years together, Summit realized that perhaps her star player’s way wasn’t so bad.

“I’m very, very competitive,” Holdsclaw said. “I make a mistake, you never see me put my head down. I can walk off with a smile because I believe next time I can correct it and make it right.

“It’s just a game, a game I love. When you have a job, you want to say ‘I really enjoy my job.’ I don’t want to be out there and mentally stress myself out by the time I’m 26.”

Mystics teammates say Holdsclaw is cool, levelheaded and humble. Even when she’s talking about how good she is, it doesn’t sound like bragging.

In fact, Holdsclaw is smart enough to know that, hype aside, she begins her pro career as a rookie--and as a marked woman.

“You come in, you’re labeled this hotshot, this great player,” Holdsclaw said. “I think a lot of players wouldn’t be able to handle all the attention and they’d go out there and try to do it all. I think I have my teammates’ respect because I’m a team player first.

“I know what I can do, and I’m going to do it when it’s needed. I don’t have to come out here and shoot every time I get it. Just play within the team concept and your individual talent will shine.”

Darsch couldn’t have said it better herself. If anything, the coach’s hopes may even be a little higher.

“I’m not expecting her to do it every night,” Darsch said. “I hope she does, but she’s human.”