BACK HOME IN PHOENIX, BATHING KINGSTON AND TAKING CARE OF MY ANKLE

Hello everyone!


I tell you it is some good to be back in Phoenix! We have had a pretty good road trip -- winning 3 out of the 4 games speaks volumes for us as whole. It is extremely difficult to come away with wins sometimes on the opponent's home court, but we overcame the road adversity. It was a long road trip and I missed my dog Kingston a lot and when I got back and went to pick him up I knew that he missed me as well. We have had a lot of fun since he's been back -- especially the bath part. Seriously though, he was really good.


The team was  also off today which was really good for us. I had a great pool work out and my ankle is definitely getting better. We have Chicago again this Friday. This is a good stretch for us to get some wins at home. Big Syl will be in town, so it will be good to see the LSU players on the floor together. Including myself and Marie Ferdinand-Harris. Ok now there are almost less than 10 days for you all to vote online or via text message for your favorite all-star. If I am that person Text 69622 and choose my name Johnson and send me to San Antonio for the all-start game. Thanks for all your help!

Meek

MEEK'S BUSINESS SAVY PORTRAYED IN INTERNET ARTICLE

The following comes from the website www.daily-pearls.com.

Temeka Johnson is about business.

When Temeka Johnson returned to training camp on the 15th, she was accompanied by a Bermuda breeze in the form of an experience that will forever change the lives of two young Bermudians. Temeka took her love of basketball and command of the game and has given hope through her not-for-profit HOPE (Heaven Opens Peoples Eyes) to Bermuda players interested in experiencing the WNBA first-hand. Johnson has showed that her heart for the game goes beyond her connection with her teammates and has transcended miles and conquered sands to make dreams come true. This is just one way that she achieves her goals of spreading hope all around the world. Johnson says, “I have everything I wished for and much more; so for me, now it’s about doing things for others.”

Temeka Johnson of the Phoenix Mercury is truly a phoenix. Rising from the ashes of adversity to an explosive career in the WNBA, Temeka is a professional on and off the court. She has mastered the game of basketball, earning her the title of Rookie of the Year as well as mastering business and her brand. There is no wonder she is highly sought after to represent organizations, products and charitable missions.

Passion, poise and philanthropy are words that easily describe Temeka’s drive and never-ending personal work mantra.  Temeka reflected on her beginnings with the WNBA sharing, “I understood going in that basketball was really entertainment for people who were excited about the sport. I knew that I was committed to going above and beyond for the fans.” There is no denying that Temeka does just that; it is commonplace to find her at practice two hours early, continuously training and conditioning to be the best she can be.

Temeka is so calculated about her playing time that she only plays the 2nd half of the overseas season because the 3-4 game week for the entire overseas season can  put a strain on the body physically and she would never want to disappoint her fans.

With Temeka, her best is not limited the court. She is a champion of heart and inspiration to communities, her team and league mates.  A true ambassador for her sport, her story of triumph, motivation and dedication is inspiring.  Temeka has gone from the block where she was told she would never succeed and was too small in stature, heart and resources to the bench, beating the odds and playing the big game of basketball on an international stage. She has made it to the boardroom where she blossoms as a leader, entrepreneur, author and mentor.

Many are called, and few are chosen. Basketball, brilliance and bounty are clearly Temeka’s destiny.

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/jcbat8

MEEK AND MERCURY BOND ON A BUS RIDE

We made it to Indianapolis safely!!!

 I was so proud of extremely proud of my teammates for willing through that win against the Chicago Sky. We had just played the night before against a tough and competitive Atlanta Dream. I was also proud of my former teammate and good friend Sylvia Fowles for how well she played and how much she has grown as a player.

We took the bus from Chicago to Indy which is only like 3 hours. It was such a good time because we spent a lot of time talking to one another and learning more and more about each other. The good thing was that it was not basketball talk. We sometimes need to take a break from that and today we did just that.

Once we arrived at the hotel we were all a little stunned by how it looked on the outside, but once we got inside we were surprised to see the setup and the train that also has beds and rooms in them. I thought that was very neat.

