Conference Finals

East
Charlotte 2, New York 1
G1: NYL 61, CHA 57
G2: CHA 62, NYL 53
G3: CHA 48, NYL 44

West
L.A. 2, Sacramento 1
G1: LOS 74, SAC 73
G2: SAC 80, LOS 60
G3: LOS 93, SAC 62


FIRST ROUND

East
Charlotte 2, Cleveland 1
G1: CHA 53, CLE 46
G2: CLE 69, CHA 51
G3: CHA 72, CLE 64

New York 2, Miami 1
G1: NYL 62, MIA 46
G2: MIA 53, NYL 50
G3: NYL 72, MIA 61

West
L.A. 2, Houston 0
G1: LOS 64, HOU 59
G2: LOS 70, HOU 58

Sacramento 2, Utah 0
G1: SAC 89, UTH 65
G2: SAC 71, UTH 66




SEE WHAT THE WNBA PRESIDENT HAD TO SAY IN HER LIVE CHAT
 One-on-One with Val Ackerman

It's that time again. All season we wait, we wonder, we wait, we wonder and then we answer the big question: Will there be another champion other than the Houston Comets? This was your chance to talk playoffs with none other than WNBA President Val Ackerman. It was been another successful regular season that featured an unparalleled rookie class that helped take their teams to new heights, a second-year expansion team finishing third in the East (Miami Sol), a record 18-game winning streak (Los Angeles Sparks), a new individual scoring record for single game and season scoring (Katie Smith) and more!

Ackerman answered your questions in a live chat on Wednesday, Aug. 15 to kick off WNBA.com's coverage of the 2001 WNBA Playoffs. Here's what she had to say:

betty fulkerson from proxy.aol.com at 4:07pm ET
How are the MVP, rookie, etc. awards determined? Who votes for the ladies? What criteria do they use to determine the winners?Ms. Val, At the age of 60, I am in hog heaven watching these ladies getting their chance to persue sports.
Val Ackerman at 4:11pm ET
We have six primary individual awards: MVP, Coach of the Year, Sportsmanship, Rookie of the Year, Defensive and Most Improved Player. The winners for each of these awards are determined by vote of a media panel that includes representatives from all of our team cities, as well as national media (print and electronic) representatives. The media also selects the winners of the WNBA First and Second Team awards. All of the media selected to the panel cover the WNBA regularly and are very familiar with all of our players and coaches.
GoLibsGoSting from inter.net.il at 4:11pm ET
Hi Val, this year's playoffs look wide open. Do you think it's time for a new champion?
Val Ackerman at 4:13pm ET
This has clearly been our most competitive season. We've had more close games and overtime games than ever before and I think anything can happen in the playoffs. Houston has done an incredible job of remaining competitive despite losing Sheryl and Cynthia, and I don't think anyone can rule them out!
VARETTA from norfolk.nipr.mil at 4:14pm ET
Hello Val. Given the success that the Sparks have had this year, do you think that Lisa Leslie is the MVP of the league this year?
Val Ackerman at 4:16pm ET
I don't get to vote, but in my opinion Lisa is on a short list of players that deserve consideration for our MVP award. She really hasn't let up since her gold medal performace in Sydney, and knowing Lisa, her real goal is to win a WNBA championship.
GoLibsGoSting from inter.net.il at 4:16pm ET
Val, what do you think was the best game of the regular season? LA's win in Houston on opening night? The Mystics' four overtime win in Seattle? NY's win in Houston or maybe Utah's overtime win over LA two night's ago?
Been a great season, can't wait for the playoffs!
Val Ackerman at 4:19pm ET
We've had so many exciting games this year that it's hard to single out just one, but on my list is New York's win over Detroit on July 2. The game was in Madison Square Garden with a great crowd, was well played and resulted in a New York win but only after they came from behind. I had the privilege of sitting with President Clinton at the game and he was very complimentary about the quality of play and the excitement in the building.
Jonah from 210.112.78.dial1.losangeles1.level3.net at 4:19pm ET
Does the WNBA have an all-rookie team award, or does it have plans for one?
Val Ackerman at 4:21pm ET
We currently recognize one rookie each year who receives our Rookie of the Year award. Chamique Holdsclaw won the award in 1999 and Betty Lennox won it last year and we will be announcing shortly this year's winner. At this point we don't have plans to recognize a rookie team, but it's a good idea and something we may implement in the future.
Melissa from cvx6-bradley.dialup.earthlink.net at 4:21pm ET
Congratulations on another great WNBA season. The caliber of play and excitement of all the teams has reached new levels this year. Are there any plans for changing the two out of three format with the home team advantage meaning the first game on the road? Have you discussed a best three of five format for the conference finals and/or championships?
Val Ackerman at 4:26pm ET
Under the current playoff format, the team with the better record does start out on the road, but if the series goes to a third and deciding game, that team will have the home-court advantage. The reason the format exists is because Games 2 and 3 in both our Conference Finals and Championship Series are on consecutive days (due to our TV coverage), which means that there isn't time for our teams to travel. Hopefully, we will have more scheduled dates to work with and we could adjust this format. Our hopes -- long term -- is that we can expand, perhaps the championship series to a best three out of five format, but that won't happen soon.
SLC Betty at 4:28pm ET
Hi, Val! How about those Starzz? I can't begin to convey to you the PURE energy present in the Delta Center on Monday night, but I would like to thank you and the WNBA for not giving up on this franchise or the dedication of our fans. What do YOU think their chances are for advancement beyond the first round?
Val Ackerman at 4:30pm ET
I think the Starzz have an incredibly exciting and talented team and it's been very exciting to see their second half run this year. I have great respect for (coaches) Candi Harvey and Tammi Reiss and think they've done a great job leading the team after a somewhat slow start. It's also fun to see Marie Ferdinand do so well in her first year. I'm sure the Starzz-Sacramento series will be a good one.
Val Ackerman at 4:33pm ET
As always, thanks to all of you for logging in today and most of all for supporting the WNBA, our teams and our players. I traveled to most of our team cities this year and believe more than ever that WNBA fans are the greatest fans in sports. I hope all of you will be joining us for the playoffs which start tomorrow night -- if you can't get to a game in person, the good news is all of the games will be nationally televised on NBC, ESPN or ESPN2. Thanks again for your interest and may the best team win!

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