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2008 WNBA Preview
By Katie Carrera
Friday, May 16, 2008; Page E12EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTA DREAM
2007: Inaugural season.
Coach: Marynell Meadors, first season.
Notable Players: G Iziane Castro Marques, G Betty Lennox (above), F-C Erika Desouza, G Ivory Latta, G Kristin Haynie, F Carla Thomas, C Katie Feenstra.
What to Look For: Most of Atlanta's team is made up of young players who haven't been game-tested or asked to contribute significant minutes, but the Dream needs them to mature -- and fast. There isn't much time for Atlanta to learn, and like many expansion teams, the Dream is most likely to struggle against the league's established squads, but adding veterans such as Lennox and Castro Marques through draft-day trades should help ease the transition, at least a little.
Coach: Marynell Meadors, first season.
Notable Players: G Iziane Castro Marques, G Betty Lennox (above), F-C Erika Desouza, G Ivory Latta, G Kristin Haynie, F Carla Thomas, C Katie Feenstra.
What to Look For: Most of Atlanta's team is made up of young players who haven't been game-tested or asked to contribute significant minutes, but the Dream needs them to mature -- and fast. There isn't much time for Atlanta to learn, and like many expansion teams, the Dream is most likely to struggle against the league's established squads, but adding veterans such as Lennox and Castro Marques through draft-day trades should help ease the transition, at least a little.
CHICAGO SKY
2007: 14-20, last in East.
Coach: Steven Key, first season.
Arrived: C Sylvia Fowles, G Quianna Chaney, G K.B. Sharp.
Departed: F Stacey Dales, F Carla Thomas, C Bernadette Ngoyisa.
What to Look For: Key is Chicago's third coach in three years, and while he was an assistant with the Sky, the constant merry-go-round of coaches hasn't provided much continuity. Chicago re-signed veteran forward and leader Chasity Melvin (above) in the offseason but will most likely continue to reside in the bottom of the league standings, waiting for the Sky's first-ever playoff berth.
Coach: Steven Key, first season.
Arrived: C Sylvia Fowles, G Quianna Chaney, G K.B. Sharp.
Departed: F Stacey Dales, F Carla Thomas, C Bernadette Ngoyisa.
What to Look For: Key is Chicago's third coach in three years, and while he was an assistant with the Sky, the constant merry-go-round of coaches hasn't provided much continuity. Chicago re-signed veteran forward and leader Chasity Melvin (above) in the offseason but will most likely continue to reside in the bottom of the league standings, waiting for the Sky's first-ever playoff berth.
CONNECTICUT SUN
2007: 18-16, third in East, lost in first round to Indiana.
Coach: Mike Thibault, sixth season.
Arrived: G-F Barbara Turner (above), F Tamika Whitmore, F Tamika Raymond, F Amber Holt, G Ketia Swanier, G Jolene Anderson.
Departed: G-F Katie Douglas, C Margo Dydek, F-G Nykesha Sales, F-C Erika Desouza, F Megan Mahoney, F Kristen Rasmussen, F Le'coe Willingham.
What to Look For: Connecticut returns just two starters, with the most alarming move being the trade of Douglas, who led the team in minutes (33.3) and points (17) per game in addition to 68 three-pointers. It also will be hard to replace the 7-foot-2 Dydek as she takes the season off to be with her newborn son.
Coach: Mike Thibault, sixth season.
Arrived: G-F Barbara Turner (above), F Tamika Whitmore, F Tamika Raymond, F Amber Holt, G Ketia Swanier, G Jolene Anderson.
Departed: G-F Katie Douglas, C Margo Dydek, F-G Nykesha Sales, F-C Erika Desouza, F Megan Mahoney, F Kristen Rasmussen, F Le'coe Willingham.
What to Look For: Connecticut returns just two starters, with the most alarming move being the trade of Douglas, who led the team in minutes (33.3) and points (17) per game in addition to 68 three-pointers. It also will be hard to replace the 7-foot-2 Dydek as she takes the season off to be with her newborn son.
