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Message: [QUOTE="MilfordHusky, post: 2249679, member: 366"] There appear to be 3 or possibly 4 groupings of the 12 teams in the WNBA this season. Elite teams Minnesota, which has had the best record every year or almost every year since Maya arrived, is clearly an elite team. They have the best record at 12-1 and have 4 U.S. Olympians on the roster. Though they are the oldest team in the league, they are the most consistent. Los Angeles, the defending champs, are also an elite team. They have the MVP and a prior 2-time MVP, plus other solid pieces and one of the best coaches. They had a few losses early, but are 12-3 now and play Minnesota this week in an important and informative game. Washington appears to be in limbo. Are they an elite team, a near-elite team, or a middle of the pack team? Certainly, EDD was a key addition, and Kristi Tolliver is a proven pro. I think they lack a post presence, even with Meeseman, but they may be the third best team. Their current record just short of the halfway mark suggest that. I saw them against Seattle, and they looked VERY good, but the Storm doesn't have a big inside game. There are several teams that are middle of the pack. All have weaknesses and can't put together sustained winning streaks. Phoenix has 2 world-class players, but a bunch of no-names as well. They are 8-7, which puts them in the middle. They are still adjusting to missing Taylor, Dupree, and Bonner. Connecticut looks like a team on the rise. Both Thomases are playing very well, and Jones looks like a star in the making. Can they beat good teams on the road? New York was an elite team last year, but is 7-7 currently. Tina has played well, but they need consistent support from Piph, Sugar, et al. Kiah has played much less since Kia Vaughn returned. Dallas is 8-9 and is hanging in there despite the absence of Courtney Paris and Aerial Powers. Skylar is playing good ball, as is Glory. Gray is the most effective rookie so far. Maybe she was the gem of the UNC Cinco de Mayo recruiting class. Seattle is 7-8 and inconsistent. Jewell had a very hot start, but has been so-so most of the past 6-8 games. Stew is coming on, and Sue leads the league in assists. When the starters are on the floor and they play at home, the Storm look very good. They have great ball movement and a high shooting percentage, but they lack rebounding. They have not gotten much out of Swords. Indiana is 7-8 and misses Catch. January is back, which should help. Their offense is balanced, with Dupree the leading scorer. Sometimes they look like a good team to me; other games, they look like a poor team. Atlanta is 6-7 after a hot start. Obviously, they miss Angel. Tiff has had a good year and leads the team in scoring. Clarendon is 2nd in the league in assists. Holmes and Williams are nice players. Chicago is one of the bottom dwellers. Despite their losing EDD, I thought they would fare better than they have. Cappie is 3rd in assists, and Quigley is 12th in scoring. Sloot, Young, and Stef are good players. Are they better than their record suggests? San Antonio is not very good. They still lack inside play. Mo and KMac carry the team, and Izzy has become a good player. How many other solid pros are on their squad? Is Vickie a capable coach, or is the talent pool shallow? I look for them to have a better second half, but they should still finish last. Getting to 8 wins on the season would be a big accomplishment. I've watched some teams more than others, so I'm a bit sketchy on some teams, Chicago and Indiana, in particular. Who do you think will emerge from the large pack in the middle? Who will sink into the cellar? Who will win the championship? Anyone other than Minnesotta or L.A.? [/QUOTE]

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