The San Antonio Stars returned to the WNBA playoffs in 2014, marking the team’s seventh postseason appearance since 2007. But the end result was one that has become all too familiar for the franchise. Head coach Dan Hughes’ team was swept by the Minnesota Lynx in the first round, which is something the franchise has had problems with in the past.

The Stars haven’t advanced past the WNBA Western Conference Semifinals since 2008. Now, without Becky Hammon in the fold, Hughes is tasked with helping guide the team over the proverbial hump and make a run in the Western Conference.

Thankfully for him, the Stars return a roster full of players capable of making that leap.

Here’s what to watch for in San Antonio this season:

Can McBride take next step?

Kayla McBride is already one of the league’s best pure shooters, if not the best. The third pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft led the Stars in scoring in 2014 (13 PPG) as well as three-pointers made (57) – a mark that was good enough for fifth in the league. And she ended the season averaging a phenomenal 22.5 points per game in the Conference Semifinals against the Lynx.

McBride has all the tools necessary to be a special scoring talent in San Antonio. Her development will be vital to the Stars’ success. Can she take the next step and shoulder more of the scoring load with Hammon no longer on the team? Can she emerge as the best three-point shooter in the league?

Life after Hammon

Becky Hammon was a mainstay in the Stars’ backcourt since coming over from the Liberty in 2007. The six-time WNBA All-Star helped guide San Antonio to six straight playoff appearances from 2007 to 2013.

While Hammon remains in an impactful basketball position in San Antonio (she’s now an assistant for the Spurs), the Stars are faced with the task of moving forward without her on the court.

Robinson and Perkins filling in

Even with the loss of Hammon, the Stars return their top scorers from 2014, including Danielle Robinson and Jia Perkins. Robinson averaged 12.9 points and 5.3 assists per game (fourth-best in the league) in 2014.

She enters the 2015 in good form after helping USK Praha win the EuroLeague title over powerhouse UMMC Ekaterinburg. Perkins shared minutes with Hammon and McBride in the backcourt and still averaged 12.5 points per game in 2014. She should see her role in the San Antonio offense increase.

Hamby in town

The Stars have benefitted from solid rookie seasons from their draft picks in recent years – McBride in 2014, Shenise Johnson in 2012, Danielle Robinson in 2011 – and they are hoping 2015 will be the same. San Antonio drafted Dearica Hamby out of Wake Forest, and she performed well during the preseason.

Hamby is a 6-foot-3 forward who is still coming into her own as a player, as she’s only been playing basketball since the 10th grade. Hamby, who was the first Demon Decon ever to be taken in the WNBA Draft, graduated as Wake Forest’s all-time leader in points and rebounds. She runs the floor well and will have a chance to play an important role.

The Stars were one of the league’s worst teams defensively in 2014, and Hamby could help them buck that trend. Hughes noted before the draft that the Stars wanted to draft a player who could contribute solid minutes defensively off the bench.

Frontcourt by committee

Hamby joins a frontcourt that has operated on a “by committee” basis for the past few seasons. Danielle Adams averaged 10.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 2014. Sophia Young has been with the franchise since 2006 and returned in 2014 after sitting out for a season. The three-time All-Star saw her production drop from her usual numbers, but her supporting cast helped make up for the dip.

Center Jayne Appel is back and the Stars added forward Anna Montgomery from the Liberty in the offseason. Combine those talents with what the Stars hope Hamby will bring and the Stars have a frontcourt combination capable of holding its own against any team.