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It's all come down to this
All the practices, long travel days and physical games have come down to this -- the WNBA Playoffs. Eight lucky teams -- half the league -- advanced to the playoffs, which start Friday. Los Angeles vs. PhoenixThe Phoenix Mercury almost have to be considered a surprise team to reach the WNBA Playoffs after losing Michele Timms, Maria Stepanova and Michelle Cleary to season-ending injuries. The Mercury survived on three things: emotion, Brandy Reed's consistency and Jennifer Gillom's rise. But it's doubtful Phoenix can survive the Sparks, the hottest team in the league that won 12 of its last 13 games. Los Angeles played its last six games on the road, which will work in the Mercury's favor. Not surprisingly, the Sparks are tired, and the last thing they probably want to do is play another game in Phoenix in front of the Mercury's rabid fans. Los Angeles won at Phoenix 77-63 less than a week ago. However, Los Angeles simply has too much firepower for the short-staffed Mercury, and if it wins that game in Phoenix, it should be a 2-0 sweep. Phoenix is one of the weakest rebounding teams in the league, which should give Lisa Leslie, DeLisha Milton and Mwadi Mabika some easy second-chance points. The Mercury have been led all year by Reed, averaging 19 points. But Gillom stepped up her play at the right time, averaging 17 points in the last six games. However, Phoenix's downfall is at the point, with Tonya Edwards and Dena Head both failing to direct the type of game Phoenix coach Cheryl Miller demands.
Houston vs. SacramentoCould the Comets go from being a three-time champion to a first-round loser? Don't count on it. Sacramento, which lost to the Comets three times during the regular season, will be doing good to stretch the series to three games. Sheryl Swoopes is one of the MVP favorites along with Leslie, and the Monarchs simply don't have anyone who can contain her. She averaged 24 points against Sacramento in the regular season, and could do even more damage with the playoffs on the line. The Monarchs, on the other hand, have to feel just a bit lucky to reach the playoffs after enduring a three-game losing streak right before the All-Star break. Morale was down and players started to rebel against coach Sonny Allen's offense. That battle probably isn't over, but the Monarchs recovered and went on a five-game winning streak to clinch a playoff bid. Yolanda Griffith, the 1999 MVP, carried the Monarchs to the playoffs, but she'll need a lot of help to eliminate the Comets.
New York vs. WashingtonHaving won the Eastern Conference title for the second straight year, the Liberty are the favorite to represent the East in the finals. But first there is the little matter of getting there. New York won seven of its last nine games, but was 1-2 against the Mystics. However, is there a more determined player to win in the playoffs than Teresa Weatherspoon? The Liberty have one of the deepest benches in the league, and that is going to make the difference in the playoffs. The Mystics didn't find out if they were headed to the playoffs until the last day when they beat Cleveland. Washington's bench can't match New York's, and if fatigue doesn't spell doom for the Mystics, foul trouble will. Washington, making its first playoff appearance, finished 5-7 under Darrell Walker, who took over when Nancy Darsch resigned.
Cleveland vs. OrlandoOn paper, this is the most interesting first round matchup. Orlando seemed a lock for the Eastern Conference title only a few weeks ago, but the Miracle finished on a 3-10 slide. Coach Carolyn Peck probably is second-guessing herself for cutting guard Sheri Sam, who averaged 12.8 points for Miami this year. Orlando could use some of Sam's fiery play now as it struggles to get out of its slump. Cleveland, 2-1 against the Miracle in the regular season, is much like Phoenix in that it has continued to win after losing a key player, in this case Eva Nemcova. The Rockers lost their last two games, which could bode well for the Miracle.
Another retireeFirst Houston's Cynthia Cooper, now Cleveland's Suzie McConnell Serio. The popular Cleveland guard announced her retirement earlier this week, citing her priorities for her family as the No. 1 reason. The 35-year-old McConnell Serio has four children and wants to spend more time with them. McConnell Serio chose to leave the game at a good time. She isn't being forced out with an injury, and leads the Rockers averaging 3.8 assists, 5.2 points and 22 minutes. She also leaves the Rockers in good hands, with rookie Helen Darling splitting time with her. Darling has averaged 17.6 minutes, five points and 2.1 assists. Darling, a Penn State grad like McConnell Serio, should be an up-and-coming star next year with a season's worth of experience.
Olympic alternatesUSA Basketball announced its list of alternates for the 2000 Olympics, and all but one are WNBA players. Katrina McClain, who played in the ABL, is the only non-WNBA player on the list, joining Houston's Tina Thompson, Washington's Vicky Bullett, Utah's Jennifer Azzi and Orlando's Shannon Johnson and Nykesha Sales. The alternates will train with the Olympic team in Colorado Springs, Colo., beginning Aug. 14. They won't travel to Sydney unless an original member of the Olympic team is injured, in which case a replacement will be selected from the alternates. Johnson, Thompson and Sales have never competed in the Olympics.
Around the leagueThe matchup between Miami and New York, which the Sol won, got a little ugly as Miami's Kristen Rasmussen was pushed into a row of photographers by New York's Tamika Whitmore, and New York coach Richie Adubato and Teresa Weatherspoon were assessed technicals ... Orlando's Taj McWilliams sprained her ankle against Washington, but wasn't slowed at all Wednesday as she scored 23 points against Miami ... The Utah Starzz missed the playoffs for the fourth year, but finished above .500 for the first time ... Orlando guard Elaine Powell underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair her anterior cruciate ligament, which she tore on July 19.
Lya Wodraska is a sports writer for the Salt Lake Tribune.
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