Silver Stars guard Shannon Johnson, on former teammate Margo Dydek, after a loss to the Sun on Saturday:

Mercury forward Penny Taylor, on her return to the team last week:
"In this league, you never walk right in and have an easy time of it. Definitely offensively, I was able to pick up things quickly because it’s similar to what we did last year."

Sacramento's Nicole Powell, after a career day in their win over L.A. on Saturday:
"It feels great. I have a different attitude coming into this season."

Nicole Powell scored 22 against L.A. Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty

Sparks center Lisa Leslie, after a win over the Silver Stars last Wednesday:
"We've got to get used to each other. When our defense is on, we can still hold a team."

TV sports consultant Neal Pilson, to the New York Post on Sunday:
"The public views the WNBA as a solid, successful new league and professional women's basketball is going to be a permanent fixture in our culture."

Indiana's Tamika Catchings, on the Fever's hot start, to the Indianapolis Star:
"Over the years, it's kind of evolved," Catchings said. "But I definitely feel this year is like a new beginning and a new start."

Houston's Van Chancellor, after his team's impressive start to 2005:
"I really didn't see it coming. We're way ahead of where I thought we were going to be. We're without Tina Thompson [who gave birth]. We've had tough early road games. But we've gotten through it. Sheryl has played some great basketball for us."

Indiana's Tamika Catchings, on the Fever's hot start, to the Indianapolis Star:
"Over the years, it's kind of evolved," Catchings said. "But I definitely feel this year is like a new beginning and a new start."

Lauren Jackson, on the arrival of fellow Aussie Suzy Batkovic with the Storm:
""It's not written in my contract or anything like that to have another Aussie on the team. I had nothing to do with it. ... Suzy is a good player. She's got a big body and she'll help us."

Mystics coach Richie Adubato, prior to Wednesday's game against the N.Y. Liberty, his former squad:
"I can't wait to get this one over with. I have a lot of history with all of them. But when the ball goes up, they'll be ready to shoot my eyes out. And we will, hopefully, be ready to defend."

Silver Stars coach Dan Hughes, to the San Antonio Express-News last Tuesday:
"I just don't think we're working hard enough. I blame myself. I haven't reached the team in that way."

Adubato, after Wednesday's loss to the N.Y. Liberty:
"Losing is not easy. At home it's even harder, but we have to persevere. We have to understand that it's early in the season and we just have to correct the mistakes we've made and push through them. Tonight we had the effort but we just have to execute a little better."

Detroit's Swin Cash, on the knee injury that keeps her out of the Shock lineup:
"It's definitely a frustrating process. I think that Ruth (Riley) has kept my spirits up. She told me I'm one of the mentally tough people she knows, so I'll be able to get through it."

Fever rookie Yolanda Paige, who hit the winning free throw for the Fever as a sub on Wednesday night:
"I missed the first one, which I thought I would make. I prayed for the second one to go in."

Seattle's Sue Bird, talking about her "rivalry" with Mercury guard Diana Tauarsi:
"We don't talk trash. Everybody asks. No. We're good friends."

Seattle's Sue Bird, talking about her "rivalry" with Mercury guard Diana Tauarsi:
"We don't talk trash. Everybody asks. No. We're good friends."

Connecticut's Taj McWilliams-Franklin, to the Hartford Courant:
"They have to preserve me. Old people have to be utilized in small doses. I'm just banged up. To get real specific, it's my knee, my back, my ankle. But it's [mostly] my knee. Hyperflexion. I sat back on it. It flexed. That's what they said. It's the opposite of hyperextended."

Mercury center Kamila Vodichkova, on fellow center Maria Stepanova:
"Right now she [Stepanova] is the best [center] in Europe. She can dunk and she's a great person. She's a tall girl, and this team needs tall girls."

Charlotte's Tammy Sutton-Brown, after losing in San Antonio, giving the Silver Stars their first win of the season:
"We didn't stick to the things that got us advantages in the first half. We didn't get back (on defense) and we lost focus."

Washington's Alana Beard, on her return to the lineup in Friday night's win:
"I felt good. I've got to get my legs underneath me a little bit more, but, hey, it felt good. After my first couple shots, I think I started to get back into it a little bit."

Shock coach Bill Laimbeer, on guard Deanna Nolan, after an OT win over the Liberty on Friday:
"The team knows and the coaches know that Deanna can be the best player in the league. We think she's the best guard in the league. When she wants to play with that type of energy, determination and will to win, she's really good."

Sacramento's Erin Buescher, on her unlikely road to the WNBA:
"I knew nothing about the process (of trying out for the WNBA). Doors just opened for me though. I was invited to Chicago and then I was drafted."