No road trip for me

New York Liberty guard Becky Hammon shares thoughts on her blog for MSGNetwork.com during the All-Star break...

Hey all...I'm feeling okay. I'm just trying to nurse this ankle back to health and get back on the court as soon as possible.

So, unfortunately I'm not going on the road this time, but generally the best thing about going is being able to hang out, see new cities and, of course, the games. It's fun to go to other people's courts and try to steal games. The worst part of it is the airports and the travel. That whole scenery. It's fun at first, and then it gets kind of old. It wears on you after a while. But that's the worst part, just lugging around your luggage at airports with all the security and everything.

The All-Star break was great. It's funny because I wasn't nervous when I had to speak in front of the whole crowd, but it probably gives me a little more nervousness than playing. It's so much easier to go out there and play than to have to talk or speak in front of that many people. But that thing was so short, it really wasn't that bad. Now, if I had to stand there for an hour and give a speech, maybe it would have been different.

I was actually pretty tired by the end of the day. So I just grabbed some dinner and hung out with Crystal Robinson and Vickie Johnson and some of my Liberty teammates for about half an hour and that was it, I was done for the day.

In the last minute of the All-Star game, some of the players attempted dunks. So a lot of people have been asking me what I think about the whole situation. Well, I don't really have a problem with it. If it happens in the course of the game I think it's great. But to just stand there and get a running start at it, I'm indifferent.

Although it would've been impressive to see Deanna Nolan throw it down, because she's only about 5-foot-9. That would have definitely impressed me. But now, it really hasn't become part of our game yet. Candace Parker did it legit in the half court setting in college, which I thought was fantastic. If they can get it in the flow of offense, then I think it's great. But I don't really care one way or the other.

All I'm concerned with is our progression and development.

Our goal is to just continue to get better as a team - go out, play hard and be more consistent. We just have to make sure our effort is never lacking, make sure we go out there, play hard, and I think we'll be able to grab a few more wins just by doing that.

Till next time everybody!

All-Star fun with some old friends

New York Liberty guard Becky Hammon shares thoughts on her blog for MSGNetwork.com during the All-Star break...

Hello all, thanks for all the well-wishing!

Before tonight's All-Star game, I was hanging around our host hotel, taking it easy, and then I came over to the game, took a lot of pictures and have just been enjoying my time here.

There's a lot going on, you know, just soaking everything up. The ovation I received during the introductions was great, and it was kind of bittersweet because it made me sad that I wasn't playing too. But it's always nice to get a welcoming like that, and it was great that the East won, so I thought that that was fantastic.

The attempted dunks at the end of the game were fine. The game was out of reach, so it really didn't matter. It doesn't make any difference to me, one way or the other; it was a great game, very entertaining, and there was a lot of scoring. Now I'm going to enjoy the rest of the night.

It was great to see Rebecca Lobo and Teresa Weatherspoon out there at Madison Square Garden. I see them periodically, but I'm always excited to see them because we have friendships that go back a long ways. So I thought it was great that they pulled them up and honored them on this night.

But I just can't wait to get back out on the court. My ankle is okay, I've been taking it easy, applying lots of ice and keeping it elevated.

There are so many good players that I'm going to face. Sheryl Swoopes is very skilled, as are Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith. I mean, you can go on and on about the players on the floor - everyone has kind of a unique game. I think whenever you go against a great offensive player, they challenge you and motivate you.

You step up your defensive game if you're going up against a great offensive player. There are some players who are definitely more of a pain in the butt to guard than others, but you kind of get up for the big ones. So I'm just itching to get back out there.

Till next time everybody!

Hanging tough

New York Liberty guard Becky Hammon shares thoughts on her blog for MSGNetwork.com during the All-Star break...

Hello again everyone and thank you for your kind words of encouragement!

Well, the good news is the knee is wonderful, while the ankle is a day-by-day thing. I just keep getting treatment on it, icing it, keeping it elevated.

I'm trying to get a little bit of rest, but I also want to get back on the court as soon as possible to help my team out in the second half.It's kind of annoying, the crutches are getting old! I'm always having to elevate my foot and be on my backside, but it's kind of what the doctor ordered so that's what I'm doing.

Hey '#1Liberty Fan,' I think you're right.We do have a young team and it's kind of a rebuilding year for us and these things take time. You don't build great teams and great chemistry overnight. I mean, you just can't rush experience. You can't rush chemistry.

We're just taking it day-by-day and trying to improve , and we got a nice group of young talent coming up. The future will be bright and we've got a lot to look forward to.

Well 'darlene,' in response to your question regarding my response to the officiating; I know the officials have a tough job, no doubt, and sometimes it's good for us to show some emotion out there, and competitiveness.

Sometimes I do get heated at the officials, but really it's just all in the moment and the heat of the game. Sometimes I make pointed statements to my teammates as well.We're just out there trying to do our best. The officials are part of the game, and so you just kind of go with the flow. I have considered getting a technical, yes. I haven't gotten one yet, but I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind.

Till next time everybody!

Down, but definitely not out

New York Liberty guard Becky Hammon shares thoughts on her blog for MSGNetwork.com during the All-Star break...

Hello Liberty fans!

Well, obviously with my ankle sprained, it's disappointing to not be able to participate in another All-Star game at Madision Square Garden on Wednesday. I'd love to be able to represent and help the crowd get going being that we're in The Garden this year once again.

I'm just going to take in the whole couple of days celebrating our league and our sport and enjoy the little break, while enjoying the time around my peers. Hey, I still want to take part in things surrounding the game being here in New York. Whether it rains on your parade or not, you've still got to follow through with the parade! I'm looking forward to these next few days.

I'll still be resting up, doing some rehab on my ankle, getting some treatment, and trying to get it as healthy as possible for the Liberty. There's still plenty of season left and I'm more than anxious to get on that court again.

In the meantime, I hope you can catch the All-Star Game on TV or in person. I'll be on the bench partaking in some interactivity with you, the fans, so I'm not going to be just hiding out at home!

Check back here for more in the next few days and I'll see you at The Garden!

Becky Hammon