Some Guy’s WNBA Western Conference Preview

Before anything, let me say that it’s disappointing that Sebnem Kimyacioglu isn’t the league this year!

I don’t have any business writing a WNBA preview post because I’m only a casual fan of the league. Honestly, though, that makes me more of a fan than most people paying attention to basketball. The ads for the upcoming current season have shown during the NBA playoffs and I’m excited for it and I’ve always liked the format of season preview columns by actual sports journalists so I figured I’d try it here, knowing full well I may be making a fool of myself. Already, I can say it’s going to be like reading a preview from 5 years ago because those are the only players I can reference. Also, I must stress that this writing is from my impressions and casual observations; I made sure not to read other previews about the league beforehand so as not to be influenced. So, anyway, the teams (in reverse order of projected finish) along with my commentary:

Western Conference

7th – Sacramento (19-15 in ‘07)

To me, this roster screams old and tired. The starters, Lawson, DeMya and Powell, who have been around for some time are solid players, but I wonder how they can trust their own system and abilities when the same core has fallen short so many times. Ticha Penicheiro, exciting as she was on Day 1 of the first WNBA season and throughout her career, could only possibly still be on this roster because of loyalty. This team is the most likely to make a precipitous drop given the inevitable rise of the Sparks.

6th – Minnesota (10-24 in ‘07)

The Lynx seems to have a good balance between youth and veterans with the firecracker Candace Wiggins and last year’s top pick Lindsay Harding joining established stars like Augustus and Anna DeForge. But are we looking at a looking at a team free from size? Nicole Ohlde at center is promising but her promise hasn’t yet led to wins. Hopefully, Minnesota can have early-season success and translate potential All-Star exposure from Wiggins or Augustus into luring a major post player up North.
5th – Houston (13-21 in ‘07)

Why do I feel more confidence in the Houston veterans Tina Thompson, Shannon Johnson, Mwadi Mabika and Michelle Snow, than in the Sacramento vets?  Could it be because Thompson and Mabika have won titles?  Yes.  Yes, it could be.

4th – San Antonio (20-14 in ‘07)

Minutes ago, I read that Shanna Crossley will be out for the season and that disrupts my prediction that the trio of Crossley, Helen Darling and Erin Buescher would provide substantial shooting and ball-handling relief for star Becky Hammon.  It’s tough to lose someone who would be a permanent fixture in the rotation.  I like this team because it has size for defense…Riley backed up by Ann Wauters, or they could be played together.  And Becky Hammon is straight dynamite; the best player in the league and I know those words cost me what little respect I had lingering.  Seriously, though, she’s really electrifying when she plays.  Good vision and speed and unlimited range.  A Ginobili-esque ability to create a legitimate shot from a seemingly cut-off drive down the lane.  She also reminds me of Steve Nash in that she can just be handed the keys and told to run freely.  Hammon is legit.

3rd – Phoenix (23-11 in ‘07)

Last year’s champions and returning all of the key players save for Penny Taylor.  Will she return before the season’s end?  Let’s hope so.  Taylor provided a forward-sized complementary scorer to the super-scoring Taurasi/Pondexter duo.  Any team with three legitimate 25-point options has to be taken seriously as a contender.  Coach Westhead is gone, but the high-speed Paul Ball remains.  Tangela Smith (who must have played for every WNBA team by now) and Julio Franco Kelly Miller will spend their time providing hustle plays and knocking down uncontested jumpers when defenders collapse on the slashing Pondexter or run out on the bombing Taurasi.

2nd – Los Angeles (10-24 in ‘07)

The general sentiment is that L.A. will become WNBA champions this year, but when I remembered that Chamique Holdsclaw is no longer on the team (abruptly retired in the middle of last season) I began to have my doubts.  No doubt that Candace Parker will be the greatest player ever when all is said and done (think LeBron James….her success is THAT guaranteed) and no doubt that she joins a still-fantastic team including Temeka Johnson running the point, solid Delisha Milton and, of course, Lisa Leslie along with other Tennessee gunners.  But Leslie is coming off a missed season due to maternity and her ass is as old as time, too.  Leslie is another player who was around for the inaugural season.  And a player can’t be great forever, right?  And so I feel like putting all of the eggs in the basket of an aging legend and a rookie, no matter how much past or future glory, isn’t the smart call this year.

1st – Seattle (17-17 in ‘07)

Not when there’s Seattle, anyway.  I believe the former champs will make a return to the WNBA Finals this year and hopefully, they do and are able to cultivate the appreciation of the Seattle fans as they might be the only basketball in town for awhile.  Seattle has made some major changes and I think they’re all for the better.  Previously, it was a two-woman affair; All-Star PG Sue Bird and multiple MVP Lauren Jackson.  However, there always seemed to be a power struggle between the stars and the genuinely talented, yet complimentary players.  Now Tully Bevilacqua, Iziane Castro-Marques and Betty Lennox are gone, replaced by Yolanda Griffith, Sheryl Swoopes and, most importantly, Swin Cash.  Griffith and Swoopes may simply be latching on for lack of better summer activity options but it’s crazy to think that they can’t summon the magic needed for a few crucial playoff wins.  Swin Cash is the X-factor; supremely talented and primed to show that she still did not leave her ability (or disgust with Coach Bill Laimbeer) in Detroit.  The loss of C Janell Burse hurts, but all five of the women mentioned have been WNBA champions and the core players Bird, Jackson and Cash have Olympic experience, extended playoff resumes, All-Star appearances, skills, grit and even a Connecticut connection between Bird and Cash.  The position played by the stars don’t overlap, allowing each person to remain on the floor and to shine together.  If Cash can fit in and each player with star credentials can fill a needed groove, this team will certainly be a champion again.

Eastern Conference coming soon!