Basketball Hall-of-Famer and ESPN analyst Nancy Lieberman answers your questions and e-mails throughout the year. Click here to submit a question of your own.

I have been a fan of the WBNA and I am happy to see it flourishing. Do you see expansion in the near future for the league which would lead to more games and, ultimately, for a best-of-seven format for playoff games? Thanks, Nancy.
-Atascadero, Calif.

I think expansion is definitely in the future for the WNBA, and I think it would be fantastic for the league. We need to continue to grow the league with new cities and markets. With more teams would come more jobs, so it will allow the world to see more of the talent that's out there. I'm definitely a fan of expansion and of anything that helps grow the game.

Do you think someone will pick up Barbara Turner, who Seattle waived before the season started? Was she really outplayed in training camp or punished for showing up so late from overseas?
-Charles, Uniondale, N.Y.

I don't know the answer to that question. Anne Donovan would be the person to ask. But it is a sign of how competitive the WNBA is right now. You have to admit it makes an interesting statement to the players who go overseas. I see both sides of it. The players who go overseas make their money and you can't blame them for that. But you just can't show up two days before the first game in the WNBA and expect to make a team and play, especially if you're competing for a roster spot. Your superstars can come back late and still be a part of the team. But if you're competing for a spot on the roster, you're going to have to make a choice. The reason you're making money in Europe is those four beautiful letters: W-N-B-A. You're valuable in Europe because you play in the WNBA. And if you're not playing in the WNBA, you're not going to be as valuable in Europe. This is going to be an interesting dynamic looking forward.

It's hard coaching a team without your players. And I've been asked tons of questions about chemistry this early in the season. How can you have chemistry when your players are arriving so late? Just a few days before the season started, Paul Westhead didn't have Taurasi, didn't have Cappie Pondexter, didn't have Penny Taylor. Those three are all legit superstars. But Sheri Sam didn't show up at Indiana until the day before the first game. And she's a roster player at this point in her career, and showing up so late makes it tough both on her and on the team chemistry.

Why don't WNBA teams try to draft their hometown heroes? It would help to create more fans and make more money. For instance, Lindsey Whalen was a Minnesota Gopher for four years and turned that program around. Then, she goes to play for the Connecticut Sun out east! The Lynx would've benefited greatly if they had found a way to get her. Don't you agree?
-Bbksmom, St. Paul, Minn.

I think that the league is always trying to keep things as even and balanced as possible, while also staying aware of geographic locations. Of course having Lindsay sounds perfect to you in Minnesota, but then the Connecticut fans would be missing out on her! There are a bunch of former UConn players in the WNBA, so should they all be playing for the Sun? That wouldn't be fair, but you're always trying to strike that perfect competitive balance. The league has done an excellent job of spreading the wealth around.

Dear Ms. Lieberman, as a long-suffering Silver Stars fan, I am feeling optimistic this year. I'm thinking they have a good chance for at least a playoff berth. Is this just wishful thinking or will the Stars shock the WNBA this year? What is an area of weakness you see for the team this season? We enjoy your broadcasts!
-Brett, San Antonio

I think the Silver Stars have a wonderful opportunity to make the playoffs. In fact, I picked them as a playoff team. They have a lot of talent and versatility on their roster. Their biggest challenge early in the season will be overcoming a lack of chemistry. These players haven't played together a lot, but they should be able to overcome that after a few weeks. You just need to be patient with them, and when they come together chemistry-wise… when they learn how to play with each other and play to their strengths as a team, they'll be very good. Dan Hughes will bring this team together.

I'm going on the record: the New York Liberty will be a .500 team. If this is our future, the future is NOW! They were awesome! My question is this: What rookie will have the biggest impact for her team (other than our Jessica Davenport)?
-E, Somerset, N.J.

Lindsey Harding will have the biggest impact, because she'll get significant minutes up in Minnesota. Davenport will get significant minutes, too, and any rookie that gets a chance to play has a chance to be Rookie of the Year. Coaches of teams that are trying to build, like New York and Minnesota, will allow the rookies to play through their "rookie moments." And there will be those rookie moments for both of those teams. Long term, though, the opportunity to be out there on the court and play through those mistakes will help them. It's learning on the fly. I had to do that when I was coaching in Detroit. I had Korie Hlede and I let her play through some of her inexperience. But it made her a better player and it made me a better coach.

Why are so many analysts enchanted by the tactics of Bill Laimbeer of the Detroit Shock? In my opinion, he is a disgrace to the WNBA. His disrespect toward the referees in the opening game was revolting. He uses foul language and even cusses at his players if they do something he doesn't like. As a viewer, I would like those refs to start T-ing up Bill and all the other coaches that are so disrespectful to the refs and players. I love this game and would like to enjoy it AGAIN! What do you think?
-Bernice (Bernie), Scottsville, Ky.

First and foremost, that is who Bill Laimbeer is. He played that way during his playing career and got under people's skin. But he was a talented player and got the most out of his ability. People also have to recognize that Bill Laimbeer is a very talented coach. Is everybody going to like him? No. But when he's on your side, there's a propensity to like him a lot more. For some people around the league, Bill Laimbeer makes great TV. A lot of fans that don't like Detroit probably have the same opinion as you, and neither side is wrong.

Hello, I have a daughter who is a strong basketball player, but is not on a high-profile AAU team. She plays two other varsity sports, volleyball and track, but basketball is her passion. She is a junior in high school and wants to play college hoops. Do you have any suggestions on how she can get recognized by college coaches?
-Juliet, North Attleboro, Mass.

You can always make a DVD or a promotional tape to send to the college coaches if they haven't had a chance to see who and what she is. It's hard to get on coaches' radar sometimes, so you really have to make an effort to make sure they see what a player like your daughter can do. Camps are also a good way to get exposure and showcase your talent in front of coaches.

How much longer do you think Lisa Leslie will stay in the league once she comes back?
-Alanna, Gas City, Ind.

Good question! I don't know for sure. As a fan, I want to see more of Lisa. But as a mom, I have a feeling she's going to want to spend time with her baby. It's not like she's 24 or 25 and can easily strike that balance. Lisa is 34 and I think she's happy. She's married and she's such a good, warm human being. And I think she's eventually going to want to spend more time with her baby. I could see her playing another year or two and then saying, "I've done it all!" I mean, she's a Hall of Famer! What else does Lisa Leslie have to do? She's won an Olympic gold medal, she's won a WNBA title, she's been everywhere this game can take you. But she hasn't been First Team All-Mom yet. And I think she'll want to do that.