What is left for the Comets to prove? Since midway through the first season, they have dominated the league -- winning all three championships -- and aim to become the first pro basketball team in America to win four titles in a row since the NBA's Boston Celtics captured eight straight from 1959-66.

Houston got a steal in the second round when it selected Andrea Garner to back up Polina Tzekova at center. But the Comets did not address the need for a point guard in the draft and might rely on Jennifer Rizzotti, who averaged less than 10 minutes per game last season and has not seen quality minutes since the ABL folded.

Two-time MVP Cynthia Cooper is showing no signs of slowing down even at age 37 and might be once again asked to handle both guard positions, even though she is the league's premier shooting guard. Sheryl Swoopes is one of the most durable small forwards and Tina Thompson possesses more weapons that any other power forward in the league. All the pieces are in place for a fourth championship and the only team that might beat the Comets are themselves.

The basics

Coach: Van Chancellor, fourth year, former Mississippi head coach

1999 finish: 26-6, WNBA Champions

Arena: The Compaq Center

Average home attendance: 11,906

Story Lines

With three championships in the league's first three years of existence the biggest question entering the 2000 season is can the Comets make it 4-for-4?

Despite their dominance, the Comets have a question mark at point guard. Sonja Henning tried to replace the late Kim Perrot there a year ago, but she was left unprotected in the expansion draft. Coquese Washington, obtained in an offseason trade with New York, is among the candidates to replace Henning.

Players to watch

Cynthia Cooper: What more can she do? Owns three WNBA scoring titles, three championship MVP awards, two regular-season MVP awards and is a three-time first-team All-WNBA choice.

Sheryl Swoopes: Houston's marquee player before Cooper emerged, but the duo share the spotlight well. Swoopes has been a first-team All-WNBA choice twice and was last year's regular-season MVP runner-up.

Tina Thompson: Along with Cooper and Swoopes, Thompson is the third member of Houston's "Big Three" and force inside. She was ranked 11th in the WNBA in rebounding a year ago.

Games to watch

May 29 vs. New York Liberty, 3 p.m.: 2000 WNBA season opens with a rematch of the 1999 WNBA Championship series.

July 23 at New York Liberty, 1 p.m.: Second meeting with Liberty may be another finals preview.

July 29 vs. Los Angeles, 4 p.m.: Sparks try to get over the hump known as Houston

What you didn't know

Cynthia Cooper traveled to Angola, Africa in February to deliver toys, books and medical supplies to impoverished citizens.

Sports Ticker contributed to this report.

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