New Sky head coach and general manager Steven Key coached previously in Germany. Warren Skalski/NBAE/Getty Images

But up stepped Steven Key, an assistant with the Sky for two seasons and a former player and head coach in Europe. And not only is the new head coach and GM ready to make waves with that No. 2 pick, but he's setting his sights on the playoffs.

WNBA.com spoke recently with Coach Key about his preparation for the draft, and he says that his top pick isn't really as difficult as some think it is.

Q. You're taking over the team with the second pick in arguably the most hyped draft in WNBA history. How has the transition to the Key regime gone so far? I assume you have the full support of (Sky Owner) Michael Alter and (President/CEO) Margaret Stender?

A. "Yeah, the transition has gone well. And it's really not much of a transition because I have been here in Chicago from the beginning. Looking from the outside, it is like, 'Oh, he just got the job and now he has the second pick. It is a big deal. They have to make a big decision.' Well, actually, the decision is pretty easy. I have two envelopes in my hand. L.A. does what they do and then I do what I do. Take the other one. So in my opinion it is not a tough decision.

"But still, compared to my former job, this one has a lot more responsibility. But the transition is going rather smoothly. Everyone here is very supportive of the decision that Michael Alter and Margaret Stender have made in putting their faith behind me. I believe I am ready for the job and capable of doing it. I just need the opportunity to do that. Everybody has to start somewhere and my start just happens to be here."

Q. Are you excited to return to the position of head coach? How do you expect this to compare to your time as a head coach overseas?

A. "I think one of the things that most people don't realize is some people have a career in basketball and never become a head coach. I have had the opportunity within a five-year span to be a head coach twice. But the European game is where I came from. I played 11 years over there and was fortunate enough to stay and coach for three and gain some invaluable experience. You kind of cut your teeth a little bit, which you want to do with your philosophy and how to get your team to do what you want out there.

"And then I had some great people to learn from. I learned a lot from Dave Cowens, with whom I've had a relationship for over 20 years. And then I learned a lot with Coach Overton. He brought so much experience from the college level and with where these women came from and then to where there are now. It was definitely an invaluable experience to sit back and watch and see how people operate a basketball team."

Q. Let's get to this No. 2 pick. Is there a lot of pressure on you with this pick? Or is it the easiest pick in the entire draft?

A. "Besides Michael Cooper and Penny Toler out in L.A., I think we do have the easiest pick of all. I don't how much research you need to sell yourself on someone 6-6 who can run the floor and dominate offensively and defensively in the interior. Maybe there might be some offensive skills in question, and sure, those will have to be addressed.

"But if you look down the pipeline, do you see another Sylvia Fowles coming in the next 10 years? Is there another Candace Parker? Probably not. So I think it is just one of those rare situations where in this year's draft, there are two legit number ones. And if they came out in two different years, they are both No. 1 picks.

Q. So you would be perfectly happy with either one?

A. "Absolutely. I don't think anyone would go wrong with either, and I would be happy with either one."

Q. Is there any chance of a trade? Have teams approached you with offers? How tempting is it to trade the 2nd pick for a veteran after what eventual champ Phoenix did last year, trading the top pick for veteran post player Tangela Smith?

A. "I am sure there are some teams thinking about making an offer and yes, some have contacted us. Mr. Alter didn't tell me all the offers and options, but I am sure there are more offers to be made. I just can't tell you the details on them. But it would obviously involve quite a lot in order to obtain our No. 2 pick. That might scare some people away."

"But on the Phoenix side, sure, they won the championship and they looked fantastic all around. That decision had nothing to do with the talent available at No. 1. It was based on what would help their team get better the quickest. That is one thing that most people don't realize: It's like, 'Why did you trade her? Why would you do this?' But you have to make a decision at a certain point in time about what is best for the organization to go forward. You may not always win a title like Phoenix did, but you are always trying to make the most of your pick. You are trying to set yourself up to be successful in the years to come."

Q. So in considering players, are you looking for best overall talent, or are you drafting to fill a need? How important is it to pick a player who will fit in nicely with the group you already have?

A. "I think that it depends for each team. For instance, our second round pick is No. 19 overall. When we get to that point, we have kind of short board. Maybe we get lucky and someone we were looking at will fall through the cracks and we will be surprised at 19. If that is the case, that is probably because teams before us filled a need as opposed taking to the best available player. So, for us, if we end up in a situation where we're OK depth-wise and we have no preference, we'd probably rather take the best available person, a player that we think can make the team and fill some holes. Instead of stockpiling something just for the sake of stockpiling, we prefer to find the best athlete and hope she can play a versatile role. I think it just depends on what's left over when it's our turn to select."