DETROIT SHOCK
2007: 24-10, first in East, lost in WNBA finals to Phoenix. Boston hasn’t overlooked any opponent this season, and it won’t start now. The Celtics beat Atlanta by double-digits in all three games this season.
Coach: Bill Laimbeer, seventh season.
Arrived: G Alexis Hornbuckle, F Tasha Humphrey, F LaToya Thomas, C Olayinka Sanni.
Departed: F Swin Cash, G Shannon Johnson, G Ivory Latta, C Katie Feenstra.
What to Look For: Forward and former rookie of the year Cheryl Ford (above) is healthy after missing most of the 2007 season, and without her, Detroit made it to the WNBA finals. The Shock has traded Cash, making Ford a more prominent face of the franchise, and will benefit from having Ford's consistency back in the lineup. The Shock lost some depth this season but has tried to shore up those concerns through the draft and will continue to look to Ford and guards Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan to lead the team to a third consecutive finals appearance.
Coach: Bill Laimbeer, seventh season.
Arrived: G Alexis Hornbuckle, F Tasha Humphrey, F LaToya Thomas, C Olayinka Sanni.
Departed: F Swin Cash, G Shannon Johnson, G Ivory Latta, C Katie Feenstra.
What to Look For: Forward and former rookie of the year Cheryl Ford (above) is healthy after missing most of the 2007 season, and without her, Detroit made it to the WNBA finals. The Shock has traded Cash, making Ford a more prominent face of the franchise, and will benefit from having Ford's consistency back in the lineup. The Shock lost some depth this season but has tried to shore up those concerns through the draft and will continue to look to Ford and guards Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan to lead the team to a third consecutive finals appearance.
INDIANA FEVER
2007: 21-13, second in East, lost in conference finals to Detroit.
Coach: Lin Dunn, first season.
Arrived: G-F Katie Douglas (above), F Khadijah Whittington, C Bernadette Ngoyisa.
Departed: G Anna DeForge, F Tamika Whitmore, G K.B. Sharp.
What to Look For: Not much has changed for the Indiana team that made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year, other than the addition of superstar Douglas. It's possible she's the piece that ultimately pushes Indiana over the top and makes the Fever a true title contender. But at least for the start of the season, Indiana will be without forward Tamika Catchings, who is still recovering from the torn Achilles' tendon she suffered in last year's playoffs. Catchings, who re-signed with Indiana in the offseason, wants to play for the U.S. national team in the Olympics, and it's unclear if she'll be available to the Fever this season.
Coach: Lin Dunn, first season.
Arrived: G-F Katie Douglas (above), F Khadijah Whittington, C Bernadette Ngoyisa.
Departed: G Anna DeForge, F Tamika Whitmore, G K.B. Sharp.
What to Look For: Not much has changed for the Indiana team that made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year, other than the addition of superstar Douglas. It's possible she's the piece that ultimately pushes Indiana over the top and makes the Fever a true title contender. But at least for the start of the season, Indiana will be without forward Tamika Catchings, who is still recovering from the torn Achilles' tendon she suffered in last year's playoffs. Catchings, who re-signed with Indiana in the offseason, wants to play for the U.S. national team in the Olympics, and it's unclear if she'll be available to the Fever this season.
NEW YORK LIBERTY
2007: 16-18, fourth in the East, lost in the first round to Detroit.
Coach: Pat Coyle, fourth season.
Arrived: G Leilani Mitchell, G Megan Duffy, F Erlana Larkins, G-F Essence Carson.
Departed: F-C Barb Farris, C Ann Wauters.
What to Look For: New York signed Loree Moore (above) and Janel McCarville to three-year contract extensions, signaling that the Liberty has embraced the team that took over after Becky Hammon was traded a season ago. It also extended Shameka Christon and Ashley Battle and added two first-round draft picks to the roster. Sure, New York is rebuilding, but if any team can turn that into a strong playoff push, it's the Liberty.
