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Mike Thibault, left, and Margo Dydek
Mitchell Layton/NBAE via Getty Images)
Mike Thibault has led the Sun to two WNBA finals appearances.
Efficiency Experts
Sure, Detroit is our preseason favorite. But beware the Sun. They might not have much sizzle and flash, but Mike Thibault's model of efficiency in Connecticut might finally come out on top. Hays
 

MORE FEATURES
null The Burning Season
Yearning for the season to start? The lungs of Paul Westhead's Mercury will be burning soon vs. Sacramento (ABC, 4 ET) as the new Phoenix coach's frenetic style of play makes its WNBA debut. Voepel

• Reigning champ Monarchs ready | Game preview | Coaches mic'd

Tamika Catchings Team-By-Team Breakdowns
How did the teams' offseason changes affect them? What's their best-case scenario in 2006? And what exactly does the franchise mean to the WNBA? ESPN.com's experts have the answers.

• Sting | Sky | Sun | Shock | Fever | Liberty | Mystics
• Monarchs | Storm | Comets | Sparks | Lynx | Mercury | Sil. Stars

Anne Donovan Former Champs Eye Another Crown
They're two former champs looking to get back on track. But while Seattle's success depends on Lauren Jackson's legs and Sue Bird's selfishness, L.A.'s leaning on a new coach best known as Jellybean.

• Seattle seeks success | Sparks hope to fly in '06
• Sparks not counting on Holdsclaw for season opener

null The More Things Change ...
Change isn't always for the better. But after some re-tooling, both the Fever and Mystics have high hopes for 2006.

• Beard steps into veteran role | Fever hope makeover pays off

Yolanda Griffith Sorry, Sac
Being the reigning champ doesn't guarantee you the top spot in Nancy Lieberman's preseason power rankings. But the Monarchs are the ESPN analyst's West favorite in our expert picks. Story

• ESPN.com's expert picks | Voepel: Detroit's the favorite (right?!)


WNBA.com
Michelle Snow Comet Comeback
Once upon a time, Houston owned the WNBA with four straight titles. Since, five years have passed. Now, the Comets look built to win again, according to WNBA.com's team previews. Story | Preview

• East: Sun | Fever | Shock | Sky | Sting | Mystics | Liberty
• West: Monarchs | Storm | Silver Stars | Lynx | Mercury | Sparks

Bill Laimbeer Survey Says
Who is the WNBA's most underrated player? Which team will be 2007's most improved? Detroit's Bill Laimbeer and the league's other general managers make their picks. GM Survey

• Players' hopes and expectations | Five new coaches on deck for '07

null Peers' Point Of View
Who better to listen to than the players themselves? WNBA.com surveyed the pros and found out their picks for the league's best duo (think Seattle), top shooters and more. Story

• Shooters | Playmakers | Dream teammates | Backcourts



 
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
NANCY LIEBERMAN
ESPN analyst		 MECHELLE VOEPEL
ESPN.com columnist
MVP MVP
Tamika Catchings, Fever Tamika Catchings, Fever
SCORING CHAMP SCORING CHAMP
Diana Taurasi, Mercury Sheryl Swoopes, Comets
PREDICTED EAST FINISH PREDICTED EAST FINISH
Detroit Shock Detroit Shock
Connecticut Sun Connecticut Sun
Indiana Fever Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics Indiana Fever
Charlotte Sting New York Liberty
New York Liberty Charlotte Sting
Chicago Sky Chicago Sky
PREDICTED WEST FINISH PREDICTED WEST FINISH
Sacramento Monarchs Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm Sacramento Monarchs
Los Angeles Sparks Los Angeles Sparks
Houston Comets Minnesota Lynx
Phoenix Mercury Houston Comets
Minnesota Lynx Phoenix Mercury
San Antonio Silver Stars San Antonio Silver Stars
KEY DATES
DATE EVENT
Friday, May 19 Rosters cut-down date
Saturday, May 20 Regular season opens
Wednesday, July 12 All-Star Game (New York)
Sunday, Aug. 13 Regular season ends
Wednesday, Aug. 16 Playoffs begin
Wednesday, Sept. 16 Last possible playoff date

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