Q. What about positionally? Is there something you're really looking to improve upon? Is there a spot where you need to improve to put this team over the top and into the playoffs?

A. "Yes, definitely. If we end up with the No. 2 pick and end up with Sylvia Fowles, I think that fills a need for us: an interior presence on defense and in rebounding. That will fill us up immensely in terms of positioning, and I think that will free up our two-time All-Star Candice Dupree to roam around a little bit more.

"With that being said, we -- like everybody -- could always use someone that can shoot the ball. And there are a few people out there, but I am not going to show my hand. I don't want anyone to snap her up before I get an opportunity at 19. But shooting is always a plus. I would love to draft someone who can knock it down. I want people to think, 'Oh no, don't leave her open!' With the demands and the double teams and perhaps all the concentration going on Candice and maybe Sylvia, I think a knock-down shooter for us can definitely flourish."

Q. Has a lot of scouting gone into this draft for the Sky? And how closely will you be watching the NCAA Tournament?

A. "We've been watching college for most of the year. Stephanie White, fortunately for us, is working with the Big 10 Network this whole season. She knows the Big 10 in and out. Roger Reding has spent a lot of time down around the Big 12. And I know Bo did a lot of stuff going to the SEC and did a little bit out on the West Coast.

"And I just got back a week and a half ago from scouting on the East Coast, the ACC and the Big East. In the Big East, we have the luxury of staying in Chicago because most of the teams come through either Marquette or DePaul and we get to see everybody, so it's like a freebie for us. But we did get out and saw as many players as possible.

"Now that the lights are on in the NCAA Tournament, I am planning on taking a trip or two to see some players because, hey, maybe we can find a player or two who is better than we originally thought she was. It is important to get out there and get that information because although we're talking about second- or third-round draft picks and the history states that not many of them will make the team, you can find people who could help you out in the future. Maybe they won't make your team this year, but they go get some seasoning overseas and then they know what's expected of them. And even if you cut them, you know who they are and you have a better idea of what their game is about."

Q. Are there players who you think could play their way up into the mid- or top of the first round with big tourney performances?

A. "Like Armintie Price, you mean? If you watched her last year in the SEC, you might have known who she was. But once she got to the NCAA tournament, she caught fire and shot way up. At first, we had her pegged last year around 11 or 12, and the next thing you know there she was for us at three and we took her. So yes, her success in the tournament had a huge impact.

"And we were rewarded with her being Rookie of the Year. It is just one of those things where it was the absolutely perfect fit. I'm not sure if she would have gotten as much of an opportunity to play if she went to a more solid or stable team. But it worked out for her, it worked out for us and we are completely happy.

"But this year, I am not sure if there is one person in particular who could shoot up like that. There are some people who may move up the list because they play longer in the tournament. There is Ketia Swanier from UConn: a lot of people have seen her and like her, but they are not sure where to put her. Is she a point? Is she a two? I think she is just one of those players who is very talented but is hidden on a very talented team. If she were on a lesser team, she would probably be that much more seen or sought after. But she still has decent stats for the team that she plays on. You can see the ability, but people like that who play on such a large stage all the time… maybe they get overlooked. I just think some of the players like that may shoot up with a good showing in the NCAA tournament.

Q. Let's talk about your hopes for the coming season. Is it crucial for the Sky to make the postseason this year?

A. "I think it's a logical next step, but I don't know if it is crucial. Our first year, we took our licks, our bumps and bruises and won five games. This past season we made great steps toward the playoffs. And this year, the logical next step would be to get over that hump and make it happen.

"I just don't think it is crucial or a 'must have' in order for us to do well. I think if we are continuing on what we did last year, it is reasonable to expect it. But I don't think it's something that has to happen in order for this team to increase its fan base or to continue going in the right direction."

Q. What are your goals for 2008?

A. "My goals as a new coach are to continue to build on what we have done in these past two years. To take all the right steps in all the right directions for getting those two games back and putting ourselves in the position where we are not waiting on someone else to be in control of whether or not we make the playoffs. We want to be the team that controls its own destiny and has already put itself in that position. So you can say our goal is to make the playoffs. I think everybody should have that goal, because otherwise you're just kind of out there playing. But I think the playoffs would be a good goal and a step in the right direction. I am just saying it doesn't necessarily have to happen for the season to be successful."