May 26, 2007 - We are a little over a week into the 2007 WNBA season, and the action is heating up in the WNBA Pick One Challenge. So far this year we have seen the usal strong perfromances from the league's stars such as Lauren Jackson and Diana Taurasi, but there have also been some suprising perfromances from more unheralded, but talented players like Erin Thorn and Plenette Pierson. Keeping tabs on some of the under-the-radar players who are capable of a big game is the key to success in the Pick One Challenge, because you aren't going to be able to select an All-Star every night with 71 days of games on the schedule.

Last Week's MVP: Erin Thorn, New York Liberty

The Liberty's Erin Thorn has been the biggest suprise of the WNBA season so far. Thorn started only two games in four years with the Libery heading into this season but is currently ranked second in the WNBA with a 31.5 PRA (points+rebounds+assists) average over her first two games. She is a sizzling 11-16 from three-point range and also led the Liberty with eight rebounds in their win over the Mystics on Tuesday. Thorn, who did not receive many minutes over the first few years of her career, is now starting so we will get every chance to see if she can keep up with her hot start to the season. Thorn is the only player in the current PRA Top 10 who has not been a WNBA All-Star in her career, so she is in some pretty good company if she can maintain her ranking.

Rookie Watch

Rookies obtain double points for your entry, so it is crucial to keep tabs on which ones are seeing action and putting up good numbers in the infancy of their WNBA careers. Right now, Houston Ashley Shields is front and center when it comes to the rookies, ranking 13th among all WNBA players with a PRA of 25.0. Two point guards who went before Shields in the first round complete the rookie top three, with Lindsey Harding and Armintie Price off to solid starts. These are the only three rookies who are getting the playing time and the PRA to help you at this point, although some more will likely emerge later on in the season.

Last Week's Picks

Last week my selections were consistent, if not what I hoped for. Delisha Milton-Jones was the highlight of the week with her 14 point, eight rebound outing on Thursday afternoon in New York. My entry is currently in the 46th percentile, so I am definitely looking to move up by using some All-Stars over the next week.

WNBA.com Daily Expert Pick

Tuesday, May 29 Tina Thompson Houston vs. San Antonio

Weds., May 30 Deanna Nolan Detroit vs. Washington

Thursday, May 31 Tangela Smith Phoenix at San Antonio

Friday, June 1 Erin Thorn New York at Minnesota

Saturday, June 2 Nykesha Sales Connecticut vs. Phoenix

Sunday, June 3 Penny Taylor Phoenix at New York

Tuesday: Tina Thompson, Houston vs. San Antonio

Tina Thompson looks to be on her way to another outstanding season, ranking seventh in the league with a 28.5 PRA. You can watch Thompson and the Comets host the Silver Stars on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET.

Wednesday: Deanna Nolan, Detroit vs. Washington

Deanna Nolan has been the main offensive threat as the Shock have dominated opponents in a 2-0 start to the season. Nolan, who ranks 9th in the WNBA with a 26.5 PRA, should have an excellent game against the Mystics, who have gotten off to a slow start to the season.

Thursday: Tangela Smith, Phoenix at San Antonio

Tangela Smith is the newest addition to the Mercury's offensive arsenal, averaging 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in her first three games of 2007. Phoenix is off to another big season on the offensive end, leading all WNBA teams with 93.0 points per game.

Friday: Erin Thorn, New York at Minnesota

Erin Thorn's big start to the season is already described in above in this article. The Lynx have been giving up a lot of points so far this season, so I think that Thorn can knock down some more threes on Friday night in Minnesota. Opponents of the Lynx have connected on 50 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc this year.

Saturday: Nykesha Sales, Connecticut vs. Phoenix

Nykesha Sales and the Connecticut Sun will host the Mercury on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET. Expect a lot of points on the scoreboard as both teams have plenty of players who can light it up. Sales is averaging 13.5 points over the first two games of the season.

Sunday: Penny Taylor, Phoenix at New York

Penny Taylor is yet another member of the Phoenix Mercury lineup who can put up a lot of points in a hurry. She is averaging 11.7 points over the first three games of the season, but has increased her scoring total in each game, finishing with 18 in a blowout win over Houston on Friday night.