2007 WNBA Preview

Purple Reign · May 7, 2007

2007 WNBA Preview by Purple Reign

I know my opinion may not mean much, but I am a closet sportswriter. I thought it would be interesting to put out a 2007 WNBA preview. Every day a team will be previewed. I am not a WNBA expert, so I will be getting some of my stuff from WNBA.com, especially on some of the teams I do not know much about. But this will allow some discussion on how the season will shake out. At the end some predictions will be made. Feel free to add any and all comments. With that said we will start with......

CHICAGO SKY AND MINNESOTA LYNX

Purple Reign · May 7, 2007

Chicago Sky

Projected Starting Five
PF - Bernadette Ngoyisa
SF - Candace Dupree
C - Monique Currie
PG - Armentie Price
SG - Dominique Canty

Key Bench Players - Stacie Dales, Brooke Wycoff, Jia Perkins

Outlook - To me this team still has a long way to go. But the addition of Armentie Price, who was thought of very highly on this message board, is a great start. She is athletic, defensive minded and can score. Getting Currie in from Charlotte is like getting another first round pick, and should be a good addition. But in my opinion, any team that is going to hitch their wagon to Dominique Canty as their point guard, can not be looking to go very far. I believe the Sky will improve upon their 2006 total of 5 wins (maybe 8 or 9), and a core of Price, Currie and Candace Dupree is nice for now.

Projection: 6th, Eastern Conference

Purple Reign · May 7, 2007

Minnesota Lynx

Projected Starting Five
PF - Tameka Williams
SF - Kristen Mann (for now)
C - Nicole Ohlde
PG - Amber Jacobs
SG - Seimone Augustus

Key Bench Players - S. Abrosimova, Lindsay Harding, Noelle Quinn

Outlook - On paper, this team is talented but young. I have to admit, that I don't know alot about Kristen Mann, but I believe when it is all said and done, Lady Seimone will slide to the three to make way for Lindsay Harding to play the two or the one. Seimone Augustus is a smooth player. Her performance at Arco last year (31 points, including 12 in the 4th on an array of all kind of shots to keep Minny in a tight game) opened up my eyes to her smoothness and Gervin like qualities...she is special. With that said, Minnesota will not sniff the post season until Vanessa Hayden returns to provide a post presence. In the meantime, Lynx fans can look forward to a very entertaining team with a good future ahead.

Projection: 7th, Western Conference

Monty'sBiggestFan · May 7, 2007

Purple Reign said:

Ngoysoia I don't believe is returning to their squad this year, Perkins may have been their starting PG when they didn't have Elaine Powell and probably even when they did have Powell. I didn't watch them enough to know at alot about their backcourt, but I'm a HUGE fan of Perkins tho, so she gets my nod at the point

So if I were to project a starting 5 and key reserves list I might go something like this....

PG Jia Perkins
SG Dominique Canty
SF Monique Currie
PF Candice Dupree
C Stacey Lovelace-Tolbert

Reserves: Armintie Price, Stacey Dales,Brooke Wycoff, Deanna Jackson

Their starting five is interchangeable and can play multiple positions, with possibly the exception of Lovelace-Tolbert, but Dupree can play up and Currie and Canty can play down. I agree that Canty as your point won't get you very far, which is why I think Perkins gets the call there. Canty has to start or you spent a LOTTA cash bringing her in to get limited minutes. Price also could run point but I don't think you sit Perkins or Canty to start her and that's a nice weapon to bring off the bench for pace change or bring her in for Canty and play her with Currie, Perkins and Dupree and that's just nasty. And its a nice problem to have. Chicago needs Ngoysoia back to make any noise in the east, they have little depth in the middle - a lotta small forwards and guards, few bigs.

