Carolyn Peck is entering her second season with ESPN's WNBA broadcast team. A native of Dandridge, Tennessee, Peck graduated from Vanderbilt in 1988 and went on to play professional basketball in Japan and Italy. She went on to become an assistant coach at Tennessee, Kentucky and Purdue before head coaching stops at Purdue, Florida and in the WNBA with the Orlando Miracle. Peck's extensive hoops background and knowledge has added yet another expert to ESPN's coverage. She will be blogging for WNBA.com throughout the 2008 season.

WNBA News and a Big Matchup on Big Monday
Posted - February 4, 2:54 p.m. ET

No More WNBA Labor Pains This Offseason

It's great that the CBA was agreed upon so quickly and so early. There's no lingering drama of "Is the season going to happen or not?" which has happened before. It also helps the teams out because they can start making their personnel plans now: which players to core, which free agents to keep or let go, which college players might fit into their systems.

Feeling a Draft in Atlanta

As everyone now knows, the Atlanta Dream's expansion draft is set for Wednesday. Who Marynell Meadors will pick, nobody knows.

But in my experience putting teams together in this league, it's a huge bonus to be able to pick up a solid veteran player to build around. Beyond that, you really have to come into this kind of draft knowing the type of team you want to build and then pick the best available players that fit that bill.

And goodness gracious, with drafting 13 players (one from each team), you'd think they'll be able to grab some good talent. If they can get a quality post, a quality wing and a quality point guard, they'll have a very good foundation and with the No. 4 draft pick, they should have every chance to win some games this season. You know there will be good players out there… it's just a matter of how they'll fit into what Marynell is trying to build.

On My Heels

Looking ahead to the college draft, we all know who the top two consensus picks are… well, if one of them decides to renounce her eligibility and declare…

But another player I'd throw into that top tier is Erlana Larkins at North Carolina. After watching her play this season, I'm very impressed. Even though she's been overshadowed in previous seasons by Ivory Latta and Camille Little, she's always been a steady presence. Even now, with Rashanda McCants and LaToya Pringle, there are still very good players around her, and Larkins doesn't put up gaudy numbers. But the work she does and the toughness she has exhibited in playing with a broken hand tells me a lot about her.

She's a 6-1 or 6-2 center who will probably be used more as a four in the pros, but wherever she plays, just getting her out onto the floor will help whoever drafts her. Her mental toughness will help her adapt as a rookie, and that is a tough thing for most of the first-year players coming in.

I like what she brings. She's a big body, she can run the floor… and yes, she needs to develop her midrange and outside shooting a bit, because she doesn't have to use that much now for North Carolina. And not to compare her to Michael Jordan, but when Jordan was at UNC, he didn't put up anything near the statistics he did as a pro.

She has the capability to be a very solid player in this league… maybe even a Rebekkah Brunson-type player, thanks to her toughness. She's a little raw, but you know she's going to rebound and be a big body down low and that she'll work hard to perfect her game.

Sleeper Draft Picks

As far as other players who have flown under the radar a bit, I really like the future of Laura Harper at Maryland. She's suffered an injury and she's been in the shadow of some other players on a very good team over the last few years, but I think she'll make a team in the WNBA. She's just now coming into her own and there's a lot farther she can go. She has a huge upside.

Her length and her agility and her ability to run will make her a very valuable commodity on draft day.

I also think that Tennessee's Nicky Anosike has stepped up her game in her senior year and her agility will add a lot of value to whatever team nabs her. She's another very strong post player with a big body… and I've seen her defend all the way out to the point on the press to down low against a true post player. She has a lot of versatility and agility for a 6-4 post. She needs to be more solid about finishing around the basket, but her athleticism is a huge value.

Big Game on Big Monday

Speaking of Larkins… I'm doing the North Carolina-Duke game tonight. And this should really be a great one.

Duke took Tennessee down to the final seconds of their game last Monday. Abby Waner hit a big three to tie it up, but Candace Parker made a huge hoop at the other end to basically seal the deal for the Lady Vols. When the Blue Devils lost to Maryland on Jan. 14, they looked like a team still trying to get its chain loosened up and smooth. They were just a little bit off. But in the Tennessee game, Duke looked like it was well on track.

Chante Black is playing great inside as is Joy Cheek, Abby Waner is a terrific leader and the team as a whole is just gelling at the right time.

And they'll need to stay sharp, going against North Carolina in that traditional Tobacco Road rivalry. North Carolina beat Maryland last weekend and, frankly, I would have given them a huge advantage in tonight's game until I saw Duke play against Tennessee. I feel like Duke has a decent shot, but UNC is a very talented team.

The thing that North Carolina does so well is clobber you on the boards. With Larkins, Pringle and Jessica Breland, along with a guard like Rashanda McCants, they can dominate most teams in the rebounding category, which then enables them to get out and run, which is another thing they do very well.

McCants is another big key, and if she's on her game for UNC, she'll take people off the dribble, she'll hit some jumpers and she'll be all over the court.

On Duke's side, I thought freshman point guard Jasmine Thomas would have trouble with Tennessee's Shannon Bobbitt, but she stood tall and the experience wasn't an issue. Now, Thomas will match up with fellow freshman Cetera DeGraffenreid of UNC, so we will see how that works out.

Duke was able to hang in against Tennessee, which is another team that rebounds very well, so the Blue Devils definitely have the potential to stay in this game for a long time. It's just a matter of getting it done against the Tar Heels' relentless work on the boards.

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Strategic Game Plan Pays Off
Posted - September 12, 2007, 11:17 a.m. ET

Lineup Change

By putting Elaine Powell at the point, Detroit was able to move Katie Smith to the two, which puts her in a better scoring position. They were smaller, quicker, faster, so that helped them to defend Phoenix. When you have bigs on the floor, a lot of times you get caught up in transition, whether it is Penny Taylor jetting down the middle or Tangela Smith trailing for the 3-point shot. Starting more athletic players helped Detroit to set the tone early.

Firepower for Detroit: Nolan and Smith

Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith were extremely important in Game 3. You have been getting points all along from Nolan in the playoffs. The inconsistency has come from Katie Smith. One of the things we predicted going into Game 3 was Katie Smith was going to have to make shots in order for Detroit to have a chance. In speaking with Bill Laimbeer, he has all the confidence in the world that when it comes down to crunch time Katie Smith is going to show up and he predicted that they were going to have a great game in Game 3 and they did.

Missed Shots

Phoenix missed 3-point shots but even more alarming is the amount of layups and free throws they missed. In one series they had five offensive rebounds and still were not able to score. That is uncharacteristic of them, however it is similar to the way they played in Game 1. I would look for the Mercury to redeem themselves very similar to the way they did from Game 1 to Game 2. I think Game 4 is going to be the best game in the series so far.

Crashing the Boards

Phoenix actually did a great job of crashing the boards. Detroit is one of the best rebounding teams in the league. For them to be outrebounded means there was simply a reversal of stats. Detroit shot a high field goal percentage, and there weren't as many offensive rebounds for them to get. Phoenix did not shoot the ball very well so the opportunity for offensive rebounds was there. Paul Westhead has to be happy with his team crashing the offensive glass but disappointed in not being able to finish the put-backs.

Bench vs. Bench

Down the stretch the benches are going to play a part. Plenette Pierson is always going to be a vital asset to Detroit. Having the size of Katie Feenstra and Kara Braxton and what they bring with a presence inside, especially against Phoenix's zone, allowed Bill Laimbeer to make adjustments in Game 3. In Game 3 Detroit reversed the basketball enabling them to get a high-low pass to the big girls down on the block, which played dearly to their advantage. For Phoenix, Kelly Mazzante came in and hit shots but they also have to get something from Kelly Schumacher. With her size she has to be able to catch and finish on the block and rebound big for the Mercury.

Taurasi

After having a sub-par game, Diana Taurasi always comes back with a vengeance. Rarely will you see Diana Taurasi have two back-to-back sub-par games.

Coaching Strategy

Bill Laimbeer does a very good job with strategy. It worked for him in Game 1. He has to think that Paul Westhead will now make adjustments to the adjustments that he made in Game 3. At this point as you go into Game 4 and a potential Game 5, it becomes a chess match.

What Might Westhead Be Saying?

