WNBA Breakdown: Western Conference

By Vin A. Cherwoo,
AP Sports
Team-by-team look at the WNBA, which tips off its 11th season this weekend (teams listed in alphabetical order):

Eastern Conference Breakdown | WNBA Main


WESTERN CONFERENCE

HOUSTON COMETS
2006: 18-16, 3rd; lost to Sacramento 2-0 in conference semifinals.
Coach:Karleen Thompson, 1st season with team, 11-3 overall.

Key Additions: F LaTasha Byears (free agent, Washington); G Ashley Shields (draft, No. 8, Southwest Tennessee CC); G Dee Davis (draft, No. 14, Vanderbilt).
Key Losses: Coach Van Chancellor; G Dawn Staley (retirement); G Dominique Canty (free agent, Chicago); G Tamecka Dixon (waived).
Strengths: Leadership, frontcourt. This will be a transition season for the Comets following the departure of Van Chancellor, the franchise's only coach in the league's first 10 years. Houston still has 10-year veteran forwards Tina Thompson and Swoopes, both named to the league's All-Decade team last season. Thompson averaged 18.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21 games, and Swoopes had 15.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Also, center Michelle Snow is coming off a career year (13 points and 7.9 rebounds).
Weaknesses: Backcourt. The Comets will be starting over in the backcourt after losing Staley, Canty and Dixon. Shields will get an opportunity to start after impressing the Comets with her competitive nature and aggressive attitude while averaging 25.9 points at Southwest Tennessee CC last season. Houston's success will depend on how fast the rookies can adjust to the professional level.

LOS ANGELES SPARKS
2006:25-9, 1st; lost to Sacramento 2-0 in conference finals.
Coach:Michael Cooper, 6th season, 116-31.

Key Additions:F Taj McWilliams-Franklin (trade, Los Angeles); F LaToya Thomas (free agent, San Antonio); F Ayana Walker (dispersal draft, Charlotte).
Key Losses: C Lisa Leslie (pregnancy).
Strengths: Chemistry. Cooper led the Sparks to consecutive titles in 2001-02 and third straight finals appearance in '03. Despite missing Leslie, the Sparks return four starters. In 25 games last season, Chamique Holdsclaw averaged 15.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Mwadi Mabika, who has played with the Sparks since the league's inaugural season, averaged 8.5 points last year. Third-year point guard Temeka Johnson has averaged 5.1 assists in her first two seasons. McWilliams-Franklin averaged 12.8 points and 9.6 rebounds for the East-leading Sun last year.
Weaknesses: Leadership. Leslie's absence will be felt beyond her statistics (20.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.7 blocks). The three-time MVP was also an All-Decade team selection last year and a three-time Olympic gold medalist. McWilliams-Franklin, an eight-year veteran, is a solid addition to fill the void, but the Sparks will need Holdsclaw to step up and be a franchise leader on the court and in the locker room.

MINNESOTA LYNX
2006: 10-24, 7th.
Coach:Don Zierden, 1st season.

Key Additions: G Lindsey Harding (post-draft trade, Phoenix; No. 1, Duke); G Noelle Quinn (draft, No. 4, UCLA); G Eshaya Murphy (draft, No. 15, Southern California).
Key Losses: G-F Tynesha Lewis (retirement); F Adrian Williams (trade, Sacramento ); C Vanessa Hayden (pregnancy).
Strengths: Backcourt. After getting Tangela Smith in the Charlotte Sting dispersal draft, she was dealt for Harding - the No. 1 overall selection. Harding and reigning Rookie of the Year Seimone Augustus (21.9 points per game) will likely anchor Minnesota 's backcourt for years to come. The Lynx also drafted Noelle Quinn with their selection at No. 4 to serve as Augustus' backup. Center Nicole Ohlde has averaged 10.8 points and 5.7 assists in three seasons, and Amber Jacobs had a career-high 8.2 points.
Weaknesses: Chemistry. The entire starting lineup from a year ago is back, but some players could be playing in reserve roles. There could be a period of adjustment due to a new coach with a new system and four rookies joining the team. Zierden has experience as an NBA assistant, but will be making his WNBA debut.

PHOENIX MERCURY
2006: 18-16, 5th.
Coach:Paul Westhead, 2nd season, 18-16.

