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IN THE MONTH since joining the Tulsa Shock, former Olympic sprinter Marion Jones has generated a lot of buzz — and not just in the WNBA.
Media outlets from ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption," Fox Sports to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times have reported on the indiscretions that led to Jones' admission of performance-enhancing drug use and a subsequent six-month prison sentence for lying to federal prosecutors.
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The national attention has also shined the light on Tulsa as the newest WNBA franchise.
But Shock head coach Nolan Richardson wants to make something perfectly clear.
"This is not a gimmick," he said. "When you only have 11 roster spots, you can not afford to carry someone who cannot help the team. We're not doing this for headlines. Marion knows she has to be accountable. We told her from the outset this can't have anything to do with you being a track star."
Like Richardson, Jones understands the phenomenon she has created within the WNBA and the Shock.
"I understand there are certain questions that people are going to ask from now until I'm done in the world of sports, and there are certain things I'll touch on," she said following last week's workout at the University of Tulsa. "It comes down to my making bad choices in the past. We all make bad choices. I've paid my dues, and I'm absolutely looking forward to making amends and moving on to the next chapter and journey in my life."
Since coming forward with her bid to play professional basketball, the 34-year-old Jones said fans have responded favorably.
"Everyone has been positive," she said.
If her past transgressions have taught Jones anything, it is not to place too much importance on what is written and said about her.
"I don't read the blogs. I don't read the stories," she said.
One Shock season-ticket holder is glad Jones is a member of the team.
"When I think of Marion Jones, I think of champion," season-ticker holder Dana Doyle said. "She was a champion even before it all went downhill. There was life before all that garbage. What she did, didn't negate everything she had done to that point. I'm glad to see her get a chance, and I'm really glad we have her."
Second chances are the crux of what athletics teaches athletes and fans, Doyle said.
"She paid her debt," she said.
WNBA president Donna Orender agrees.
"I think Marion models the kind of behavior you would want to see from someone who made a bad choice, said they made a bad choice and has chosen to get on with her life for good in a way that is authentic and real. Isn't that what we teach our kids? Here's someone who is doing it.
"So yes, she has our unbridled support in that effort. God bless her. She's doing good and positive constructive things with her life. With the platform she has, I applaud her."
Before Jones joined the Shock, the team and the WNBA addressed any concerns.
Jones was stripped of five medals she won in the 2000 Summer Olympics after she admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs before the Summer Games.
"The (owners) called us and we were on board with her joining the league," Orender said. "I think it's great for the league. Ever since the word of her intent to play in the WNBA has surfaced, I've gotten more questions from an unbelievably broad array about Marion Jones. She's clearly a global figure who people are interested in."
Shock draftee Amanda Thompson, who just competed in her second consecutive Final Four at Oklahoma, is looking forward to getting on the court with Jones.
"When I first think of her, I think of speed," Thompson said. "That's one of the most important things we need on a team, especially if you have a coach that loves transition."
Three-time Naismith Award winner Cheryl Miller was in town last week for an interview with Jones and said she was pleasantly surprised at what she saw in workouts.
"It's funny when you put a number on someone, you may have a certain mindset," said Miller, a former USC standout. "She doesn't have the 34 years of basketball mileage that a lot of players have. She looked terrific."
Miller said she saw new life in Jones.
"It's funny. Everything in life comes full circle. There's ebbs and flows in all our lives," Miller said. "There's positives and then we go through a rough patch. And then, if the karma's right and you're faithful, you have a great faith system and good people surrounding you, good things will happen on the back end. With Nolan and Tulsa and the new franchise, the energy here, she's definitely going to be the face of the franchise. She embraces that, she acknowledges that. It's seeing the light in her eyes, that's probably the best thing I saw."
Said Orender, "Tulsa's outreach to Marion Jones is indicative of the organization wanting to have the best athletes. Her story is yet to be told. But what an exciting and interesting story."
Tulsa Shock key dates
April 21: Open tryouts at Oral Roberts University for all women, age 22 and older who have exhausted their NCAA eligibility. Open to the public.
April 25: Training camp opens for players signed to contracts.
May 14: Teams must cut rosters to 11 players.
May 15: Tulsa Shock opens the 2010 season with a home game against the Minnesota Lynx at the BOK Center.
Tickets: For ticket information, call 599-9622 or go to tulsaworld.com/shock
Lynn Jacobsen 581-8461
lynn.jacobsen@tulsaworld.com SUBHEAD: Excitement, support expressed for Jones' basketball career WNBA: MARION JONES