Paul Westhead is probably telling his team to "Do what you do." That has been his motto from the beginning. He knows that they just didn't shoot the ball very well, similar to Game 1. Detroit's defense has a lot to do with that but there were some open shots, layups and free throws that they normally hit. He has all the confidence in the word that they will make those shots come Game 4.

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Finally the Finals
Posted - September 6, 2007, 10:34 a.m. ET

Diana vs. Deanna

We were expecting a game of Deanna versus Diana, but at the half Diana had zero points and Deanna had only three. Katie Smith deserves a lot of the credit for her defense on Taurasi. The whole Detroit defense never let anyone on Phoenix get into a flow in the first half, except for Penny Taylor. Cappie Pondexter settled in late in the first half. Then Diana got into foul trouble, but she scored nine quick points in the first 45 seconds of the third quarter.

Detroit Dominates Down Low

Detroit made the decision to go inside. Bill Laimbeer's game plan against the zone worked perfectly. He did a good job with an overload and putting size down on the block. Kara Braxton and Plenette Pierson did a tremendous job off the bench, Plenette attacking the basket and Braxton either scoring on the block or on put-backs. They both helped compensate for the absence of Cheryl Ford.

High Scoring Game

Game 1 was a high scoring game because both the teams pushed the ball in transition. Detroit had six players in double digits, and every player on the floor stepped up at one time or another. As Phoenix tried to stop one or two players, it left openings for Detroit's other players. Also, when Phoenix wasn't shooting well, they didn't have a presence inside to rebound. If Detroit missed shots, though, they did have a big presence inside to not only get the rebound but often put the ball back up and score an and-one.

Experience Pays Dividends

Detroit's experience definitely gave them an advantage in Wednesday's opener. I thought having to go three games in both the semifinals and the Conference Finals would take a little bit out of the Shock in Game 1. But they showed why they are the defending champions. The fact that Bill Laimbeer and Cheryl Ford made the decision to sit Ford speaks to the confidence Laimbeer has in the experience of his team. Ford now has three days of rest until Saturday's Game 2.

Ford being inactive posed a big challenge for Detroit. And teams will respond to adversity in one of two ways. They fold and worry or they step up. In Detroit's case, the entire team stepped up. Katie Smith stepped up. Kara Braxton stepped up and Katie Feenstra understood that she had to be the big presence inside and she was.

A Coach has to Coach

In the start of the game, we mentioned in our broadcast that Swin Cash was unhappy with the way Bill Laimbeer was coaching her and frustrated with her lack of minutes at times. But in my opinion, a coach has to coach players. They obviously have two different viewpoints and sometimes a player doesn't see what a coach is trying to do to motivate them. But on the flip side, a coach may not always understand the player's feelings on how she is being coached. From being a coach, if a player disagrees with a coaching style, there may be a bit of frustration. But there are roles to be had, a player plays and a coach has to coach.

Getting Emotional

In the brief altercation between Deanna Nolan and Cappie Pondexter, there may have been a little frustration involved. Competitiveness also played a big role. This is the WNBA Finals. You have one team that wants to repeat. They know what winning a WNBA championship feels like and they want to do it again. Then you have the other team who desperately wants to get their first one.

Looking Ahead

Phoenix needs to settle into the Finals. Tangela Smith has to stay in the ball game. Diana Taurasi has to join Cappie Pondexter in getting off to a better start. The big three have to settle in and play with confidence. Doris Burke and Nancy Lieberman commented on the fact that the Phoenix players were thinking before they shot and that is something that they haven't done in the playoffs. They need to play relaxed and use their natural instinct.

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Conference Finals Preview
Posted - August 29, 2007, 11:44 p.m. ET

First-Round Recap

Hello everyone! Well, it has been a very exciting postseason so far. There were some great matchups. For New York, you must compliment Patty Coyle on what she has done with the Liberty. They gave Detroit a great battle with such a young team. Experience played to the advantage of Detroit. They demonstrated that they have the toughness necessary to excel in the postseason.

As for Connecticut vs. Indiana, the fact that Indiana came back after trailing by 22 points is a great compliment to the Fever. Tamika Catchings never believed her team would lose, despite trailing by such a huge margin. She willed her team to make it into the Conference Finals.

In the Sacramento-San Antonio matchup, the key for San Antonio was vision, angles and timing, and a lot of that has to do with Becky Hammon. She sees the floor and knows what position to angle herself in so she can make the right pass at the right time.

The only runaway series was Phoenix and Seattle. Phoenix won at Seattle and at home.

San Antonio vs. Phoenix

San Antonio has to take note of what Seattle did not do well. The Storm had poor transition defense. They will need to get back. Dan Hughes is a defensive-minded coach, so he will understand the importance of getting back in transition. That means that Ruth Riley will have to run the floor. When the shot goes up, San Antonio has to get at least two people back. Having Penny Taylor as the four could cause a mismatch problem, because she can extend the Silver Stars' defense at the four in shooting the three and you already have Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter. Becky Hammon and Sophia Young will need to score, but it will come down to the supporting players.

Bench Comparison

Offensively, Phoenix sees firepower on its bench. Belinda Snell is shooting the ball well. Kelly Mazzante is shooting the ball well and with a lot of confidence. Shanna Crossley cannot have the same game against Phoenix that she had in Game 1 in Sacramento. She has to come in and be able to knock down shots. Camille Little and Sandora Irvin come in and bring a lot of defense and rebounding. San Antonio cannot afford to give up more points than they have the ability to score. They need to lock it up defensively.

Outlook

San Antonio is very good at home. They are playing well right now, but so is Phoenix. Phoenix has the advantage if it goes to three games. They have great energy in Phoenix.

Detroit vs. Indiana

If Indiana wants to compete for the Eastern championship, they have to take a hard look at the intensity and the "no fear" attitude that New York played with when those two teams met. Inside you will have Cheryl Ford battling Tammy Sutton-Brown. Tamika Whitmore will be defended by Swin Cash. Deanna Nolan will be at the point going against Tully Bevilaqua. Tamika Catchings will match up with Katie Smith. Anna DeForge has to continue to shoot well. Katie Smith has to get more consistent with her shot. Tamika Catchings' competitive attitude and mindset must spread to the rest of the Fever players, because Detroit already has it. Every single player on that team believes that the Championship is theirs.

Bench Comparison

Plenette Pierson is something special. When you take Cash off the floor you do not lose anything when you put Pierson in. They are very similar players. They are forwards that can get to the rack. They are hard to guard and can find a way to score. They run the floor very well. They bring speed to Detroit's post game. Whitmore and Sutton-Brown are going to have to run the floor to keep up. Indiana can also move Catchings to the four. I just hope Catchings' foot is healthy enough to last her through the remainder of the postseason.

Outlook

The Shock demonstrated what they can do if it goes to a three-game series. To give themselves a shot of winning it, Indiana must win in Indianapolis in the first game.

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The Postseason Has Arrived
Posted - August 22, 2007, 10:39 p.m. ET

Detroit vs. New York

The playoffs are finally here! Detroit holds an edge over the other teams because they are the defending champions and they have that championship mentality. They also have Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith. Those are two players that can create their own shot and when they develop the "refuse to lose" mentality, they can put the team on their back. They also have Swin Cash and her clone Plenette Pierson. When one goes out and the other one goes in, the team doesn't skip a beat. Both of those players are dangerous power forwards who can defend, score and rebound. An added factor would be having Cheryl Ford return to the mix to shoulder the load on the boards, along with Kara Braxton and Katie Feenstra. Ford has been the most reliable and consistent down low. Usually when a player comes back after an injury, it takes a while to get back a rhythm and in the playoffs there is not a lot of time. It will be interesting to see the effect Ford has if she comes back.

As far as New York goes, having coached a young team in college to a National Championship, there is a lot to be said for youth and being in a new situation. They don't know what to be nervous about or afraid of. So they go out and play with reckless abandon. A team like that can be extremely dangerous.

Loree Moore is playing very well. Janel McCarville just continues to play with more and more confidence, leadership and determination every game. Then you have strong players in Cathrine Kraayeveld and Ashley Battle. Then to also have Tiffany Jackson coming off the bench and doing the things she is doing, it is almost like "David and Goliath." Who knows what the outcome will be? I predict it will be Detroit based on their experience, but you can't take anything away from what Patty Coyle has done with this young group. This series will be a "refuse to lose" against a "nothing to lose" mentality.