After getting checked in, we headed to shop a little at the mall and then Nakia, Marie and myself headed to PF Changs to grab some food. After that Marie and I did a quick pool workout which was really good for our legs, and great for my ankle. By the way the ankle is getting better and I am doing everything that I can to get back to helping my team with this run we are on. By the time I finished all that I was beat. I showered, read Proverbs 22, finished up some ice and stem for treatment, and called it a night.

Meek

THOUGHTS ON TEACHING

It's funny how life works.  I get a visit from Julius Erving at practice...google his name...find a great quote on teaching...and think of my grandmother!  Well here are some more good thoughts on "teaching" --

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth." 

 ~Dan Rather

In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work.  It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years. 

~Jacques Barzun

Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions. 

 ~Author Unknown

A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron. 

~Horace Mann

A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. 

 ~Author Unknown

A good teacher is a master of simplification and an enemy of simplism. 

 ~Louis A. Berman

A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image. 

~Author Unknown

What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches. 

 ~Karl Menninger

THE "THANKLESS TASK" OF TEACHING

Visiting with Julius Erving yesterday made an impression on me.  So much that I took some time out last night to jump on Google and learn a little bit more about him.  And then I came across this quote.  It hit me like a thunderbolt because it speaks to something that is so important to me.  Here is what Dr. J had to say about teachers:

"Teachers are sort of faced with a thankless task,

 because no matter how good they are, unless

they find a way to personally rationalize the rewards of their effort,

 nobody else is really going to do it for them en mass."

Many of you know about my love for my grandmother who was a teacher and made education a priority in our home.  Both she and many other teachers made such an impact in my life that I have started a scholarship fund in my grandmother's name for students studying education.

MEEK AND THE MERCURY GET A HOUSE CALL FROM THE DOCTOR!

Look at the surprise we got at our practice today. I know you all would love this one! That's right -- Julius Erving -- Dr. J stopped by to visit us!

He spoke to us and shared how much respect he has for us and  how much he loves Annie (Ann Meyers-Drysdale)

He told us he fights for us and know what we have to overcome as well as what we have already overcame.

It was a thrill to meet one of the games all time great players -- but it was an inspiration to meet such an outstanding person!

Meek

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY COURTESY THE SWANIER FAMILY

After coming off of such a good win in San Antonio, the Swanier's blessed us with a great home cooked meal in Atlanta. When we arrived after a long day of travel as well as a long sit on the runway, everyone was really hungry. Usually we would grab a snack or something to hold us over. Not this time, no one wanted to ruin their appetite. Once we got our bags we headed to the bus and to the Swanier's we were headed. Once we pulled up we knew what we were in for. There were ribs, beans, salad, kicking chicken, baked fish, bake chicken, a special cake made for us, and some home made pecan candy. This was such a good time. The team really enjoyed ourselves and we want to truly thank our teammate Ketia and her mom and dad for welcoming all of us with open arms in their home.

We are headed to practice soon, to prepare for the Atlanta dream, my ankle is getting better and better each day. We ate still moving in the right direction, and it is slowly but surely coming together.

Meek

MEEK "PERFECT" IN PHOENIX VICTORY

Temeka Johnson was perfect from the floor and did little wrong in running her team last night as the Phoenix Mercury notched their second consecutive victory with a win over previously undefeated San Antonio 105-98.

Meek hit all five of her field goal attempts including 2 of 2 from behind the arc and added a 2 of 2 from the free throw line. She also passed off for 6 assists with only one turnover in the Mercury victory.

Meek did give everyone a little scare midway through the fourth quarter when she rolled her ankle but it is not expected to cost her any missed time in their next game, June 24th at Atlanta.

Penny Taylor scored 30 points and Candice Dupree had 20 points and 13 rebounds to help the Phoenix Mercury beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 105-98 on Tuesday night. Kara Braxton added 15 points for the Mercury (2-3), who overcame an off night from star guard Diana Taurasi. The league's leading scorer shot 2 for 13 and finished with seven points.

Box Score: http://on.nba.com/k9u8Ed

MEEK VS. SAN ANTONIO ON ESPN2 TONIGHT

Hey all!

We were really happy to grab our first win on Sunday and we are looking for this to be the turn around that we were looking for.

Tonight we face off with the San Antonio Silver Stars again at 7:00 PM CST on ESPN2. We let the game at home get away from us so  this is yet another one that we need. Shoot around was great this morning everyone was focused and aware. This is definitely a great vibe!

