2004 Record 9-25, .265 (7th in West) Points Scored 2191 (10th overall, 5th in West) Points Allowed 2364 (11th overall, 7th in West) Scoring Differential -5.1 (13th overall, 7th in West) Award Winners & Honorees Olympian Shannon Johnson 2004 Draft Recap Rd. 2 - 21, Cindy Dallas Rd. 3 - 34, Toccara Williams Playoff History Two out of eight years Last Appearance 2002, lost in Western Conference Finals

The Silver Stars came out of the gates sprinting, winning three of their first four games. Of course, they only won six games the rest of the season, indicating they clearly need help in a number of areas. A bright spot for the Silver Stars the play of second-year player LaToya Thomas, finishing the 2004 season ranked fourth in the WNBA in field goal percentage (48.9%) and 13th in free throw percentage (84.1%). Thomas has the potential to be an All-Star if she continues to improve in the post and the Silver Stars win a few more games in 2005.

Thomas

The team suffered a huge blow on July 2 when All-Star guard Marie Ferdinand dislocated her right elbow at Los Angeles and ended up missing the rest of the season. However her absence gave Agnieszka Bibrzycka a chance to step in. She averaged 10.4 points and 3.1 assists in nine games as a starter. Bibrzycka missed much of training camp and some time after the Olympic break, so a full season in Texas could be a huge lift for the team.

Aside from Thomas and her 14.2 ppg, the Silver Stars lacked a consistent second scoring threat., but it was clearly not enough. The team's only other legitimate scoring threat, Adrienne Goodson, proved she can still hang, but she was the fourth oldest player in the league in 2004. The retirement of Semeka Randall, who left the WNBA to coach at Michigan State, leaves a spot to fill while Olympic point guard Shannon Johnson's offensive production dropped in 2004, tallying 4.4 assists per game and a career-low 9.3 points per game.

Center Margo Dydek became just the fifth player in league history to pull down 1,500 rebounds in her career and is known for her shot blocking ability, but she was in and out of the starting lineup and often seemed out of place in now-departed Coach Dee Brown's system. Midway through the season the Stars traded for 2003 All-Star Adrian Williams to strengthen the post and add depth to their bench, but the San Antonio reserves only averaged 14.2 points per game.

Head Coach Dan Hughes 2004 Starting Lineup G- Shannon Johnson G- Marie Ferdinand F- Adrienne Goodson F- LaToya Thomas C- Margo Dydek Key 2004 Reserves Agnieszka Bibrzycka Adrian Williams Jessie Hicks Key Additions Edna Campbell Key Losses Semeka Randall

Dydek

When will center Margo Dydek realize she is bigger than everyone else and really use her size to her advantage. Will a full season playing with Bibrzycka, her Polish teammate, allow her to realize her potential? Can Marie Ferdinand recover from her injury and regain her All-Star form?

Despite having the worst record in the league, luck was not in the Silver Stars' favor when the ping pong balls were drawn at the 2005 WNBA Draft Lottery, but whoever San Antonio gets with that pick should come in and get the opportunity to make an immediate impact.