Michelle Griffiths

One of three Australians on the Mercury (the others being Michele Timms and Kristi Harrower), Michelle Griffiths brings to the WNBA eight years of professional experience in her home country. Griffiths was, in fact, 1998 WNBL MVP, while playing for the Sydney Flames.

Griffiths has been a member of the Australian National Team since 1990, and hopes to return home to play in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Here are the answers to your questions from the woman who describes her game as "Poetry in slow motion."

How are you enjoying playing so many games concentrated over three months as opposed to the one or two games per week in the Australian WNBL? And, is your nickname still Broges? Good luck for the rest of the season.
Thor Madsen Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Griffiths: Playing so many games in a row is definitely harder on your body but, it requires less training to stay at your best. The WNBA is surely a player's league. And yes, my nickname is still Broges.

How does It feel to be playing with Timms again? You are playing and adjusting very well. Keep up the good work.
Beth Bowlin Tonopah, Ariz.

Griffiths: Timmsy is great to play with, and having her on my new team in a new country makes it easier to fit in over here.

Dear Michelle, do you intend to come back to play for the Sydney Flames in the 98/99 season? Thank you.
Michael Mayer Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Griffiths: Yes I do -- I'm signed with the Sydney Flames until the end of the 1999/2000 season.

My girlfriend is studying at ANU in Canberra and we've been apart for many months now. How do you and your husband cope with the seperation of a long distance relationship? Also, does it add stress that may affect your game in ways that the single women on the team don't feel?
Kevin Vaughan-Brubaker Phoenix, Ariz.

Griffiths: Fortunately for me, my husband came with me to the United States and will be with me for the whole time that I am here. But when we were dating, he lived in Melbourne and I was in Adelaide. We were lucky that our communication over the phone during that time was great -- very open. Personally, I don't think it adds stress to be married while playing professional basketball.

Michelle, you are my favorite player on the Mercury. When I grow up, I want to be a pro basketball player and pretty just like you. How did you get started playing basketball and how old were you? I am 10 and 5-5. My parents say that me and my sister will both be over 6-2. Watching your team play made me want to start playing too.
Katie Fisher Phoenix, Ariz.

Griffiths: I started playing when I was 10 years old -- like you -- and just loved things we did as a team. I still love being a part of a team!

How does it feel playing in the best basketball competition in the world? And how much does the atmosphere and style of the game differ to that of the WNBL?
Jonathan Lee Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Griffiths: I really enjoy being in this league. We average about 13,000 fans every game here in Phoenix, so it's a big difference from the WNBL, which doesn't get nearly that many.

G'day Michelle,
Great to see you have started off your WNBA career in such a great fashion. I have been managing to keep up-to-date via the Internet. How different are you finding it now being a professional ball player? Isn't there a huge difference in terms of the womens games popularity compared to Oz? And what are your expectations for the remainder of this season ? Michelle, all the best for the rest of the season and I look forward to watching you and the rest of the Aussies back here in summer.
Sandy Lonergan Sydney, NSW, Australia

Griffiths: It's different being a pro ball player because it's harder on your body. As for things here in Phoenix, I've found that there are better athletes in the U.S., but better "team" players in Australia. But we are lucky here on the Mercury that everyone is a team player!