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2003 Probable Starters: |
C: |
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PF: |
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SF: |
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SG: |
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PG: |
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2003 Draft Results: |
Rd. 1: |
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Rd. 2: |
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Rd. 3: |
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Rd. 3: |
Oksana Rakhmatulina |
D.D.*: |
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2002 Leaders: |
Points |
Sheryl Swoopes, 18.5 ppg |
Rebs. |
Tina Thompson, 7.5 rpg |
Assts. |
Sheryl Swoopes, 3.3 apg |
Blocks |
Michelle Snow, 0.81 bpg |
Steals |
Sheryl Swoopes, 2.75 spg |
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Head Coach: |
Van Chancellor enters his seventh season with the team, and has an 141-45 (.758) career coaching record. |
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They Said It: |
 "It really felt strange seeing her out there again, but that lasted only about two minutes. After that, it just felt natural. She'll need about two weeks to get back in rhythm, but I thought she looked good." --Head coach Van Chancellor on Cooper, following Houston's first preseason practice on May 2 |
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Houston Comets: 2003 Preview
She's back.
Cooper
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Two-time Most Valuable Player and four-time WNBA Finals MVP
Cynthia Cooper ended her retirement in late April and the Comets are more than happy to welcome their pioneering legend home. Houston claimed four WNBA championships and won 80.3 percent (98-24) of its games with Cooper from 1997-2000, but claimed zero titles and won only 67.2 percent (43-21) of its games in 2001 and 2002 without her.
Cooper, who spent most of the last two years patrolling the sidelines as head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, averaged 21.1 ppg and led the league in scoring three times, but at age 40, will she be able to propel the Comets back to the top of the WNBA?
"Cynthia Cooper gives you another weapon, another chance to win," Comets Head Coach Van Chancellor told the Houston Chronicle. "Everybody on this team understands that."
Unlike Michael Jordan, who came out of retirement to play on a mediocre Washington Wizards team in the WNBA, Cooper returns to a talented Comets team (24-8 in 2002) anchored by All-Stars Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson. Coming off a knee injury that cost her the entire 2001 season, Swoopes bounced back to MVP form ranking second in steals (2.75 spg), third in scoring (18.2 ppg) and 13th in assists (3.3 apg). Thompson ranked among league leaders in rebounding (7.5 rpg, sixth) and scoring (16.7 ppg, seventh).
Veteran guard Janeth Arcain will get significant playing time in the backcourt and centers Tiffani Johnson and Michelle Snow will anchor the middle for Houston.
Key Newcomers:
Lost amidst the excitement of the return of Cooper is the selection of talented point guard
Ukari Figgs from the Portland Fire with the 13th pick in the dispersal draft. Figgs, a starter the past three seasons for the Fire and the Los Angeles Sparks, steered the Sparks to victory in the 2001 WNBA Finals and should win the Comets' starting spot over
Tynesha Lewis.
The Comets selected guard Allison Curtin with the 12th pick in the 2003 WNBA Draft, but traded her to the Detroit Shock for guard Dominique Canty. Canty, who averaged 7.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in 114 contests with Detroit, finished tied for second behind Washington's Chamique Holdsclaw for 1999 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
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