Monty'sBiggestFan · May 7, 2007

Purple Reign said:

My only change here is at the PG spot...I don't think they trade Tangela Smith to bring Lindsay Harding off the bench, she's impact player quality and Jacobs was only the best of a non descript trio of point guards so I'm not putting a lot of bank on her beating out Harding for the starting job long term, first couple of games maybe, but I'd expect Harding to take the reigns at some point this year. I might flip the switch and start Abrosimova over Mann, but that's just me...Minny didn't seem to do that last season and I don't quite understand why. Mann doesn't stick out to me, but its probably because she torched us and I've blocked it out of my brain...

Their bench? It's kinda young, so that might be where they get hurt. Outside of Abrosimova, everybody else is either new or essentially new because they've been hurt. I agree, their youth is what will set them apart from the rest of the west. I don't think anybody stands out as a key reserve quite yet, nice pieces? yes.

StevenHW · May 7, 2007

Purple Reign said:

Tamika Williams got married in the offseason. She is now going by the name of Tamika Raymond.

Purple Reign · May 9, 2007

New York Liberty

Projected Starting Five
PF - Jessica Davenport
SF - Shemeka Christon
C - Janel McCarville
PG - Sherill Baker
SG - Loree Moore

Key Bench Players - NONE

Outlook: I would think that any team that loses their statistical leaders in points, rebounds and assists, and replace them with players that have a combined experience of 7 years, should struggle. The loss of Becky Hammon should have more than an on the court effect. She was the face of the franchise and will be sorely missed off the court as well. I know very little about this franchise, but on paper they look like an expansion team. Janel McCarville has been a huge disappointment since she was the overall #1 pick in '05. She is only taking the center spot until Jessica Davenport is ready to slide to the "5".

PROJECTION: 5th, Eastern Conference

Purple Reign · May 9, 2007

San Antonio Silver Stars

Projected Starting Five
PF- Sophia Young
SF - Vickie Johnson
C - Ruth Riley
PG - Becky Hammon
SG - Marie Ferdinand-Harris

Key Bench Players: Helen Darling, Erin Buescher, Shana Crossley, Sandora Irvin

Outlook: On paper this team looks ready to make the big jump into the post-season. If nothing else, they are loaded with talent and is ready to compete on a night to night basis. However with talent comes expectation, it remains to be seen if they can live up to it. But with the return of Marie Ferdinand and the trade for Ruth Riley to replace Feenstra, and on paper the best bench in the "W" I would be hard pressed not to predict the Silver Stars to get into the playoffs for the first time. But because the West is so loaded with veteran playoff teams, and I believe late moves by other teams may push this team out of the playoffs. But they should be fun to watch.

PROJECTION - 5th, Western Conference

Monty'sBiggestFan · May 9, 2007

Hmm…I’m not sure how to construct the Liberty front court…I’ll agree this is an extremely young team in a lot of areas but they do have decent young vets. Flip the two guards and I think that’s how the Liberty will start, Moore is a point guard, Baker is a shortish off guard, I’m not entirely sure she’s a true point or point enough that you’d want her starting at that spot over Moore. Farris and Kraayveld can start at the two big post spots and Christon is the piece they are building around. McCarville has been a “disappointment” but I consider that she was hurt and also drafted by Trudi Lacey and played in Charlotte and give her a clean slate. Tiffany Jackson is a player! I want to like Jessica Davenport but she never floated my boat as a collegian, but that’s still a nice young tandem for the future.

San Antonio I think is a playoff team, I think they’ve gotten better enough to make the leap – they had injuries and quite frankly hit the wall last year and fell out of the race late, I don’t see that happening this year with the veterans they added or got back. VJ I think comes off the bench behind Marie, she can still shoot and play and all, but I think it strengthens their bench and extends her career for her to reduce her minutes and come off the bench. She’d be a short small forward in the West. I think you can get away with Young at the wing, she’s tough to guard either spot the wing or PF. Throw Wecker in the mix as a benchie.

Purple Reign · May 9, 2007

Monty'sBiggestFan said:

I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I had the Silver Stars in the playoffs, until a certain team down South made a couple of key late additions to their team? Wanna guess who that is?

