Portland is a strong favorite to be the elite among the expansion clubs, but a playoff berth in the highly-competitive Western Conference is asking a lot.

Lynn Pride did it all in college and will be asked to step up in a big way for the Fire, along with Stacey Thomas, who came out of nowhere to blossom at Michigan. Alisa Burras and Vanessa Nygaard each endured brutal season with Cleveland last year and hope a change in scenery will help bring back memories of successful college careers.

The Fire possesses a potentially dangerous backcourt. Sophia Witherspoon is coming off a disappointing season, but averaged in double figures the two previous years and has a deadly 3-point shot. Michelle Marciniak looks to make a valiant comeback and regain past glory after undergoing surgery two years ago to remove a lump from her breast. Do not be surprised if this club makes some noise and jells quicker than most expansion teams.

The basics

Coach: Linda Hargrove, first year, former coach of ABL's Colorado Xplosion

1999 finish: Expansion team

Arena: The Rose Garden

Average home attendance: Expansion team

Story Lines

Portland could boast one of the tallest front lines in the WNBA if coach Linda Hargrove decides to play centers Sylvia Crawley and Michele VanGorp together. Crawley stands 6-foot-5 and VanGorp is 6-6. The duo have hinted at dunking during a game this season.

Michelle Marciniak is back in Portland and back in professional basketball after not playing last year. Marciniak, who began her career with the Portland Power of the ABL, wasn't picked up by a WNBA team after the ABL folded. She stayed around the game, working out and playing for the United States in the Pan American games, where she played alongside Sylvia Crawley and Lynn Pride, who are now her new teammates in Portland.

Players to watch

Sophia Witherspoon: One of the few marquee names for the expansion Fire, Witherspoon brings veteran leadership and a championship attitude to Portland. Witherspoon helped the New York Liberty reach the WNBA Finals in 1997 and 1999.

Lynn Pride: The seventh overall pick in April's WNBA Draft, Pride is one of the players Portland coveted. The athletic guard/forward should fit in nicely in coach Linda Hargrove's up-tempo offense.

Vanessa Nygaard: The converted power forward may have finally found a home in Portland. A knee injury caused her to miss her rookie season with New York in 1998, and she played just four games with Cleveland last year. Could add a spark to the Fire with her effort and work ethic.

Games to watch

May 31 vs. Houston 10 p.m.: The Fire will find out where they stand against the three-time WNBA champions.

June 23 vs. Seattle 9 p.m.: Two expansion teams battle for regional bragging rights.

Aug. 9 vs. Phoenix 10 p.m.: Veteran Mercury give Fire a final measuring stick for their first season.

What you didn't know

The name Fire was chosen to reflect the team's energy, intensity and emotion. "Fire is what I look for in a player and it's what all fans will see in this team," head coach and general manager Linda Hargrove said. "I can't think of a better word to describe the intensity I expect this team to bring to the floor every night."

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