Indiana vs. Connecticut

Rumor has it that Tamika Catchings might return for the playoffs. Catchings is a great player. But in the regular season when Indiana faced Connecticut and Catchings played, Connecticut won. In fact, Connecticut won all four games in the regular season series. Indiana is still learning to play without Catchings and understanding that their inside game has to come from Tamika Whitmore and Tammy Sutton-Brown. They also have to get consistent scoring from the perimeter via Tan White and Anna DeForge, and Sheri Sam can contribute off the bench as well.

Both coaches in this series talked about Katie Douglas as being a key factor. She is a player who has had success defending Tamika Catchings. She is also from Indiana, so maybe that adds a little fuel to her fire.

As you go deeper into the playoffs, the difference is going to be made with the inside game. Coming back off her high ankle sprain, Asjha Jones is going to be very important. When she is at 100 percent, she is pretty good. When Asjha Jones has to go out of the game or when there has to be a substitution for Margo Dydek, the two important factors are Le'coe Willinghamand Erika DeSouza. Willingham is a great rebounder and plays bigger than she is. DeSouza has really gained confidence and understands the aggressiveness her team needs from her.

Seattle vs. Phoenix

These two teams like to get up and down the floor. Anne Donovan has coached a WNBA championship team before, but Seattle is a different team now. They do not have their former backup point guard, Tully Bevilaqua, and they also don't have Sheri Sam.

Neither of these teams is afraid to score some points, which should make it very entertaining. Earlier this month, Seattle beat Phoenix 111-101. If Seattle can shoot the ball well, then they can make this a very interesting series. Phoenix is going to put the ball up a number of times and they have terrific shooters in Penny Taylor, Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter. They also have Tangela Smith, who can really spread things out.

Phoenix faces a serious challenge in trying to defend Lauren Jackson, the player I'd pick right now as league MVP. She is basically unstoppable. She can get it done scoring down low and shooting the three and has really improved her ability to put the ball on the floor and take defenders off the dribble. She also leads the league in rebounding. She knows how to play for championship and if the rest of the team follows her leadership, the Storm have a shot.

Neither team has been stellar this season on defense. The mentality of "I can score more points than you can" has worked for Paul Westhead and the Mercury. His team is averaging over 88 points per game and has had over 100 points in eight games this year. And it's not that the Mercury don't play any defense. Instead of trying to take the ball from you on defense, they force you into taking bad or quick shots. In doing so, they create their offense from a turnover or a rebound of a quick or bad shot. It's not your typical defense, but it's worked for them so far.

San Antonio vs. Sacramento

These are two teams that do focus on their defense. It is going to be a strategic chess match in this series to score points. It helps San Antonio that Becky Hammon and Vickie Johnson are back healthy. When you have Becky, Vickie and Ruth Riley, you have three experienced players who have been in the playoffs before. The Silver Stars also have Sophia Young, who has been scoring and rebounding at an All-Star level in just her second season.

For Sacramento, the health of Rebekkah Brunson will be key. When Brunson is 100 percent, she is an animal and a great compliment inside to Yolanda Griffith. They would be able to rebound and push the ball with Ticha Penicheiro running the point, but they are going to need perimeter scoring from Nicole Powell and Kara Lawson. Coach Jenny Boucek hopes Lawson can have a playoff series similar to the ones she has had in the past.

Both teams have a nice offensive punch off the bench as Shanna Crossley is for the Silver Stars what Lawson is for the Monarchs. Those are two perimeter players who can shoot the three. San Antonio has some more punch off the bench in Marie Ferdinand-Harris, a quick spark who is going to make something happen, whether it is offensively or defensively.

Sacramento has Lawson and Kristin Haynie. Haynie has struggled in the past with turning the ball over and it is going to be important for Sacramento that they take care of the ball.

All in all, it is going to be an exciting first round and I will be back next week to let you know my thoughts on how each series played out.

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Packing For the Postseason
Posted - August 16, 2007, 9:45 p.m. ET

Phoenix in first

Phoenix has been sharing the basketball and they have been making other teams run. They have their focus on their offense, using coach Paul Westhead's "I am going to outscore you" philosophy. They are clicking on all cylinders now with that transition game. They are making teams shoot from the outside, they are rebounding and they are getting the ball down the floor quickly.

Shocking Liberty win

New York beat Detroit with Erin Thorn's buzzer-beater. Although Detroit didn't play their starters nearly as much as usual, even when Detroit doesn't have all their players they are still a very good basketball team. One of the things a young team has to do is continuously remind themselves that they are capable of winning. The Liberty hit that slump where they went on a long losing streak, and to be able to bounce back and beat a team like Detroit reminds them what they are capable of doing and should give them good momentum going into the playoffs, if they are able to get in.

Starters sit

Coach Bill Laimbeer is giving his starters a little break and giving the reserves more time on the court. Every coach has his strategies. We have seen how injuries have affected the rest of the league and Detroit has already lost Cheryl Ford. I would not risk it. In the process of resting their starters, they also get their bench some experience and they are going to be important as they approach the playoffs.

Beard playing brilliantly

Alana Beard is extremely important to the Washington Mystics right now. Scoring 18 points in one quarter, she has demonstrated that "never say die" attitude that she exhibited when she was at Duke. That attitude is spreading throughout the rest of her team. Beard is stepping up for her team whenever necessary and that could not have happened at a more perfect time.

Storm's revenge on Lynx

Last week the Lynx beat the Storm and this week the Storm beat the Lynx. When you don't have Lauren Jackson and you don't have Janell Burse, you are really thin at the post spot. Lauren Jackson is a player you can't replace. Having her back put them back in sync.

Sophia and the Silver Stars

Sophia Young has really stepped up for San Antonio. Having Young gives the Silver Stars an athletic post player that becomes a matchup problem when your opponent has two bigs. Offensively, Young can be a nightmare for opponents with her quickness and scoring ability. Then you have Ruth Riley who can step away and face up. In addition to having Becky Hammon, you have Vickie Johnson and Marie Ferdinand-Harris.

Sacramento faces Phoenix back-to-back

Sacramento faces two tough matches against Phoenix to close out the regular season. If they lose both, it will be tough to go into the playoffs on that note. Because then they will have a little bit of doubt in what their capabilities are. If they come out playing well, then they maintain the confidence they need going into the playoffs.

Disadvantage of home-court advantage

While many of the teams fight for home court advantage, I question if there is so much of a home-court advantage when you start out the series on the road. The supposedly home-court team has to win on the road first and then come home to play Game 2. I don't know if in a three-game series that is that much of a home-court advantage. There is a lot of pressure on the higher-seeded team to go on the road and win early. Then you can hopefully sweep in two and have more rest as you go into the Conference Finals.

A court without Catchings

Tamika Catchings is still out and it is unknown when she will return. The biggest thing Indiana loses not having Catchings is the heart that she plays with... that and the points, rebounds and defense that she provides. There have been times with Indiana where they are down and their team looks defeated. There is not that one player who can step up and bring that fight and that leadership that Tamika Catchings brings.

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What is and What Will Be
Posted - August 9, 2007, 12:33 a.m. ET

Back to Winning Ways

The New York Liberty ended their losing streak by beating Minnesota on Thursday and then Houston on Tuesday (they lost to Washington on Friday). The best way to get your confidence back is with a win, especially against a good team like Houston. Doing well against a veteran like Tina Thompson says a lot for a young team. For them to continue on a winning track, Janel McCarville must continue to play strong and finish the way that she has been. They have so much talent, especially with Erin Thorn, Loree Moore, Cathrine Kraayeveld and rookie Tiffany Jackson, who is playing hard. They are also getting productive minutes from Jessica Davenport.

Danger Zone

Houston is very dangerous, especially with the addition of Tamecka Dixon. However, after losing to New York Hamchétou Maïga-Ba made the statement that she felt like their playoff dreams were over. That is the wrong attitude to have if they are going to be the spoiler team. They need to finish strong and make the best of the final games of the season.

Compete by Committee

Indiana has found a way to compete by committee. In the first half of Tuesday's game against Chicago, Indiana struggled to be productive inside but they got great scoring outside from Anna DeForge. She shot the ball very well. Tan White is a strong player and getting the occasional three-pointers from Tully Bevilaqua definitely helps. As the game progressed, Indiana concentrated on going inside. Tammy Sutton-Brown had a presence defensively. When it came down to crunch time Tamika Whitmore really stepped up.