Monty'sBiggestFan · May 9, 2007

I just read today a certain team down south's starting point guard is out until perhaps some time in June with micro fracture surgery on her knee. That'll make a difference if they can't find someone who can run that team. It may very well not be them who falls out this year but someone else...the west has definitely reloaded up and down the conference - the race should be very tight. The Silverstars just need to play consistently for an entire season. As does a certain team a few miles from me right now....

StevenHW · May 9, 2007

Pilight's predictions for 2007

From the WNBA website, blogger Kevin (better known to some WNBA
fans as "Pilight" on some message boards) offers his predictions for the 2007 WNBA season.

(click below):
http://www.wnba.com/voices/fanblog_kevin.html

Happy reading!

Purple Reign · May 10, 2007

Washington Mystics

Projected Starting Five
PF - Delisha Milton-Jones
SF - Crystal Robinson
C - Chasity Melvin
PG - Nikki Teasley
SG - Alana Beard

Key Bench Players - Coco Miller

Outlook - The Mystics will go as far as their "Big Three" will take them. Because in my opinion after Delisha Milton, Nikki Teasley and Alana Beard, there is not much on this roster. But it is enough to make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference. The bench is thin and the frontcourt is on the "somewhat aging and fragile" side. The backcourt tandum of Teasley and Beard is arguably the best in the "W". Beard is a fearless competitor and very hard to defend. Word is that she will enter the season banged up, but a 75 percent Alana is better than most. The leadership of Milton is very valuable to this organization. They don't call her "D-Nasty" for nothing. If only she can stay healthy. Look for the Mystics to light up the scoreboard every night, but the defense rest on the broad shoulders of Delisha.

PROJECTION - 4th, Eastern Conference - PLAYOFFS

Purple Reign · May 11, 2007

Phoenix Mercury

Projected Starting Five
PF - Tangela Smith
SF - Diana Taurasi
C - Kelly Schumacher
PG - Kelly Miller
SG - Cappie Pondexter

Key Bench Players - Penny Taylor, Olympia Scott

Outlook: This team is "Taylor"-made to play Phoenix Suns style small ball...on the offensive side. In a perfect world, Penny Taylor would be starting on this team. But because this team struggles with size, rebounding and defense, Taylor will come off the bench and should be the 2007 Sixth Player of the year. Look for the Mercury and the "W's" Golden Child Lady Diana Taurasi to finally breakthrough to the playoffs in a big way. Some prognosticators have Phoenix just making it into the playoffs. Not me, I like this team a lot!! I think that in Paul Westphal's second year, this team have figured out how to play his style and will make some noise in the regular season. They do not have much bench, but the addition of Tangela Smith, gives them the inside presence they desperately need. On defense....that remains to be seen, but the triangle of Pondexter, Diana, Tangela and Taylor off the bench is fire power unmatched in the league.

PROJECTION: 2nd, Western Conference - PLAYOFFS

Monty'sBiggestFan · May 12, 2007

How does Phx leap over 4 teams?

Why would Phx play Taylor from the bench? Miller doesn't make them better enough at the point to push Cappie to the 2 OR play Taurasi up @ the 3 OR sit a member of their big 3. Taylor was their 3rd best rebounder last year, and I don't think Tangela (Schumacher and Scott) will make that much of a difference for them on the boards beyond what they got from Rassmussen or Vodichkova. Taylor also is perhaps their best defender perhaps a smidge behind Pondexter. If Taylor isn't going to show up until after the season starts maybe I could see that change, which is why I think she didn't start many games last year, she didn't show up until nearly the middle of the season. Did they really need to play this lineup intentionally or out of necessity because Taylor was MIA?

Phoenix should be(make that, better be) in the mix, but I can't conceptualize them jumping over 4 teams to the top spot in the west quite yet. Tangela should make them better offensively, but defensively?

But if you can rip the nets like they can (with Taylor logging significant minutes), defense smefense.

mdme · May 12, 2007

Purple Reign said:

the west is so stacked, i'm surprised about this prediction.

