June 8, 2006 - It's week four of the WNBA Triple Threat Fantasy Challenge and the past week has seen some sinificant changes to the Triple Threat Leaderboard. Lisa Leslie of the Sparks is still the current Triple Threat leader, with her PRA average now standing at 35.8 per game. Lauren Jackson holds steady in second place with an average of 31.8 per game. The 2003 WNBA MVP has scored 20 points or better in five of her six games so far this season. The big changes in the Triple Threat rankings come in the three through five spots, where we have two members of what is turning out to be a stellar 2006 draft class.

But before we get to the rookies, now ranking third with a PRA of 30.4 is the current WNBA scoring leader, Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury. The fomer UConn phenom is filling the net to a tune of 23.2 points per game. Checking in at fourth is her backcourt mate, Cappie Pondexter with a PRA of 29.4. How is Pondexter adjusting to the WNBA? She's increased her scoring total with each game, improving from eight points in the season opener, to 21, to 26, to 30 in her last two games. She's ranked second in the WNBA behind her teamate with 23.0 ppg. Moving into fifth place is the first pick in the 2006 draft, Seimone Augustus with a PRA of 27.6. Augustus currently ranks right behind Taurasi and Pondexter in points per game, scoring at a 22.7 clip, and led the Lynx to a WNBA record 114 point output against the Sparks last week. It looks like this year's race for Rookie of the Year could also be the battle for the league scoring title.

Last week’s expert picks:
I'm currently ranked 50th overall, up from 216 at this time last week, thanks to another pair of sterling performances from Lauren Jackson on Friday and Lisa Leslie on Saturday. However, I may have to surrender my guru status for not being aware of Tamika Catching's injured right arch, as she was limited to only seven points in 21 minutes as my selection last Tuesday. I also made a last minute switch on Sunday, opting for Seimone Augustus rather than Sheryl Swoopes, which did not turn out in my favor as Augustus tallied a 24 PRA, while Swoopes had a 27 PRA in a Comets victory over the Lynx. Hopefully I won't finish second in the Triple Threat Challenge by three points.

 

WNBA.com Daily Expert Pick

Friday, June 9th Lisa Leslie Los Angeles vs. Chicago

Saturday, June 10th Vickie Johnson San Antonio vs. New York

Sunday, June 11th Sheryl Swoopes Houston at Minnesota

Tuesday, June 13th Lisa Leslie Los Angeles vs. Phoenix

Wednesday, June 14th Sheryl Swoopes Houston vs. Sacramento

Back In Action
Two of the WNBA's top Triple Threat perfomers are set to return to the court this week after brief absences. Tamika Catchings has missed the Fever's last two games with an injury to her right foot, but practiced Tuesday and says she is ready to play in Wednesday's game against the Washington Mystics. As of Wednesday morning the Fever training staff had not disclosed whether Catchings was ready to return to action, so stay tuned to the situation. Catchings is one of the WNBA's top Triple Threat options if she is healthy. In Los Angeles, Chamique Holdsclaw will be seeing her first action of the 2006 season on Wednesday night as the Sparks host Detroit. Holdsclaw should give you another top-10 Triple Threat option to choose from, and her return should also be beneficial to Lisa Leslie's already superb numbers. In the case of both players, I would wait a game or two to see how they fare in their return to action before choosing them for my entry.

Experience Necessary
With all the hoopla surrounding the outstanding early performances of the 2006 Rookie Class, it might be easy to overlook the great seasons that some of the WNBA's veteran players are having. Let's take a look at some proven WNBA performers who are currently moving up in the Triple Threat Rankings.

Tamika Whitmore, Indiana Fever: Whitmore is off to a scorching start in her eighth WNBA campaign. After lighting up the French League over the summer, the Indiana forward is averaging a career-high 17.7 points a game, good for seventh in the league. She is also currently averaging 5.0 rebounds, which would also be a career high. Her fast start currently has her ranked 11th overall with a PRA of 24.3.

Vickie Johnson, San Antonio Silver Stars: Johnson ranks right below Whitmore in the Triple Threat rankings, standing in 12th with a PRA average of 24.1. One of the WNBA's original players, Johnson is averaging career highs of 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists for the much-improved Silver Stars. Keep in mind that Johnson is also one of the WNBA's most durable players, as she is the WNBA's all time leader in games played at 288 and counting. I will have Johnson in my lineup on Saturday as the Silver Stars host the struggling New York Liberty.

Becky Hammon, New York Liberty: The heart and soul of the Liberty is averaging 15.6 points a game in her eighth WNBA campaign. She has struggled with her shooting a bit as defenses are focused on stopping her, but if she can continue to get to the free throw line (21-21) and create opportunities for her teammates (4.0 apg) she will be a solid option. She is currently ranked 13th in the league with a PRA of 23.0.

Tina Thompson, Houston Comets: Thompson continues the list of veteran players in the top twenty of the Triple Threat rankings, checking in at 14th with a PRA average of 22.8. The four-time WNBA Champion is ranked eighth in the WNBA with 16.1 points per game, as well as shooting .467 from beyond the arc and leading the WNBA in three-point field goals with 14. Thompson's proficiency from long range means that she is capable of putting up huge scoring numbers in any game. She is also leading the WNBA in minutes played, so expect her to get plenty of opportunities to add to her PRA totals.

Katie Smith, Detroit Shock: Smith has been a scoring machine during her illustrious WNBA career, and nothing has changed in her eighth season in the league. She is tied with Thompson at 14th in the Triple Threat Rankings, with a 22.8 PRA. So far in 2006 she is averaging 15.5 points per game, and ranks 11th in the WNBA with 3.7 assists. A vital cog in the Detroit Shock attack, Smith is leading the WNBA in minutes per game (35.8) so she should get every chance to maintain her scoring prowess.

Last weeks picks:
6/1: Nykesha Sales, Connecticut (18 pts., 3 reb., 3 ast.)
6/2: Lauren Jackson , Seattle (27 pts., 9 reb., 2 ast)
6/3: Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles (26 pts, 15 reb, 3 ast)
6/4: Seimone Augustus, Minnesota (20 pts., 3 reb., 1 ast.)
6/6: Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento (21 pts, 7 reb., 3 ast.)
6/7: Lauren Jackson, Seattle (19 pts. 4 reb, 3 ast.)