It’s long overdue. Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings has shown more than ever, that this year she is deserving of the 2010 WNBA MVP.
Catchings is a remarkable, accomplished, and dedicated player that outworks her competitors. In my nine years working with the Fever and every other WNBA team, not one player works harder, cares more, and is a better representative of the league than Tamika Catchings.
Before we get to basketball, her character is unique and superb. She walks the walk. Family is of course number one and she values every minute. Her teammates are appreciated and many look up to her. She is the athlete for any young aspiring athlete to look up to. It is rare to come across a person of such high quality.
Catchings is no stranger to autographs…and she is willing to take the time to sign everyone’s. She will take pictures and can have a conversation with anyone. That’s just the type of person she is. She gets it.
Now let’s turn to basketball. Not only is she one of the faces of the league, but she has captured the hearts of Indiana Fever fans. She pours her heart onto the court night after night with her refusing to lose mentality. In the closing minutes of a game, watch Catch’s eyes…her focus and passion is unbelievable and she thrives during crunch time…but isn’t afraid of setting a teammate up. She is the ultimate leader, teammate and friend.
The problem with the MVP award is the stigma that is must go to the top-scoring player in the league. That isn’t true although the trend does lean in the scorer’s favor. The best part about Tamika’s game is that she is solid in every aspect of the game. Need a pair of clutch free throws? Check. How about a crucial steal down the stretch? Check. Or maybe a stealth defensive play? Check.
Catchings is the only player in WNBA history ever to rank in the league’s top 10 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks in the same season. And she has done it multiple times. Usually a player fades with age. But not 24. She is playing the fewest minutes of her career, yet shooting a better field goal percentage and is the most efficient player in the league.
The power of the WNBA is in the east this year…obviously. And the Indiana Fever, led by Catchings have the best record on in the east. Meanwhile, Seattle has run away with the west with little competition. In fact, every team in the east has a better record than the second place team in the west.
Last game at New York, Catchings made it clear she is willing to do whatever it takes…she scored 15 of the team’s first 17 points while the Fever held a first-quarter lead, Catchings was unstoppable. Catch finished with 25 points, matched her franchise record with six 3-pointers and now has scored at least 24 for the sixth time in eight games.
So much for the argument that she isn’t a top-scorer. But she thrives on doing a lot of everything. Whatever the team needs, she is willing.
Number 24 isn’t a stranger of the league’s top award. She has finished among the top three in balloting for the WNBA MVP Award in four of her eight active seasons. She has finished among the top five in MVP balloting in 7 of 8 active seasons. Yet she still hasn’t won the WNBA’s most prestigious award.
She has won the Defensive Play of the Year award twice, but its time—this year, for Catchings to be named the WNBA Most Valuable Player.