Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Violence widens ahead of Greek austerity vote

Lieberman, 50, plays for short-handed Shock

Hall of Famer fills in following suspensions, makes no-look pass

Shock Comets BasketballAP
Detroit's Nancy Lieberman, right, surpassed by 11 years her own WNBA record Thursday — in 1997, she became the oldest player in league history at 39 while playing for Phoenix. She stopped playing after that and served as Detroit's coach and general manager from 1998-2000.

Lieberman played at Old Dominion from 1976-80 and led the school to two national titles. She averaged 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists during her 17-year professional playing career.

She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame three years later.

The fans had a positive reaction to Lieberman’s presence.

“Women’s sports struggle so anyway,” said Maureen Howard, a Comets season ticket holder. “If this helps the league, I think it’s great. It’s entertaining, and anything that draws attention to the league is a good thing.”

Howard compared Lieberman to swimmer Dara Torres, who qualified for the Beijing Olympics at age 41.

“If a 40-year-old can make our Olympic team, why can’t a 50-year-old play basketball?” Howard said.

Lieberman was the oldest player on either team by 16 years. Detroit’s Katie Smith was the next oldest at 34.

Toni Blackwell, 56, another Comets season ticket holder, didn’t think Lieberman’s appearance damaged the league’s credibility.

“It’s good they have somebody like her to go to,” Blackwell said. “Maybe they could do something like this once a year. It’s entertaining.”

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


< Prev | 1 | 2

advertisement
More news
Image: Pekingese Palacegarden Malachy trots in ring at the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York
Reuters
Pekingese favored to be top dog

Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.

NY cable dispute blacks out Knicks, 4 NHL teams

NEW YORK (AP) - As the glow fades from the Giants' Super Bowl triumph, some New York sports fans are tuning in to basketball and hockey, with the Rangers in first place and the Knicks' overnight sensation, Jeremy Lin, sparking "Lin-sanity.''

Image:
AP
Six new breeds will join show at Westminster

Robins: This year, six new breeds will be making their debut on the green carpet for the Westminster Dog Show, which begins Monday.

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

Slide show
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

Slideshow
Boston Celtics v Indiana Pacers
  Who's hot on Twitter?
Check out which of your favorite athletes have the best pages and most followers!

NBCSports.com

Special feature
"American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity" Met Gala - Arrivals
When athletes and celebs get together
A look at the many links between sports and Hollywood stars.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: To match Special Report CAMPAIGN/ROMNEY-OLYMPICS
  Presidential candidates and sports
How do President Obama and his Republican rivals stack up when it comes to their sports backgrounds?