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Players, agents expect busy offseason
With the 2000 regular season barely over and the playoffs underway, the 2001 season is about as far away as it can get. But that hasn't stopped many players and agents from worrying about next year. Last spring was a frustrating time for almost anyone involved in the WNBA. In the players' eyes, the league offered unsatisfactory salary increases. However, negotiations couldn't start until late February because agents first had to be certified by the players' union. As a result, an estimated 50 players were unsigned with training camp less than a week away, and many players didn't finalize their contracts until the day, and even the night before, training camps opened. Put off by what they thought were low salary increases, the majority of players signed only one-year deals, meaning this offseason will be another busy one for agents. Jennifer Azzi, who signed on April 24th and was promptly traded from Detroit to Utah, is one of many players who would like to have her contract completed as soon as possible. After contemplating retirement last year, Azzi felt rejuvenated this season, even after sitting out the first half of the campaign with a broken hand. Now, she'd like to sign a multi-year deal, and she'd rather get it done sooner than later. "As an athlete, I like to know what I'm training for, and what my future is to help me set goals," Azzi said. "But with the WNBA, there seems to be so much rushing. The draft was barely over and we were expected to be in training camp in the next few days. That's been one of the most frustrating things for me with the WNBA, that there is so much rushing. I like to be prepared." Nevertheless, Azzi's agent, Jan Kachmer, doesn't hold out much hope that the contracts will be taken care of earlier this time. She was told the league must first re-sign its corporate sponsors so it can complete its budget. It could be spring before that happens. "We could see a repeat of last year," Kachmer said. "We want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. But until they get their sponsors taken care of, they aren't going to do these deals." While many agents talk of multi-year deals, the reality is that most players likely will sign only one-year deals again. The WNBA suffered its first labor crisis in 1999, and part of the collective bargaining agreement was a no-lockout, no-strike clause for three years, and there are enough disgruntled players that another labor disagreement is likely to occur before the 2002 season. "We want to get these contracts done," Kachmer said. "It's better for the players, so they know where they're going, and it's better for the teams so they who is coming back and can prepare. Everyone wants to have continuity."
The real championshipWith all due regards to the East, there are very few doubters that the Western Conference finals are going to determine the 2000 WNBA champion. New York was 1-1 against Houston and 0-2 against Los Angeles in the regular season while Cleveland lost both its contests against the Comets and the Sparks. Even a rookie bettor can tell it wouldn't be wise to pick against the West. Houston vs. LA, can we end it after this? Yes, Los Angeles swept the three-time defending champs in the regular season, but eliminating the Comets even before the games have been played would be a huge mistake. First of all, Sheryl Swoopes is playing some of her best ball now that she has gotten over that pesky finnger injury, and Tina Thompson continues to play better than anyone expected. Secondly, none of Los Angeles' wins were huge blowouts, with scores of 84-74, 63-58 and 90-84. That being said, the Sparks have a lot more in their favor. They're well-rested and healthier than the Comets and have the homecourt advantage. They have less internal turmoil too, especially compared to the Comets' as the feud between Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper continues to fester, with both players admitting this week they have their differences. That isn't exactly new news, but it's probably an indication their attitudes are getting worse, at the worst time possible. The area to watch is the inside game, Houston's weakest area. Thompson is playing well, but she can't stop both DeLisha Milton and Lisa Leslie on her own, and center Tiffani Johnson just isn't quick enough to be much help. As for the Eastern Conference finals, New York could very well win in another sweep. The Rockers were the only higher seed taken to three games in the first round, and their miracle run should end against the Liberty. New York is playing its best basketball, with the combination of Becky Hammon and Teresa Weatherspoon improving in each game. Cleveland has done an amazing job since losing leading scorer Eva Nemcova to a knee injury, and just reaching the playoffs is a triumph in itself. The Rockers have survived with their defense, holding the Orlando Miracle to 28-percent shooting in the decisive game. Tuesday's win was their best effort, and they'll need three more just like it to get past the Liberty.
Trade bait?By virtue of its league-worst 6-26 mark, Seattle has earned the rights to the first pick in the 2001 draft. Unless she is a total flop in the Olympics, Australia's 6-foot-5 Lauren Jackson is expected to be the first player selected. You can bet Seattle coach Lin Dunn will try to trade her to Utah for Natalie Williams, whom she coached in Portland in the ABL, and has been vocal about coaching again. However, it's doubtful Seattle could make the deal attractive enough for the Starzz, who will be reluctant to give up not only the world's best power forward, but also the franchise's most popular player. Kevin O'Connor, Utah's Vice President of Basketball Operations, certainly didn't care for the way Dunn vocalized her wishes so much. "I'm not going to call it tampering," he said. "But coaches need to worry about their own team and not someone else's."
Around the leaguePhoenix's Jennifer Gillom has no intention of putting herself on the retirement list just yet. The 36-year-old said this week she wanted to play at least one more year ... As expected, Cooper is starting to waffle on her decision to retire, saying her final decision won't come until spring ... Houston coach Van Chancellor called Sacramento's Yolanda Griffith "possibly the best offensive rebounder in the history of women's basketball." ...Orlando lost its last 11 road games.
Lya Wodraska is a sports writer for the Salt Lake Tribune.
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