With two wins over the weekend, the Detroit Shock took a big step towards keeping their playoff hopes alive for 2005. They are now only a game behind Washington for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The top four teams in each conference make the postseason, so the Shock at least has to move up that one spot to keep playing past August 27 which is the day of their last regular season game.

Flint, Michigan native and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor grad Stacey Thomas has been traded by the Shock to Minnesota along with Chandi Jones, for Katie Smith and a pick in next season's draft. I am partial to Stacey because of her Flint and U of M connections, and Chandi had her moments with the Shock. They both will be missed. On the other hand, Smith looked good in her Detroit debut yesterday with six points on a pair of three point shots and three assists.

Ruth Riley, who I have been critical of this season, picked up her game with 10 points and 8 rebounds including a very critical one at the end of the game. Good job, Ruth, and keep it up!

More comments on the Shock later today.