Michelle Griffiths

Few teams exemplify the influence of international players on the WNBA like the Phoenix Mercury who have six players from overseas on its roster, including three from Australia.
   And although many of those from international soil are veteran professionals, many struggle for a short period when learning the American style of basketball which is generally played at a faster pace and considered a bit more physical . However, in time most have made a quick adjustment and have become valuable contributors.
   Take for instance Mercury forward Michelle Griffiths, who was born in Adelaide, Australia and has played for eight years in the WNBL in Australia and helped Team Australia win a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympic Games. Griffiths, who is in her first year in the WNBA, has been a valuable reserve for Phoenix, but it has taken her a whole season to reach a place where she feels comfortable with her game.
   ``In Australia, we play the Australian way, so coming here to America, I have had to learn the American style of play,'' said Griffiths. ``It has been very hard, but I have learned to be patient and we as a team have learned that basketball is an international language - you just have to score to win.''
   According to Griffiths, the difference in cultures between the players on the Mercury caused confusion and perhaps led to a losing streak in the middle of the season, but once they all settled in together and learned each other's games, the team righted its ways.
   Griffiths said the major difference between the Australian and the WNBA game is that in Australia, as in most of Europe, the games are very low scoring and defense-oriented while the American game is much more offensive and contains a bit more flash.
   ``Americans tend to be more offensively-minded because they have the great athletes and the enthusiasm and the all-world plays,'' Griffiths said. ``In Australia, we look at an assist and a layup as the same as if someone makes a shot over three people. It all counts the same, you don't get any extra points.''
   One other major difference which has been a pleasant surprise to Griffiths has been the awesome fan support around the league. In Australia Griffiths was used to playing in front of crowds of 500 to 1000 fans, the Mercury averaged 13,765 per game this season.
   ``I am awed by all of the publicity and media coverage. It is almost overwhelming for me,'' Griffiths said. ``It is fantastic for women's basketball and women's sports in general. I just want to make sure I don't take it for granted and I keep working hard.''
   Although Griffiths feels as though she has come a long way this year, her teammate, Jennifer Gillom feels as though Griffiths' play from the beginning of the season has been stellar and important to the team's success.
   ``Michelle has a tremendous job for this team. She gives 100 percent every game and has taken a lot of pressure off of me,'' Gillom said. ``She started playing well from the beginning of the year and nobody expected that; we all thought she would struggle in the growing process a bit but she didn't. She has improved in some areas, but for the most part she has been there from the beginning.''
   Griffiths plans on going home to Australia following the season to ponder her future in professional basketball.