The Houston Roundball Review's Archived WNBA Notebook: May 30, 2000

The WNBA notebook was updated throughout the 2000 season.

Charlotte Sting: Summary: Despite injuries to numerous players throughout the preseason, the Sting are still one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. If Tracy Reid can stay healthy and regain her Rookie of the Year form from 2 seasons ago, Charlotte will be at or near the top of the East all season. Unfortunately, fan support in Charlotte still leaves a lot to be desired.

Cleveland Rockers: Summary: Following the disaster of last season (7 - 25), the Rockers hope a healthy Susie McConnell - Serio will be the guiding as well as stabilizing force to turn things around this season. Ann Wauters, the number 1 pick in this year's Draft, should play about 20 minutes a game. She's looked very good in preseason and practice. Rebounding will be a huge key to their success. Eva Nemcova must assume a bigger role in the offense.

Detroit Shock: Summary: After almost a complete overhaul from last year's team, Coach / GM Nancy Lieberman - Cline has placed her seal on this season's team. Dominique Canty has to produce every game. Rookies Edwina Brown and Tamicha Jackson must play well. The three of them could combine to form a very exciting, fast breaking trio.

Houston Comets: 1 - 0. Summary: The Comets opened the season by defeating the Liberty. Though they struggled at times, the Comets showed they are still the team to beat in the WNBA. Despite arriving from Brazil last Friday, Janeth Arcain started at point guard and did a decent job handling the pressure defense from New York's Teresa Weatherspoon. A two game trip to Portland and Seattle should have the Comets return home 3 - 0 before they face Phoenix.

Indiana Fever: Summary: Center Kara Wolters posted big numbers in the preseason. The club turned the ball over too much for Coach Ann Donovan's taste; but, overall they played well. Indiana legend Stephanie McCarty has to be a major part of any success the team enjoys this season.

Los Angeles Sparks: Summary: The Sparks, surprisingly, waived first round pick guard Nicole Kubik; but, new coach Michael  Cooper believes his team is ready to make a run at the WNBA title. Rookie center Paige Sauer has looked so good early that Cooper wants to play Sauer along with Lisa Leslie and move DeLisha Milton to small forward. Those 3 on the floor together would pose a great defensive challenge to the opposition.

Miami Sol: Summary: Miami got spanked hard twice by the Comets in the preseason; but, playing Houston showed Miami how much work they have to accomplish in order to reach the Comets' level. Guard Debbie Black has recovered from back surgery and she has returned to her customary role of pest on defense. Black and center Marlies Askamp will provide the veteran leadership and solid performance for the rest of the team.

Minnesota Lynx: Summary: Coach / GM Brian Agler revamped his team. Last season's squad experienced too much disharmony; so Agler made numerous trades in order to assemble a team better suited to his style of play. Rookies Betty Lennox, Maylana Martin, and Marla Brumfield looked good in preseason. Katie Smith is healthier than she was last season and she's ready to have a breakout season. Kristin Folkl is finally healthy and also ready to showcase the talents she displayed at Stanford.

New York Liberty: 0 - 1. Summary: Center Kym Hampton retired basically because her knees could no longer take the grind of playing. Rebecca Lobo hopes to return from her second torn ACL by July 1. The Liberty acquired forward Tari Phillips from Portland on Sunday. Tamika Whitmore disappointed many when she reported to camp 42 pounds overweight; so, she is still trying to get into shape. Teresa Weatherspoon makes the team go; but, Vicki Johnson needs to play much better than her zero point effort against the Comets in the season opener.

Orlando Miracle: Summary: Coach Carolyn Peck surprised many in Orlando when she waived Sheri Sam. Sheri was a big part of the team's success last season; however, Coach Peck wants to run more this season and she didn't feel Sheri was a good fit any longer. Nykesha Sales should be healthy and ready to have a great season. Cintia Dos Santos will have a big impact on the team's defense.

Phoenix Mercury: Summary: Phoenix is now Brandy Reed and Maria Stepanova's team. Veterans Jennifer Gillom and Michelle Timms will still shoulder the leadership role; but, Reed and Stepanova will be key to the Mercury's success this season. The team should be greatly improved from last season and they'll have to be in order to survive in the Western Conference.

Portland Fire: Summary: Opening the season against the 3 time defending champs is a good and bad thing. Playing the Comets will definitely spark fan interest; but, if the Comets bring their "A" game, Portland could get embarrassed in front of their own fans. Sylvia Crawley and Michele Van Gorp both want to dunk in a game this season. A lot is expected from rookie Lynn Pride; but, she seems quite capable of meeting and exceeding those expectations. As great an athlete as Pride is teammate Stacey Thomas may be better.

Sacramento Monarchs: Summary: The team picked to unseat the Comets is ready for action. F / C Tangela Smith is expected to have a great season. Yolanda Griffith should show she is the league's best player once again. The team has two big questions: perimeter shooting and foul shooting. Both could cost them games at some point this season.

Seattle Storm: Summary: Coach / GM Lin Dunn traded for F Andrea Garner from Houston. Garner was caught in a numbers game in Houston. First round pick F Kamila Vodichkova should make a great impact for the Storm. Defeating LA in the preseason gave Seattle a much needed boost of confidence which they'll need because the opening part of their schedule is brutal.

Utah Starzz: Summary: Newly acquired point guard Jennifer Azzi is out until early to mid July with a broken bone in her hand. Azzi's injury means Korie Hlede will have to move from shooting guard to the point which will lessen her effectiveness. LaTonya Johnson will see more time at big guard. Natalie Williams and Margo Dydek are ready to wreak havoc on the front lines of their opponents.

Washington Mystics: Summary: Vicki Bullett arrived late to the team because she was playing overseas; however, she's in great shape and has already developed a good chemistry with her teammates. Chamique Holdsclaw (feet) and Nikki McCray (knee) are not yet 100% healthy; but, they will start in the season opener against Orlando. Tausha Mills showed in the preseason she will dish out the punishment in the paint. The Mystics should make the playoffs this season.

Houston Roundball Review: WNBA Notebooks