Coach: Pat Coyle, fourth season.
Arrived: G Leilani Mitchell, G Megan Duffy, F Erlana Larkins, G-F Essence Carson.
Departed: F-C Barb Farris, C Ann Wauters.
What to Look For: New York signed Loree Moore (above) and Janel McCarville to three-year contract extensions, signaling that the Liberty has embraced the team that took over after Becky Hammon was traded a season ago. It also extended Shameka Christon and Ashley Battle and added two first-round draft picks to the roster. Sure, New York is rebuilding, but if any team can turn that into a strong playoff push, it's the Liberty.
WASHINGTON MYSTICS
2007: 16-18, fifth in East.
Coach: Tree Rollins, first season.
Arrived: F-C Taj McWilliams-Franklin, F Crystal Langhorne, F Krystal Vaughn, G Amber Jacobs, C Lindsay Taylor, F-C Andrea Gardner-Combs.
Departed: F DeLisha Milton-Jones, G Tamara James, G Nikki Teasley.
What to Look For: With Teasley's departure, the Mystics have two inexperienced point guards who will have to learn fast in second-year backup Nikki Blue and Jacobs, a newcomer. How efficient they become is likely to determine a large chunk of Washington's fate. Franchise player Alana Beard (above), recovering from shoulder surgery, and spark plug Nakia Sanford both re-signed in the offseason.
Coach: Tree Rollins, first season.
Arrived: F-C Taj McWilliams-Franklin, F Crystal Langhorne, F Krystal Vaughn, G Amber Jacobs, C Lindsay Taylor, F-C Andrea Gardner-Combs.
Departed: F DeLisha Milton-Jones, G Tamara James, G Nikki Teasley.
What to Look For: With Teasley's departure, the Mystics have two inexperienced point guards who will have to learn fast in second-year backup Nikki Blue and Jacobs, a newcomer. How efficient they become is likely to determine a large chunk of Washington's fate. Franchise player Alana Beard (above), recovering from shoulder surgery, and spark plug Nakia Sanford both re-signed in the offseason.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
HOUSTON COMETS
2007: 13-21, fifth in West.
Coach: Karleen Thompson, first season.
Arrived: G Shannon Johnson, G Mwadi Mabika, G Matee Ajavon, G Erica White, F Megan Mahoney.
Departed: F Sheryl Swoopes, G Roneeka Hodges, G-F Barbara Turner, G Crystal Smith.
What to Look For: The Comets relied solely on forward Tina Thompson (above) and center Michelle Snow too often last year, which made it easy for opposing defenses to smother Houston's front-court pair. Johnson and Mabika should help get the ball inside to the duo while helping the younger guards along, but it's unlikely the Comets will be knocking down championship doors anytime soon.
Coach: Karleen Thompson, first season.
Arrived: G Shannon Johnson, G Mwadi Mabika, G Matee Ajavon, G Erica White, F Megan Mahoney.
Departed: F Sheryl Swoopes, G Roneeka Hodges, G-F Barbara Turner, G Crystal Smith.
What to Look For: The Comets relied solely on forward Tina Thompson (above) and center Michelle Snow too often last year, which made it easy for opposing defenses to smother Houston's front-court pair. Johnson and Mabika should help get the ball inside to the duo while helping the younger guards along, but it's unlikely the Comets will be knocking down championship doors anytime soon.
LOS ANGELES SPARKS
2007: 10-24, last in West.
Coach: Michael Cooper, sixth season, second tenure.
Arrived: C Lisa Leslie, F Candace Parker (above), G Temecka Johnson, F DeLisha Milton-Jones, G Marie Ferdinand-Harris, G Shannon Bobbitt.
Departed: F Taj McWilliams-Franklin, F LaToya Thomas, G Mwadi Mabika, F Chamique Holdsclaw.
