I figure many of you who will be visiting this forum will not be very familiar with the WNBA, so I would give you a little preview for each team and my playoff seeding Predictions. I will rank each team in the west & east from top to bottom In my mind.
West
1. Seattle- Seattle is the reigning wnba champion after sweeping every series in the playoffs last year. They are lead by Lauren Jackson, A dominant force in the paint that also has the touch to shoot from the outside. Seattle has the best home court advantage in the league and is returning all key parts from last season. Seattle likes to play an uptempo offense, but can also play amazing defense too. I expect them to take home the title and repeat as champions.
2. Phoenix Mercury- Seattle & Phoenix have been the cream of the crop in the wnba the past few seasons and I don't expect much to change this yr. Taurasi is well rested playing a shortened over seas schedule this off season. Along with Taurasi the mercury also feature great players in Penny Taylor & an ever growing Candice Dupree. The Mercury love to play an uptempo games scoring 80+ more times than not. Unlike Seattle, they struggle on defense and tend to find themselves in shootouts quite often.
3. Minnesota- Minnesota has tons of talent, it is all going to come down to meshing & staying Injury free. Minnesota had the first overall pick this year and selected Maya Moore from Uconn. Minnesota has been playing an uptempo pace for years, but failed to shoot a % from the field. With the addition Moore & return of a healthy Seimone Augustus, i expect Minnesota to make great strides this year and compete in almost every game.
4. LA Sparks- The Sparks battled at the end of last season while missing their best player in Candice Parker. Parker returns healthy this year and if her play in Russia is any sign of things to come, she is ready for a monster season. Joining Parker is Tina Thompson, the alltime leading WNBA scorer. These two will be a dynamic duo at times and help get the Sparks Into the playoffs in my mind.
5. S.A. Stars- Are lead by Becky Hammon & Sophia Young, two seasoned veterans. The Stars struggled much of last season and I expect more of the same this year. The stars lack the scoring power and athleticism to survive in the west. They will have trouble scoring at times and will be unable to slow down uptempo teams in my mind. I expect them to finish under .500 this year and never really be in contention for the playoffs
6. Tulsa Shock- Tulsa finished in the basement last year and I expect much more of the same this year. Teams ran up and down the floor on the shock this year often times scoring 85+ points. Tulsa adds a old veteran to the team in the form of Swoopes. Swoopes was once a dominant force in the league, but at the age of 40, Swoopes will have little long term success in my mind. Join Swoopes this season is Elizabeth Cambag, a tall center from Australia. Limited minutes and transitioning into the wnba, Elizabeth will be a rare factor in games. I predict Tulsa will only win a handful of games this season and be the worst team in the league once again.
East
1. Atlanta- The Atlanta Dream were champions of the east last year and I expect them to continue more of the same. They are an explosive team with solid guard play and post presence. The dream run an uptempo style and can go off for 80+ any given game. They were a very strong 2h team last season closing out many games when it mattered most. I expect to once again see them in the WNBA finals vs Seattle.
2. Ny Liberty- The New York Liberty are lead by one of the most charismatic players in the league in the form of Cappie Pondexter. Pondexter is one of the best guards in the league and can take over a game in an instant. The east is much more full of parity this year compared to the west, but I still expect that the Liberty will be able to rise to the challenge and take down 1 of the top 2 spots this season.
3. Indiana Fever- the Fever are starting to get up their in age and their window for a title is closing. In previous years Indiana has been dominant at home and a perennial playoff team. I expect them to see the post season again this year, but will struggle to have any impact in them. The fever are lead byTamika Catchings, who is a double double waiting to happen. Indiana tends to play a grind it out style and can often have or force really ugly quarters. Becareful when playing overs.
4. Washington Mystics- The Mystics struggled with injuries last year, but still managed to have one of the best records in the league. The injury bug has already struck this year with the loss of Currie. Though the loss of Currie will be felt, the return of Beard is much anticipated. Washington is a very good team at home and can beat any team on a given night.
5. Connecticut Sun- The Sun are lead by Tina Charles. Charles lead the team in scoring & rebounding last season and I look for her to do it again. Charles will be forced to carry this team on her back and they will struggle to string wins together, especially on the road. Look for them to finish slightly under .500 and miss the playoffs.
6. Chicago Sky- The sky have one of the best inside players in the league in Fowles, but that is really where this team ends. Scoring will be an issue for this team all season and if teams can take away Fowles, Chicago will be in for a very rough season this year. They Will have the 3rd worst record in the league and never challenge for a playoff spot in my mind even though Fowles will average around 18 points and 10 rebs.
