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That's the thought in the WNBA as the only champion the league has known faces an identity crisis.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 28, 2001
The WNBA opens its fifth season today, and for the first time in at least three years, the Houston Comets are not favored to win the championship.
At least that's the way 15 of the league's 16 teams view it.
The Comets kick off the regular season, a 3 p.m. nationally televised game against Los Angeles, a very different team from their past four seasons. Former league MVP Cynthia Cooper has retired, and another league MVP, Sheryl Swoopes, is out for the season because of a knee injury, drastically changing the perception of the team.
"I think a lot of people and a lot of teams have built a lot of confidence knowing the championship is wide open," Orlando Miracle guard Nykesha Sales said. "I know a lot of people think that Houston probably won't win it this year, and that's probably true. But they are still a good team."
The notion that another team may have a legitimate chance to win the title is one with which even Houston coach Van Chancellor can agree.
"Our players will always think we're the favorites," Chancellor said. "But I'd probably say right now that Los Angeles and New York would be the favorites, with Phoenix, Utah and Sacramento, maybe Miami, next in line."
He's right. His players have a different opinion.
"I guess the impression would be that Superman has run into kryptonite and now is the time to knock him out and bury him," Houston guard Coquese Washington said. "That's the perception around the league, and we're okay with that. It doesn't matter what other people's perceptions are. We know what we've accomplished, what kind of team we have and what kind of attitude we have. And we know that in the end, we'll still be right there competing for a championship."
Tina Thompson, the remaining member of the Comets' "Big Three," will become the focal point with Cooper and Swoopes out. She had 85 points in three preseason games.
"I'll have a lot more responsibility," Thompson said. "I'm not going to make it into a pressure kind of situation. I think with so many different things happening and us having to overcome different obstacles and adverse situations, it would be silly to put more pressure on myself. But my responsibility is a lot larger, and as a competitor and a team leader, that's a responsibility that I'm going to have to take on. I'm looking forward to it."
Los Angeles, led by Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton, was expected to challenge the Comets last season but lost in the league semifinals. It has bolstered its lineup with Latasha Byears and Rhonda Mapp, hoping to be more physical in the paint, which was a weakness last season.
"Some of the changes we've made have to do with the fact that I don't think we were physical enough," Sparks coach Michael Cooper said. "The big people we've brought in also have the ability to move out to 17- or 18-foot range and knock down that shot. Lisa and DeLisha will still do their part, but it gives us the luxury of moving them around."
Of the league favorites, defending Eastern Conference champion New York has the most veteran squad. Teresa Weatherspoon, at 35, doesn't score a lot, but her leadership, energy and relentless defense can't be overlooked. Andrea Nagy provides strong backup.
Former Connecticut star Rebecca Lobo returns after missing two seasons with ACL injuries, and she will share time in the frontcourt with Sue Wicks, Tari Phillips (the league's most improved player last season) and Tamicka Whitmore.
"I think we have a very good attitude in regard to what we want to accomplish," New York coach Richie Adubato said. "We have knocked at the door the last couple of years, and obviously, our players have a determination to maybe get a step further. But we understand that the league will be highly competitive."
The addition of a strong crop of college players, including player of the year Ruth Riley, and the changing face of Houston will provide the league a chance to showcase itself in a different way, league president Val Ackerman said.
"I think dynasties attract a lot of attention, and I think it has been a positive for the WNBA to have a team that has been so dominant," she said. "But I think the good news is that we do have a very competitive league. I think it will be the best year we will have ever seen in the WNBA, and I think it will be an incredible playoff run."
TODAY ON TV: Los Angeles at Houston, 3 p.m., Ch. 8