Head coach Mike Thibault had perhaps his finest season in Uncasville transitioning his team into a new era without having to go through a rebuilding phase. The Sun lost big names, brought in a slew of new players and even had unheralded rookies playing important roles, yet the results barely changed. The team was able to execute Thibault’s game plan all season, offensively and defensively. So it was no surprise when Thibault was rewarded with his second Coach of the Year award in the past three seasons.
But the main reason Connecticut remained among the East’s elite was the play of point guard Lindsay Whalen, who simply used the 2008 campaign to not only establish herself as one of the best floor generals in the league, but as one of the best overall players. Taking part in her fifth WNBA season, Whalen put up career-best numbers in nearly every category and led the league in assists with a 5.4 apg clip. Whalen was honored for her stellar season with an All-WNBA First Team selection and finished second in the MVP voting behind only Los Angeles’ Candace Parker.
As successful as 2008 was for Whalen, it was also bittersweet. During the final weeks of the regular season Whalen suffered an untimely ankle injury. Had she been 100 percent, the Sun may have been able to overtake the Shock for the East’s top seed, and may have been able to dispose of the New York Liberty in their first round playoff matchup. However, Whalen’s mobility was clearly limited in the postseason, and as a result the Sun were limited in what they could do on both ends of the court and lost in three games.
A hobbled Whalen wasn’t the only reason why the Sun fell to the Liberty, but her setback revealed that the team lacked the firepower and athleticism necessary to beat a versatile and deep team like New York in a three-game series.
Forward Asjha Jones certainly doesn’t lack firepower and athleticism and did her part to keep the Sun a contender in the East in 2008. While Whalen received most of the attention, Jones quietly turned in another phenomenal season, leading the team in scoring (17.0 ppg) and rebounding (6.1 rpg). For her efforts she was recognized with her first All-WNBA honor, being named to the Second Team.
Currently in the thick of their primes, Whalen and Jones remain the leaders of this team and are shoo-ins to start for the Sun, but the other spots in the lineup appear to be up for grabs in a pivotal year for the franchise as it searches for its new identity.
Tamika Whitmore, who was acquired from Indiana prior to last season in exchange for Douglas, put together a solid 2008 for the Sun, averaging 12.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 34 games – 33 starts. However, she struggled in the playoffs, shooting only 37.5 percent and not once connecting from beyond the arc (0-7), and the 10-year veteran turns 32 on June 5.
Either second-year player Sandrine Gruda or rookie Chante Black could possibly take over the starting center job from Whitmore. Gruda didn’t exactly set the world on fire in her rookie season, but at 6-4 and only 21 years old still has the potential to be a force in the middle. The Sun snatched up Black with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft, which was slightly lower than most expected the Duke product to go. What Black brings to the table is a defensive stopper in the middle and a big that can run the floor, although her offensive game still needs some refinement.
The team’s top draft pick from a year ago – Amber Holt – ended up starting all 34 games at the shooting guard spot in her rookie season mainly because of the intensity she brought on the defensive side of the ball. However, this year she’ll have competition for the starting spot in the form of Erin Phillips, a Sun veteran who returned to the team late last season after a hiatus. Phillips is valuable asset because she's a combo guard who can handle the ball and take pressure off Whalen.
And Thibault could use any number of players at the starting small forward slot, including Kerri Gardin, Barbara Turner or even rookie Lyndra Littles. Littles was another player who fell into the Sun’s lap at the draft after starring collegiately at Virginia. Many projected Littles to be a first-round selection, but Connecticut grabbed her in the second round with the 17th overall pick.
Suffice it to say, the Sun have more weapons in 2009, which should allow Thibault to use more combinations and hopefully keep his biggest assets healthy and fresh by the time the postseason rolls around. But the Sun aren’t the only team to have upgraded themselves over the off-season and competition in the East should be fierce. Detroit, New York and Indiana are once again stacked and Atlanta, Chicago and Washington have all improved their situations.
The Sun had to wait a year for Gruda’s services, but last year she joined the team and played in 31 regular season games, plus three playoff contests. Gruda spent most of 2008 coming off the bench and spelling Whitmore, averaging decent numbers of 6.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 0.84 bpg considering the limited minutes she played (15.4 pg). She showed she’s athletic for her size, can defend the rim and possesses a decent post game that should only improve as she matures and becomes more accustomed to playing in the WNBA.
After all, she is set to turn just 22 years old on June 25.
But with Whitmore’s career winding down and Black’s just beginning, Gruda's best opportunity to seize the role as Connecticut’s go-to pivot may come in 2009. And the Sun would benefit greatly from having an active big down low that can compliment Jones and compete against teams that feature imposing front courts, such as the Shock.
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