Meek 

MERCURY GRAB OVERTIME VICTORY

by Odeen Domingo of the Arizona Republic:

Just a little bit more of both earned the Mercury their first win of the season.

The Mercury beat the Indiana Fever 93-89 in overtime Sunday. It was a win they needed for their own psyche after starting the season 0-3. A win they needed for their fans, including the 7,701 at US Airways Center. And a win they needed before embarking on a four-game, eight-day road trip.

The Mercury came back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter and a five-point deficit in overtime. With the intensity displayed on the court, it didn't look like the fourth game of the season.

"It felt like Game 5 of the (WNBA) Finals," Diana Taurasi said. "That's how we have to treat every game. I think today, we showed the kind of team we could be. But the key is to build on it. It's no good if it's just for one game."

Taurasi scored a game-high 32 points, seven in overtime (all from the free-throw line). Reserve guard Marie Ferdinand-Harris contributed 17 points and two clutch free throws from Temeka Johnson at the end of regulation.  And the Mercury needed all of Candice Dupree's 18 rebounds (eight offensive) and 21 points. It was Dupree's third consecutive double-double, the longest streak of her career.

"They had the fight in them today," Mercury coach Corey Gaines said. "So that really helps. . . . They are winners in there. You forget how tough (the WNBA) is."

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/kFVuRF

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Hello Everyone!

Today is that Special Day for Dad's. I know that everyday that we have with each one of our fathers is a special dad, but this dad has been especially made just for them to have. I want to wish every father out there a Happy Fathers day and I hope that you enjoy it to the fullest.

I am blessed and luck enough to have my Dad here with me right now, we have been having such a great time since he arrived on Friday and it will continue until he leaves.
I will take him out to eat today, but first we must face off with the Indiana Fever. They are a really good team and they are searching for a win after coming off of a loss, but so are we so it will definitely be a good. If you are in the area and looking for something to do. Bring your dads down to US Airways Center @ 3pm.  It will be one to see. I hope to see you all there but if not for this one I think i could understand.

Until next time,
Meek

MEET MY NEW BUDDY -- KINGSTON

Hello all!

I want to share with you my new addition to my family. Everyone please welcome Kingston my chocolate miniature schnauzer!

I know everyone knows about Max but Max has bonded with someone else. My friend April and her daughter Lisa Marie is going to love Max. I love that I will be able to keep up with him at all times so don't worry I will know how he is doing and where he is.

Now for basketball -- we take on the San Antonio Silver Stars tonight and it is our first home game. This will be exciting and the start to something great for us.  I will also get to see a few of my LSU Lady Tigers -- Scholanda and Roneeka. Looking forward to it. I also have my dad flying in for this game and the one on Sunday so this should be a fun weekend.

If you haven't voted for me for the all-stat game please do so at www.WNBA.com or text 69622 and choose my name.

Ok until next time,

Meek

SUNS COACH CARTWRIGHT GIVES US AN ASSIST

Our post players have been working really hard trying to get the timing of everything down, setting great screens to get us open, as well as running the floor hard; but the part that really stands out is them working extra with Coach Bill Cartwright on their post moves, and understanding those moves and how as well as when to use them. 

First, how about Coach Cartwright taking the time out to work with our players.  Here's a guy who has won his share of games and championships -- especially playing with a certain #23 with the Chicago Bulls.  He's been an assistant for the Suns for sometime now but I really respect him for taking the time out to work with our post players and I know from talking to them how beneficial it's been for them.

Here's an article about it: http://bit.ly/lyQiC7

EARLY START MEANS BETTER FOCUS FOR MEEK

Today is another day for us to get better and move in the right direction. I am up early getting ready to head to the gym. It is a must for me to get there early. I can get taped, stretched, but more importantly focused.

While I was at LSU,  I learned that if you step on the floor 15 min before practice then you are already late. Time management is everything, and being a leader this is something that is very important. If you are in a hurry, or rushed or anything then it throws off everything that you have to do throughout the day as well as affect you well you lead others. It just has a trickle affect of something getting in the way of something else. I would rather be prepared, so arriving 2 hours ahead of time I would say helps me to stay focus and keep my eyes on being the best leader I can be. Talk to you all later.