Almost Doesn't Count

Although Chicago has lost four straight, they are so close. In talking with Bo Overton, their problem is making shots. They need shots to fall. Candice Dupree struggled from the field in the game against Indiana, although she had an outstanding night in on the boards. As the season wears down, teams are playing with a sense of urgency. As that happens the games often get more physical. Consequently the tougher teams often prevail.

What Will Happen in Washington?

Washington is on a roll. My concern with that team is the return of Nikki Teasley, and how severe her injury was. However, having the bench step up was crucial for them. They are playing well. The trade that sent Chasity Melvin to Chicago has allowed Nakia Sanford to blossom. She continues to improve.

Detroit, Better Than Ever

Cheryl Ford is out for Detroit but they are playing very well regardless. I don't think her absence has weakened the team at all. Bill Laimbeer does not allow excuses so Ford's absence is not going to be an excuse for playing poorly. Plenette Pierson is doing a tremendous job coming off the bench. She is a great spark. Pierson and Swin Cash are similar players, so when you take one out you can put the other one in. They have size with Katie Feenstra. She provides them with a good defensive presence inside. Feenstra and Kara Braxton must continue to do a good job of rebounding. They need to clean the boards and let the guards do the work, because Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith are hard to guard.

Injury May Hurt San Antonio

While San Antonio has clinched a playoff spot, injuries will play a key role in how the rest of this season is going to play out. They had to play last night without Becky Hammon and Vickie Johnson. Getting those two players back and healthy will play a key component in San Antonio's ability to make a championship run.

From Beginning to End

I just finished reading an article about Penny Taylor joining the Mercury late last season. She was trying to catch up with the system on the fly last year. Being with the team from day one has helped her to find the chemistry with Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi. Also, the addition of Tangela Smith inside has helped. While teams attempt to stop Taurasi, Pondexter and Taylor, Smith is doing good work for the team inside.

Lawson Missing From the Starting Lineup

Kara Lawson doesn't start for Sacramento. In my opinion, starting her would fix a lot of problems with the offensive production of the team. I can understand the mentality of Coach Jenny Boucek. It is nice to have that offensive punch coming in off the bench. You have Ticha Penicheiro who can penetrate in and dish when you want to get to the free throw line. She can also make dishes to Yolanda Griffith, Rebekkah Brunson or out to Nicole Powell. But when you play Lawson you have that outside perimeter threat as well as playmaking opportunities. Having that offensive punch off the bench has worked for them. Most importantly, when it gets to be crunch time down the stretch, Boucek looks to Lawson.

Rookies vs. Veterans

Minnesota defeated Seattle on Tuesday. The outcome appears ironic because Seattle's core players are seasoned vets, while Minnesota is a very young team. I don't want to take anything away from Minnesota, but they are playing a deplted version of Seattle without MVP candidate Lauren Jackson and Janell Burse. The Storm was short-handed inside. However, I compliment Minnesota and Coach Zierden. He has stayed with that team and convinced this young group to continue to battle. The future is going to bright for them, if they are not a playoff potential this year, they will be next season.

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Analyzing the League With Carolyn Peck
Posted - August 1, 2007, 8:59 p.m. ET

Crushed in the Big Apple

New York is on a seven-game losing streak. Their problem is youth. When you have so many young players, inconsistencies are going to be there. The expectations there rose when they started off as well as they did, but you have to always keep in consideration how young that team is. Patty Coyle has done a tremendous job dealing with the youth, but they are going to have ups and downs until they learn the system.

Catchings Out

Indiana has really struggled without Tamika Catchings. When you have a player as good as Catchings, a team has to learn to play without her. It is not going to automatically happen. Catchings brings so much to the team including hustle, intensity and leadership. When a team has gotten so used to a player like her on the court, it is hard to adapt to her not being there. That is just an adjustment they will have to go through.

Cooper in Control

The Sparks beat New York last night 73-63. They are definitely improving. They are learning a lot about the heart and the intensity you need to play with from their coach Michael Cooper. Cooper will definitely help this team to improve. He has the capability over the next couple years to put the L.A. Sparks back on the map, especially if Lisa Leslie returns to her former level.

Sun Damage

Connecticut is a dangerous team, especially if you get production from Asjha Jones and Katie Douglas. The rise of Evanthia Maltsi and Nykesha Sales getting back healthy both help. There depth is good with Erika DeSouza and Le'coe Willingham. After watching Detroit play last night, their team is playing with a lot of confidence and they still have that swagger. They definitely played with that "refuse to lose" mentality against San Antonio. But Connecticut can definitely put itself in the mix.

Cheryl Fordless

Cheryl Ford is out for the remainder of the regular season. Detroit will miss her rebounding. They are depending on Katie Feenstra and Kara Braxton to be that anchor in the post. They are going to depend more on that center position to do the clean-up work. The rebounding and offensive fire power is now coming from the guard play and the small forward. If you look at what Katie Smith did last night in taking over the game in the fourth quarter and the production of Plenette Pierson off the bench, that is where the scoring is coming from.

A Legend in the Making

Lauren Jackson scored her 4,000th career point against Indiana last week. She reached the milestone quicker and younger than any other player in league history. She will definitely go down as one of the all-time greats but she is nowhere close to being finished. Every year Lauren gets better. She will set some amazing records before she is finished playing in this league.

Becky is Even Better

Becky Hammon is playing better this year with San Antonio than she did last year with New York. She is playing with a lot of confidence. She has a clear understanding of what Brian Agler and Dan Hughes are looking for her to do. The team definitely looks to her as a leader and she really is enjoying playing with this group. When the trade happened and she looked at the roster, she said that she thought it was going to be a really good thing. After getting to know her teammates and re-familiarizing herself with players she had experience playing with in the offseason, being traded to San Antonio has definitely turned out to be good for her.

Nothing to Lose

Minnesota ended its losing streak this week and won two in a row. When you lose a player like Lindsey Harding, just like Indiana did with Catchings, your team has to adjust and they are doing that. Also, now that we are getting into the later part of the season, Minnesota can play with nothing to lose. They can play with less pressure and be a spoiler for their opponents.

The Monarchs' Weapons

Sacramento's Nicole Powell had two 20-plus point games this week. She is a big threat and Rebekkah Brunson remains solid, as limited as she may be. Also, Kara Lawson coming off the bench will always be dangerous for Sacramento.

Triple Threat

Phoenix has won five straight because they have found a way to use its three top players: Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor. Phoenix is learning that it is hard for teams to take away three different threats. If they take away one or two, then the third one can step up.

The Race in the East

The race in the East is going to be tough. With Washington, Chicago and New York, anything can happen. You can't count out any team right now.

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Flying Through With Carolyn Peck
Posted - July 25, 2007, 9:44 p.m. ET

Sun Shining in Connecticut

I am between flights right now, but I wanted to go through a quick overview about this week in the WNBA.

For starters, Connecticut is definitely the team to beat. But they have to get consistent play across the board, especially from Lindsay Whalen and Asjha Jones. Katie Douglas has to continue to maintain her level of play. When those three are playing well, along with having a healthy Nykesha Sales back, Connecticut is one of the most dangerous teams in the East. That being said, I also saw the Chicago Sky knock off two very talented teams (San Antonio and Indiana) this past week. They are getting a lot of experience with playing and winning overtime games down the stretch.

Armintie Price is definitely a candidate for Rookie of the Year. She would receive my vote because of how she has helped her team. But you also have to look at the numbers of Marta Fernandez and Sidney Spencer.

Catchings Out

Losing Tamika Catchings means everything to Indiana. More than just her talent on the floor, she is a leader and she sets an example on the floor. Other players are going to have to step up in her absence, which means an even heavier load for Tammy Sutton-Brown. They are going to need contributions from their bench, particularly Ebony Hoffman. Tan White and Sheri Sam are going to have to bring it as well.

The Motor City is Going Places

Detroit is playing extremely well, especially getting a win without Cheryl Ford in uniform.

Sacramento's Kara Lawson put it best as she said, "Most teams struggle to have one or two players that are go-to players down the stretch when you need to make a play and Detroit has two in Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith."

That makes them the front-runner for winning in the East.

Bird is Back

Seattle needs to adjust to get Sue Bird back in her rhythm. Bird gives Lauren Jackson comfort on the floor, someone she is use to playing and leading with. She has got that veteran mentality. She has veteran experience. Jackson is playing extremely well and once Sue Bird hits her stride again, they will be a team that will be able to battle and keep themselves in playoff contention in the West.

