Shock Relying Heavily on Marion Jones

Originally Published: Apr 3, 2010 5:43 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma –Nolan Richardson has seen a lot of talented players in his time as a basketball coach. He’s won on every level and embarks on a new journey this spring in the WNBA as the head coach of the Tulsa Shock.

“I’ve been through this before,” he chuckled. “This isn’t my first rodeo.”

It may not be his first basketball rodeo, but it’s his first time running a women’s professional squad. He insists he’s not worried and is more excited than nervous.

Having a speedster like former Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones on his bench makes it easier to be confident.

“Global folks want to know about her,” said Richardson. “They ask, ‘why are you bringing a lady who hasn’t played since maybe 1997 to play basketball?’ It’s just what I see.”

Bringing in Jones to be a ‘secret weapon’ of sorts makes sense. The irony is that Jones' ability isn’t a secret at all. Once the fastest woman in the world, it’d be hard to find a WNBA-er who hasn’t heard of Jones, who played point guard in college for the 1994 national champion North Carolina Tar Heels.

“I love the game. I’m passionate about it,” said Jones. “I want to be able to get with the team and for us to figure this whole thing out with coach Richardson.”

Jones is perfect fit for Richardson’s scheme. His “40-minutes of hell” brand of basketball requires speed, agility and smarts. Jones possesses all three.

“She’s a winner,” smiled Richardson. “When you have the combination of being a great athlete, you have a chance to win.”

Jones’ growing pains may be an issue. Nobody has seen her play publicly in quite some time, and she will be relied upon to produce in Richardson’s fast-paced game plans. How rusty will she be?

“It’s been so long since I’ve actually put on a basketball uniform,” Jones said. “I’m in the WNBA. I’m playing with and against the best athletes in the world.”

Richardson insists she can transition from the track back to the hardwood seamlessly.

“We’re into those players who can shoot the basketball, not necessarily to take a lot of shots and score points, but really shoot the basketball,” said Richardson. “It’s very important for my teams to scramble, to be able to get up and down the floor and run at a pace that maybe they’re not accustomed to doing.”

If that’s the case, Richardson and the Shock are in luck.

Jones is accustomed to speed.