Tamika Catchings prepares for final Olympic run
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
With age comes perspective, and that’s what Tamika Catchings will carry into her third, and final, Olympic run.
The 32-year-old Indiana Fever forward said she’s done chasing gold after London.
For me, it’s just a matter of trying to sit back and take the moment in and take this Olympics in and enjoy it and have fun, and hopefully win a gold and sit my butt down, the two-time Olympic gold medalist said in an exclusive interview with Indy Sports Legends.
Young forwards on the U.S. roster include 25-year-old Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream, a scoring machine who has led her team to the WNBA Finals in back-to-back years, and Maya Moore, last year’s WNBA rookie of the year and a former national player of the year at Connecticut.
Players of that caliber make it easier for Catchings to step aside.
That’s one of the reasons I know that it’s my last, she said. When you look at the great players who are coming in, a spot has to open up for them to be able to move into it. When you have a player that’s like, ˜No, no, I’m going to keep playing, I’m going to keep playing,’ – it’s not that serious. We have a lot of young talent that’s coming up and I’m excited for the opportunity and I’m excited to see U.S.A. basketball stay on top. These players will come in and fill our shoes. Big shoes to fill, but they’ll be able to do it.
It’s not that Catchings is slowing down – she is coming off an MVP season with the Fever and she was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week in the opening week this year. She likes the fact that she’ll be able to bow out of the international scene with her game at its peak.
This is what you live for, she said. You live to play at the top of your game and be at the top of your game.
Catchings, the oldest player on the U.S. roster, sees herself in more of a guide this time around. She remembers how legends Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes helped her, and she feels it’s her turn to point the way.
It’s about having more fun and kind of being more of a mentor and a leader for the younger players because those are the ones that are going to carry that torch, she said.
Catchings has appeared more relaxed than in recent years. There was no doubt or stress in her voice as she contemplated her future in international ball.
I love life, man, she said. I’m just so blessed. Just trying to take advantage of every opportunity and where I’m at, living in the moment.
Catchings still has that fire when it comes to chasing a WNBA title. She came close in 2009, but the Fever lost to the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals. Last year, Indiana had homecourt advantage in the East but lost to Atlanta in the Eastern Conference Finals. But even with that intensity, she has a slightly different outlook. She now is better able to see the joy in wanting to show up for work every day.
Every single year, I’ve been very blessed and very fortunate to be able to play with a group of players every year I enjoy being around and playing with, she said.
Until the Olympic break, Catchings is all about the Fever. She is averaging 19.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and has helped the team to a 4-1 start.
Right now, my focus is the Fever, trying to do whatever I can to help the team get better, she said. And then, when I get to the Olympics, my whole mindset will shift, and then it will shift back once I get back.
Related story: Erin Phillips leaves Fever to join Australian national team.
http://www.indysportslegends.com/isl-exclusive-fever-g-phillips-to-join-australian-team-next-week/