1. Kelly Miller does not equal steve nash in the women's game.
2. If they do schumacher at the 5 and Tangy at 4, I'm not sure this is a "phoenix"-like team. maybe if they started miller/pondexter/taurasi/taylor/smith...they'd be more pheonix like (or change smith with candace parker - if the WNBA "gives" them another #1 draft just to get DT into the playoffs

)
3. They're good, but not THAT good

one thing I can be sure of though, if whiz remained our coach, this prediction will be definitely wrong.

StevenHW · May 14, 2007

Purple Reign's prediction on the Chicago Sky:

There are currently only six teams in the Eastern Conference. Seven teams in the West.

Maybe you forgot that the Charlotte Sting is no more?

Purple Reign · May 14, 2007

StevenHW said:

My bad!! I will adjust.

Purple Reign · May 14, 2007

Houston Comets

Projected Starting Five
PF - Tina Thompson
SF - Sheryl Swoopes
C - Michelle Snow
PG - Roneeka Hodges
SG - Dee Davis

Key Bench Players - Sancho Lyttle, Misti Williams, Hamchotou Maiga-Ba

Outlook: The Comets are guilty of holding on to the past while trying to rebuild. Which equals .500 or mediocrity. There is no question that The Comets have a Hall of Fame front court. Tina Thompson's level of play has not slipped not one bit. She combines an inside/outside game like nobody's business. She steps out and drains a three and that big butt of hers clears out the paint very effectively. Swoopes has slowed down a little. She's never been pin point accurate on her jump shot but now defenders can back off of her and take away her driving lane more. She does not have the speed to blow by as she once did. Michelle Snow is a terror on the boards and defensively she is a threat in the paint. But the Comets fortunes or misfortunes lies in that backcourt. A bunch of no-bodies and rookies. There is also the unknown of new coach Karleen Thompson and how Swoopes and Tina will respond to her after years of Van Chancellor. Chancellor could only get 18-16, 19-15, 13-21 out of this group the last three seasons, and Karleen Thompson is no Van Chancellor.

PROJECTION: 6th, Western Conference

Purple Reign · May 14, 2007

Seattle Storm

Projected Staring Five
PF - Lauren Jackson
SF - Iziane Castro Marques
C - Janell Burse
PG - Sue Bird
SG - Betty Lennox

Key Bench Players - Wendy Palmer, Katie Geralds, Barbara Turner, Ashley Robinson

Outlook - The Storm are playing under a huge cloud (no pun intended), with the impending move of their franchise. The players can say "we play the games on the court" all they want to. The WNBA is all about home court and the interaction of the fans. therefore it is vital that the Storm start strong to keep their fans mind off of their beloved Storm moving. Outside of Sacramento, I don't think there is a greater group of fans in the league. On the court, the Storm is still very strong. Lauren Jackson is the best player in the league in my view. Health of course is her main concern. Sue Bird is the best point guard in the league, her jump shot is her main concern. Bird did not play very well last year. She shot 41 percent (and 36 percent from 3), She averaged 4.8 assist (very low for her) and an unbelievable 2.6 turnovers per game. THAT IS NOT GOING TO GET IT DONE. In fact the Storm is a turnover waiting to happen. Betty Lennox is the female Allen Iverson. Relentless and fearless. And the Storm bench is decent. They will make the playoffs, no doubt. But there is something that has kept them from getting past the first round the last two seasons. I'm not sure what that is. Look for a Storm/Monarchs matchup in the post season, something that is long overdue.

PROJECTED - 3rd, Western Conference - PLAYOFFS

mdme · May 14, 2007

Purple Reign said:

Not to nitpick....

also, by your last statement on the storm and monarchs in the post-season, you're probably ranking us #2 in the west?