MVP

With the numbers Lauren Jackson has put up, it is very likely she will be MVP. But you cannot ignore where Becky Hammon has San Antonio right now. So it's a matter of what is important, where your numbers are or where you have your team.

Stars Rise to the Top

San Antonio is No. 1 in the West right now. In the absence of Erin Buescher the team has really stepped up. Becky Hammon is doing a tremendous job of leading her team. When she is not scoring, she is distributing it to the right people at the right time. Sophia Young is playing extremely well. They're a team that is very well coached. Dan Hughes and Brian Agler are doing a terrific job of getting the most from their team and managing their talent.

Watch Out...

Houston will do more and more damage as the season goes on. Having Tamecka Dixon gives more confidence to Tina Thompson in having another veteran on the floor with her. Also that maturity and experience helps Sancho Lyttle and Michelle Snow down low, and Dixon is a great assistant to Crystal Smith at the point position. Houston will continue to make it very difficult for teams to guarantee a spot in the playoffs.

Surprise!

Phoenix's recent losses are surprising. It is very surprising to see them end losing streaks for their opponents (Los Angeles). Teams now are concentrating on Penny Taylor and having Diana Taurasi become a passer and putting a lot of defense there as well. It is Phoenix's defense that is really hurting them right now.

Youth is Not Always Bliss

New York has lost a lot of close games. Their struggles in finishing have to do with experience. They are a young team. They have a lot of players that have limited experience in the league and in those situations. It will come with maturity. The experience they are getting now will help them to close out those close games in the future.

Way to Go Washington

In the East, the playoffs are wide open for those last two spots. Detroit and Indiana will lock up the top two. But Washington has come a long way. They had to adjust to playing without Chasity Melvin. Another major help is that Alana Beard's shoulder is getting back to full strength and she is playing with confidence. DeLisha Milton-Jones is stepping up her game and being more of a leader. The coaching style of Tree Rollins appears to be a good fit for the Mystics. One of the things the Mystics needed was confidence in getting a win and knowing that they can win. Now that they have had that experience of winning, that is something they can go after.

Veteran Monarchs

The biggest thing that Sacramento has is veteran players. You have Ticha Penicheiro, Yolanda Griffith and Kara Lawson. Lawson is the ultimate professional with a great work ethic and the example that Lawson sets goes miles for the rest of the players on the team. You also have to look at the development and improvement of who I think is most improved player in the league, Rebekkah Brunson, and the things that she is doing.

Sparks Struggle

Los Angeles is struggling. Two of their top scoring options right now, Marta Fernandez and Sidney Spencer, are rookies. I did the game last night against Sacramento. L.A. was hesitant to pull the trigger in the first half. Fighting the record they currently have may hurt their confidence. Also, changing the lineup takes a toll on players because it makes it difficult for the players to understand what their roles are. The best thing that L.A. has going right now is Michael Cooper continuing to coach and teach them. With the players that they have and him coaching, I believe they will be a much improved team next season.

Can Minnesota Bounce Back?

Minnesota has gone through a series of losses recently. It will be difficult for them to bounce back, especially after losing Lindsey Harding. They will continue to battle but it will be tough for them to keep their confidence up.

That is the overview for this week. I will share my thoughts with you next week, same place and time.

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Heading Towards the Home Stretch
Posted - July 18, 2007, 8:32 p.m. ET

All-Star Review

I watched the All-Star game and I thought it was a really good game, very entertaining. The players were able to have a great deal of fun, while still maintaining a competitive mentality. The game really demonstrated that there is a balance of talent in both conferences. Both sides showed signs of greatness, the West in the first half with their ability to score from the perimeter and then the East with their ability to get back in the game.

The East had an advantage with Bill Laimbeer as their coach, because he has been in that situation before. He understands how the players are going to play. He understands how to implement a strategy, while still allowing the players to have some fun.

The end of the game was close and I thought the West had the potential to come back and win it. The game kept viewers tied to the television, especially since the East had won it the year before and the West had desperately wanted to regain that title. As for Cheryl Ford being awarded MVP, when you look at her numbers in terms of scoring and rebounding, she had to get the vote for MVP.

Also interesting, Becky Hammon joined Dawn Staley, as they are the only players to have played for both East and West All-Star teams. However that is not the only reason Hammon will go down as one of the greats. She was not one of the top names when she first came into the league. She had to bust her tail to make the team and stay in New York and then she continued to work hard and put herself in position to start for the New York Liberty. After being traded, she continues to persevere and establish herself as one of the best point guards in the Western conference.

The Lynx Missing Link

Last night for ESPN I was in Connecticut for the Sun's game against the Lynx. Lindsey Harding is a huge loss for Minnesota. It is very disappointing because Lindsey Harding was on her way to being the Rookie of the Year, which now may go to Armintie Price. Coach Don Zierden talked about the development Lindsey has made up to this point. He claimed she was really getting it and was beginning to understand what you need to do to be a point guard at this level. In the first half of the Washington game she had just taken a charge and he used her as an example in front of the team. He said this is what he is looking for from the players in Minnesota. Then in the third quarter she tore her ACL. As a point guard you have to do a number of different things, but most importantly you need set the example for your team. It is really tough as a rookie and I believe she was stepping up and taking a lot of pride in that role.

The Lynx adjusted well last night in the absence of Harding. Noelle Quinn is a big guard. Coach Zierden talked about when they drafted her that they like her size and they like the way that she can see the floor. She has not had a lot of rotations at the point, but she is getting more and more comfortable and she is beginning to understand that when she is on the floor in the point position, this is her team and she has to make sure that everybody is in the right spot. Amber Jacobs has experience in the point position. She ran the team the year before. Svetlana Abrosimova stepped up her scoring from the perimeter and Tiffany Stansbury continues to get better to complement Nicole Ohlde inside along with Kristen Mann. These young players are going to continue to grow and develop and they will be a nice supporting cast for Seimone Augustus.

Refuse to Lose

Connecticut has gotten its swagger back. They are playing with a lot more confidence. They are getting leadership from Katie Douglas, Lindsay Whalen and Nykesha Sales as they establish a "refuse to lose" mentality. They are doing a good job, even though they are still not as consistent as they need to be, of taking care of the basketball. Their field goal percentage has improved. They went through a long spurt in the first half of last night's game of shooting above 50 percent.

Triple Threat

Penny Taylor is saying "I am here and you better recognize me." When you have players like Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi, opponents need two to stop them. What Phoenix has to figure out or recognize is that Penny Taylor is of that same caliber. That is evident by the assist numbers that Pondexter and Taurasi have. And I compliment Taurasi and Pondexter for their willingness to share the basketball and Taylor for her ability to knock down shots. Right now Phoenix is clicking on all cylinders. The question will be whether or not they can stay healthy throughout the second half of the WNBA season.

The Sparks Need a Spark

Los Angeles has to be more consistent. As the first half of the season was approaching the All-Star game, Taj McWilliams-Franklin was in and out with her injuries. She seemed to be healthy for the All-Star game, and having her presence back inside consistently could help the Sparks to get back on track. Marta Fernandez needs to continue to be an offensive threat on the perimeter as well.

Fear the Comets

Houston is probably one of the most dangerous teams in the West right now. I don't know about playoff contention, but they could be a spoiler for other teams that think that they are going right now. They have Tina Thompson who is playing extremely well and Sancho Lyttle who continues to get better every game. She is a very versatile player. Also, Tamecka Dixon is a great asset, not only for her talent but for her experience and knowledge of the game.

The Mighty Mystics

Alana Beard has taken ownership of her team and then the play of Delisha Milton-Jones and Nakia Sanford has been very important for the progress of the Washington Mystics.

Too Predictable

When you get this deep into the season, what you do is very predictable. Other teams are trying to exploit you. One thing that is going to have to happen for Sacramento is if Ticha Penicheiro is going to be on the floor, she has to be able to score. If that's not happening, they are going to have to use Kara Lawson more to have a legitimate five on five scoring threat. Rebekkah Brunson is going to have to shoulder the load as much as possible with the rebounding inside and finishing.

Playoff Contenders

Right now Indiana has played the most consistent basketball. They are playing like a hungry team that has never won a championship. But the All-Star break gave Detroit time to refocus and regroup.