Oh yeah don't forget to vote for me in the all-stat game on www.WNBA.com and you can also text it in and pick my name at 69622 thank you all for your votes.

Meek

LOVIN' COACH K'S "NEXT PLAY" PHILOSOPHY

Everyone knows that Mike Krzyzewski is an outstanding coach — but do you know why?  I think that’s important.  Of course his National Championships and Final Four appearances speak for themselves.  But his most impressive accomplishment to me is how he molded so many strong individual together from the NBA to wing the Gold Medal for Team USA.  He obviously has a philosophy that works towards bring people together.

I was reading about Coach K and some of his thoughts and came across his “next play” mantra.  It really his hard with me with our team getting off to a slow start.  Certainly we are very early in the season and started with two strong opponents on the road but we know as a team we are not where want to be.

That’s what I like about Coach K’s ‘next play’ philosophy.  It pertains to basketball and life.  You can have a bad play, a bad game or bad day and the main thing is to learn from it and immediately get on to the “next play.” 

 Here is how Coach K explains it:

"In basketball and in life, I have always maintained the philosophy of 'next play.' Essentially, what it means is that what you have just done is not nearly as important as what you are doing right now.  The 'next play' philosophy emphasizes the fact that the most important play of the game or life moment on which you should always focus is the next one. It is not about the turnover I committed last time down the court, it's not even about the three-pointer I hit to tie the game, it is about what's next.

To waste time lamenting a mistake or celebrating success is distracting and can leave you and your team unprepared for what you are about to face. It robs you of the ability to do your best at that moment and to give your full concentration. It's why I love basketball. Plays happen with rapidity and there may be no stop-action. Basketball is a game that favors the quick thinker and the person who can go on to the next play the fastest."

MEEK ON SHOOTING (PART 1)

Of all the skills that a basketball player works to perfect, none are more difficult than that of shooting.  Shooting the basketball is indeed an art that takes a great deal of time to perfect.  It is a difficult skill because it involves the entire body.  To be a good shooter you must involve the following body parts:

Feet – the base of the shot

Knees – flexed to enable you the power behind your shot

Shoulders – squared to the target

Elbow – under the ball, bent for strength and accuracy

Fingers – to control the ball

Wrists – again for power as well as rotation and follow through

Eyes – fixed on the target

And of course, that is only the physical part as a major part of shooting is the mental capacity to concentrate on each shot.  The key to being a good shooter is both simple and difficult at the same time.

The simple part is to develop good shooting mechanics. The difficulty comes from making sure that you consistently shoot the basketball that way every time.  It takes a dedicated basketball player with great mental concentration to become a good shooter.  You always see the streak shooter:  the shooter that can hit seven out of 10 on one night and then hit two of 12 the next night.  Those shooters have the technique to be good but they don’t have the discipline.  It is the discipline of working on your shooting every day that develops the necessary habits to be consistently good.

There is also a difference in being a good shooting and having the ability to score.  You probably know a player that can shoot the basketball well but doesn’t score a lot of points. 

GETTING BETTER

Today was a good one for us.  We the Mercury really got after each other in Practice this Morning. We ran, and ran and ran, and then ran some more. We scrimmaged, and competed extremely hard against one another and this is something that we really needed.

Learning from a loss is not what you really want to do, but it does have its perks about it. We have learned a lot about ourselves as well as one another. Some of it is like some of it is disliked but so what that happens in families, but the most important thing is that we all share that same Goal -- A Championship.

We are working hard you all and believe me we are moving in the right direction.

Until next time!

Meek

MEEKS WANTS YOUR VOTE!

Don't miss out on your opportunity to vote for Meek for this year's WNBA All-Star game!  Just click on the link and follow the directions.

Remember -- you can vote once each day!

Vote here: http://on.nba.com/jRcc8G

ANOTHER LESSON LEARNED

Hey all!

I know, I know, I know...

You all are wondering what is going on with us?  Well I thought the same exact thing yesterday and then realized just how early it is right now; and how much more work we must put in as a group. I am super happy with the group that we have and I truly believe in each and everyone of us. We are still learning one another and I know that we will get where we need to be. Los Angeles played really well last night, and they were shooting the ball pretty well I will give that credit. Rest a shore everyone we will get all the pieces together that we need to turn this thing around.