Purple Reign · May 15, 2007

Indiana Fever

Projected Starting Five
PF - Tamika Whitmore
SF - Tamika Catchings
C - Ebony Hoffman
PG - Tully Bevilaqua
SG - Anna DeForge

Key Bench Players - Tan White, Sherri Sam, Tammi Sutton Brown, Allison Bales

Outlook: Before writing this preview, I had made up in my mind that I was not going to drink the Indiana Kool-Aid. If you read the national prognostications, you will find many selecting the Fever to represent the East in the 2007 WNBA Finals. The Fever have won all of 3 playoff games in Tamika Catchings career. But with that said, this '07 roster is loaded with talent. And it starts with Catchings, who in my view is the most unassuming superstar in the game. She is also the best two way player in the game. Tamika Whitmore's career has been resurrected in Indy. I love her physical style on offense. The three headed backcourt of Bevilaqua, DeForge and White is veteran and averaged 25 points per game as a group in '06. The bench consist of two starters in Sherri Sam and Tammy Sutton Brown that give this team a lift off of the bench. Playoffs...Yes. Eastern Conference Finals....OK. Beyond that, I am in a wait and see mode.

Projection: 2nd, Eastern Conference - PLAYOFFS

Purple Reign · May 15, 2007

Los Angeles Sparks

Projected Starting Five
PF - Chamique Holdsclaw
SF - Mwadi Mbeka
C - Taj McWilliams-Franklin
PG - Tameka Johnson
SG - Tamera Moore

Key Bench Players - LaToya Thomas, Lisa Willis

Outlook - I was ready to bury this team for '07. The loss of Lisa Leslie is not a loss. You do not lose the reigning MVP, and the best big player in the history of the league and consider it a loss. This is monumental for the Sparks franchise. This team is old, small and slow. Starting lineup consist of 5-2, 5-11, 5-11, 6-2, 6-2, none outside of Tameka Johnson has any speed. Age on the frontline is 36, 30, 31, backcourt is fairly young. But the two moves of McWilliams Franklin and Michael Cooper, still makes them old, small, slow but viable with a lot of playoff experience. Chamique Holdsclaw is now your leader, LA!!! In her career, "Cold"-slaw has not led a team anywhere. In my view, she is more of a name than a player. Therefore she has a lot to prove. McWilliams-Franklin is a good replacement for Leslie and should give them 10 and 8. Because of Cooper the Sparks will edge out San Antonio for the final spot in the West, but if they don't I will not be surprised.

Projection - 4th, Western Conference - PLAYOFFS

Purple Reign · May 17, 2007

Connecticut Sun

Projected Starting Five
PF - Asjha Jones
SF - Nykesha Sales
C - Margo Dydek
PG - Lindsay Whalen
SG - Katie Douglas

Key Bench Players - Jamie Carey, Kristen Rassmussen

Outlook - Every thing about this team kind of, sort of screams that the window is closing. I don't know why, because the talent is still there. But for what ever reason I believe the loss of Taj McWilliams-Franklin is going to hurt this squad. But I will give them the benefit of the doubt because they have All-Stars in 4 of 5 starting spots. One thing I will say is that this team is although this team is not very athletic, they are extremely skilled. Lindsay Whalen is the floor general. She is the absolute best in the "W" at controling tempo. She makes sure she gets her players in the right spot and the Sun flow based on Lindsay. Nykesha Sales is the soul of this team. Her passion is unmatched, but years may be catching up to her. She missed 12 games in '06, and scored only 13 ppg a career low. Katie Douglas had a career year in '06. She led the Sun in scroring, steals and 3 pointers made. She is the leader and the Sun need her to continue that level of play. Asjha Jones was a career bench player who now has to step up into the spot light. Margo Dydek is Dydek, I am never impressed. It is the bench that will determine the success of this squad. It is very thin and very young. Sales who is 31 and injury prone and Dydek who is 33 will need bench relief. This squad will contend in the Eastern Conference, but I don't know if they can over take their arch-rival nemisis Detroit.

