Sports (washingtonpost.com)

WNBA Team-by-Team Capsules

By Kathy Orton and Camille Powell
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, May 21, 2004; Page D11

Washington Mystics
2003: 9-25, seventh in the East.
Coach: Michael Adams (1st season). Arriving: G Alana Beard (5-11, 160; first-round pick, Duke); C Chasity Melvin (6-3, 185; dispersal draft); G Tamicha Jackson (5-6, 120; acquired from Phoenix via trade); C Kaayla Chones (6-3, 180; second round, N.C. State).
Departing: F Asjha Jones (6-2, 198; traded, Connecticut); G Annie Burgess (5-7, 141; waived); G Helen Luz (5-8, 144; playing internationally); G Jocelyn Penn (6-0, 160; waived).
What to Look For: An up-tempo, running offense that also features some isolation sets to take advantage of the versatility and one-on-one skills of F Chamique Holdsclaw (20.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg) and Beard. The Mystics have a deep back court with Beard, lightning-quick newcomer Jackson, and steady returnees Coco Miller and Stacey Dales-Schuman (who combined for 200 assists and 89 three-pointers in 2003). Adams, a former Bullets standout, is the team's seventh coach in seven seasons.
Will Make Playoffs If: Holdsclaw stays healthy (she missed seven games because of injury last year), if Melvin (13.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg in 2003) and Chones can be an inside presence to balance the backcourt, and if team defense improves (Mystics gave up league-worst 73.5 ppg in 2003). The Mystics, who lost in the Eastern Conference finals in 2002 and then dropped to last in the East in 2003, can take inspiration from Detroit, which completed a worst-to-first turnaround last year.

Charlotte Sting
2003: 18-16, tied for second in East.
Coach: Trudi Lacey (2nd season). Arriving: F Nicole Powell (6-2, 170; first round, Stanford); C Olympia Scott-Richardson (6-2, 175; free agent, Indiana); G Sophia Witherspoon (5-10, 145; free agent, Los Angeles); F Mery Andrade (6-0, 169; dispersal draft).
Departing: G Kelly Miller (5-10, 140; traded, Indiana).
What to Look For: Team has veteran leaders, most notably PG Dawn Staley (7.9 ppg, 5.1 apg), and strong perimeter play in G Andrea Stinson (11.1 ppg, 45.8% FG) and F Allison Feaster (12.4 ppg, 72 3-pt. FG). The front court remains a question mark.
Will Make Playoffs If: The Sting keeps the form that has put it in the playoffs six of seven years. With the core of its team back, expect another postseason appearance. But the defense needs to improve for a deeper run.

Connecticut Sun
2003: 18-16, tied for second in East.
Coach: Mike Thibault (2nd season). Arriving: G Lindsay Whalen (5-8, 150; first round, Minnesota); F Asjha Jones (6-2, 198; trade, Washington); G Jen Derevjanik (5-10; free agent, George Mason)
Departing: F Brooke Wyckoff (6-1, 183; ACL tear); C Rebecca Lobo (6-4, 185; retired); G Shannon Johnson (5-7, 144; traded, San Antonio); C Jessie Hicks (6-4, 188; free agent, San Antonio).
What to Look For: Preseason injuries drastically affected the lineup. Jones took Wyckoff's spot at power forward. Whalen went in after G Debbie Black went down with a knee injury on May 7 and Johnson was traded. F Nykesha Sales (16.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg), a five-time all-star, and G Katie Douglas (12 ppg, 47 3-pt. FG) will need to compensate.
Will Make Playoffs If: Whalen make a successful transition to the pros after an outstanding college career.

Detroit Shock
2003: 25-9, WNBA champion.
Coach: Bill Laimbeer (third season, 34-22). Arriving: G Merlakia Jones (5-10, 147; free agent, Cleveland); G Chandi Jones (5-11, 154; first round, Houston, then traded, Detroit ); C Iciss Tillis (6-5, 165; first round, Duke).
Departing: G Kedra Holland-Corn (5-8, 132; free agent, Houston).
What to Look For: Team will bank on F Cheryl Ford (10.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg), the 2003 rookie of the year, and C Ruth Riley (9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), last season's finals MVP. F Swin Cash (16.6 ppg, 3.6 apg) and G Deanna Nolan (12.4 ppg, 2.6 apg) round out the talented lineup. With the addition of prolific scorer Jones, the Shock could threaten the league's single-season scoring record 77.3 points per game. Last season, Detroit averaged 75.1 points.
Will Make Playoffs If: Detroit plays up to its potential and does not yield to the pressure of being the defending champion.

