LOVIN THE WNBA
with Bell Fuller
WNBA IS BACK- 2013
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlanta Dream- Two finals appearances in the last 3 years is impressive. But I don't really see this team improving. They still are ferocious on the glass with Sancho Lyttle and Erika de Souza and they have probably the meanest, rawest, most competitive superstar in the league in Angel McCoughtry but they need something else to get over that edge. Really I think they need another star. Not necessarily a superstar, they have that in Angel. They need a star who can put the ball in the hoop. They've had one preseason game and Courtney Clements lit it up. Now she's a free agent and could be cut by the time you read this but if she continues like she's started, I don't think she'll be a star but she could be a big help for the team. They need a shooter. They're gonna compete but they're still not there yet. Oh, shout out to Armintie Price- does more with her God give abilities than probably anyone in the league.
Chicago Sky- Can you get anymore talented on paper?!? Wow. Piph (Epiphanny Prince), Fowles, Vandersloot, Cash and the phenom- Delle Donne. To me they are the one team that can really match up ON PAPER with the Phoenix Mercury and their dream team. Fowles on Griner, Delle Donne isn't Taurasi yet but she'll be a handfull for sure etc. Piph, to me, can score with anyone in the league. Reminds me of Tweety (Deanna Nolan) how she's undervalued but so effective. A star. She just has to stay healthy. Fowles is very good, not great yet, but very, very good. Vandersloot has to show she's the point guard they anticipated. She has beyond the tools to work with. Cash plays hard, has experience and is the only proven winner on the team. Interesting that with all of this great talent that other than Cash they don't really have anyone who's won a championship at the college or pro level or has really risen and proven to be a superstar. That's a part of the head scratcher on why this team hasn't been able to get it done. But Pokey has so much talent on her roster now that she absolutely HAS to do big things this year. All of this wonderful talent has to really come together and if they do, it may be incredible to watch!
Connecticut Sun- Not making it to the championship obviously cost Thibault his job last year. And I think he's a fantastic coach but it's hard for me to fathom as well how they didn't make the Finals. But the players are fortunate in that they have a more than capable replacement in Anne Donovan. And then they have not only the leagues defending MVP but also the ONLY player that I've ever seen do work against Brittney Griner. No screens, simply...work. Tina Charles is a serious problem. And it's really great to see Kara Lawson get her due cause she works so hard. They have the talent to get to the Finals and perhaps pull a shocker. (Believe me, if any team from the east wins the Finals it will be a shocker. The West is loaded!) Of course Renee Montgomery will just get better and better. She's a pure scorer no doubt. Be good to see her continue to try to expand her game. Connecticut will be tough.
Tina Charles receiving the MVP from the commissioner
Indiana Fever- The defending champs! I have to say that was a shocker. They've come close many times and haven't won, and there really was no reason to believe they'd beat what was essentially an all-star team in the Lynx. Not to mention one of the games most consistent talents Katie Douglas went down. But with the steady tenacity of the great Tamika Catchings and then you talk about stepping up: Erlana Larkins was a monster on the boards and really revived her career and Shavonte Zellous proved to be one of the most clutch players around. A Robert Horry type for the league. Not a star, but when the game's on the line- as good they get. I really respect Lin Dunn and their organization but I give them NO chance of repeating. But again, I gave them NO chance of winning it last year...so who knows.
New York Liberty- My man is back- Bill Laimbeer and I'm excited. I was a big Detroit Shock fan. To me he's laying down a similar foundation in New York that he had with the Shock as well as the Pistons. Two strong guards (Shock- Tweety&Katie Smith/Pistons- Isaiah and Joe D/ Liberty Cappie and Leilani- though Leilani isn't at the level of the rest of these players. But she's solid for sure) and a deep, strong front court. With the Liberty he's going to be able to rotate between one of my absolute favorites who's back Cheryl Ford with Plenette Pierson, Kara Braxton, Kelsey Bone and Toni Young. He can't lose. It was the same thing with the Shock and the same with the Pistons- James Edwards, Rodman, Salley, Laimbeer, Aguirre. The man knows his formula. I can't wait. But I would love for them to find a shooter to stretch the D more. Hopefully Katie Smith can still knock some down but I still think they need more. All led by a true, true star- Cappie. I believe she's determined to get that ring as the main driver of the train as opposed to the lead passenger as she was in Phoenix. New York is gonna be a tough night for anyone.
Washington Mystics- That sickened me when the Mercury got the number one pick and the Mystics didn't even get a pick in the top 3. Ridiculous how life can be sometimes. But it is what it is, and now it's time to play. Thank God they got Thibault. Give him some time. He'll get them on the right track. Tough to say how much better they'll be this year. Hopefully Taylor Hill can be a big spark. Langhorne should play big and Monique Currie really needs to restablish herself as a good player in this league. I don't know. They'll probably be better but the league is so tough that that will still mean a last place finish in the conference I believe. Hopefully they'll be in line for a great pick to continue to build on what Thibault is doing. Oh, Ivory Latta was a good get. They're gonna compete but not quite ready to win I don't think.
Hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned for the Western Conference season preview!
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