Projected Finish: 3rd, Eastern Conference - PLAYOFFS

Monty'sBiggestFan · May 17, 2007

Dydek?.....soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo on board with that comment. She's become so marginalized in the conversation about top players in this league and for someone 7'2" that baffles me. But anywho...I agree, CT strikes me as an odd team to characterize but their starters are legit (eh...even if you toss Dydek in the mix

)

LA...somebody's gotta fall out and separation between those who make the playoffs and don't could be microscopic. Cooper should make a difference, its not lost on me that tho we've bounced the Sparks out of the playoffs? We haven't bounced HIS Sparks out.

("Coldslaw"? Ouch! I'd suggest that the same criticism be leveled at OutOfPlayoffausi in Phx too, to the point you could interchange their names in that paragraph...

) I am curious tho, and I'll sign off on this too, to see how Mique handles carrying this team or perhaps even to the lesser degree being the leader...she said she doesn't want to be the focal player or carry that load when she got to LA. Maybe Cooper's persona will alleviate her need to be the leader and carry a heavy weight, but I'm still interested to see which Mique we see this year. Even when she's unhappy or frustrated, Mique still puts up sick numbers...keeping her healthy has been the bigger issue. If she stays healthy its still ON for them to be in the mix. LA also has a problem and it seems that it depends on who you ask as to the exact timetable...but Temeka Johnson is out for an indefinite period recovering from knee surgery. Are they a team that just needs someone to get the ball to Taj, Mique, Mabika and Thomas(Christi or LaToya - I actually just had one in mind and then realized they do have two now lol)?

This is going to be a wild ride this season huh?

Let's tip this!

Purple Reign · May 17, 2007

Detroit Shock

Projected Starting Five
PF - Cheryl Ford
SF - Swin Cash
C - Kara Braxton
PG - Katie Smith
SG - Deana Nolan

Key Bench Players - Katie Feenstra, Shannon Johnson, Elaine Powell, Plenette Pearson

Outlook - I hate this team

(in a sports kind of way of course). This is the most arrogant group of players I believe the league has ever seen, and it starts with that jackass of a coach Bill Laimbeer. With that said, THIS TEAM IS VERY GOOD. Are they good enough to repeat as WNBA Champs...yes. That does not mean they will though. The 2007 Shock is the mirror image of the 2007 Pistons. Not as good defensively as they once were, better offensively than they used to be. The key to the '07 Shock is the play of Kara Braxton and Katie Feenstra. Braxton does not strike me as a "I will put you on my back and carry you" type of player. Feenstra is big but young. She only averaged 0.8 blocks per game at 6 foot 8, that is not good. she is a very good rebounder and along with Cheryl Ford (who is the best in the league, look for Detroit to continue to pound the boards. Smith and Nolan make the Shock go and they have a very deep bench. I do not see Indiana unseating Detroit this season. Look for the Shock to repeat as Eastern Conference Champions.

Projection - 1st, Eastern Conference - PLAYOFFS

Monty'sBiggestFan · May 17, 2007

Purple Reign said:

Preach it Reign!!!

Personally, my hate is deep, profound, endless, limitless...in a sports kinda way too..

StevenHW · May 17, 2007

I second that emotion! Actually, I despise Laimbeer more than I do the players or even the team itself.

It's going to be tough watching Saturday's game on TV, with the Shock getting the Championship Rings that should've gone to us. Arrggghhhh!

Purple Reign · May 18, 2007

Sacramento Monarchs

Projected Starting Five
PF - DeMya Walker
SF - Nicole Powell
C - Yolanda Griffith
PG - Ticha Penicheiro
SG - Chelsea Newton

Key Bench Players - Kara Lawson, Rebekkah Brunson, Kristen Haynie, Adrian Williams

