Portland Fire - Training Camp Day 4 - Quotes
In the expansion team's latest media availability, Maya Caldwell, Emily Engstler, and Megan Gustafson spoke after practice.
Another day, another practice, and another round of media scrums. This piece spotlights several key quotes from conversations with guard Maya Caldwell, forward Emily Engstler, and center Megan Gustafson.
Maya Caldwell on the challenge of coming together as a team
“I think I’ve played with maybe two or three people here. Like you said - it’s a new culture - we’re learning, not even new plays really, more just like concepts. It’s about spending more time on the court with one another, getting to know our strengths and weaknesses, and trying to understand where the coach is coming from as well because again this is non-traditional basketball that we’re playing in here. So it’s definitely challenging. It’s been quite the learning curve for me. I was used to it a little bit just because Smesko [Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko] had a similar idea, as far as trying something new, and non-traditional ways, but every coach is different. So it’s a challenge, a learning curve, but we’re getting there. The energy is great, and honestly, I like it. I love a good challenge.”
Maya Caldwell on running point
“Personally, I got some work to do. Naturally, I love just getting to my mid-range, but the coach is looking for higher percentage shots, so that’s open threes and that’s getting into the paint. So, it’s just about kind of reversing some muscle memory that I have. But then that’s just me personally.”
Emily Engstler on Alex Sarama’s installing only one set
“Am I okay with that? You know, I really trust him. So, I’m gonna say yes. But at the end of the day, I think if you can get really good at one thing, like it is enough in this league. I do think we’re going to - like if I’m going to be completely honest - I think we’re going to have a lot of growing pains this season. I think it’s going to start in our preseason games. Whether they go really good, medium, or bad, one play or forty plays, we’re going to have that regardless, but I am intrigued to see how good we can get at these things that we’re working on right now. You know, the less plays, the less you have to remember, so we can always run with that.”
Emily Engstler’s reaction to a five-on-five session
“I’m going to shout out Nars [rookie forward Nyadiew Puoch] right now. Like, I haven’t gotten a chance to see her play. I haven’t gotten a chance to see her length in like a full five-on-five court action, and like she was everywhere, man. She was rebounding the ball. She was pushing the ball. She was shooting threes. She was getting to the basket. I think that’s a big takeaway. Someone so young like Nars - like you got a 21 year old who’s never played in the WNBA - who’s getting up and down for the first time with us, and she’s hooping. So that was really dope to see our youngin’s get the system super quickly, but at the same time, I think we did things that we need to learn from, which is just getting to the second side quicker. Defensive techniques quicker, stuff like that. For me, too. You know, that’s on everyone. But it was fun. I had a good time and I’m just glad that I’m not throwing up into the garbage bin on the side of the court right now. So I’m proud.”
Megan Gustafson on the challenges of moving her family to Portland
“I already found a sitter [dog sitter for Pancake, Instagram star], so that’s relieving. You know, I’m just excited to get Pancake out in the community more, obviously, and have the fans get to know her and myself, and of course my teammates too.”
Megan Gustafson on sharing her experiences with Alex Sarama and Vanja Černivec
“Yeah, I think their differential learning approach has been really refreshing. Being in the league for eight years - this is my eighth year now - some of the same things you kind of see over and over again, and obviously repetition is good and that’s how you get better, but at the same time, like, [it] makes basketball fun again when you can do new things and bring a refreshing perspective to the game. So I think that’s exactly what we’re doing. I’ve had a lot of fun these past few days. This is the fourth day in a row where we’ve gone, so I’m a little tired, but you know it’s been a lot of fun, a lot of growth.”
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Matt Bagley is a professional sports journalist with a passion for women’s sports. Outside of work, he cherishes quality time with his birth family, his chosen family, and one very pesky house panther.
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