Hard to root against Parker, but LSU a sentimental choice

I know we all love Naperville native Candace Parker in these parts, but it's difficult not to want to root for LSU this weekend in the Women's Final Four.

And doing that, of course, means rooting against Parker, whose Tennessee Lady Vols will be matched against LSU in Sunday's second national semifinal in Tampa (8 p.m., ESPN).

But let me plead my case. It shouldn't be difficult.

If you have a heart, you've got to feel for the women in the LSU program.

Four years ago, LSU coach Sue Gunter fell ill with emphysema and was unable to finish the 2003-04 season, which endd with LSU's first trip to the Final Four.

Gunter could only watch from her bed at home as assistant coach Pokey Chatman led the Tigers to the Promised Land. Gunter never coached again and in August 2005 she died of complications from her illness.

Everyone in the program was profoundly affected, including the players who are seniors this year. They were all seniors in high school during Gunter's last season, but they were recruited by her and believed when they signed with LSU that they would be playing for her.

Just as the Tigers began the healing process, they were knocked down again -- almost literally -- weeks later by Hurricane Katrina. The storm ravaged the region and many players were affected by it on a personal level.

But wait, there's more.

Just two years after Katrina, the program was hit by another storm cloud. Chatman, who had been named the new head coach, made national headlines last season when news broke that she allegedly had been involved in a sexual relationship with a former player.

She resigned just before the NCAA tournament and disappeared, leaving an assistant to pick up the pieces. The story got messier when it was learned that another assistant coach, a former teammate and friend of Chatman's, was the one who alerted school officials.

Chatman threatened LSU with a huge lawsuit, but a settlement was reach.

Paging Hollywood: Has anyone written a movie about this team yet?

This program certainly doesn't lack for drama. But even more amazing than all of the off-court distractions is this team's on-court results.

After losing Gunter, after surviving Katrina, after watching their former coach limp away in shame, the Tigers have never stopped performing at a high level.

Their first Final Four was Gunter's last year as coach and they've been to every Final Four since.

Problem is, they just haven't been able to win it.

But can you blame them? The distractions, the drama this team has faced could sidetrack anyone.

First year LSU coach Van Chancellor, who won four straight championships in the late 1990s as coach of the WNBA's Houston Comets, is amazed by the resiliency.

"This is one of the reasons I'm so proud of them for making the Final Four," Chancellor said. "No one else in college basketball as a team has overcome the loss of a coach, the loss of another coach, and now you have another new coach again (this season). (They've) gone through all the Hurricane problems.

"This team has been everything you would want as human beings. I think basketball has helped them so much. It's been an outlet for some of the situations they've had to deal with and for them to get to the Final Four, that's what it's all about."

Gumby girl: It will be interesting to see how Candace Parker handles her sore shoulders.

She dislocated her right shoulder earlier this season and dislocated the left one twice in Tennessee's regional final victory over Texas A&M on Tuesday. She was forced to leave the game both times, but returned to play.

"It (was) ugly to look at," team trainer Jenny Moshak said. "Basically, she had a bone sticking out."

On Thursday, Parker was cleared to play in today's national semifinal against LSU by Tennessee's medical staff, which reported that she had a non-traumatic shoulder dislocation and "a very good range of motion."

Just how good?

"I'm like Gumby," Parker said. "I'm loose and it works to my advantage sometimes."