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"Here Comes The Rain Again Lyrics,"
The Eurythmics
-Wendy
Palmer signed with the Seattle Storm (February 22)
One of only a handful
of players still remaining from the inaugural season back in 1997, Wendy Palmer
is the journeyman of that elite group. This season she will play wth the Seattle
Storm, her sixth team. But all the years and all that traveling has made her wiser
and a great leader. Even a great leader like Storm guard Sue Bird recognized Palmer's
leadership in her first day at training camp. With Suzy Batkovic not returning
this season and after the departure of Kamila Vodichkova prior to last season,
the Storm will benefit tremendously from Palmer's presence, which could also be
important if Lauren Jackson needs to rest those sore legs.
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| Nikki
Teasley heads home to Washington to play with the Mystics. J. Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images |
"In a Big Country," Big Country
-Connecticut
Sun 2005 Draft pick Erin Phillips
signs (March 27)
When it became clear that Lindsay Whalen's surgically
repaired leg was not healing as quickly as it needed to, the Connecticut Sun were
overjoyed to learn that Australian guard Erin Phillips would be heading to the
United States to join the team this summer. After being drafted in 2005, Phillips
did not play with the Sun this year, but was very impressive in Australia's WNBL
this offseason. She is also only 20 years old. Phillips will play an invaluable
role as the team waits for Whalen's return to health. But speaking of the Southern
Hemisphere, the Sun also signed New Zealand star Donna Loffhagen, a 28-year old
forward who could also crack the rotation this season. Back fully loaded with
talent from all over the globe, look out for the Sun once again in 2006...
"Who
Says You Can't Go Home," Bon Jovi
Nikki
Teasley traded to Washington for Temeka
Johnson (March 1)
Washington-area native Nikki Teasley was traded to
the Washington Mystics during the offseason in what was likely the biggest move
of the offseason. Teasley is an All-Star with championship experience. Pair her
in the backcourt with Alana Beard and you have one of the most formidible, creative
and talented tandems in the WNBA. Both are tall for tall, long and athletic, can
score, pass and make their teammates better. Teasley missed the end of last season
due to injuries, but has a great offseason playing in Hungary. Johnson was the
2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year, and while smaller than Teasley, was second in the
WNBA in assists last season. She also has two of the best frontcourt players in
the world to pass to, so those numbers are likely to climb even higher.
"Orange
Crush," R.E.M
Anna DeForge
traded to the Indiana Fever for Kelly
Miller (February 3)
Anna DeForge has been on of the best three-point
shooters in the WNBA over the past few seasons, yet she, too, finds herself with
a new address this season. After donning the orange and purple in Phoenix, she
will now fire away in blue and yellow. She trades places with Kelly Miller, a
point guard who may start in Phoenix until Cappie Pondexter is ready to take the
reins.
"Patiently Waiting," 50 Cent (feat. Eminem)
Vickie
Johnson signed with the San Antonio Silver Stars (February 9)
After
nine season and four trips to the WNBA Finals with the New York Liberty, Vickie
Johnson will have another go at it, albeit this time wearing silver and black.
As part of the Liberty's rebuilding efforts, Johnson finds herself the senior-most
veteran on an up-and-coming team in the middle of Texas. She will be paired in
the backcourt with another Johnson, Shannon, while franchise player Marie Ferdinand
is out on maternity leave. Of course, the fact that she is much closer to her
new home doesn't hurt. Johnson is near the top of many historical stat categories,
but only a championship eludes her at this point in her career.
"I Still
Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," U2
Crystal
Robinson signs with the Washington Mystics (February 8)
Unable to win
the ring in her seven seasons in New York, Crystal Robinson heads south to Washington
where she joins up with the Mystics this season. Not only is she one of the best
clutch shooters in WNBA history, but Robinson is the ultimate teammate, an underappreciated
star and a shut-down defender. Along with Johnson and Teresa Weatherspoon, her
blue-collar attitude and work ethic personified the New York Liberty for the duration
of that franchise's history. Now she brings that veteran leadership to a rebuilt
Mystics team full of All-Stars.
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| Vickie Johnson
has a new home in Texas, near her actual home. J. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images |
"Don't Talk to Strangers," Rick Springfield
Tamecka
Dixon signed with Houston Comets (February 28)
Like Johnson, Tamecka
Dixon played her entire nine-year career in one city, only to find herself a stranger
in a once-hostile town. The former Los Angeles Sparks guard won two rings in L.A.,
but signed with the arch-rival Houston Comets this offseason. Dixon's addition
to the roster fills a void left by Janeth Arcain, who will not be back with the
team this year. Her playoff experience also adds to the veteran leadership on
this team... Swoopes, Thompson and Staley may be the sentimental favorites this
season, but Houston cannot win it all without a hot, healthy Dixon firing on all
cylinders.
"You Found Me," Kelly Clarkson
Seimone Augustus
drafted by the Minnesota Lynx (April 5)
Not every rookie comes into the
WNBA ready to make an impact. In fact, most do not. But in Seimone Augustus, the
Minnesota Lynx have found a potential All-Star and game-changer. She was the consensus
number one pick in the Draft and turns the Lynx into playoff contenders right
away. Since it's all about playing time, though, not everyone will have the impact
that Augustus is likely to make. Also likely to make a big splash in their rookie
seasons are Cappie Pondexter in Phoenix, Sophia Young in San Antonio and Candice
Dupree in Chicago.
"Welcome Back," Mase
Kedra
Holland-Corn signed with the Detroit Shock (February 1)
Like the Harlem-based
rapper who left the game for a few years, Detroit's Kedra Holland-Corn makes a
big return to the stage this season as well. Holland-Corn was an integral member
of the Shock's championship team back in 2003. But after one year in Houston and
another year out of the league, her return to Detroit should make the already-loaded
team even better. She is also a true point guard on a team that lacks a true starter
at that position.
"Reason To Believe," Bruce Springsteen
Tamika
Whitmore signed with the Indiana Fever (March 17)
What would this countdown
be without a Bruce song... the only artist to make it three years running. Quite
fitting as Whitmore joins her third team in four seasons. A big, strong presence
in the paint, Whitmore should alleviate some of the scoring and rebounding burden
from M.V.P.-candidate Tamika Catchings. The Fever were also busy signing Charlotte
Smith and Olympia Scott. Are these the changes needed to put the Fever over the
top as prime contenders in the Eastern Conference? Well, as the Boss once sang,
"I've got the fever, Nothing that a po' boy can do."
Other Notable Personnel Changes:
"Dance Into The Light," Phil Collins
After
playing supporting roles in Detroit and indiana respectively, the New York Liberty
acquired Barb Farris and Kelly
Schumacher in the offseason, and both will be heavily relied upon in the Big
Apple.
"It's Been A While," Staind
An All-Star in 2003, center
Adrian Williams is back in
the WNBA after playing overseas last season. She will add to the already-impressive
depth in the frontcourt for the Minnesota Lynx.
"Gonna Make You Sweat,"
C&C Music Factory
With all the running they are going to do in the hot
desert that is Phoenix, Kristen
Rasmussen and Tamicha Jackson
will be breaking more than a cool sweat with the Mercury.
"Can't Get
Enough Of You Baby," Smash Mouth
Wanted: experienced veteran to
help new, young team develop character and get settled in a new town -- Chicago
Sky.
In Search Of...: a job with a young team where I can still get
good playing time but help young players develop early in the WNBA careers --
Nikki McCray.
Nikki McCray,
meet your new team, the Chicago Sky.
Rock On!
