Shock assistant coach Cheryl Reeve shares a laugh with fellow assistant Rick Mahorn and head coach Bill Laimbeer. Allen Einstein/NBAE/Getty Images

The Detroit Shock took it as far as you can go this past season... well, as far as you can go without winning a title. The Shock claimed home-court advantage with a league-best 24-10 record in the regular season earning the right to host Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, but they were bested by a hot-shooting Mercury squad.

With two Bad Boys -- head coach Bill Laimbeer and assistant Rick Mahorn -- running the show and a returning roster full of All-Stars, what does the future hold for the two-time defending champions of the Eastern Conference? WNBA.com's Adam Hirshfield spoke recently with Shock assistant coach Cheryl Reeve, who assured us that it will be title or bust once again in 2008 in the Motor City.

Q. Let's take a quick look back at the 2007 season for the Shock. You won home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with another terrific regular season, but you came up just short of your second straight WNBA championship. What's the feeling in the locker room like after a season like this?

A. "Yeah, the regular season was a major success, especially with the injuries we sustained. Every team had injuries this year, but to win so many games without Cheryl Ford was pretty amazing for us. When we won the title in 2006, we were basically injury free, so that definitely makes a difference. And we had some injuries this year, we had a suspension and it seemed like we were always playing with a slightly different group. And we put ourselves in a position to have home court throughout the playoffs. So I felt like our record was pretty impressive given the circumstances.

"And then a lot of people were surprised with how much we 'struggled' in the playoffs against the Liberty and Fever. But we felt like it was more of the same: We weren't at full strength and Katie Smith was coming off a run of bad shooting -- and her contribution is something we really needed to be the team we all thought we could be. Katie eventually came out of the slump, but between that and the fact that Cheryl had missed so many games leading up to that point, we were dealing with a lot.

"That's not to say that we didn't fully expect the dogfights we got from both New York and Indiana. The New York series was really about matchups, and they clearly don't mind playing against us. Their ability to face up and shoot threes is something we had trouble defending and was a solid response to our power game. They gave us trouble! They're coached well and they have a bunch of great, young players and we were fortunate to come out of that series.

"And with Indiana, it was the same old series we always have with them. Toward the end of the regular season, we were kind of on cruise control for the last four or five games. But by the time we got to playing Indiana, we were finding our groove. And we snuck by them in three games also.

"Then, Phoenix… they were just playing great. We had been finding our way through games, but they kept us from being at our best. And in the battle of our interior game against their three-ball, the long-range shooting won out. If they make shots, they're a difficult team to beat.

"But I was impressed that we made it back to the Finals. Yes, we expect to get there and win it every year, but given the type of year we had and all of the adversity that we faced, for us to get back to the Finals was quite an accomplishment."

Q. Looking ahead to next season, are there things you can do either on or off the court that can help you get back that WNBA championship? Is it just a matter of staying healthy?

A. "Well, staying healthier would definitely help. But aside from that, there's a reason we call our coach Trader Bill. He's a wonder when it comes to making transactions, and with him in charge it's very possible that this team is gonna look different next year. Of course, this could be a year in which a lot of teams look different… between the expansion draft and the CBA."

Q. Speaking of teams looking different, how much are the Shock looking to the college draft to find some more talent that might help you out in 2008?

A. "Well, the top three teams should all get players who can make a serious impact. Maybe even the top four. Of course we'll be picking 11th, so unless we make a trade to get up higher, it's less likely we're going to find someone who will come in and contribute from the get-go."

Q. So whether it's via a trade, free agency or the draft, are there any holes you guys will be really looking to fill?

A. "I think it will be a typical offseason for us in that we'll be looking for another young guard. We need a third guard for sure, someone who can play both the 1 and 2 and can shoot. Kedra Holland-Corn was that for us in 2006, Shannon Johnson took that role for us in '07 and because she's an unrestricted free agent, we're not sure if she'll be back next year. So a lot of it depends on those kinds of unknowns, but that's probably something we'll be in the market for.

"But we have a solid core group that we're really happy with. Plenette Pierson came on and had a career year. And she still has more to do, so we're really excited about her future here in Detroit. So we just need to add some pieces to that core group: maybe some depth in the post. Katie Feenstra came on last year and did great, but there are still some things we can improve on.

"That said, though, I think we'll be very good once again in 2008 and we fully expect to be back in the Finals next year. Our core group is really excellent, so at this point we're just looking to improve the depth on our bench."

Q. Is there a player currently on your roster who you feel needs to step up and take her game to the next level in 2008?

A. "I think Plenette Pierson is going to continue to be a pivotal player for us. As great a year as she had, I think she'll need to add to her game this offseason and handle a new, bigger role for us. She could be in a starting role. She's been a great sixth man, and she'll tell you it's an easy job, but starting is a lot different.

"Also -- and this sounds weird given what a terrific player she is -- but I'd say Cheryl Ford. If she can stay healthy, get back offensively to where she was in 2006 and give us the Cheryl we expect for the full season, that will be a huge key for us."

Q. What is the prognosis on Cheryl? Is she expected to be back in time to head overseas? Or for Opening Day?

A. "Cheryl is rehabbing now, and she is playing it by ear. She's working hard to get back on the court, she's making progress and hopefully she'll be ready to head overseas for at least a little while before the WNBA season here in Detroit. But she's doing well. She had her surgery, she's on the right path and we'll have to see how she heals."

Q. Finally, is it all or nothing again for you guys in 2008? Can the season only be considered a success if you're holding the championship trophy at the end?

A. "We're the Detroit Shock. We don't really see winning another title as a 'goal.' It's more of an expectation. Anything short of us being in the Finals would be considered a disappointing season. And that's not just me… it's a team-wide mentality.

"Sure, it's an accomplishment just to get to the Finals. You can't win it if you don't get there. But we were disappointed not to win it this fall. It hurts not to bring home the championship, but you know… two championships in three years will be a pretty great accomplishment when we do it next year." :)