Cappie Pondexter scored 12 points in 16 minutes of play in Sunday's All-Star Game in Washington. Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images

While some rightfully group her with the league's super sophomores -- like Candice Dupree, Seimone Augustus and Sophia Young -- others are more intrigued by the offensive partnership she has forged with Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor in Phoenix.

Whatever the case, Pondexter is without a doubt one of the league's most exciting young players, and at 11-9, she has the Mercury in the hunt for what would be the first playoff berth in her budding career. She spoke with WNBA.com's Adam Hirshfield about her hopes for the Mercury as they enter the second half of the 2007 season.

Q. How would you describe your first half of the season, both individually and as a team?
A: "I think we were pretty solid for the most part. We had a lot of ups and downs, but we were able to overcome a lot of things, like injuries, suspensions and players getting waived. But when we look back at our first half compared to our first half last year, we're feeling pretty good. And we're just gonna get better."

Q. Are there any changes you feel that the Mercury need to make in the second half to solidify your playoff standing and to reach the postseason for the first time in your career?
A: "We just have to be better and more solid defensively. If we can address that, I really think we'll be sound because we have a lot of great offensive threats. But we definitely have to work on our defense a little more."

Q. When you and Diana Taurasi missed time recently, Penny Taylor stepped up in a big way. Do you see her continuing to play a bigger role in the offense?
A: "Yeah, she has to. We need her to rebound, we need her to score and we need her to continue playing as well as she has been playing."

Q. What about Tangela Smith? She seemed to fit really nicely into your lineup in the first half of the season.
A: "Yes, she has. She's starting to find her way around. I'll be the first one to admit that coming into Coach (Paul) Westhead's system can be kind of challenging, and I think she just has to get more comfortable. And once she gets there, she can only keep getting better and better for us."

Q. This is your second season in the WNBA and you're at your second All-Star Game. Now that you're a seasoned pro, how do you take this honor of being selected to the All-Star Team and build upon it in the second half?
A: "Being here as an All-Star just teaches you to have fun and it helps in building better relationships with the other players. The All-Star Game is relaxed, but it's good because it's a break before the second half where it's like 0-0. Everyone starts over. It's a new beginning, a fresh start. So my plan is to let all of the fun out now and get ready to focus on what's to come in the second half of the season."

Q. Are the playoffs your goal as a team?
A: "Definitely! This is my second year and it's Diana's fourth, and neither of us has ever been, so making the playoffs is what we have our sights set on."

Q. What would it mean to get there?
A: "It would mean a lot. But if we get there, we don't want to be comfortable with just getting there. We want to get past the first round. And we just need to focus to get there. We have enough experience with our veteran players, and we'll listen to them when we get there and they'll inspire us to continue to play hard."

Q. The West seems completely wide open right now. There could seemingly be four or five teams, any of which could represent the conference in the Finals. Does that just show how much parity there is in the league? Is every game a tough one? Do you see the Mercury as the best of the bunch?
A: "Every game is tough… for us and for everyone else. Every game is competitive, especially when you have a wide range of styles of play and great coaches. So we just have to continue to play our system and buy into what Coach Westhead says."

Q. Who do you see as your toughest opposition in the West?
A: "Every team (laughs)! We can't take anybody lightly! From top to bottom, it's wide open. Even though the Sparks are struggling, Taj McWilliams-Franklin is a great player in and they're still tough."

Q. So what's your prediction for the second half? Will you guys make the playoffs? Are you the team to beat in the West?
A: "Yeah, we're one of the teams to beat in the West… but so is everybody else! But I definitely see us making the playoffs."