Taj McWilliams, one of our all-time favorite basketball players, is following up last year's stellar performance with another wonderful season. Her numbers this year rank her among the league's best. She is currently 4th in rebounding, averaging over 7 per game, 3rd in field-goal percentage and 8th in steals per game! On June 22, Taj put out her best performance of the 2000 season, getting her first double-double by pouring in 22 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in a win versus Cleveland. With performances like these, Taj has put the Miracle on track to postseason play, as Orlando trails conference-leading Cleveland by only a half game. So, without reservation, we whole-heartedly endorse Taj McWilliams as a deserving member of the 2000 WNBA All Star game! If you haven't voted for her yet, please take the time to do so now! Not only is she a superb baller, but she is an even more wonderful person.
While Taj is one of basketball's brighest stars, she's has never lost touch with her fans. We got a chance to catch up with last season and she was sweet enough to answer a few questions for us. We hope to be able to touch base with her again soon! So, without further ado, here's Taj McWilliams in her own words...
On WNBA Negotiations
Since the ABL players and other rookies didn't pick the union, we don't have a say so in what they do. This is technically the WNBA's league and we haven't been picked on a squad yet, so we formally have no complaint, but I wish the union would take a look at the fragility of the women's game, learn a hard lesson from the ABL and then do a gut check, it is only three months, and they are coming with some hard demands, in the third year. A lot of presidents of the clubs are not going to allow this to happen and will pull out their money out of their women's team if there is a lockout or any sort of postponement of the season.
Experiences at WNBA Draft Camp
My experience at the WNBA draft camp was great. It was alot of ABL players there that I missed seeing in those three months, sort of a mini reunion, and also deja vu, because many of us, three years before had just went to the big combine the abl held in ATlanta, GA and didn't know a soul, but now, we know each other, and each others games, so it didn't make it so cut throat, and since most of the wnba people know our games too, it was a smoother, nice experience, I enjoyed it, even Val Ackerman addressed the ABL issue, so it wouldn't be something spoken under the table.
Best ABL Experience
My best ABL experience is working with Coach Donovan, and meeting a girl named Katrina Price. I believe God puts people in your life at a certain time, for a certain purpose, and then he removes them when they have done what they needed to do. I believe that K.P.'s mission was fulfilled and right now she is up there watching old for the Philly Rage, because that is what she came to do, bring us closer than a normal team, and that is what happened.
What WNBA city she would enjoy the most
The WNBA city I want to play is Washington, DC, because it is close to Philly, Richmond, New Jersey, and my hometown, Georgia the four places closest to my heart.
On the Player who Inspired her the Most
The player that inspired me the most, old and new school, T. Edwards, because everyday she came to practice and games with a competitive spirit. She couldn't sat back and took a break whenever she wanted to, but she chose not to, she wanted to make herself the best in the world, and she did, but she knew she had weaknesses and everyday she came into practice or games with the same attitude. I am a great player, but I can get better, and I can learn something new. Old school, Annie Donovan. She was the first tall woman that I met, who was proud to be tall and who carried herself like a lady off the court. She made me stand taller, when I realized that in her day, there were no tall women, 6'7". I realized then, that I could be tall and proud of it, and that everyone else was missing out if they weren't as tall as me.
On the one ex-ABL player she would most want on her team
Hmmm, any ex abler, that would be difficult, but you know I would take Teresa Edwards, for all the reasons I wrote in 8, but also because I know that she would push me to do my best and be my best also. When she's down, she needs to be lifted and when others are down she lifts them up. But other than that E.C. Hill. I love her explosiveness, and we just seemn like we will click on the court together if we were on the team together...hmmm.
What's in TJ's CD player?
My CD player holds Lionel Richie's greatest love songs, 18 of his best songs with the Commodores and some of his new ones, Lady, STill, those old sweet jams.
Her favorite shoe?
NIKE is my fav shoe of course!
On the most recent movie she's seen
The most recent movie I have seen would be Pleasantville on the plane coming home, no make that Something About Mary, and that was funny, it just pushed the whole dating, fate, thing on home for me, what a crazy doggie.
Dream Game w/ Any NBA Player
Scottie Pippen, x-Chicago Bulls, new Houston Rockets, well the final score would be 7 to 10 with him winning, because I would just love for him to post me up, I think he is gorgeous and has a hot body, noticed I said body and not nose. I think that if I work on my game enough, then I will be that type of player, with long arms and explosive first step. We will see.
If she had to live in one piece of clothing for the rest of her life, it would be...
One article of clothing to live in for the rest of my life. Well I hope my life will be short, if I have to live in one article of clothing...hmmmmmm. Well it wouldn't be a jersey that is for sure. Probably a long, ankle length summer dress, with short sleeves, v-neck and loose fitting. I am just adorable in summer dresses and they are comfortable too.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE!
The last time we had been able to hear from Taj was before the ABL folded. After that, she packed her bags up to play some ball in Greece. Here's what she had to say a long ways back (6 weeks before ABL training camp) in response to our questions.
Pregame with the Rage
Everyone comes in at different times, usually too early to do anything but sit around and listen to music, talk about the latest Jerry Springer show, read the newspaper, or just talk to everyone and make fun of something. Normally Beth is the only one on the floor shooting around before we really have to, I like that in the rookie, she has good work ethic.
On the funniest person on the Rage
The funniest person on our team has to be Dawn, she is a cut up, her and her dog. The best joke would have to stay with the team, I can't tell you that online, but maybe if you ask her in her forum, she will go online and answer.
On music
My favorite type of music is Jazz, Christian Jazz mainly, but all types, because Jazz has no words, but you can put your own words and melodies to it depending on your own mood. When you listen to other songs, their own interpretation is put to words, not your own. My fav singer is hmmmmm Shirley Ceasar, she could blow way back in the day, her and Lena Horne, they taught people like Patti LaBelle and Whitney to sing like they do.
Her Dream Team
Four players, is that male or female? Well my fiancee would be one of them, he plays the two like no one can. It would be me at the 4 spot, Jason (my fiancee) at the 2, hmmm, poiont guard would be Dawn, b/c she is the best at what she does (1), three would be Katie Smith, b/c she mixes athleticism and skill and smarts at her position, and at the 5 it is a toss up between-- DeLisha Milton, who just hustles and hustles and has guts and brawn to go with that skinny body, or my big girl of all time, Venus Lacey. Maybe Natalie Williams, or maybe even my own teammate Chasity, who has a little more moves than Natalie, but is not as strong as her.
On her favorite move to the hoop
My favorite move would have to be the up and under or the turn around. In one game in college, I scored 33 points on 13 of 16 shooting and our of the 13, 10 were turnarounds on the block.
On Dawn Staley and Markita Aldridge
Markita and Dawn are the two funniest gals on the team. Dawn is number one, and Markita is a close second. They both have that street game flavor, which means when the going gets tough, no matter who they are playing against, they don't back down, and I like that killa instinct. But other than that, they are both very private people, but funny in the locker room and they have fun on the court, especially with each other
On a few of her closest bball friends
The players that I am closest to are several. I think that I am close to Clarissa, who knows me better than anyone, but I think Adrienne knows more about me personally and how things affect me. I love me some Laurie Byrd, she is the greatest inspiration for any player, and Rhonda Smith is my ace. I think Katie Smith, Katryna Gaither, Natalie Williams, and Ruthie Bolton-Holifield are some good peoples too. I am excited about Chamique of course, since playing with her these past two summers, but also the other miques too.
Thanks TAJ for answering all our questions so soon and good luck with the WNBA! :o)