NOTE: SINCE THIS IS ON OUR BELOVED FRANCHISE, MY OUTLOOK FORMAT WILL CHANGE A BIT

KEYS TO WINNING THE 2007 WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Chemistry/"Chip on the Shoulder" Attitude - I don't think that will be much of a problem amongst the players. This team still has 8 pieces from the '05 Title squad. In '05 the squad was a mixture of veteran and youth. The '07 squad is straight up veteran with plenty of post season experience. There must be a developing chemistry between first year coach Jenny Boucek and the players. So far so good, but there are still 34 games to go. This team is Yolanda Griffith's team. She sets the tone on the court and in the locker room, even more than Boucek. Yolanda is supported by the greatest point guard in the history of the "W" Ticha Penicheiro and Kara Lawson. Those three are the emotional core of this franchise, and the Monarchs rise and fall on their leadership shoulders. Griffith, Ticha and Lawson will not let this group ever forget what they let slip out of their hands last season. I am hoping that bitterness will drive them, starting with the opening tip against Detroit in their house.

2. "White Line Defense" - Based on what I saw in the preseason game against Phoenix, that will not be a problem whatsoever!!! I appreciate that the team's defensive intensity doesn't seem to have decreased under Coach Jenny's watch. John Whisnant set a blue print for success in preaching help side defense. The return of Chelsea Newton helps solves what I felt was the Monarchs biggest weakness in '06, perimeter defense. These players understand the concept of "Defense Wins Championships". And there is no team in the league that D's up better than the Monarchs.

3. Outside Shooting - Nicole Powell, one of the best in the game...no problem at the "3". Kara Lawson, one of the best in the game, especially in the 4th quarter, no problem at the backup "2". Haynie is a threat. The starting backcourt is somewhat of a concern. Between Chelsea and Ticha, one of those players is going to have to knock down and outside shot consistantly. Last season Chelsea shot 33.5 percent (26.5 from 3) from the field. But what was encouraging she had double the three point attempts from '05 and double the makes (6-3's made in '05, 13 in '06). Ticha also shot 33 percent (24 percent from 3) from the field. That ain't going to get it done. I AM NOT GOING TO SPEND MY SEASON BEGGING TICHA TO SHOOT!!! She knows what she needs to do to help this team win.

4. "The Bench" - I believe Adrian Williams will be a suitable replacement for Erin Buscher. She is big, can rebound. You may not get Erin's energy and passion, but you will get a set of skills from Williams that will complement this team. I am once again looking for a big season from Brunson. She brings so much to the game. I am expecting increased minutes substituting Griffith. Double figure points and close to 7 or 8 rebounds per game. I am not so sure about Latangela Atkinson. She was brought in to fill the spot of Maiga-Ba. I have not seen enough to determine whether or not she can do the job.

5. DeMya "The All Star" - Walker should be ready to return to All Star form this season. Her energy is unmatched on this team. I love her post play and her length on defense. After giving birth to Zacara, DeMya played only 19 minutes per game last season. After spending time over season continuing to get herself in shape, I know she is going to come back ready to be the All Star she can be.

The Monarchs have a lot to draw from this season. I don't think they will ever forget Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. The prize was right there for the taking and they let it slip away. This team has the talent, the drive and motivation, but most importantly they have the experience to carry them to a very successful run to a second title. The only unanswered question is the new coach and the wrinkles implemented on the offensive side. Other than that, I do not see why this team can not do great things in 2007. NOTE: I changed my mind, and slipped the Mercury to second in the west and placed the Monarchs #1.

Projection - 1st, Western Conference - PLAYOFFS

Purple Reign · May 18, 2007

Pre Season Prognostications

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Diana Taurasi, Phoenix
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Michelle Snow, Houston
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Armintie Price, Chicago
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER - Rebekkah Brunson, Sacramento
COACH OF THE YEAR - Brian Winters, Indiana

FIRST TEAM ALL-WNBA
Jackson, Storm
Taurasi, Mercury
Catchings, Fever
Beard, Mystics
Nolan, Shock

SECOND TEAM ALL WNBA
Ford, Shock
Thompson, Comets
Snow, Comets
Augustus, Lynx
Pondexter, Mercury

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMP - Detroit Shock
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMP - Sacramento Monarchs
WNBA Champion - Sacramento Monarchs

2007 WNBA Preview

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