July 27, 2006 - We are now in Week 11 of the Triple Threat Fantasy Challenge, and although it seems like we are just getting started, the WNBA regular season is entering the home stretch. The season ends two weeks from Sunday so if you're planning to make a move up the rankings, now is a better time than any. So let's check out the latest developments on the Triple Threat Leaderboard.

In a not-so-shocking development, Lisa Leslie of the Sparks continues to lead the Triple Threat rankings with a PRA average of 33.4. She has posted a double-double in six of her last eight games and has reached double figures in scoring in 14 straight games.

After briefly dropping to second in the race for the league scoring title, Phoenix's Diana Taurasi has reclaimed the scoring lead, averaging 23.3 ppg after scoring 27 points in each of her last two games. She continues to rank second in PRA average, with 30.7 per contest.

Seattle's Lauren Jackson ranks third with a PRA average of 29.5. Jackson has been playing excellent basketball as of late with two straight double-doubles. She currently ranks fourth in scoring (19.5 ppg) and fifth in rebounding (8.3 rpg). The fact that her minutes have been limited is a testament to how good a player she is, as she currently ranks 30th in the league in minutes played, while all of the other players mentioned here are in the top twenty in terms of time on the court.

Minnesota's Seimone Augustus ranks fourth with a PRA of 27.9 as she continues her campaign for Rookie of the Year. The crown jewel of a stellar WNBA rookie class has scored 13 points or better in 14 straight games and is just behind Taurasi in the league scoring ranks with 22.5 ppg.

In fifth place, Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever returns to the top of the leaderboard with a PRA of 27.6. Catchings continues to demonstrate why she is one of the WNBA's best all-around players with her recent statlines. In her last three games, she has reached double figures in points and posted five or more in both rebounds and assists. I feel that she is the player in the WNBA right now who has the best chance of posting the first triple-double of 2006.

WNBA.com Daily Expert Pick

Thursday, July 27th Seimone Augustus Minnesota vs. Charlotte

Friday, July 28th Cappie Pondexter Phoenix at San Antonio

Saturday, July 29th Tamika Catchings Indiana vs. Washington

Sunday, July 30th Lauren Jackson Seattle vs. Los Angeles

Tuesday, August 1st Katie Douglas Connecticut vs. New York

Last week’s expert picks:
I may have to pat myself on the back after jumping from 171st to 124th in two weeks, continuing to rank in the 97th percentile. My goal heading into the last two weeks is to finish in the top 50, so we will see what happens. I was fortunate to take advantage of Diana Taruasi's recent hot streak, as I had her in my lineup for her last two games where she scored 27 points apiece. My weekly entry also saw solid double-double performances from Cheryl Ford and Lauren Jackson.

Long Range Gunners
I recall one basketball player being asked by a reporter, "When are you going to stop taking threes?" The player replied, "When they add a four." It's obvious that there is no better way for a player to quickly increase their points total than by knocking down some three-point shots. The WNBA is no exception, as there are certainly a good amount of players who are known for their shooting prowess. So let's take a look at some players who are among the top Triple Threat Perfomers and see what percentage of their point totals come from beyond the arc. A player with a high percentage can be a risk/reward proposition, as they can either put up a huge game or struggle mightily if the three-ball isn't falling. Listed here are all of the players in the top 20 in PRA who rank among the league's top 50 in three-point attempts.

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix , 559, 79, 237 points, 42.4%
Lauren Jackson, Seattle, 467, 26 3PM, 78 points, 16.7%
Tamika Catchings, Indiana, 372, 25 3PM, 75 points, 20.1%
Cappie Pondexter, Phoenix, 448, 36 3PM, 108 points, 24.1%
Alana Beard, Washington, 416, 21 3PM, 63 points, 15.1%
Tina Thompson, Houston, 324, 35 3PM, 105 points, 32.4%
Katie Douglas, Connecticut, 423, 60 3PM, 180 points, 42.6%
Sheryl Swoopes, Houston, 335 pts, 16 3PM, 48 points, 14.3%
Becky Hammon, New York, 278 pts, 32 3PM, 96 points, 34.5%
Deanna Nolan, Detroit, 304 pts, 23 3PM, 69 points, 22.7%
Nykesha Sales, Connecticut, 247 pts, 31 3PM, 93 points, 37.7%

As you can see, two players stand out in terms of relying on the three as a big part of their offensive arsenal. Diana Taurasi is closing in on a record-setting campaign from beyond the arc, as she currently has connected on 79 of 204 attempts. The WNBA season records for such categories are currently held by Detroit's Katie Smith, with 88 three-point field goals made in 2000 and 240 attempts in 2001. Connecticut's Katie Douglas may not be making or shooting as many as Taurasi, but the 2006 All-Star MVP is connecting on 60 of 134 (.448), tops among all players with at least 80 attempts. Check back to last week's article or the stat page to see which teams are struggling to defend the three-point shot and adjust your matchups accordingly.

Last week's picks:
7/20: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Connecticut(17 pts., 8 reb., 1 ast.)
7/21: Cheryl Ford, Detroit (13 pts, 11 reb., 1 ast.)
7/22: Diana Taurasi, Phoenix (27 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast)
7/23: Lauren Jackson, Seattle (18 pts., 11 reb., 1 ast.)
7/24: Katie Douglas, Connecticut (16 pts., 3 reb., 6 ast.)
7/25: Diana Taurasi, Phoenix (27 pts., 3 reb., 5 ast.)
7/26: Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles (TBD)