Until Next time

Meek

RUNNING INTO THE GREAT BILL RUSSELL

Good morning all! I am up early and in the training room getting ready for our practice.

As I sit back and reflect on yesterday's game I came up with the same conclusion -- although it wasn't the outcome that we expected, we still learned a lot from it and I know we will grow from it.

There a was highlight of yesterday though, as we walked through the airport we were  blessed to run into one of the games greatest, Bill Russell. He was really nice as he sat there with his Boston hat. He definitely loves Boston!

I remember while in college at LSU that my assistant coach told me the following story about Mr. Russell:

It seems that Bill Russell was in the airport with Celtic teammate John Havlicek when someone came up and asked Russell "are you a basketball player?"

"No," replied Russell.

As the person walked off, Havlicek looked at Russell and said "why did you tell him you weren't a basketball player?"

I'm not a basketball player," replied Russell.  "I'm a man who happens to play basketball."

The point that Coach Starkey was making to us was not to let basketball define who we are and what we stand for as individuals.

One of my teammates ask him who he thought was going to win the championship out of Dallas/ Miami. His response was "who are those guys."   LOL! Got to love that  -- like I said, he loves his Boston Celtics!

Time to get to work though talk to you all again soon.

MEEK DONATES BOOKS TO JOPLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Temeka Johnson, like the rest of the nation, had a difficult time viewing the images of Joplin, Missouri -- a town that was decimated by a tornado.  With a death toll approaching 150 and nearly an entire community of homes completely destroyed, Meek spend a great deal of time in prayer.

"After seeing first hand the pain and devestation caused to my family and friends after Hurricane Katrina, these type of natural disasters strike a very emotional cord inside me," said Johnson.

But as there was in Hurricane Katrina, post stories about courage and determination come to the fore front.  In a conversation with Amber Cox, the Chief Operating Officer for the Phoenix Mercury, Meek heard one such story.

"Amber told me that the sister of her best friend was an elementary school teacher and that her entire school was destroyed by the tornado," said Johnson.  "Yet she and the other teachers of the school are determined to start summer school in two weeks.  Those teachers -- now there's some real heroes."

To help with the process, Meek is going to donate copies of her childrens book, "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions."  They will be shipped out on Monday in time for the start of the summer school session.

"Writing this book was a very special process for me," said Meek.  "But there's been no greater joy for me than to donate these books to brave people of Joplin, Missouri."

MEEK, MERCURY DROP OPENER TO SEATTLE

SEATTLE (AP) Sue Bird scored 13 points and handed out 10 assists, Camille Little led Seattle with 18 points and the defending WNBA champion Storm opened the 2011 season with a 78-71 win over of the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday.

Lauren Jackson added 15 points and seven rebounds as Seattle built a big fourth-quarter lead and then watched Phoenix's Diana Taurasi try to rally the Mercury in the closing seconds.

Taurasi scored a game-high 31, including 11 in the closing minutes as Phoenix trimmed a 19-point deficit to within five with 16 seconds left.

Temeka Johnson had four points, four rebounds and four assists.

Box Score: http://on.nba.com/jWsZKR

MEEK AND MERCURY ON ABC!

PHOENIX @SEATTLE

Saturday, June 4

ABC  -  3:00 PM EST

AN INSPIRING VIEW

Hey everyone!  Thought I'd take a break and give you some insight in to a "day in the life of Temeka Johnson."

First off, this is the view from the balcony of my apartment here in Phoenix -- what an amazing view.  I literally look at the US Airways Center everyday and envision that great moment of winning a championship in 2009 and it inspires me to work hard so that we can relive it again in the future!

The start of the 2011 season is here and we have trained hard and have been working towards that great goal again. I am headed to this building as we speak and later today we will head out to Seattle.  Talk about starting the season off with a bang!  We get to tip-off on the road against the defending champion Seattle Storm. 

Be sure to check us out!  We play the Storm on national television -- ABC at 3:00 PM EST.

MEEK CHECKS IN WITH HER FIRST BLOG FOR NOLA.COM

Temeka Johnson, Kenner native, Bonnabel and LSU graduate and the point guard for the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, will be providing a weekly update on her life in professional basketball for the readers of NOLA.com. This is her first installment.

