By Matthew Brennan, WNBA.com
May 19, 2008 - The 2008 season kicked off on Saturday and that means another season of the Pick One Challenge is just getting started. Here is a look at my picks for the first full week of the regular season and a look back at who came up big on opening weekend.
Last Weekend's MVP: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
Candace Parker made a debut for the history books on Saturday, scoring a WNBA debut single-game record 34 points as she led Los Angeles to a win over Phoenix. If you selected Parker on opening day, congratulations... because your entry recorded a whopping 108 points.
Rookie Watch
Other than Parker's sterling debut, a few rookies made an impact in their debut games over the weekend. Minnesota's Charde Houston and Candice Wiggins tallied 21 and 15 points respectively to lead the Lynx to an upset of the Detroit Shock in their opener, while Sacramento's Laura Harper registered 10 points and five boards off the bench in her first WNBA game. Houston's Matee Ajavon was also solid in her debut with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Remember that rookies get double points so they can be used for a quick boost to your entry in the standings.
Last Week's Picks
The Mercury's Cappie Pondexter had an outstanding opener for me, scoring 32 points in defeat on Saturday. Pondexter's performance might have been overshadowed by Parker's debut, but you will take 32 points, three rebounds and seven assists whenever you can get it. Look for Pondexter's numbers to approach her rookie totals with the absence of Penny Taylor from the Mercury lineup. My pick from Sunday, New York's Janel McCarville, struggled with foul trouble and recorded 10 points and two rebounds in a loss to Connecticut.
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WNBA.com Daily Expert Pick |
 Tuesday, May 20Sheryl Swoopes Seattle vs. Sacramento |
 Wednesday, May 21Deanna Nolan Detroit vs. Indiana |
 Thursday, August 22Armintie Price Chicago vs. Sacramento |
 Friday, May 23Cheryl Ford Detroit at Atlanta |
 Saturday, May 24Sophia Young San Antonio vs. Seattle |
 Sunday, May 25Taj McWilliams-Franklin Washington vs. Houston |
Sheryl Swoopes played her first WNBA game not as a member of the Comets when she made her Seattle Storm debut on Saturday. After being held to six points in the opener, Swoopes will look for a big game on Tuesday night when the Monarchs visit Seattle. You can watch this game live on ESPN2 at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Wednesday: Deanna Nolan, Detroit vs. Indiana
Deanna Nolan struggled in her game on Sunday, scoring only four points on 2-8 shooting. Averaging 5.5 points over her first two games of the season, Nolan will look to get back to her usual level of production when the Shock host Indiana on Wednesday night at the Palace. Over her career, Nolan averages 12.7 points so her slow start to the season should be an aberration.
Thursday: Armintie Price, Chicago vs. Sacramento
The 2007 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Price only made one field goal in her debut on Saturday but still got to the line often enough to finish with seven points. Price was one of the league's best all-around players last year, averaging 7.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists from the guard position. The Sky will make their home debut in this game as they take on the Monarchs.
Friday: Cheryl Ford, Detroit at Atlanta
Cheryl Ford is off to a good start this season as she seeks another WNBA rebounding title. Ford is averaging 9.0 points and 10.0 rebounds after her first two games, and will look to dominate the paint as the Shock visit Atlanta for the first time. She will also attempt to record her first double-double of the season after coming close in both games over the weekend.
Saturday: Sophia Young, San Antonio vs. Seattle
Sophia Young is one of the WNBA's best young players and was brilliant in her season opener, scoring 22 points with four rebounds in a loss in Sacramento. After averaging 12.0 points as a rookie and 16.8 last season, Young could challenge the 20.0 ppg mark this season if Saturday's game is any indication. You can check out Young's talent for yourself when the Silver Stars face Seattle on ABC. Saturday afternoon's game will air at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Sunday: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Washington vs. Houston
Taj McWilliams-Franklin is back on the East Coast after a season in Los Angeles, and she registered nine points and eight boards in her debut for the Mystics on Saturday. With career averages of 12.9 and 7.3 rebounds, McWilliams-Franklin has been one of the
league's most consistent frontcourt players over her 10 seasons in the WNBA. The Mystics will take on the Comets on Sunday afternoon in their home opener.