Monday, March 22, 2010
Ivory Latta Released by Dream
The Ivory Latta era is over...again. Today, Ivory Latta was released by the Atlanta Dream for the second time in her career.
The news release is here.
Quoteth the coach:
"On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to thank Ivory for her contributions on and off the court," said Dream General Manager & Head Coach Marynell Meadors. "Ivory has been an important part of this franchise since our inaugural season and we wish her the best in the future."
My immediate thoughts:
1. With the Ivory Latta Depature v. 2, this leaves only three players who have played for the Dream the entirety of its existence: Erika de Souza, Jennifer Lacy, and Iziane Castro Marques.
2. It doesn't guarantee that this is Latta's last departure. Last year, Latta was the final cut of the Dream training camp...but when Nikki Teasley bailed out the Dream needed someone who could throw the three...so Latta came back.
3. If Demetress Adams makes the team this frees her up to wear #12. However, she wore #24 at South Carolina, she's wearing #12 in international ball.
4. It is my hope that this finally ends the battle over Latta vs. Lehning.
This battle has consumed the psychic energy of Atlanta Dream fandom. All of last year this battle was fought in comment threads and message boards. It got very ugly, generating a lot of ill will between fans with charges that Marynell Meadors was racist for letting Latta go in favor of the white point guard. As long as both players (and Meadors) were on the team, the fight was always going to be there.
Hopefully, it's over now. For better or for worst (hopefully for better), it looks like either Shalee Lehning or Kelly Miller will be the Atlanta Dream point guard. A lot of Ivory Latta fans are going to be seriously bummed out. Some will abandon the Dream as Latta goes. The rest of us will just have to carry on.
I was very lucky to talk to Ivory Latta several times, particularly during the 2008-09 season. Nothing personal, just game post-mortem. She was always extremely polite and could always address the losses - she was one of the bright points in a horrible 2008 season. I don't know why she can't stay with a team, but one-on-one she's a charming person. I wish her the very best of luck and I hope that she catches on with someone else. (Preferably in the Western Conference!)
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9 comments:
WOW, I am in shock with this decision. Latta is out of Atlanta Dream team again. She was excellent last year...and they are doing a BIG mistake!
Im glad they decided to part ways, instead of her staying & being mistreated...let her start off camp on a team that likes her skill set
Sweet kid. I wish her all the best as well. Hopefully she'll land somewhere that's the best fit for her.
Why didn't any team pick up Latta last year when she was cut? Do the other coaches know something her fans don't?
Why didn't any team pick up Latta last year when she was cut? Do the other coaches know something her fans don't?
Exactly my thoughts, if she is as good as everyone says why didn't another team jump all over it when she got cut last season. I think there is something us fans don't know about her that players and coaches do.
I THINK IVORY IS A NUMBER ONE GOOD PLAYER AND THE ATLANTA DREAM TEAM IS A JOKE. SOMEONE PLEASE PICK UP THIS GREAT PLAYER, BIG MISTAKE ATLANTA AND I WON'T BE WATCHING OR ATTENDING ANY OF YOUR GAMES, SHE MADE IT WORTH WATCHING ANONYMOUS IS SAYING
Ivory, I wish you well in whatever you do. I am a big fan of yours. Go get'em. You still got it in my book.
Latta is a great player everyone dosen't get along all the time but it's what's best for the team and so when she was cut the first time and came back that means she got what Meadows don't and that heart so i am done with the dream my niece plays AAU ball so that what we will be doing in the ATL we carried about 30 girls from the Middle school & high school in decatur to a game so long Dream , We wish you well Latta I hope you get with a team who whip the dream a*****
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