Houston Comets
2003: 20-14, second in West.
Coach: Van Chancellor (eighth season, 161-59). Arriving: G Gordana Grubin (5-11, 165; free agent, Phoenix); G Kedra Holland-Corn (5-8, 132; free agent, Detroit); C Pollyanna Johns Kimbrough (6-3, 165; dispersal draft).
Departing: G Cynthia Cooper (5-10, 150; retired); G Ukari Figgs (5-9, 142; retired); G Janeth Arcain (5-11, 147; in Brazil to train with national team).
What to Look For: With Tina Thompson (16.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Sheryl Swoopes (15.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Cooper, Houston won the first four WNBA championships. The Comets have remained among the elite teams the past three seasons, but a title has eluded them. Part of the problem has been blending newer players with established veterans. Michelle Snow (9.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg), the 2003 WNBA most improved player, began asserting herself last season and should be even more of a factor this year.
Will Make Playoffs If: Houston has never missed the postseason, but last year's first-round exit was disappointing. The Comets need strong play out of the point guard position to advance.

Indiana Fever
2003: 16-18, tied for fifth in East.
Coach: Brian Winters (first season). Arriving: G Kelly Miller (5-10, 140; trade, Charlotte); C Astou Ndiaye-Diatta (6-3, 182; free agent, Detroit); F Deanna Jackson (6-2, 159; dispersal draft); C Ebony Hoffman (6-2, 210; first round, Southern California).
Departing: G Nikki McCray (5-11, 158; free agent, Phoenix); G Coquese Washington (5-6, 138; retired)
What to Look For: In Tamika Catchings (19.7 ppg, 8 rpg), Indiana has perhaps the most talented all-around player in the WNBA. She led the Fever in every major statistical category and finished second in the voting to eventual league MVP Lauren Jackson and defensive MVP Sheryl Swoopes. Her job should be made easier with the arrival of Miller, who has spent her career backing up Dawn Staley in Charlotte.
Will Make Playoffs If: The Fever can avoid the late season swoon that cost it a trip to the postseason last year, and it gets more production out of its post players.

Los Angeles Sparks
2003: 24-10, first in West.
Coach: Michael Cooper (fifth season, 105-25). Arriving: G Teresa Weatherspoon (5-8, 161; free agent, New York); F Tamika Whitmore (6-2, 190; free agent, New York); F Laura Macchi (6-1, free agent, Europe); F Christi Thomas (6-3, 185; first round, Georgia).
Departing: F Vanessa Nygaard (6-1, 175; free agent, San Antonio); G Sophia Witherspoon (5-10, 145; free agent, Charlotte).
What to Look For: Los Angeles has one of the most formidable front courts in Lisa Leslie (18.4 ppg, 10 rpg), Mwadi Mabika (13.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and DeLisha Milton-Jones (13.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg). Nikki Teasley (11.5 ppg, 6.3 apg) is fast becoming one of the top point guards in the league. The addition of Weatherspoon and Whitmore provides even more depth.
Will Make Playoffs If: They stay healthy. The two-time WNBA champion was upset by Detroit in last year's finals.

Minnesota Lynx
2003: 18-16, tied for fourth in West.
Coach: Suzie McConnell Serio (second season). Arriving: C Nichole Ohlde (6-4, 180; first round, Kansas State); G Helen Darling (5-6, 164; dispersal draft); F Amanda Lassiter (6-1, 143; traded, Seattle).
Departing: F Sheri Sam (6-0, 160; traded, Seattle); C Janell Burse (6-5, 199; traded, Seattle); F Svetlana Abrosimova (6-2, 169; in Russia to train with national team).
What to Look For: The loss of Burse means Ohlde must produce immediately. Lassiter isn't the potent scorer Sam is but is a better three-point shooter. Darling will spell Teresa Edwards, 39, who led Minnesota in assists last season. With the addition of Ohlde, Tamika Williams (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg) should be able to slide over to her more natural position, power forward.
Will Make Playoffs If: The new lineup comes together quickly.

