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**CbobbyB** · 05-15-2006, 12:36 PM

Top Ten

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1.Sacramento Monarchs- You know the deal... on top until someone dethrones the defending champion. It might be the last honor accorded the Monarchs (not to mention the whole ring and banner celebration) before all slates are wiped clean again. With their nucleus back in place, there is no reason to think they can't do it again.

2.Connecticut Sun- Two-time finalists, the Sun had the best record in the regular season last year, but ran out of gas in the Finals. If anything, the Sun improved their depth, losing Brooke Wyckoff but gaining Erin Phillips and Donna Loffhagen. The biggest question will be the health of Lindsay Whalen's ankle. But until they prove us wrong, they're the best in the East.

3.Houston Comets- The Comets returned to the Western Conference Finals last season and could be back there again. A full season with Dawn Staley, in her farewell tour, plus Swoopes and Thompson on top of their games... then throw in All-Star Michelle Snow, veteran Tamecka Dixon and a deeper squad than last year... sold.

4.Seattle Storm- A lack of depth last season was the result of many offseason changes after their 2004 title. However, the Storm got stronger in this past offseason, which is welcome news to Bird, Jackson and Lennox. Burse was much improved, Castro Marques is solid and newcomer Wendy Palmer is already paying dividends for this team.

5.Detroit Shock- Despite a sub-.500 record last season, this is still one of the most talented teams in the league, if not the most talented. With five All-Stars in their starting lineup, Nolan, Smith, Cash, Ford and Riley can beat you in a lot of different ways. The return of Kedra Holland-Corn cannot be emphasized enough and Kara Braxton will be even stronger inside this season. Look out for a Finals sleeper...

6.Washington Mystics- The Washington Mystics were very much in the hunt for a playoff spot until a poor final two weeks in 2005. But additions to the roster make this a more experienced and more-balanced team. But don't be confused... this is Alana Beard's team. She will have more help than ever, though with newcomers Nikki Teasley and Crystal Robinson as well as Chasity Melvin and DeLisha Milton-Jones.

7.Los Angeles Sparks- Leslie + Holdsclaw are as good a 1-2 punch as it gets in this league. Injuries to Nikki Teasley and Mwadi Mabika limited the team in 2005, but a healthy Mabika and the addition of last year's best rookie, Temeka Johnson, should be a spark for the... that was too easy. Leslie has been a force in the preseason, but bench scoring could be a chink in this team's armour.

8.Indiana Fever- An Eastern Conference Finalist a season ago, this team looks quite different than it did after walking off the court in Conencticut last September. With all the change, Catchings is still da' woman and Bevilaqua is still is busy bee on both ends, but chemistry in the early going is a big question. Anna DeForge and Charlotte Smith are veterans capable of fitting in and Tamika Whitmore makes the Fever a more credible team inside.

9.Phoenix Mercury- Oh, Mercury how you taunt me with your up-tempo ways. Do I think you will score lots of points? Yes. Do I think Cappie Pondexter is a great addition? Sure. Will you miss Maria Stepanova and Penny Taylor (if she doesn't play in 2006)? Yup. Can you get over the playoff hump without an improved frontcourt? Not likely. Is this your year? I'm thinking not. Do I still love Diana Taurasi? Of course. Will she love me after reading this? Gggggggg.

10.Minnesota Lynx- The Lynx will be an improved team this season. Plain and simple. They have a talented, young frontcourt and a talented, young backcourt. Are they ready for the postseason? Probably not yet, but they're not far off. It is strange starting a season in Minnesota without Katie Smith, but the new-look Lynx will be entertaining and even competitive. With Shona Thorburn still nursing her ankle, curiosity demands us asking if Suzie McConnell Serio is thinking about starting an all-rookie backcourt this season. I will now get a papercut thumbing through media guides to see the last time that's happened in the WNBA.

This should be an interesting season..especially with the 24sec shot clock.

**Cometsbiggestfan** · 05-16-2006, 11:42 AM

The Power Rankings are pretty accurate, imo.

However, the so-called "experts" predictions are just plain hillarious!

LMAO @ them thinking the Shock will win the title.

http://sports.espn.go.com/wnba/previ...ory?id=2440268

Quote:

This summer, however, ESPN.com's experts unanimously pick Detroit -- which boasts five All-Stars in its starting lineup -- as the 2006 preseason favorite. Cash is said to finally be back at 100 percent after a torn ACL late in the 2004 season. Katie Smith, acquired from Minnesota for the last 13 games of last season, is over a knee injury that hampered her last summer and is fitter than ever after shedding 15 pounds (she already was one of the most dangerous perimeter scoring threats in the league). And Holland-Corn is back, too, after a season in Houston and a year off. Add in coach Bill Laimbeer, Ruth Riley, Deanna Nolan and Cheryl Ford, and the Shock start out as the team to beat when the WNBA's 10th season opens Saturday.

**CbobbyB** · 05-16-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cometsbiggestfan

The Power Rankings are pretty accurate, imo.

However, the so-called "experts" predictions are just plain hillarious!

LMAO @ them thinking the Shock will win the title.

http://sports.espn.go.com/wnba/previ...ory?id=2440268

thats because they think that the washed up Katie Smith is still in her prime...however, Deanna Nolan

will soon emerge into one of the leagues most dangerous players..

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