This was published 12 years ago
Tulsa nightmare passes, London dream lingers
After a shock initiation to the WNBA, Liz Cambage is eyeing the 2012 Games, writes Michael Cowley.
By Michael Cowley
Each time a disconsolate Liz Cambage dragged her Tulsa Shock singlet over her head after another demoralising loss, she was confronted with four words. While they were far from comforting, the shot of reality reminded her this was temporary.
The phrase, tattooed near her heart, says: ''This too shall pass.'' It is a permanent reminder that whether material things are negative or positive, they are not forever.
There was an opulence of positives earlier this year: a WNBL title with Bulleen in March, the league's MVP award in April, and a week later drafted at No.2 into the WNBA with the Shock. But then came a season to test even the most hardened of veterans, let alone a teenager from the other side of the world.
To say it was tough would be soft on the word tough. Tulsa won just one of their first 27 games, had a losing streak of 20, managed just three wins and 31 losses for the season, and in trying to remedy their woes frantically changed players, the coach, even training staff, all without results. And through all this, there was Cambage's tattoo telling her it would pass.
''I got that a few years ago,'' she explained. ''I was going though a bit of a lost patch with my basketball and just general life. A lot of things were happening with my friends and everything was just a bit messy. I had wanted to get it for ages, and it just seemed like part of growing up, being a teenager.
''This too shall pass … it just means that no matter how bad the situation is, it's not permanent, and in the end no matter how good the situation is either, embrace it because it is going to be over soon. Nothing lasts forever, and no matter what situation it is, you've got to get through it.
''It helped thinking about it at Tulsa, but so too did my friends back in Australia, and the great support network over there with the Australian girls in the WNBA.''
Had she been drafted number one, instead of Tulsa, Cambage would have gone to the Minnesota, a team now playing for the WNBA championship, but as she says: ''What's the point in worrying about what might have been.''
It was shock at the Shock for Cambage. As such a lofty draft pick, much was expected and with it comes pressure. What was unexpected was 22 games coming off the bench.
''You look in the mirror and you see your biggest enemy right there. I put a lot of extra pressure on myself. When we started, I forgot I was only 19, I expect so much from myself but I needed to be myself, not worrying about other people's expectations.
''We went through a lot of changes and at times I had no idea what they would want. One day it would be one thing, the next it would be another and I was just trying to do my best when I got on court.
''It was very hard. You try to be positive, but at times I felt: 'I can't wait to go home'. But we had a good couple of wins towards the end of the season. And the fans stood by us.
''When the streak ended it was just amazing. I injured my shoulder that game and when we won [against Los Angeles, with the winner coming with just 2.9 seconds to play] we didn't know what was going on. We hadn't won for so long. You see me sitting on the bench, and I'm stunned, I've got no idea what just happened.''
Cambage says Australia's WNBA support network is very close. The players get together before and after games, all meet up for dinner at times, and catch up whenever they can throughout the season. One subject often discussed is next year's Olympics where Cambage, Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and co, will try to end the Opals run of three straight final losses to the United States.
''I've spoken to Lauren about how I'm feeling about it and how positive I am about the Opals and London. For Lauren it's so important to finally beat the Americans,'' Cambage said.
Everything is now aimed towards preparing for London, and that includes a WNBL season. Cambage has returned home with much enthusiasm to try to help Bulleen defend the WNBL title. And she also needs to toughen up, not herself, but the league, and it's players.
''Going to the WNBA I was looked at as too soft at the start, which was funny because I was coming from a league where apparently I am too rough,'' she laughed. ''That shows the difference between leagues and we need to get Australian basketball here rougher if we want to work for a medal. We have to start playing harder and rougher, like the Americans do.''
One of the highlights for Cambage was being selected to play in the WNBA All Star game, held in San Antonio, Texas, in July. It was a chance to have fun.
''That was my favourite weekend, having fun and just playing and doing what I love, with no restrictions,'' she recalled.
''Sometimes you know this is your career and life and it all gets so serious, and sometimes you forget how to have fun and smile on the court, and there wasn't a lot of opportunity to do that in Tulsa, because when you are losing, it isn't much fun.''