What to Look For: The return of Leslie and Johnson, along with the addition of first-overall pick Parker, should erase the memory of the Sparks' last-place finish last year. And that talent could help Los Angeles make a run for the WNBA championship, depending on how quickly the players come together.
Coach: Michael Cooper, sixth season, second tenure.
Arrived: C Lisa Leslie, F Candace Parker (above), G Temecka Johnson, F DeLisha Milton-Jones, G Marie Ferdinand-Harris, G Shannon Bobbitt.
Departed: F Taj McWilliams-Franklin, F LaToya Thomas, G Mwadi Mabika, F Chamique Holdsclaw.
What to Look For: The return of Leslie and Johnson, along with the addition of first-overall pick Parker, should erase the memory of the Sparks' last-place finish last year. And that talent could help Los Angeles make a run for the WNBA championship, depending on how quickly the players come together.
MINNESOTA LYNX
2007: 10-24, sixth in West.
Coach: Don Zierden, second season.
Arrived: G Candice Wiggins, G Anna DeForge, F Kristen Rasmussen, C Vanessa Hayden-Johnson, G Crystal Smith.
Departed: G Lindsey Harding, G Amber Jacobs, F Tamika Raymond, F Kristen Mann, G Megan Duffy.
What to Look For: The Lynx is still incredibly young, and it undoubtedly will look to seven-year veteran DeForge to help mold the young nucleus. Losing former No. 1 overall draft pick Harding to another knee injury doesn't help Minnesota's cause, but another year of playing experience has. Third-year guard Seimone Augustus (above) averaged 22.6 points per game in 2007 and although she continues to improve, she alone can't carry the Lynx to its first playoff appearance since 2004.
Coach: Don Zierden, second season.
Arrived: G Candice Wiggins, G Anna DeForge, F Kristen Rasmussen, C Vanessa Hayden-Johnson, G Crystal Smith.
Departed: G Lindsey Harding, G Amber Jacobs, F Tamika Raymond, F Kristen Mann, G Megan Duffy.
What to Look For: The Lynx is still incredibly young, and it undoubtedly will look to seven-year veteran DeForge to help mold the young nucleus. Losing former No. 1 overall draft pick Harding to another knee injury doesn't help Minnesota's cause, but another year of playing experience has. Third-year guard Seimone Augustus (above) averaged 22.6 points per game in 2007 and although she continues to improve, she alone can't carry the Lynx to its first playoff appearance since 2004.
PHOENIX MERCURY
2007: P23-11, first in West, WNBA champions.
Coach: Corey Gaines, first season.
Arrived: F Le'coe Willingham, F-C Barb Farris, F-C LaToya Pringle.
Departed: F Penny Taylor, G Leilani Mitchell, F Jen Lacy, G Belinda Snell.
What to Look For: Taylor will be the only key player missing from last year's championship team and she may still return after completing her obligations with the Australian Olympic team, but it won't be easy to replace her 29.7 minutes and 17.8 points per game. Phoenix brought in Willingham and Farris to shore up its front-court depth in Taylor's absence. Re-signing all-star forward Diana Taurasi (above) and guard Cappie Pondexter, who should only get better in her third professional season, keeps the Mercury's high-scoring potential intact.
Coach: Corey Gaines, first season.
Arrived: F Le'coe Willingham, F-C Barb Farris, F-C LaToya Pringle.
Departed: F Penny Taylor, G Leilani Mitchell, F Jen Lacy, G Belinda Snell.
What to Look For: Taylor will be the only key player missing from last year's championship team and she may still return after completing her obligations with the Australian Olympic team, but it won't be easy to replace her 29.7 minutes and 17.8 points per game. Phoenix brought in Willingham and Farris to shore up its front-court depth in Taylor's absence. Re-signing all-star forward Diana Taurasi (above) and guard Cappie Pondexter, who should only get better in her third professional season, keeps the Mercury's high-scoring potential intact.