Key Additions: G Tangela Smith (trade, Minnesota); C Kelly Schumacher (trade, New York); C Olympia Scott (free agent, Indiana); G Kelly Mazzante (dispersal draft, Charlotte).
Key Losses: F Kamila Vodichkova (pregnancy); C Kristen Rasmussen (free agent, Connecticut); F Kayte Christensen (free agent, Chicago); F Sandora Irvin (trade, San Antonio).
Strengths: Offense. After getting off to a slow start in Westhead's first season, the Mercury won seven straight to close the season. In Westhead's frenetic pace, Phoenix set a WNBA record by averaging 87.1 points per game. Diana Taurasi led the league with a career-high 25.3 points and added 4.1 assists. Cappie Pondexter had a sensational rookie season, averaging 19.5 points. Kelly Miller and Penny Taylor averaged 13.9 points and 5.6 rebounds after missing the first 14 games. Smith (13.1 points and 5.1 rebounds for Charlotte ) will help bolster the offense.
Weaknesses: Defense. On the flip side of Westhead's offense-first system, Phoenix was last in the league in scoring defense (84.7 points), sixth in rebounding (33.7), and seventh in steals (8.1) Losing Vodichkova (9.7 points and 6.7 rebounds) and Rasmussen won't help, though Schumacher and Scott could be solid contributors.

SACRAMENTO MONARCHS
2006: 21-13, 2nd; lost to Detroit 3-2 in WNBA finals.
Coach:Jenny Boucek, 1st season.

Key Additions: G Chelsea Newton (trade, Chicago); F La'Tangela Atkinson (trade, Indiana); G LaToya Bond (dispersal draft, Charlotte); F Adrian Williams (trade, Minnesota).
Key Losses: F Erin Buescher (free agent, San Antonio); Hamchetou Maiga-Ba (free agent, Houston).
Strengths: Experience, defense. The Monarchs return all five starters from the team that fell short of its second straight championship. Six-time All-Star Yolanda Griffith (12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds) is a force on both ends of the court, and is complemented by Nicole Powell (9.6 points and 3.9 rebounds) and Rebekkah Brunson (6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds). Ticha Penicheiro (3.4 asissts and 1.7 steals) and Kara Lawson (8.1 points) will lead the backcourt again. Newton, Scholanda Robinson, DeMya Walker and Kristin Haynie will be key reserves.
Weaknesses: Offense. Griffith was the only player to average double figures in scoring, and finished with career lows in points, rebounds, blocks and field-goal shooting. Sacramento will also need to find a consistent replacement for Buescher, the league's most improved player in 2006. Boucek brings the experience of being a former player and assistant coach - including Seattle's championship team in 2004 - in the league.

SAN ANTONIO SILVER STARS
2006: 13-21; 6th.
Coach:Dan Hughes, 3rd season with team, 96-122 overall.

Key Additions: G Becky Hammon (trade, New York); C Ruth Riley (trade, Detroit); G Helen Darling (dispersal draft, Charlotte); F Erin Buescher (free agent, Sacramento); C Sandora Irvin (trade, Phoenix); F Camille Little (draft, No. 17, North Carolina).
Key Losses: G Shannon Johnson (free agent, Detroit); C Katie Feenstra (trade, Detroit); F LaToya Thomas (free agent, Los Angeles); F Agnieszka Bibrzycka (remained in Poland); F Shyra Ely (free agent, Seattle).
Strengths: Backcourt, veteran leadership. After finishing with the franchise's best record since moving from Utah in 2003, the Silver Stars made two big trades and several key signings. Vickie Johnson, in her second season in San Antonio, and second-year player Sophia Young are the only returning starters. Hammon (14.7 points) played with Johnson for seven seasons in New York. Darling and Riley - who won two titles in Detroit - add to the influx of veteran leadership. Also, two-time All-Star Marie Ferdinand-Harris is back after missing last season due to a pregnancy.
Weaknesses: Chemistry. Despite the presence of veterans, the Silver Stars could be in for an adjustment period in the early part of the season as they learn the new offense run through Hammon. Erin Buescher and Irvin will be key reserves. Third-year forward Kendra Wecker was injured in the preseason and will miss at least the opener.

"SEATTLE STORM
2006: 18-16, 4th; lost to Los Angeles 3-2 in conference semifinals.
Coach:Anne Donovan, 5th season with team, 121-111 overall.

Key Additions: G Katie Gearlds (draft, No. 7, Purdue); C Tye'sha Fluker (dispersal draft, Charlotte); F Shyra Ely (free agent, San Antonio).
Key Losses: F Barbara Turner (released).
Strengths: Experience. All five starters are back, led by catalysts Lauren Jackson (19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks) and Sue Bird (11.4 points and 4.8 assists). Seattle was fourth in scoring (77.8), second in field-goal shooting (45.2 percent) and free throws (78.9 percent), fifth in rebounding (33.8) and blocks (3.7). Betty Lennox (13.7 points and 4.0 rebounds) and Janell Burse (11.1 points and 6.6 rebounds) also had strong seasons.
Weaknesses: Depth. Iziane Castro Marques (7.2 points) had a strong season and is poised for a bigger role in the offense. Gearlds was a two-time all-Big Ten Conference first-team selection and averaged 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for the Boilermakers. She also shot 37 percent on 3-pointers and finished fourth on Purdue's all-time scoring list with 1,974 points. Seattle could be bolstered by the return of veteran Wendy Palmer, who missed most of last season due to injury.

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