The Houston Roundball Review's Archived WNBA Notebook: June 21, 2000

The WNBA notebook was updated throughout the 2000 season.

Charlotte Sting: 2 - 8. Summary: Injuries to key players have been a big reason for the Sting’s horrible start this season. Fortunately, players like C Summer Erb and F Shalonda Enis are now healthy; so, the Sting should begin to turn their season around. F Tracy Reid has been unhappy with her play and reduced playing time and rumors about her being trading have begun to surface.

Cleveland Rockers: 6 - 3. Summary: Cleveland started the season 5 - 1 by playing great defense. They’ve lost 2 of their last 3 by playing no defense. They are clearly the surprise team thus far this season. F Chasity Melvin has been a great force scoring down low.

Detroit Shock: 5 - 5. Summary: The Shock are a young team that loves to force the tempo. Because of the team’s youth, they can be a bit inconsistent. They followed a league record 111 point outburst by scoring 55. G / F Dominique Canty has been the team’s most consistent player thus far.

Houston Comets: 9 - 2. Summary: Despite not playing typical “Comets defense” for most of the season, the Comets still have the league’s best record. F Sheryl Swoopes continues to post MVP type numbers. She leads the league in scoring at 23.8 ppg. Cynthia Cooper seems to have gotten out of her funk about having to adjust to a “new role” on this year’s team. Tina Thompson is a much better player when she doesn’t settle for 3 point shots.

Indiana Fever: 3 - 6 Summary: Injuries are really begin to take a toll on the club. They’ve 5 of their last 6 while the injuries continue to mount. F Stephanie McCarty has been a disappointment so far this season. C Kara Wolters was playing very well before she suffered a concussion in the blowout loss at Detroit.

Los Angeles Sparks: 7 - 2. Summary: Coach Michael Cooper has the Sparks playiing tougher defense this season. The team’s offense isn’t very consistent; but, the defense is much improved. Rumors about backup C Clarisse Machanguana being traded have quieted since she has been playing much more than rookie C Paige Sauer.

Miami Sol: 4 - 6. Summary: Miami can’t outgun their opponents; but, they sure can play good team defense. They’ve been at or near the top in fewest points allowed all season. Besides laying a big egg at Houston, the players seem to have a new confidence when they play on the road. F Sheri Sam is playing great while C Marlies Askamp is averaging 8 plus rebounds per game despite still struggling on offense.

Minnesota Lynx: 6 - 4. Summary: Katie Smith is Minnesota’s best player; so when she struggles, this young team will struggle. Smith is scoring 23 points per game; but, she scored only 10 in a home loss at the hands of Phoenix. Rookie G Betty Lennox has shown flashes of brilliance scoring 25 and 24 points in two different games. Lennox excels in one on one type matchups; but, her biggest strength may be her rebounding. She grabs 6 boards a game.

New York Liberty: 4 - 6. Summary: C Tari Phillips has been a big plus scoring down low. Unfortunately, Phillips nor F Crystal Robinson are receiving enough scoring help from their teammates on a consistent basis to produce victories. F Rebecca Lobo hopes to return to action in July following her second torn ACL injury in December.

Orlando Miracle: 5 - 5. Summary: Orlando is in the midst of a stretch where 7 of their next 8 games are at home. G Shannon Johnson has been the team’s best player. Thus far, the club has struggled with consistency.

Phoenix Mercury: 6 - 3. Summary: Bombing Houston by 18 in Houston served notice that Phoenix is a team to reckon with this season. Unfortunately, Phoenix is still too inconsistent from game to game to please Coach Cheryl Miller. Brandy Reed is the team’s top scorer and she, for the time being, is coming off the bench.

Portland Fire: 1 - 7. Summary: If there were a prize for playing well and losing close games, Portland would win it hands down. The team just can’t close out opponents after leading for most of a game. They’ve gone to overtime 3 times and lost all 3.

Sacramento Monarchs: 6 - 4. Summary: MVP Yolanda Griffith is being double and triple teamed by opponents; but, she is still posting stellar numbers. She leads the league in steals and is the top 5 in rebounding. Foul shooting and perimeter shooting are still the team’s biggest areas of concern.

Seattle Storm: 2 - 8. Summary: Coach Lin Dunn still doesn’t have the scoring small forward she desires; but, her players are giving maximum effort every game. The team struggles on offense; so, they play a much slower tempo in order to keep the scores low.

Utah Starzz: 7 - 5. Summary: Despite F Natalie Williams’ recent back problems, the Starzz have won 4 in a row. C Margo Dydek seems to fnally be out of her funk. F Adrienne Goodson is lighting up opponents. When G Jennifer Azzi returns in July, Utah should be even better.

Washington Mystics: 5 - 4. Summary: Losing at the buzzer at home to Miami was very discouraging. Washington turns the ball over (about 20 a game) way too much when pressured. F Vicki Bullet and F Murriel Page have been big pluses for the team this season.

Houston Roundball Review: WNBA Notebooks