ARCHIVE: Houston Roundball Review 1998 WNBA Regular Season Honors

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:

The player who has the most value to her team. In other words, if this player missed games for an extended period of time, her team would experience a dramatic fall off in performance and / or wins.

Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets:

She and Gillom have similar stats; however, her will to win is simply amazing and unparalleled.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Jennifer Gillom, Phoenix Mercury

Andrea Stinson, Charlotte Sting

Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty

Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

Sandy Brondello, Detroit Shock

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER:

The player who has the best season statistically for her team throughout the league and also contributed the most to her team's success.

Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets:

The physical abuse she endures, her ability to finish at the basket, and her lightning quick first step, combined with her tremendous will to win separate her from every other player.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Andrea Stinson, Charlotte Sting

Jennifer Gillom, Phoenix Mercury

Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

Korie Hlede, Detroit Shock

Susie McConnell Serio, Cleveland Rockers

ROOKIE of the YEAR:

The rookie (graduated from college in 1998) who helped her team improve (no. of wins) the most compared to the previous season, and / or put up the best statistics, plus made her teammates better.

Tracy Reid, Charlotte Sting:

Tracy may not be a great foul shooter (60%); but no one runs the floor like she does. Her ability to score around the basket is exceptional.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Korie Hlede, Detroit Shock

Ticha Penicheiro, Sacramento Monarchs

Tangela Smith, Sacramento Monarchs

Brandy Reed, Phoenix Mercury

COACH of the YEAR:

The coach who best maximized his or her team's talent and / or overcame any team adversity.

Van Chancellor, Houston Comets:

27 - 3. That says enough; however, he handled internal differences as well as injuries. Keep in mind, the club’s 1st round pick (Polina Tzekova) didn’t play at all in order to take care of her very ill mother.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Nancy Lieberman - Cline, Detroit Shock

Linda Hill - McDonald, Cleveland Rockers

Cheryl Miller, Phoenix Mercury

Marynell Meadors, Charlotte Sting

DEFENSIVE PLAYER of the YEAR:

The player who disrupts the opponent's offense more than any other player. She is not necessarily the best man to man (player to player) defender in the league.

Margo Dydek, Utah Starzz

Margo led the league in blocks at 3.5. She altered countless others. Her 7’2 frame simply closed the lane and forced teams to shoot from the perimeter.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty

Kim Perrot, Houston Comets

Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks

Vicky Bullett, Charlotte Sting

Tina Thompson, Houston Comets

Cindy Brown, Detroit Shock

NEWCOMER of the YEAR:

The first year player who helped her team improve (no. of wins ) the most compared to the previous season, and / or put up the best statistics, plus made her teammates better.

Susie McConnell Serio, Cleveland Rockers:

The Rockers finished 15 - 13 last season and missed the playoffs. This season their record was 20 - 10 and they won the Eastern Conference title mainly because of Serio. Her passing and shooting skills allowed Michelle Edwards to play her natural shooting guardposition.

OTHER CANDIDATES:

Margo Dydek, Utah Starzz

Nikki McCray, Washington Mystics

Cindy Brown, Detroit Shock

Sandy Brondello, Detroit Shock