New York Liberty
2003: 16-18, tied for fifth in East.
Coach: Richie Adubato (sixth season, 93-69). Arriving: G Shameka Christon (6-1, 175; first round, Arkansas); C Ann Wauters (6-4, 193; dispersal draft).
Departing: G Teresa Weatherspoon (5-8, 161) and F Tamika Whitmore (6-2, 190), free agents, Los Angeles).
What to Look For: Becky Hammon, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, will take over as the team's full-time point guard now that Weatherspoon has departed. Despite the best efforts of Tari Phillips (11.3 per game), rebounding was a problem last season; Wauters (11.2 ppg, 5 rpg), who did not play in the WNBA in 2003, and Elena Baranova (8.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg) will be asked to contribute in rebounding.
Will Make Playoffs If: The Liberty finds a leader to replace Weatherspoon and becomes better at rebounding. Last season was just the second in which New York missed the playoffs.

Phoenix Mercury
2003: 8-26, seventh in West.
Coach: Carrie Graf (first season). Arriving: G Diana Taurasi (5-11, 172; first round, Connecticut); F Penny Taylor (6-1, 168; dispersal draft); G Nikki McCray (5-11, 158; free agent, Indiana).
Departing: F Lisa Harrison (6-0, 164; retired); G Gordana Grubin (5-11, 165; free agent, Houston).
What to Look For: Everyone is expecting much from Taurasi, the top overall selection in the draft. But Taurasi, who also is competing for a spot on this summer's U.S. Olympic team in addition to making the transition to the WNBA, is coming off an injury-plagued senior year. Phoenix, which had the worst overall offense last season, will rely heavily on her scoring. Taylor (11.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg) should shoulder some of the scoring load. This is Graf's first head coaching job.
Will Make Playoffs If: Taurasi gets the Mercury to believe. Phoenix has missed the playoffs the past three seasons.

Sacramento Monarchs
2003: 19-15, third in West.
Coach: John Whisenant (second season, 12-4 career). Arriving: F Rebekkah Brunson (6-3, 175; first round, Georgetown); F Christelle Jouandon (6-0, 166; free agent, France); G Nuria Martinez (5-9; free agent, Spain).
Departing: F La'Keshia Frett (6-3, 170; free agent, Charlotte).
What to Look For: Sacramento seemingly has been on the verge of a WNBA championship for a few years, but seemingly always runs square into Los Angeles. The Monarchs have a core of experienced veterans-Yolanda Griffith (13.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Tangela Smith (12.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Ticha Penicheiro (5.4 ppg, 6.7 apg)-and a mix of talented young players, including Chantelle Anderson, Hamchetou Maiga and Kara Lawson.
Will Make Playoffs If: The question really is can the Monarchs take the next step beyond the conference finals. They should be among the league's elite again.

San Antonio Silver Stars
2003: 12-22, sixth in West.
Coach: Dee Brown (first season, 16-16 career). Arriving: G Shannon Johnson (5-7, 144; trade, Connecticut); F LaToya Thomas (6-2, 170; dispersal draft); F Agnieska Bibrzycka (6-2, 168; free agent, Europe); F Vanessa Nygaard (6-1, 175; free agent, Los Angeles); C Jessie Hicks (6-4, 188; free agent, Connecticut).
Departing: G Jennifer Azzi (5-8, 143; retired).
What to Look For: Brown, former Orlando Miracle coach, will have one of the quickest back courts in Johnson and Marie Ferdinand (13.8 ppg, 1.7 spg). Johnson should provide more scoring than Azzi. At 7-2, C Margo Dydek (11.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg) is imposing underneath the basket. Adrienne Goodson (11.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg) had her least productive season last year, but is capable of becoming a scoring threat. Bibrzycka was the 2003-04 European player of the year.
Will Make Playoffs If: They come together under their new coach. After reaching the Western Conference finals as the Utah Starzz in 2002, San Antonio failed to advance to the postseason after changing locations.

Seattle Storm
2003: 18-16, tied for fourth in West.
Coach: Anne Donovan (second season, 63-67 career). Arriving: G Betty Lennox (5-8, 143; dispersal draft); F Sheri Sam (6-0, 160; trade, Minnesota); C Janell Burse (6-5, 199; trade, Minnesota).
Departing: G Sandy Brondello (5-7, 136; may stay in Australia to train with national team).
What to Look For: In Lauren Jackson (21.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg), the 2003 league MVP, and Sue Bird (12.4 ppg, 6.5 apg), a two-time all-WNBA guard, Seattle had the beginnings of a contender. After the team added a pair of starters-Lennox and Sam-during the offseason, expectations are high. Donovan wants to make Seattle into more of a transition team, and she has the players to do that.
Will Make Playoffs If: Lennox and Sam mesh with Jackson and Bird.