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Tangela Smith
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Phoenix Mercury
2006: 18-16, fifth
Coach: Paul Westhead, second season
Outlook: Probably the most improved team from the off-season. Up-tempo team led by guards Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter.
Houston Comets
2006: 18-16, 3rd; lost to Sacramento 2-0 in conference semifinals
Coach: Karleen Thompson, first season
Outlook: Guard Dawn Staley's retirement left a hole in the backcourt. Still have veterans Tina Thompson and Sheryl Swoopes.
Los Angeles Sparks
2006: 25-9, first; lost to Sacramento 2-0 in conference finals
Coach: Michael Cooper, sixth season
Outlook: The absence of Lisa Leslie (pregnant) will hurt, but the acquisitions of Taj McWilliams-Franklin and LaToya Thomas should keep the Sparks in the mix.
Minnesota Lynx
2006: 10-24, seventh
Coach: Don Zierden, first season
Outlook: Zierden, a former Pistons assistant coach, takes over a talented backcourt of Seimone Augustus and rookies Lindsey Harding and Noelle Quinn.
Sacramento Monarchs
2006: 21-13, second; lost to Detroit 3-2 in WNBA Finals
Coach: Jenny Boucek, first season
Outlook: Last year's WNBA Finals runner-up returns its core but is not getting any younger.
San Antonio Silver Stars
2006: 13-21; sixth
Coach: Dan Hughes, third season
Outlook: Traded for ex-Shock center Ruth Riley, who will bring experience. Also added veteran guard Becky Hammon. Could sneak into the playoffs.
Seattle Storm
2006: 18-16, fourth; lost to Los Angeles 3-2 in conference semifinals
Coach: Anne Donovan, fifth season
Outlook: Guard Sue Bird and forward Lauren Jackson return healthy. Did not make major off-season moves, but is expected to contend in the West.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Chicago Sky
2006: 5-29, seventh place
Coach: Bo Overton, first season
Outlook: Second-year franchise had a nice draft, but is still years away from contending.
Connecticut Sun
2006: 26-8, first; lost to Detroit in conference finals
Coach: Mike Thibault, fifth season
Outlook: Losing post player Taj McWilliams-Franklin was huge. Still have backcourt duo of Lindsay Whalen and Katie Douglas.
Detroit Shock
2006: 23-11, second; beat Sacramento 3-2 to win championship
Coach: Bill Laimbeer, sixth season
Outlook: Defending league champion upgraded by trading for center Katie Feenstra and signing veteran guard Shannon Johnson.
Indiana Fever
2006: 21-13, third; lost to Detroit 2-0 in conference semifinals
Coach: Brian Winters, fourth season
Outlook: Improved in the off-season with the acquisition of Tammy Sutton-Brown (free agency) and Alison Bales (draft).
New York Liberty
2006: 11-23, sixth
Coach: Pat Coyle, fourth season
Outlook: Rookie center Jessica Davenport (Ohio State) is expected to start and should add to a deeper frontcourt.
Washington Mystics
2006: 18-16, fourth
Coach: Richie Adubato, third season
Outlook: Starting lineup remains intact from last year's squad that tied the franchise record for wins.
— Detroit Free Press

Women's Basketball

wnba preview

Mercury coach Westhead eager to see team together on court

The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.19.2007
PHOENIX — Mercury coach Paul Westhead believes he will have a better team in his second season.
He will not know how much better until he has his entire roster in one place. And that might not happen until shortly before today's season opener against the San Antonio Silver Stars at US Airways Center (7 p.m., FSNAZ).
The Mercury's top three players — guards Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter and forward Penny Taylor — missed most of training camp because they were playing in Europe.
All-Star frontcourt player Tangela Smith, acquired from Minnesota in a deal for the WNBA's No. 1 draft pick, also was overseas.
"On paper, it looks very promising," said Westhead, whose first Mercury team went 18-16 and missed the playoffs by a game.
Taurasi, who is entering her fourth year in the WNBA, will play a big role.
Taurasi is coming off her best WNBA season. She averaged a league-record 25.3 points per game and set records for points in a season (860) and a game (47 at Houston on Aug. 10).
She is already drawing attention as a possible MVP candidate.
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