The difference between a playoff team and a non-playoff team will be consistent defense. It will be a defensive battle down the stretch. I would say Indiana and Detroit will be a shoo-in for the East. For the last two spots in the East it is going to be battle between Chicago, New York and Connecticut... and never say never with the Washington Mystics and the improvement they have shown under coach Tree Rollins. In the West it's going to be a battle because of the injuries with Sue Bird in Seattle and Erin Buescher in San Antonio. Teams are going to need to rely on other players to fill in those gaps.

I will give you more predictions and thoughts next week as the post All-Star season progresses.

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Halfway Through With Carolyn Peck
Posted - July 11, 2007, 10:46 p.m. ET

The Votes Are In

The starting lineups are fan based and consist of the players that the fans voted for. For my vote I would have Katie Douglas or Katie Smith in that starting lineup as well as Candice Dupree at the post position for the East. The West did a pretty good job as far as selecting the best players.

Detroit, Will They Come Back?

Detroit has won only two of its last five but I think they will start to win consistently again. I have great confidence in the coaching abilities of Bill Laimbeer. After the All-Star break, especially with Indiana in the lead, Detroit has something to be hungry for. They are no longer the hunted but the ones that are doing the hunting.

Hammon Out, Buescher In

Erin Buescher had 27 points in San Antonio's 90-73 win over Seattle. I am really impressed with the physical shape that she has got herself in. I am also impressed with her athleticism and the athletic moves that she has displayed. She has shown a lot mental maturity on the floor.

Leadership in Connecticut

Katie Douglas has really stepped up for Connecticut. Leadership has definitely been the missing factor for Connecticut but in order for Connecticut to get on a winning track and into the playoffs it is going to have to come from more than just one player. Katie can start it, but the rest of the players have to continue it. Asjha Jones is maturing very quickly in that role. But the team is also going to need help from Nykesha Sales.

Sidney Spencer Starting

It was a wise move on L.A.'s part to start Sidney Spencer. She is an offensive threat in this league. You have to have some outside shooting to get off to a good start offensively as a team. When you have a player like Taj McWilliams-Franklin on the inside, it opens things up.

Chicago, Can They Make the Postseason?

Chicago needs to get consistent scoring from the outside. Chasity Melvin has established herself and is commanding a lot of attention down low and inside. Candice Dupree is finding ways to score out on the perimeter, but the shooting from Chicago's guards will be important in allowing them to remain in playoff position.

Understanding the Mysterious Mystics

The difference between the Mystics now and a month ago all has to do with letting the Mystics run. Playing a more up-tempo speed is working well for DeLisha Milton-Jones and Alana Beard. They are getting solid bench play from rookie Bernice Mosby. Also, a key component for Washington is the play of Nakia Sanford. She is improving as the season goes on.

New York, New York

New York beat Detroit and Sacramento which gave the Liberty their confidence back. Being a young team, it would have been very easy for them to start doubting whether or not they could get back on a winning track after hitting that skid. But they proved to themselves that they could still win. Also, having Erin Thorn back helped and Janel McCarville continues to get better and better.

The fact that New York is not represented at All-Star has a lot to do with them being young and not having a well known name at the beginning of the season. That does not mean that they do not have talent. They are getting it done as a team. Loree Moore is playing extremely well. Erin Thorn was playing well until she got injured. I like Cathrine Kraayeveld, she is doing a great job. Then you have so many young players that are also contributing off the bench.

Phoenix's Triple Threat

Penny Taylor has repeatedly been a high scorer for Phoenix. I do not think she is now their biggest threat, rather they now have three big threats with Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi. With the recent absences of Pondexter and Taurasi, Taylor has been able to spread her wings and really show what she is capable of doing.

Who's Who in Houston

Tina Thompson is an incredible player and Karleen Thompson really feels that she has been a tremendous leader for their team. The players that are growing and becoming even stronger include Michelle Snow, who has been working on becoming more consistent, Sancho Lyttle -- who is really doing a phenomenal job not only on the offensive end as far as rebounding and finishing down low but also on the defensive end -- and Tamecka Dixon, who is a huge asset to the Comets. She not only brings talent but also playing experience. Dixon has been on quality teams and has won before.

Can Seattle Survive Without Sue?

Sue Bird is out for Seattle. As a result, Seattle will be exposed for what they do or do not have. With the 82-47 win over L.A. they are really demonstrating what they do have. Tanisha Wright has to step up and Lauren Jackson has to maintain the ability to stay in games and really elevate her game. The absence of Bird will help the Seattle staff to see what the rest of the team can do.

Fever Fighting For a First-Place Finish

Indiana has been very consistent, specifically with their defensive game. Until the Houston game they had held 12 opponents to shooting under 40 percent. That is pretty remarkable in this league. When you have a team that keeps their energy and their focus on defense, it helps to avoid slumps or lows. When you focus on your defense you create your offense from your defense. Does that make them a front-runner? I don't know. Detroit is really picking up and playing their defense. Sacramento is a pretty tough defensive team as well.

East vs. West

I have to give the nod to the West because they have loaded firepower scoring- wise, especially when you look at what Becky Hammon and Diana Taurasi have been able to do. With the offensive production of the players in the West, I think it is going to be close, but I have to give it to the West.

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Freaky Friday:
Posted - July 3, 2007, 9:31 p.m. ET

Expect the Unexpected

This past week the WNBA proved to be completely unpredictable. San Antonio beat Detroit without Ruth Riley or Becky Hammon. Starring for San Antonio was Erin Buescher and Sophia Young. Getting Cheryl Ford back was good for Detroit, but she has to find her rhythm. Katie Smith is in a slump right now from the floor and the free throw line. But once they get Katie back in a rhythm and Ford back in her groove, Detroit will be back on track. Deanna Nolan is still doing her thing very well, but the Shock have to do a better job of taking care of the basketball. From watching Bill Laimbeer, you can tell he is concerned about how hard his team is playing.

As for San Antonio, they need to have Ruth Riley back and consistent. That will depend on how her foot heals. From there, they just need to be consistent. Brian Agler has done a great job of adjusting to the injuries in the absence of Dan Hughes.

Freaky Friday

Last Friday demonstrated the competitiveness of this league. It was almost a freaky Friday with Connecticut beating Indiana, Washington beating Detroit, Minnesota beating San Antonio, Chicago beating Sacramento and New York beating L.A. Last Friday showed that there are a lot of quality players in this league and that anything can happen.

The Perks of Penny

Another team that has had to make adjustments is Phoenix. After being in in the shadow of Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor has been huge for Phoenix. She had the opportunity to show her veteran leadership and her ability to step up in the absence of Taurasi. What is impressive about Taylor is her ability to score in so many different ways, whether it is from the perimeter or attacking the basket. Also, you can't take anything away from the contributions of Tangela Smith in helping Phoenix beat Houston.

Chicago's Endurance

Over in Chicago, I have to compliment Bo Overton. He has taken on a new team and in his first year he has really done a good job of guiding his team through some very tough situations. I also have to compliment Candice Dupree. She is putting up incredible numbers and the maturity she is showing in just her second year in the league is amazing.

New York Struggles

New York has struggled without Erin Thorn. For the Liberty it is important to take a look at Loree Moore, her role as a point guard and the amount of minutes she is playing. Then look at the contributions New York is getting when they have to sub her out. It seems as if fatigue is playing a factor, but pressure might be playing into it as well. The team is living and dying by the 3-point shot. Ashley Battle is a tremendous player, but she relies too much on the perimeter shot. With her strength, she has the ability to get to the basket to establish her game inside then out.

Prepare for the Storm

The way Seattle played against New York definitely establishes them as a team to look out for. Sue Bird started that game after a scoreless game against Houston. She became very offensive minded and I think she really got that squad rolling. They have a lot of depth. When they do not just depend on Lauren Jackson and everybody steps up, they become a very dangerous team.

Washington Improves

Washington has improved tremendously. They turned up the speed. DeLisha Milton-Jones, going back to L.A., is at her best when it is an up-tempo, fast-paced game. Alana Beard is the same way. The WNBA has sped up and Tree Rollins has done a great job in adding to what Adubato has done, but also turning up the speed.

Connecticut's Douglas Steps Up

Conneticut's win over Indiana was key for the Sun. Katie Douglas really stepped up big and she is going to have to continue to play a leadership role. Strong leadership is crucial for the Sun. When you do not have a Taj McWilliams-Franklin, someone else is going to have to step up as the leader.

