Edwige Lawson-Wade Interview – From Moscow – By: STL

Edwige Lawson Wade

Edwige Lawson Wade

STL: You have spent this season with Spartak, what is the biggest difference between playing ball in Russia and playing ball in the WNBA?

Edwige: Well,the biggest difference is that in wnba,every team is competitive while in russia, there is some great teams that have the best player in the world but there is also some teams that are not as good. When you play for spartak ,you are sure to win most of your games.

STL: I have heard many times that you tell people things in French that mean different things than what they really do. What is the funniest thing you ever convinced someone with?

Edwige: When I played in Russia 3 or 4 years ago,my teamate Svetlana Abrosimova asked me to tell her how to say “I’m beautifull” in french.Our coach spoke french so she went to tell him “Je suis moche” and that really means I’m ugly. Coach was really laughing and me and my french teamate at the time too. I didnt think she was going to tell the coach…

Ann, Ruth, Erin, Edwige

Ann, Ruth, Erin, Edwige

STL: The Silver Stars won the Western Conference Finals 2 seasons ago, barely made the playoffs last year. You have been involved with so many championship teams, you have 3 French championship, 5 French cups and 3 EuroLeague titles. So what do you think is that missing piece that you guys need this year to push you over that hump and win a championship?

Edwige: Well,with Erin and VJ retiring,we are going to need more than one piece.It will be very hard to replace them but we have a great coaching staff.

STL: You have played with and against some of the greatest players in the world, who are some of the toughest that you have faced?

Edwige: The toughest player I have faced is Diana Taurasi. I lost many times in russia against her and in Phoenix as well. No need to say how happy I am to play with her right now. She is even better than I thought.

STL: Do you have anything that you have to do before a game? Superstitions?

Edwige: I am not superstitious but I do keep a routine on game day. The main thing is my nap and my chicken and pasta for lunch…

Edwige Lawson Wade

Edwige Lawson Wade

STL: NBA Commissioner David Stern said that he could see a woman/women playing in the NBA in the future, what do you think about that? Do you think it is possible?

Edwige: I think its a difference in the speed and the athleticism between a woman and a man so I can’t really imagine that happening but you never know.

STL: Out of all the leagues that you have played in around the world, what is the toughest league in your opinion, and what makes it the toughest?

Edwige: The wnba is the best league in the world without a doubt.The game is way faster and more athletic in the states and players are simply better.

STL: When you are on a roadtrip what are some of the things you MUST have with you?

Edwige: On a road trip,I always have my phone,my computer and my bible.

STL: You’ve played with many players from around the world, who are some of the biggest jokers?

Well,my top 3 of biggest jokers are Katie Douglas,Diana Taurasi and Helen Darling.

Edwige & Becky

Edwige & Becky

STL: If you could put a dream team together around yourself, who would be the other 4 players on the floor with you? And who would be your 6th man?

Edwige: Taurasi, Catchings, Lauren Jackson and Ann Wauters. My 6th man would be Becky Hammon because she is a great player but also a great teamate and she would probably take my spot in the starting line up anyway :-)