The Houston Roundball Review's Archived WNBA Notebook: June 6, 2000

The WNBA notebook was updated throughout the 2000 season.

Charlotte Sting: 0 - 3. Summary: Starting the season 0 - 3 is not what new head coach T.R. Dunn had in mind. Injuries are still a problem for the team; but, so are getting off to pitifully slow starts. The players aren't overly concerned, yet; but, it's time they play hard and well from the opening tip instead of 10 to 15 minutes into the game. Losing the home opener to expansion team Miami was embarrassing.

Cleveland Rockers: 2 - 1. Summary: The Rockers have won 2 straight after losing the season opener at Minnesota. Rebounding , especially offensive rebounding, has been a big key for the club. The Rockers have grabbed 34 offensive boards to only 16 for their opponents. However, one of the main reasons for that margin is Cleveland is only shooting 42 percent from the field while scoring only 67.7 points per game.

Detroit Shock:  1 - 1. Summary: Defeating Sacramento in their home opener was a great beginning for the young Shock team. However, averaging 21.5 turnovers the first 2 games is not good; but, it is understandable with all the youth and new players on the squad. F Elena Tornikidou played very well in the first 2 games. 

Houston Comets: 4 - 1. Summary: Despite new faces and not playing their "A" game for an entire 40 minutes, the Comets are still 4 - 1. Sure, Phoenix put a good beating on them in Houston; but, that has been the only loss thus far. If Houston can maintain their aggressiveness and return to playing "Comets defense", they're still the team to beat, period. Sheryl Swoopes has made a definite case for being the best player on the squad and has to be the top contender for this season's MVP award.

Indiana Fever: 2 - 1. Summary: The Fever has proven they can beat Miami. Their 2 wins have come over fellow expansion sister Miami. C Kara Wolters' new confidence really showed as she scored 24 points in the second win over Miami after scoring 2 key baskets down the stretch in the first contest at Miami. Stephanie McCarty seems to be getting more comfortable in the offense which is another positive for the team. The team is shooting a very good (48.1 %) percentage from the field.

Los Angeles Sparks: 3 - 0. Summary: As the lone unbeated team remaining in the league, it's a shame no one in LA seems to care enough about the Sparks to see them play. Playing for "announced" crowds of less than 5,000 is really a shame. Lisa Leslie has continued her standout play. Allison Feaster has been a spark off the bench. Teamd defense under new coach Michael Cooper has been very good (what else would expect from a team coached by one of the NBA's top defensive players?). Hopefully, home attendance will pick up for one of the elite teams in the league.

Miami Sol: 1 - 2. Summary: Losing two of three is not a surprise for an expansion team; however, the one win coming at Charlotte was a big surprise. Confidence and consistency are 2 keys which the team seems to lack right now. Turnovers and poor shooting (36.2 % from the field) are problems, too.

Minnesota Lynx: 2 - 2. Summary: Kristin Folkl, Katie Smith, and rookie Grace Daley have played very well in the first 4 games. Daley lost her starting job because of poor defensive effort; but, she bounced back from the demotion very quickly. Despite being a short team, Minnesota is outrebounding their opponents by 2 per game.

New York Liberty: 1 - 3. Summary: Crystal Robinson, New York's best shooter, is out about another 2 weeks with a sprained ankle which will definitely hurt the Liberty's offense. With Crystal out, Teresa Weatherspoon will see more time at big guard while Becky Hammon will run the offense. Spoon is defintely not the shooter Robinson is which could mean teams will sag down and swarm the low post scorers and force the Liberty to shoot from the outside. Hammon will have to shoot well from the perimeter in order to open up the defense. Recently acquired F Tari Phillips is still adjusting to the offense and defense.

Orlando Miracle: 3 - 1. Summary: Depth and G Adrienne Johnson have two factors in the Miracle's fast start. Since Orlando plays 10 players a game, the team is much more active and aggressive on defense which creates turnovers and leads to a lot easy baskets. C Cintia Dos Santos has been a stalwart on defense and has surprised some people with her ability to run the floor and keep up with Orlando's new emphasis on a much faster tempo. F Taj McWilliams is averaging 8.5 boards per game whils Shannon "PeeWee" Johnson is scoring 17 points per game and dishing out 7.5 assists per game.

Phoenix Mercury: 2 - 1. Summary: After spanking the Comets in Houston 80 - 62 for their second win of the season, Phoenix came out and got hammered on the boards (outrebounded 41 - 19) against Utah. The loss to the Starzz indicates that Phoenix is still not mentally tough enough to play well against all teams and not just the elite clubs in the league. Before her 13 against Utah, F Brandy Reed was averaging 27 per game including 32 against the Comets.

Portland Fire: 1 - 3. Summary: After losing to the Comets in double overtime in their home opener, Portland's lone win is over fellow expansion team Seattle. The Fire, however, has shown a willingness to play hard and compete for the full 40 minutes. C Sylvia Crawley has been a pleasant surprise on offense; but, the offense, as a whole, is still struggling

Sacramento Monarchs: 1 - 3. Summary: A four - game road trip to start the season has not gone well as the Monarchs have lost the first 3 games on the trip. Guard Ruthie Bolton - Holifield knee has forced her to sit out 2 of the four games. She'll probably be held out of the second game of a back to back most of this season to rest the knee. The team is not playing good defense and their perimeter and foul shooting are still trouble spots. So far, the team has failed to live up to those high preseason expectations.

Seattle Storm: 0 - 3. Summary: Averaging a league low 55 points per game is not good at all.  Edna Campbell has been the club's most consistent player through the first 3 games. F Kamila Vodichkova is a big part of the club's success; but, she can't stay out of foul trouble in order to make a positive contribution. Now, the club begins a 4 game road trip which could result in an 0 - 7 start to the season.

Utah Starzz: 2 - 2. Summary: Margo Dydek played her first good game of the season in Utah's win over Phoenix. She leads the league with 4.5 blocks per game. Natalie Williams is once again a load to handle on the glass. She's averaging 12 plus rebounds a game. As long as Utah can stay at or above .500 until Jennifer Azzi recovers from her broken hand, watch out when Azzi returns and is 100 percent.

Washington Mystics: 2 - 1. Summary: The Mystics have played very well at home while getting blown out in their lone road game. Chamique Holdsclaw and Nikki McCray are carrying the offense and Murriel Page is doing a stellar job on the offensive boards. The team is still turning the ball over (21 per game) way too much; but, things are definitely on an upturn in D.C. Shooting 52.5 percent from the field including 52.9 percent from the 3 is simply incredible.

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