|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Handing out grades
One of the things about the WNBA's long offseason is that players and fans have plenty of time to brag and dream about next year's possibilities. Who will next year's contenders and pretenders be? What trades to look for and who needs what in the draft? It's time to look back at the 2000 season, grade the teams on how they did, and look ahead to next year. Eastern ConferenceNew York: The two-time Eastern Confernence champ is in good shape for 2001. The Liberty had to deal with two unexpected surprises, with Rebecca Lobo re-injuring her knee in the offseason and Kym Hampton retiring before the season started. The Liberty should have Lobo back next year, which will help their inside game. However, it would be nice if New York added another offensive weapon to be able to contend with the Western Conference foes on a nightly basis. Final Grade: A-plus Cleveland: As the second-best team in the East, it wouldn't seem Cleveland would have to add much to be a contender next season. But the Rockers advanced as far as they did on sheer determination, and some brilliant coaching from Dan Hughes. The Rockers will get Eva Nemcova back after tearing her ACL this year, but will lose point guard Suzie McConnell Serio, who is retiring. Helen Darling showed plenty of promise in her rookie year. However, that is a position the Rockers need to shore up, as well as their offensive productivity. Final Grade: A-plus Orlando: What a disappointing ending for the Miracle, who at one point were in control of the Eastern Conference. More than players, Orlando's problems were on the road, where it went 5-10, and lost its last 11 road games. The Miracle lost Elaine Powell to a knee injury, which further illustrated how thin the Miracle's bench was, something that the talent-laded draft should help fix. Final Grade: B Washington: Coaching turmoil sidelined the Mystics more than anything else this year, and it remains to be seen if Darrell Walker will remain as coach. He earned the support of the players, but said it is unlikely he will return next year, continuing in his job as player personnel for the Wizards. In addition to a new coach, the Mystics probably will want to add some veteran players to their lineup. Vicky Bullett did a nice job of stepping into the leadership role, but she can't keep the youngsters all in line by herself, and it's a bit of a disappointment that Nikki McCray didn't help her out. Final Grade: C Detroit: Much like Minnesota, the Detroit Shock re-made itself for the 2000 season, and in at least one season's review, it wasn't for the better. The Shock traded veteran Jennifer Azzi to Utah for its first round draft picks, using them to select Edwina Brown and Tamicha Jackson. Brown averaged 32 minutes and six points while Jackson played 17 minutes averaging 6.8 points and 2.1 assists. Both will have to play a bigger role next year to make that trade seem worth it. The Shock will get a lift from Carla Porter and Rachael Sporn, two Aussies who sat out the season to focus on the 2000 Olympics. However, Elen Tornikidou and Claudia Maria das Neves may not, depending on their physical state. Final Grade: C Miami: Sure, the Sol finished with a losing record, but Miami still has to be considered one of the surprise teams after Elena Baranova tore her ACL on draft day, leaving the Sol little time to adjust. Baranova, and Sandy Brondello, an Australian who out the 2000 season to train for the Olympics, are expected to return next year. Miami should also benefit from a relatively high draft spot. Final Grade: B-plus Indiana: The Fever were a typical expansion team, playing well at times and hap-hazardly at others. Indiana will have a new coach next season, with U.S. Olympic Coach Nell Fortner taking over for Anne Donovan, who will be her first assistant after coaching this season. The Fever needs to acquire some more height in the off-season, but more than anything, they need more time playing together. Final Grade: B Charlotte: Wow, what happened to the Sting? Certainly Charlotte was one of the biggest disappointments in the league, not only missing the playoffs for the first time, but falling all the way to the cellar. Injuries played a big part, with Dawn Staley slowed by her knees, and Shalonda Enis troubled by her Achilles heel and first-round draft pick Summer Erb missing the preseason with an injured foot. To be successful next season, the Sting will have to get more out of Tracy Reid, the 1998 Rookie of the Year who spent much of the year clashing with the Charlotte coaching staff. It's also time to start looking for a good backup for Staley. The upcoming draft will be loaded with guards, and the Sting would be wise to snatch one. Final Grade: D-minus
Western ConferenceLos Angeles: The Year 2000. Otherwise known as the year the Sparks finally got it together. Known as a team laden with talent from the start, Los Angeles got everyone on the same path. The biggest difference in their playoff matchup with the Comets was Houston's experience, particularly noticeable in comparing its bench players to Los Angeles'. Los Angeles has its own experience now, and it should pay off in 2001. Backup center Clarisse Machanguana is coveted by several teams and probably will be with another team next year. Final Grade: A Houston: Houston in the Finals again. The Comets had plenty of distractions this year -- the catfight between Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper, Cooper's announced retirement and the lack of a center. Still they got to the WNBA Finals. Who can argue with that? Along with replacing Cooper, one area the Comets must improve in next year is center. The Comets have wasted their first-round draft picks on foreign centers who have never panned out for one reason or another. The Comets had to settle for starting a free agent, Tiffani Johnson, at center and she did her best. But Houston needs to find someone they know will show up, and can start in the WNBA. Final Grade: A-plus Sacramento: The Monarchs saved what was a disappointing season by reaching the playoffs. Still, there are a lot of questions surrounding the Monarchs' future. Coach Sonny Allen never really jelled with his team and his future is uncertain. The Monarchs also need to add some bulk to help out the slender inside game of Tangela Smith and Yolanda Griffith. Point guard Ticha Penicheiro did wonders with the ball, as long as it didn't require free throw shooting. It's an area she must improve in, shooting just 57.9 percent from the line. Final Grade: B Phoenix: If there is any team that can make excuses about injuries, this is the one. But the Mercury didn't, somehow winning games even as Michele Timms, Maria Stepanova and Michelle Cleary went down with season-ending injuries. The point guard position will be a question for the Mercury, as Timms' future is uncertain thanks to aching knees. She had arthroscopic surgery in July, and will have more surgery after the Olympics. Final Grade: A Utah: The Starzz made it over .500 for the first time in franchise history, but still missed out on the playoffs, making Utah the only team out of the original eight that hasn't experienced post-season play. The injury to Jennifer Azzi was a setback, with the veteran point guard missing 17 games. Still, Utah could have been in the playoffs if it had taken care of important games down the stretch. The Starzz didn't, leading to another disappointing season and leaving coach Fred Williams' future uncertain. Final Grade: C-minus Minnesota: The Lynx unveiled a new look for the 2000 season, but suffered a familiar ending as the Lynx collapsed in the second-half of the season to miss the playoffs. Much of the second-half struggle had to do with the knee injury to Andrea Lloyd-Curry. She hasn't decided if she will return next year, which means landing a big veteran inside player must be a priority for the Lynx. Final Grade: B-minus Portland: As an expansion team, the Fire has plenty to do in the offseason to catch up with the rest of the league. It can't depend on the draft alone, needing some good veteran free agents to help the Fire. Sophia Witherspoon and Sylvia Crawley both had good years, but the Fire needs more from Lynn Pride, the seventh overall draft pick who averaged just 3.6 points a game in 32 minutes. Final Grade: B Seattle: Coach Lin Dunn was emotional after the Storm's last home game, and it's no secret why. As an expansion team which boasts the worst record in the league, not many players will be back for another go. Edna Campbell has found a nice home and Sonja Henning was solid at the point, but the Storm have a lot to do in other areas. Final Grade: B-
Lya Wodraska is a sports writer for the Salt Lake Tribune.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
