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The new 2007 WNBA season tipped off earlier this month with a few noteworthy changes. The league reduced to 13 wnba teams this season after the Charlotte Sting folded and their players found new homes through a dispersal draft. The added talent from the dispersal draft and a number of talented players changing teams will make it tough for the Detroit Shock to repeat as champs. The Shock won their second championship in franchise history by taking down last year's defending champions, the Sacramento Monarchs, in the final. The Shock's high-scoring trio of Deanna Nolan, Cheryl Ford and Katie Smith provided the bulk of the offense, with Nolan collecting the Finals MVP award. Ford was the only player in the league to average a double-double last season, with 13.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game last season and she should be a terror on both offense and defense again this year. The Monarchs will once again be challenging for the WNBA title with all five of their starters from a year ago returning. The most important part of the Monarch's puzzle is still Yolanda Griffith, who led the team in points, rebounds and steals last season. The team to watch looks to be San Antonio, while Los Angeles could be in for a difficult season without their star player. The Silver Stars made a big splash in free agency and in the trade market during the offseason, which should really help their improving squad. San Antonio already had two solid starters in sophomore Sophia Young and veteran Vickie Johnson and they added 2003 Finals MVP Ruth Riley via free agency, made a blockbuster trade with New York to acquire All-Star Becky Hammon, and stole 2006 Most Improved Player Erin Buescher from Sacramento. With these additions the Silver Stars should be a contender in the West. Bet on WNBA at Wagerweb.com
One Western power that lost some of its bite is the Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks return with four of their five starters from last season but their best player, 2006 MVP Lisa Leslie, is likely out for the entire season as a result of being pregnant with her first child. Leslie has been a force in the league since its inception and will be sorely missed in Los Angeles during her absence. Check out WNBA Betting Odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook View WNBA Betting Odds now! |
