"Our goal is to get back into that playoff race," says Comets coach Karleen Thompson, "and we’re definitely capable of doing that." Allen Einstein/NBAE/Getty Images

The Houston Comets won the first four titles in this league's history. But the franchise's past successes didn't seem to matter much when the team got off to an 0-10 start in 2007 under new head coach/general manager Karleen Thompson and lost the legendary Sheryl Swoopes after just three games. But with the help of veteran forward Tina Thompson, the Comets rebounded in the second half -- going 13-11 the rest of the way -- to finish off the new coach's rookie season on a positive note.

So what's the prognosis in Houston for 2008? WNBA.com's Adam Hirshfield spoke recently with Karleen Thompson, and she discussed Swoopes' future, the importance of veteran leadership and where she hopes the Comets finish next year.

Q. Let's take a quick look back at your first season as a head coach in Houston. Where do you feel your team succeeded and where do you think your squad could have done better?

A. "Well, it's pretty obvious that we started the season in a hole. No one wants to start off 0-10, but I have to commend our players for staying positive. The morale was always up and the fight was always there. And to finish the way we did in the second half… that made me very happy.

"We definitely need some more veteran leadership. After Sheryl (Swoopes) went down so early, Tina (Thompson) was the one veteran player remaining and that was a lot to put on her… especially after she arrived in Houston so late after playing in Russia last spring. She had been playing 40-plus minutes a night and two practices every day in Russia, and that kind of wore her down. So she had sore knees from the get-go in Houston this season, she had a sore shoulder and she had a couple of other minor injuries that were bothering her. Then our 0-10 start didn't help (the way she felt)!

"Soon after that, though, we were able to bring in Tamecka Dixon on July 1, and she definitely gave us a boost. We eventually found our chemistry and were able to get things going a little bit better. I just wanted to make sure we kept pushing. And you know the old saying: 'It's not how you start, but how you finish.' Our players really stepped up to the challenge and we finished on a much better note."

Q. As you mentioned, losing Swoopes so early last season was a big blow. Do you know yet what her status is for 2008?

A. "It's kind of a waiting game right now. She had back surgery pretty recently and obviously everyone's hoping for the best. We probably won't know anything for at least a couple more weeks."

Q. How do you feel her return would impact your squad next year?

A. "Well, Sheryl is a true vet. And we definitely missed her last year. It's always good to have a veteran like her on the court, especially with such a young roster like we had in 2007. Her knowledge and experiences and work ethic all set an example for the young players to follow. We hope that Sheryl recovers and is able to play for us next year. Not having her obviously left a huge gap in our lineup."

Q. With such a young squad likely to return in 2008, how will you try to build off the momentum you had going in the second half with the Comets this past year?

A. "We were able to see a lot of growth in our young players this year. And of course it always helps to have some veteran leadership on the team, but at the same time, you need that youth and energy. For them to be as positive and willing to learn as they were last year was pretty impressive to me. They didn't have a lot of time to sit back and watch and learn. They had to step right in and play! I feel like they matured and grew a lot in that second half and we're definitely going to have to build on that.

"There's also a lot of talent coming out in the upcoming draft, so we should be able to get a great pick that will just add to the puzzle. So to add that, a little experience and make a few more moves, I think we'll be alright. I think the foundation is there. And if we can add the right pieces to it, we'll be OK."

Q. Having picked two guards in last year's draft, you were very young in the backcourt. Are there any positions at which you're specifically looking to improve this offseason?

A. "Well, I think we have just general needs. There's no reason to pinpoint one specific need. But we have needs! I don't want to show our hand too early, but it is obvious that we need to get our hands on some free agents. What I can say is that we're looking at a lot of different things that should hopefully put us back into the race."

Q. Aside from Swoopes hopefully coming back, are there certain players currently on your roster who you feel really need to step up next year and take their games to a new level?

A. "We have a few players who are capable of doing that. I think Sancho Lyttle stepped up huge for us in the second half last year and she's capable of getting even better. About halfway through the season, we told her we were going to start playing her more at the three. She stepped in there and did a great job.

"But I think that all of our players understand the improvements we'll need out of them next season. They'll all need to bring more to get to where we want to be. Our goal is to get back into that playoff race and we're definitely capable of doing that."

Q. Speaking of the playoffs, there seemed to be a lot of parity in the Western Conference last year. Every team had its bright moments. What do you feel your team has to do differently on a tactical level to compete every night in the West?

A. "You're right. If you look at the records in the West last year, you'll see how good each of the teams really was. Not only are all of the teams in this league better than the previous year… they continue to get better. And they've been doing it with a lot of young players… but I think you still need that veteran presence to close out games in the last five minutes. I think that's where we had trouble last year.

"You just have to be ready to come out and play hard every night. It's definitely going to be tough, but we plan on putting together a team that's going to be right there in the mix."

Q. So what are the hopes or expectations for next season? Is making the playoffs the next step in your development as a team?

A. "Making the playoffs is always a goal. Everyone, fans included, want to be in the playoffs. As a franchise, the Houston Comets have set the bar for excellence in this league. And we're doing everything we can to get back to where that team was. You have to strive for the top to even have a chance to reach it."