Old faces in new places 2003 WNBA preview

Women's Basketball, May/Jun 2003

It seemed like the season that would never start. As negotiations between the Women's National Basketball Players Association and the WNBA regarding the collective bargaining agreement lingered, the draft was postponed and the dispersal draft remained unresolved. But in a final flash, it all fell into place, and with it the casts of characters were set - more or less - for the 2003 WNBA season.

Some league veterans will don new uniforms this season and likely change the fates of at least one or two teams. The college class of 2003, as well as a few foreign players, will also look to make their marks.

In reality, parity is the key word for this league, and a team can go from last place into title contention. Here is a look at some of the key elements on each team.

Eastern Conference (in alphabetical order)

Veteran All-Stars Dawn Staley and Andrea Stinson are returning, but one has to wonder how much longer Staley's knees will hold up. New head coach Trudi Lacey will have to get Kelly Miller and Sheila Lambert to step up. Center Tammy Sutton-Brown will get some assistance from Polyanna Johns, picked up in the dispersal draft. Prolific college scorer Jocelyn Penn might also be a factor but likely will need some time to adapt to the pro game.

"With the first pick of the 2003 WNBA draft, the Cleveland Rockers select LaToya Thomas from Mississippi State University" said WNBA president Val Ackerman. Thomas, a four-time Kodak All-American, could provide the Rockers with the extra offensive punch they need. But the results may come down to the health of returning point guard Helen Darling.

One of the league's two new franchises picked up veteran point guard Debbie Black in the dispersal draft. She will serve as a good backup for Shannon Johnson, who comes into the WNBA season playing in top form. Connecticut did not have a first-round draft pick, and their secondand third-round picks may not make the roster. Whether the Sun rises or sets will likely depend on the condition of guard-forward Nykesha Sales, who'll be playing before home state crowds.

Things are looking decidedly up for the Shock. Bill Laimbeer has had eight months to focus on being the team's coach. In the draft he had two first-round picks, one of whom was Cheryl Ford, the daughter of former NBA adversary Karl Malone. The day before, he picked Ruth Riley in the dispersal draft. He now has the big inside presence with Swin Cash, Ford and Riley, and a veteran guard in Kedra Holland Corn.

The Fever are turning into a pro destination for Lady Vols. Sixth pick Gwen Jackson, a forward, joins forward Tamika Catchings and guard Nikki McCray on a team that is just getting stronger. Dispersal draft selection Sylvia Crawley, a center, helps shore up the front court. With veteran Coquese Washington running the point, this young team may just set a boiling pace in 2003.

For once, the New York Liberty didn't trade away their first-round pick. They used it to select guard Molly Creamer, who was second in the nation in shooting this college season. But she played in a relatively weak conference, and the physicality of the pro game will undoubtedly be a serious challenge. Second-round pick guard Erin Thorn, from BYU, also brings a lot of talent. But once again the team is still searching for a solid backup point guard to give Teresa Weatherspoon some rest time. Dispersal draft pick Elena Baranova could really change the face of this team, but at press time it was still unclear as to whether she wanted to return to the WNBA.

First-round draft pick Aiysha Smith indicated some fear at playing in the nation's capital. Hopefully, that fear will not translate onto the basketball court. Forward Chamique Holdsclaw is ready, as are guard-forward Stacey Dales-- Schuman and guard Coco Miller. The Mystics could probably use a better point guard, but they're still a sharp-looking team. Western Conference (in alphabetical order)

Houston Comets

In the dispersal and regular drafts, the Comets picked up two strong point guards in Ukari Figgs, who knows what it takes to win a WNBA Championship, and Constance Jinks of UNLV. They could fill the only missing holes in the Comets lineup. The comeback of two-time league MVP Cynthia Cooper will produce a lot of fanfare, and it will be interesting to see if she can return to top form after two seasons off. All-Stars Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes and Janeth Arcain, as well as maturing young center Michelle Snow should deliver great results for Houston in 2003.

Los Angeles Sparks

The face of this team will remain virtually unchanged, as they did not have a first-round pick in the draft and their pick in the dispersal draft, Jackie Stiles, is still not 100 percent healthy. Lisa Leslie, DeLisha Milton, Tamecka Dixon, Nikki Teasley and Mwadi Mabika are an able cast of winners with their eyes set on a three-peat. Last year's first-round draft pick, Rosalind Ross, could be a contributor if she is fully healed from knee surgery.

Minnesota Lynx

A blast from"the-past, five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards, 39, was the first pick for the Lynx. First-year head coach Suzie McConnell Serio must be looking to her 1988 Olympic teammate to bring in veteran stability to the point guard spot. Sharp shooter Sheri Sam was the pick in the dispersal draft. With veterans Katie Smith, Svetlana Abrosimova and Tamika Williams, the