L.A. Searching for Stability

L.A. is still searching for a form, especially with Temeka Johnson coming back and Taj McWilliams-Franklin iffy with a sore hamstring. They are very inconsistent. LaToya Thomas and Mwadi Mabika need to be better night in and night out. They are getting good bench play from Kiesha Brown. I know that Michael Cooper is a very defensive-minded coach and he wants his team to play harder on that end. Also, they have to not allow other teams to get second-chance opportunities off the offensive rebounds, which has been happening to them in their losses.

All-Star

All-Star is the time of year when the fans recognize and honor the players, especially the starters. These are the players the fans are dedicated to and that they want to see in that All-Star Game. It is a compliment to the players. The players should show great appreciation to the fans by coming out, playing hard and giving them a good show. Being selected as an All-Star builds confidence in players. It would be my hope that this is a motivation for players to play out the rest of the season as All-Stars and step up for their teams.

Teams can approach the post-All-Star period as the second season. They get a second wind. Teams that are at the bottom have the opportunity to put themselves in playoff contention after the All-Star break. Houston got its motor going. Minnesota and Washington have gotten their motors going. It is not going to be easy to establish which teams are going to be in the playoffs. It will be a battle until the end.

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My Predictions and Observations:
Posted - June 27, 2007, 7:44 p.m. ET

All-Star Starters

Last night I picked my starters for the East, Katie Smith, Katie Douglas, Tamika Catchings, Candice Dupree and Tammy Sutton-Brown. For the West I think the starters should be Lauren Jackson, Ticha Penicheiro, Seimone Augustus, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Tina Thompson. All players benefit from being on an All-Star roster. Selection for All-Star makes a player more marketable for endorsements and it probably helps their contracts overseas.

East vs. West

Who's going to win it? Lauren Jackson would keep it tight between the East and the West. Katie Douglas would have to have another Most Valuable Player performance for the East to win it. But the way Jackson is playing, I would probably have to go with the West for now. MVP possibilities are a toss-up between Lauren Jackson and Tamika Catchings.

Movin' On Up

Houston and Washington are starting to get some wins. The rough start could be the result of the lack of players that were available for training camp. Now the practice time is catching up and they are finding ways to gel. Also, other teams in the league have really been hurt by injuries. Chicago's Dominique Canty is out and she makes so much happen at the point position for the Sky. New York's loss of Erin Thorn has really hurt them. But Detroit is still able to make it happen despite the loss of Cheryl Ford.

Taylor Shines

In Phoenix, Penny Taylor has really stepped up this past week with both Taurasi and Pondexter out. Penny has always been a great player. She has played her role well with the emergence of Pondexter and Taurasi and in their absence she has just been able to shine.

How the Sun Beat the Fever...

Connecticut beat Indiana, and to be honest I don't know how it happened. I think sometimes against good teams, teams find a way to gel. Connecticut was probably more focused. But consistent play comes from leadership and Coach Thibault has to find it from one or two players on the floor. That was something big that Taj McWilliams-Franklin brought to the floor when she was in Connecticut.

Becky Back in NY

Becky Hammon beat her old team in her old city. She has really been able to shine with San Antonio, while New York is a team that is struggling right now with Erin Thorn being out. Erin was that calming factor on the floor and not having her hurt New York. Meanwhile, Becky Hammon is continuing to get better as a professional. I saw her last night and she had 32 points against Houston.

Baby Lynx

Minnesota is a young team and they are picking up some wins against teams with strong veteran leadership. They beat Seattle and Los Angeles. They are growing up. I would not say that it is a proven consistency yet, just because they are young. As young players they will have nights when they're great and they will have nights when they're not so great. They will show true consistency if they can maintain the momentum they have built going into the All-Star break after the All-Star break.

Watch out!

After working the Monarchs game last night, I really must say Sacramento is a team to watch out for. A huge reason for that is Rebekkah Brunson. She continues to get better and better in every game.They were able to win last night really without Yolanda Griffith scoring a point. She went out early with an injury, but came back and played. Sacramento had the lead so Griffith was not needed much in the second half. Brunson really carried the load inside.

Disappointments

It is about halfway through the season now, and the fact that Houston only has three wins is surprising. Also, I really expected more from Connecticut this season.

What is next?

Injuries are going to play a big factor on how this season plays out. The teams that are healthy and seem to be prevailing right now are Sacramento in the West and Indiana in the East. It will be key for Detroit to have Cheryl Ford back.

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What Is What in the WNBA this Week:
Posted - June 20, 2007, 5:24 p.m. ET

Detroit Defeated

Detroit finally lost one. Not having Cheryl Ford in the middle was a huge loss for Detroit because of the power and strength that she brings inside as well as her ability to finish and rebound. It's always an adjustment when a key player on your team is not there and Detroit didn't adjust very well to not having her on the floor. Indiana took advantage of that. Tammy Sutton-Brown ran the floor, Tamika Whitmore scored from the outside, and then Tamika Catchings, of course, did everything that she does.

Becky Hammon Against New York

Becky Hammon had 22 points against her former Liberty team. Hammon is an extreme competitor. She demonstrated what she is capable of doing. I watched the interview with Carol Blazejowski and Patty Coyle. They talked about how hard it was to make the decision to trade Becky because they really like her. She started in New York and she continued to work to improve her game. It was a decision made because they felt it was best for New York. On the other end, Dan Hughes did what he thought was best for San Antonio in gaining a guard like Becky Hammon. In the game against New York, Hammon demonstrated what it is she does and the value she brings to the game.

When San Antonio comes to New York on Friday it will be an emotional game on New York's part. It will be difficult for New York to go against the Silver Stars. They Liberty lost to them on their current road trip and when they come back from that road trip, San Antoinio will be there. It is going to be a great game. I think its going to be a battle. New York will likely concentrate more on guarding Becky Hammon and now we will be able to see what the other players from San Antonio can do.

Connecticut Sun Going Down?

Connecticut is on a four-game losing streak because they just are not shooting the ball well from the perimeter. As I sat there and watched that game, what came to mind was the result of the movement of the big players, namely Taj McWilliams-Franklin to L.A. Taj is a great leader. She also has tremendous experience from playing in the league and playing overseas. When times get rocky that experience helps get you back on track. One of the things that Taj McWilliams-Franklin brought for Connecticut when she was there was streaking down the floor and being that transition post down the middle. Asjha Jones is stepping into that role but she just doesn't have the experience that Taj has.

L.A. Post-Holdsclaw

Over in L.A., where Taj currently plays, the Sparks are managing pretty well without Chamique Holdsclaw. I watched the game against Detroit, and LaToya Thomas has stepped in big to help L.A. I think that Michael Cooper is going to find a way to manage that team and fill the gap caused by the loss of Holdsclaw.

Seattle is in the Mix

Seattle is a top quality team. Lauren Jackson is such a dangerous player in the value that she brings to her team with her size, her experience, her ability to rebound and her ability to score outside and inside. Then Sue Bird along with Katie Gearlds, as she gets more experience shooting the ball, help make this a quality team.

I think to be a contender you have to have a big three. When I say a big three, I mean three go-to players that can score and do well at their positions. Seattle also has an experienced coach who knows how to win and has won it before there. The Storm could be a contending team.

The Former Champs

Sacramento has to maintain consistency. They are specifically inconsistent with their ability to score from the perimeter. Their defense is really what keeps them in games.

The Lynx on the Prowl

The Lynx just won two in a row and I think their young players are starting to come into their own. I was looking at the numbers that Nicole Ohlde has put up. She is key for them. They need her consistent scoring ability and size. I believe that Seimone Augustus is going to get hers and do her thing. Lindsey Harding is becoming more and more comfortable with being a point guard in this league. She is making that huge transition from college to the pros well. Also, having Svetlana back is very important.

A Win for Washington

I don't believe their win was a fluke. Getting a win does wonders for your confidence. When you have lost so many, you start to doubt whether or not you can win. After this win the players have that to draw from. Especially beating Phoenix, that is a quality win for them. The most important thing now is that they use that win to build upon, because they have shown themselves what they are capable of doing.

What is Houston's Problem?

