Coach Richardson’s Phrases Keeping Shock on Track

Originally Published: May 3, 2010 10:21 PM CDT

Kyle Dierking
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma - He's been known to be very quotable, but what's the one line from Nolan Richardson that's stuck with his new Tulsa Shock players.

"He says so many things - so many phrases," said Shock rookie Vivian Frieson.

The passage Richardson's been peddling hasn't come from him, rather it's something he's borrowed legendary football coach Vince Lombardi.

"Fatigue makes cowards of us all," guard Natasha Lacy said when asked what saying Richardson uses regularly.

"That one sticks with you," guard Alexis Hornbuckle said when referring to the saying.

As it turns out, Richardson's players aren't the only ones he's dropping the line on.

"Vince Lombardi once said that fatigue will make cowards of us all," Richardson said in an interview earlier this season.

The quote coincides well with the Shock's fast-paced, 40 minutes-of-hell style of play.

"You know, when you get tired that's all you hear is him saying that," forward Plenette Pierson said.

"You're tired and just have to fight through it. You not only have to be physically in shape, but mentally you have to be prepared and strong," Hornbuckle said.

"If I have a team that's in the coward mode - that's what we want to do to the opponent. We want to make them cowards," Richardson said.

"We're kind of trying to make that our motto and keep going and trying to not get fatigued," Pierson said.

The Shock will continue to battle through that fatigue all the way up to their season opener against Minnesota on May 15.