2013 WNBA Preview
By Tim Nolan
Playbook.com
The 2013 WNBA season begins on Friday, May 24th with Indiana playing at San Antonio. Here is a preview for the upcoming year.
Indiana won the 2012 title as they were led by Tamika Catchings, who was MVP of the playoffs. They are well coached by Lin Dunn and also get scoring and leadership from Katie Douglas.
Connecticut added Anne Donovan as coach as their previous coach (Thibault) left for Washington. Tina Charles leads the Sun as they had a 13-4 road record in 2012, which was the best in the WNBA. Kara Lawson and Renee Montgomery also contribute.
Chicago was just 14-20 last year as key injuries to players like Sylvia Fowles hurt the Sky. They added Delaware's Elena Delle Donne and she will battle Britney Griner for Rookie Of The Year. Epiphany Price and Swin Cash are other starters.
New York added former Detroit Piston Bill Laimbeer as coach. He has experience in the league as he won titles when he coached the Detroit Shock. The Liberty have one of the best point guards in Cappie Pondexter, who averaged over 20 ppg in 2012.
Atlanta still has Angel McCoughtry. She led the WNBA with a 21.4 ppg scoring average. They did lose Lindsay Harding to Los Angeles but will have deSouza inside. This team looks to be down in 2013.
Washington has the worst odds to win the title at +3300. They do have Crystal Langhorne and Monique Curry but look to miss out on the playoffs.
In the West, it looks to be a battle of Phoenix, Los Angeles and Minnesota.
Phoenix brings in 6'8" Baylor graduate Britney Griner. She can block shots and score. She is one of the few dunkers in the league. Diana Taurasi returns from injury. The Mercury were just 7-27 last year due to key injuires and are the favorite to win the title under coach Corey Gaines.
Minnesota won the title in 2011. They have first team All-WNBA Maya Moore. Simone Augustus, Whalen and Rebukkah Brunson also should average double figures for the Lynx. They led the league with 85.9 ppg and are well coached.
The Los Angeles Sparks are led by Candace Parker. She is 6'4", plays solid defense and can score inside or outside. Harding, Alana Beard, Kristi Toliver and Ogwumike are other key components for this team that went 16-1 at home but just 8-9 on the road last year.
San Antonio was a solid 21-13 last year but may drop this year as Sophia Young is out with an injury and Becky Hammon will miss time too. They do have Jia Perkins, Danielle Adams and Danielle Robinson.
Tulsa was 9-25 last year and should improve with Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins playing her rookie year. They also have Candace Wiggins and 6'8" Liz Cambage inside. Cambage changed her mind about sitting out and will play in the WNBA in 2013.
Seattle looks to drop without injured stars Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson. They are well coached under Brian Agler and may surprise some teams but they look to battle Tulsa for last place in the west.