In looking at the stats for Houston, they only get consistent scoring from two players, Tina Thompson and Michelle Snow. Teams can go in defending them right now saying, "Don't let Snow do her thing inside, keep somebody constantly on Tina Thompson and make the rest of the team beat you." Essentially it becomes two-on-five as opponents can zone out the rest of the team, until they can establish themselves as consistent scorers on the floor.

Beating the Odds

The team that is most surprising is the Chicago Sky. They can go big with Candice Dupree, Brooke Wykcoff and Chasity Melvin on the floor. I like that lineup a lot. With the speed of Armintie Price and then with Dominique Canty at the point, they are able to do so many different things. Also, they have Stacey Dales who is shooting the ball from the perimeter and opening things up for them. They have had quality wins, beating New York and Connecticut. Chicago is already exceeding what people expected from them.

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Recapping the Week Around the WNBA
Posted - June 13, 2007, 8:31 p.m. ET

Holdsclaw's Retirement

To begin, lets start with the headline of the week: Chamique Holdsclaw's retirement. It is a mystery to me. Her reason for quitting in the middle of the season must be extremely important. Otherwise she really let her team down. She is a great talent and there is a great hole that is now left for someone else to fill. Her retirement adds more pressure to Taj McWilliams-Franklin as she is now going to be the main focus on the floor.

Liberty Losses

The Liberty lost to Detroit and then they went to Indiana where they were attacked on the inside. Sutton-Brown and Whitmore both having 22 points makes me question what direction New York is heading in. Their interior defense has to be on every night with the talent of the inside players throughout the league. New York will have to go through Indiana and Detroit to win that No. 1 spot. Detroit has Kara Braxton and Cheryl Ford and Indiana has Sutton-Brown and Whitmore. That means Davenport and Kraayeveld are going to have to do it both offensively and defensively for the Liberty in the paint.

As for why New York lost to the Fever, I think Indiana was seeking revenge. Tamika Catchings and that whole team have a championship mindset. In the game against the Liberty, the combination of Whitmore and Sutton-Brown was very impressive. In my opinion, Indiana's win was more about what the Fever did right as opposed to what the Liberty did wrong.

Undefeated Shock

Detroit is really good. They have the best arsenal of perimeter shooting across the board with Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith being able to score, then Plenette Pierson coming off the bench. They can score across the board, both inside and out. I think to alleviate the pressure as they get closer to the postseaso, they may, not purposely, need to drop one to stay hungry. Although it is pretty difficult for Detroit to have an off-night with the roster that they have, I think Indiana has the best chance of catching them off guard. Seattle may be able to challenge them as well.

Sacramento vs. Phoenix

Out West, Sacramento has now lost twice to Phoenix. Phoenix and Sacramento are similar in their transition game. Phoenix is different with the perimeter scoring they have out of their transition. However for these two teams it comes down to transition defense and who can do it best.

Winless Wonders

In Washington, you have two players who are taking the majority of the shots. Alana Beard and DeLisha Milton-Jones have both taken 109 shots. Alana Beard is shooting 44 percent and Milton-Jones is shooting 33.9 percent. I feel like if you are going to take that many shots you are going to have to provide a higher field goal percentage or you are going to have to share the basketball. Their team field goal percentage is not going to allow them to win many ball games. Also, if you look at the production Chasity Melvin is having with the Chicago Sky, it is apparent that her absence plays a role in the Mystics' struggles.

Houston's troubles are slightly different. They are turning the ball over 20 times a game and allowing their opponents to shoot 46 percent from the field. This is because when they turn the ball over, more times than not, their opponents are shooting lay-ups at the other end. I think that Houston needs to cut down on their turnovers and be a little more patient with their shots.

Streaks in the League

I think that you have three different mindsets. In Detroit, winning is the only thing they know. Winning is a mentality they keep and they focus on. I think Washington has yet to get to the level that they should be on, so I question if their losing streak is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I believe Houston is in uncharted waters. They have never been in the bottom of the West before. The situation is foreign to the entire team.

Big Rookie Performance

Katie Gearlds scored 17 points in the Storm's 81-69 win over Chicago. Gearlds is a scorer. I have watched Katie at the high school and college level. She has that winning mentality and she is only going to get better. She is gaining respect from her teammates, which is helping her grow more confident in herself, which is allowing her to excel as a player.

Windy City Blown Away by Storm

The problem with Chicago is that they are so up and down. They have Armintie Price who is rebounding and has a lot of energy. But hey need that perimeter scoring. You have Candice Dupree and Chasity Melvin inside but there is still a small post. I think size is an issue with Chicago.

The Experience Factor

Experience is huge in this league. Experienced teams understand the tempo and the intensity of the game. They also understand game strategies. Veteran players understand they have to play one game and automatically turn it on to play another team the next night. For inexperienced players, that is an adjustment. In college you have a week, or at least three days, to prepare for your next game. I think that handling the turnaround has a lot to do with the experience of doing it. Experience (or lack of) has likely contributed to some of the recent wins and losses around the league.

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Win, Lose or Draw: Around the League with Carolyn Peck
Posted - June 6, 2007, 11:17 p.m. ET

So how did I get to ESPN?

I got my first taste of being an analyst while I was coaching at Purdue. After I left Purdue, I went to the WNBA and spent the offseason doing some television. After my college coaching career ended at Florida, ESPN presented me with the opportunity to be an analyst and it was like a dream come true. I now have the opportunity to concentrate full time on doing analysis and broadcasting for ESPN.

Now down to business…

New York is currently undefeated and I believe you really have to credit Carol Blazejowski and Patty Coyle. In the trade that sent Becky Hammon to San Antonio, New York received Jessica Davenport, but they also picked up Tiffany Jackson with their own selection in the draft. I watched the game last night between New York and Indiana (the Liberty won 78-67) and both are contributing early as rookies. I think they are doing a great job. Erin Thorn was the star at the beginning of the year and had a supporting cast. Now the supporting-cast players are becoming co-stars.

The Liberty will be put to the test…

New York faces Detroit on Friday and they are the only other undefeated team in the league. That is a game I definitely have circled to see. When New York exhibited the defense they did against Indiana, that definitely put the radar up that this team is legit. Going against the Detroit Shock will be the ultimate test. Detroit has weapons from one end of the bench to the other. They have Deanna Nolan, who they can move to the two and then they can bring in Pee Wee Johnson. They have a shooter in Katie Smith and a scorer in Swin Cash and then Cheryl Ford, who I have always been a fan of, brings strength and power inside. It's going to be a battle between the two teams and the fact that the game is in New York makes it even more interesting. My bet is on Detroit because of their veteran experience but I think it will be a real test to see if New York can bring it three games in a row.

The Minnesota Lynx are not quite as accomplished as New York or Detroit this season but they beat Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury Tuesday night in Phoenix 90-85. Personally, I am not surprised at all. I did the Minnesota-Indiana game and Minnesota is just a team that is so young... they are still developing. Each game that I see or follow, they continue to get better and better. One key element is Nicole Ohlde. She showed up in Phoenix and played like that player we saw when she was at Kansas State with a lot of confidence and a lot of grit about her. I think having Svetlana back is key for Minnesota. Svetlana gives Seimone Augustus the help that she needs.

Houston and Washington still stand winless this season. Losing Chasity Melvin hurt Washington bad inside. Look at what Chasity is doing for the Chicago Sky. That inside presence is a missing element for Washington.

As for Houston, after following the stats, I think that Ashley Shields has proven she is a rookie that can score. Combine that with Tina Thompson and Michelle Snow and you have got something. But losing Sheryl Swoopes hurts. Karleen Thompson has her hands full as she continues to mold and mesh her team and tries to get them on that winning track.

Thinking about the top players around the league …

I took a look at the All-Star balloting this morning. In the West, I would like to see Cappie Pondexter, Sue Bird, Seimone Augustus, Mwadi Mabika, Lauren Jackson, Sophia Young, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Tangela Smith in D.C. for All-Star. For the East, Deanna Nolan, Lindsay Whalen, Katie Douglas, Tamika Catchings, Candice Dupree, Cathrine Kraayeveld, Jessica Davenport and Tammy Sutton-Brown should all be on the roster.

Right now I think Tamika Catchings is the best all-around player in the league. Doris Burke related Catchings to the player in hockey who gets the assist before the assist. The amazing things she does don't always show up in a basketball stat sheet, but that is what Tamika Catchings does. She dives on the floor for loose balls. She is the type of player that is willing to put the team on her back.