The WNBA is starting its 15th season today, which is a great accomplishment. The WNBA has given me and many others the opportunity to play in front of family and friends and for it to still be here 15 seasons later shows me that it will be here to do the same for so many others in the years to come.

I am headed into my seventh season in this league. Yes, time really does fly. I can't even believe it.

We have been gearing up to kick off the 2011 season Saturday against the defending champion Seattle Storm (check us out on ABC at 2 p.m.) with two weeks of two-a-days.

So far, things have been great. We have been bonding as a team both on and off the court. This is a new and improved team and I am excited about where things are headed. I hope that you all follow us as a team and you can also follow me on Facebook - Temeka Johnson-Meek, Twitter - @quickdeuce as well as my blog spot, 2meekmoments.blogspot.com. Come along with me and my team, the Phoenix Mercury, as we ride this road and try to get another championship. Talk to you all again soon with more of what's to come.

- Temeka

Check out the entire blog: http://bit.ly/mnqboc

A BIG CONGRATS TO SHAQ!!!

It's getting a little late out here in Phoenix (not to mention the heat) but I've got to take some time to congratulate one of my fellow LSU alums -- Shaquille O'Neal -- for his retirement and his tremendous career.  Growing up watching the Big Guy dominate in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center was something special. 

But the thing about Shaq is that he still continues to make an impact on the LSU campus.  He sponsors the Shaquille O'Neal CHAMPS Life Skills Program which benefits every student-athlete at LSU.  He also comes back and hosts a golf tournament to raise money for the CHAMPS program ran by one of my mentors, Mike Mallett. 

Now Shaquille has won his share of championship rings and MVP trophies -- he's made countless highlight reels with his monster dunks -- but the thing I will always remember the most is that when Hurricane Katrina hit my home town area and devestated the New Orleans area, Shaq was down in Miami loading up tractor trailer trucks with supplies that he either purchased or collected.  And I mean he was physically down there helping to load them himself.  And this is just one of a hundered examples of how Shaq has reached out and made a difference. 

These acts are some of the things that have inspired me to work so hard in developing my HOPE Foundation.  I want to be able to have the type of reach that Shaq has had throughout the years.  Because I know that while he has retired from the NBA, I guarantee you that he has only begun to impact others with his kindness.

CONGRATS SHAQ!!!

MEEK TO WRITE WEEKLY COLUMN

Temeka Johnson will be showcasing her journalistic skills this year by providing a weekly update on her life in professional basketball for The Times-Picayune, her hometown newspaper in New Orleans.  You can keep with the column at NOLA.com as well as here on her blog.  Her first installment will appear Friday.

MEEK FEATURED IN NEW ORLEANS NEWSPAPER

The following is an article written by Hunter Paniagua of the Times-Picayune:

The brutal Russian winter has often been credited for the failures of military invasions, most notably causing the downfall of Napoleon's army.

But blizzards and subzero temperatures didn't deter Temeka Johnson, a Kenner native and former LSU Lady Tiger, from succeeding in her stint in the Russian Premier Basketball League. Johnson, the starting point guard for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, braved the bitter cold and led Dynamo Kursk to the league championship series, where it lost to Nadezhda Orenburg in a three-game series.

Johnson said she stepped well out of her comfort zone to play in Russia, especially in communicating with Russian teammates and a Lithuanian head coach that spoke English but reverted to his native tongue in tight situations.

Like many other American players, Johnson journeyed overseas with hopes of making extra money during the offseason. But the experience resulted in more than just monetary gains.

"It gave me the opportunity to get to know myself and grow as a young woman," said Johnson, 28. "I embraced it and accepted it. I learned a lot from it. It was definitely good for me to go over there.

"It gave me the time to sit back and reflect on everything. It took me away from my comfort zone and allowed me to step away and actually see things for what they were and reflect on everything I was doing in my life."

Now back in the United States, Johnson's Mercury tip off the 2011 season Saturday against the Seattle Storm looking to return to the glory it experienced in their 2009 championship season.

Mercury Coach Corey Gaines said the team's success depends on Johnson's leadership. Gaines compares her to the lead dog in a sled race.

"We go as fast as she goes," Gaines said. "The way she goes is the way we go. In our system, the point guard pushes the pace, and if she's not going fast, we're not going fast."

Johnson understands her role and embraces leading her pack.

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/myDSkr