Defending Champion Detroit Likely Will Be Tough to Topple

Shannon "Pee Wee" Johnson, a four-time all-star who played for the San Antonio Silver Stars last season, has earned a reputation as a point guard with a scorer's mentality. But after joining the Detroit Shock as a free agent, Johnson, a sure starter on most every other team in the WNBA, will have to get used to a foreign role: coming off the bench.

The veteran's predicament is less an indication of her skills than an endorsement of just how strong a roster Detroit has assembled in its defense of its WNBA championship.

"I think we're pretty good," said Bill Laimbeer, who will lead the Shock in its pursuit of a third WNBA championship since 2003.

Indeed, a quick survey of Detroit's roster reveals a core group of stars, all in the prime of their careers. That is the challenge facing the rest of the league's contenders when the WNBA kicks off its 11th season on Saturday.

"They have an extremely strong starting five," ESPN analyst Doris Burke said. "The first time Detroit won a title, Laimbeer acknowledged that they were too young to know how to defend a title. That isn't the case anymore. Detroit definitely has a chance to repeat."

Perhaps the game's best back court resides in Detroit with Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith. Nolan, who along with forward Cheryl Ford led the Shock with 13.8 points per game last season, might be the most athletic guard in the WNBA. She is paired with Smith, a heady guard who is regarded as one of the best all-around players in the league. Smith's decision-making ability has been one of the catalysts of Detroit's emergence as a potential dynasty.

In Ford, who led the league last season with 11.3 rebounds per game, the Shock have a tough front-court player in the Laimbeer mold. Forward Swin Cash also averaged double digits in scoring and is credited as a steadying force in the locker room.

Even when the salary cap forced Detroit to move WNBA Finals MVP Ruth Riley in a trade, the Shock landed capable post player Katie Feenstra, who Laimbeer believes can replace some of that production.

Talent aside, the Shock as a group has reflected the tough, aggressive style that Laimbeer perfected as a player during his "Bad Boys" days as a brash, on-court enforcer for the Detroit Pistons. It's an edge that the Shock brings once again.

Los Angeles Sparks Coach Michael Cooper said he can see Laimbeer's fingerprints on the Shock.

"I think former players kind of coach the way they played or were coached," said Cooper, who returns to the Sparks, replacing Joe "Jellybean" Bryant. "Detroit I don't think crosses the line. They play very hard basketball. You play the way that your team is and they are a very physical team. They've got some very talented players."

Laimbeer said his team is aware that contenders are lurking. And his team's top challengers aren't too far away.