I hope this is helpful to those trying to jump into the WNBA action and feel free to shoot me a pm with any questions or concerns.
West
1. Seattle- Seattle is the reigning wnba champion after sweeping every series in the playoffs last year. They are lead by Lauren Jackson, A dominant force in the paint that also has the touch to shoot from the outside. Seattle has the best home court advantage in the league and is returning all key parts from last season. Seattle likes to play an uptempo offense, but can also play amazing defense too. I expect them to take home the title and repeat as champions.
2. Phoenix Mercury- Seattle & Phoenix have been the cream of the crop in the wnba the past few seasons and I don't expect much to change this yr. Taurasi is well rested playing a shortened over seas schedule this off season. Along with Taurasi the mercury also feature great players in Penny Taylor & an ever growing Candice Dupree. The Mercury love to play an uptempo games scoring 80+ more times than not. Unlike Seattle, they struggle on defense and tend to find themselves in shootouts quite often.
3. Minnesota- Minnesota has tons of talent, it is all going to come down to meshing & staying Injury free. Minnesota had the first overall pick this year and selected Maya Moore from Uconn. Minnesota has been playing an uptempo pace for years, but failed to shoot a % from the field. With the addition Moore & return of a healthy Seimone Augustus, i expect Minnesota to make great strides this year and compete in almost every game.
4. LA Sparks- The Sparks battled at the end of last season while missing their best player in Candice Parker. Parker returns healthy this year and if her play in Russia is any sign of things to come, she is ready for a monster season. Joining Parker is Tina Thompson, the alltime leading WNBA scorer. These two will be a dynamic duo at times and help get the Sparks Into the playoffs in my mind.
5. S.A. Stars- Are lead by Becky Hammon & Sophia Young, two seasoned veterans. The Stars struggled much of last season and I expect more of the same this year. The stars lack the scoring power and athleticism to survive in the west. They will have trouble scoring at times and will be unable to slow down uptempo teams in my mind. I expect them to finish under .500 this year and never really be in contention for the playoffs
6. Tulsa Shock- Tulsa finished in the basement last year and I expect much more of the same this year. Teams ran up and down the floor on the shock this year often times scoring 85+ points. Tulsa adds a old veteran to the team in the form of Swoopes. Swoopes was once a dominant force in the league, but at the age of 40, Swoopes will have little long term success in my mind. Join Swoopes this season is Elizabeth Cambag, a tall center from Australia. Limited minutes and transitioning into the wnba, Elizabeth will be a rare factor in games. I predict Tulsa will only win a handful of games this season and be the worst team in the league once again.
East
1. Atlanta- The Atlanta Dream were champions of the east last year and I expect them to continue more of the same. They are an explosive team with solid guard play and post presence. The dream run an uptempo style and can go off for 80+ any given game. They were a very strong 2h team last season closing out many games when it mattered most. I expect to once again see them in the WNBA finals vs Seattle.
2. Ny Liberty- The New York Liberty are lead by one of the most charismatic players in the league in the form of Cappie Pondexter. Pondexter is one of the best guards in the league and can take over a game in an instant. The east is much more full of parity this year compared to the west, but I still expect that the Liberty will be able to rise to the challenge and take down 1 of the top 2 spots this season.
3. Indiana Fever- the Fever are starting to get up their in age and their window for a title is closing. In previous years Indiana has been dominant at home and a perennial playoff team. I expect them to see the post season again this year, but will struggle to have any impact in them. The fever are lead byTamika Catchings, who is a double double waiting to happen. Indiana tends to play a grind it out style and can often have or force really ugly quarters. Becareful when playing overs.
4. Washington Mystics- The Mystics struggled with injuries last year, but still managed to have one of the best records in the league. The injury bug has already struck this year with the loss of Currie. Though the loss of Currie will be felt, the return of Beard is much anticipated. Washington is a very good team at home and can beat any team on a given night.
5. Connecticut Sun- The Sun are lead by Tina Charles. Charles lead the team in scoring & rebounding last season and I look for her to do it again. Charles will be forced to carry this team on her back and they will struggle to string wins together, especially on the road. Look for them to finish slightly under .500 and miss the playoffs.
6. Chicago Sky- The sky have one of the best inside players in the league in Fowles, but that is really where this team ends. Scoring will be an issue for this team all season and if teams can take away Fowles, Chicago will be in for a very rough season this year. They Will have the 3rd worst record in the league and never challenge for a playoff spot in my mind even though Fowles will average around 18 points and 10 rebs.
I hope this is helpful to those trying to jump into the WNBA action and feel free to shoot me a pm with any questions or concerns.