SACRAMENTO MONARCHS
2007: 19-15, third in West, lost in first round to San Antonio.
Coach: Jenny Boucek, second season.
Arrived: F-C Laura Harper, G A'Quonesia Franklin, C Izabela Piekarska.
Departed: F DeMya Walker, F Yolanda Griffith, G Kristin Haynie.
What to Look For: Playing without Griffith and Walker has become routine for the Monarchs, who lost both stars to injury last season. If their remaining players can stay healthy they should make the playoffs again, but they'll need a more well-rounded approach. Sacramento held opponents to 72.9 points per game, second best in the league, but hit a paltry 41 percent of their shots from the field.
Coach: Jenny Boucek, second season.
Arrived: F-C Laura Harper, G A'Quonesia Franklin, C Izabela Piekarska.
Departed: F DeMya Walker, F Yolanda Griffith, G Kristin Haynie.
What to Look For: Playing without Griffith and Walker has become routine for the Monarchs, who lost both stars to injury last season. If their remaining players can stay healthy they should make the playoffs again, but they'll need a more well-rounded approach. Sacramento held opponents to 72.9 points per game, second best in the league, but hit a paltry 41 percent of their shots from the field.
SAN ANTONIO SILVER STARS
2007: 20-14, second in West, lost in conference finals to Phoenix.
Coach: Dan Hughes, fourth season.
Arrived: C Ann Wauters, G-F Morenike Atunrase.
Departed: G Marie Ferdinand-Harris, C Chantelle Anderson, F Camille Little.
What to Look For: In a fit of consistency, the Silver Stars signed Becky Hammon (above) to an extension that will keep her in San Antonio through 2011 in addition to re-signing center Ruth Riley, forward Vickie Johnson and guard Helen Darling. And a year after overhauling its roster, San Antonio seems comfortable with what it has. But the Silver Stars need to improve their rebounding from 32 per game, second-worst in the league.
Coach: Dan Hughes, fourth season.
Arrived: C Ann Wauters, G-F Morenike Atunrase.
Departed: G Marie Ferdinand-Harris, C Chantelle Anderson, F Camille Little.
What to Look For: In a fit of consistency, the Silver Stars signed Becky Hammon (above) to an extension that will keep her in San Antonio through 2011 in addition to re-signing center Ruth Riley, forward Vickie Johnson and guard Helen Darling. And a year after overhauling its roster, San Antonio seems comfortable with what it has. But the Silver Stars need to improve their rebounding from 32 per game, second-worst in the league.
SEATTLE STORM
2007: 17-17, fourth in West, lost in first round to Phoenix.
Coach: Brian Agler, first season.
Arrived: F Sheryl Swoopes, F Yolanda Griffith, F Swin Cash, G Kimberly Beck.
Departed: G Iziane Castro-Marques, G Betty Lennox, G Roneeka Hodges, F Wendy Palmer, C Janell Burse.
What to Look For: Seattle shook up its roster and had arguably the most active offseason after underachieving last year despite getting 80.4 points per game and a workhorse performance by MVP Lauren Jackson (above). Signing Swoopes and Griffith, and trading for Cash to complement Jackson and point guard Sue Bird transform the Storm into a team most often seen in all-star games. But can they all stay healthy?
Coach: Brian Agler, first season.
Arrived: F Sheryl Swoopes, F Yolanda Griffith, F Swin Cash, G Kimberly Beck.
Departed: G Iziane Castro-Marques, G Betty Lennox, G Roneeka Hodges, F Wendy Palmer, C Janell Burse.
What to Look For: Seattle shook up its roster and had arguably the most active offseason after underachieving last year despite getting 80.4 points per game and a workhorse performance by MVP Lauren Jackson (above). Signing Swoopes and Griffith, and trading for Cash to complement Jackson and point guard Sue Bird transform the Storm into a team most often seen in all-star games. But can they all stay healthy?
