Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Sky- Chicago is coming off the best season in franchise history with a trip to the WNBA Finals. The Sky were swept by Phoenix. The team made a huge offseason move trading Epiphanny Prince to the New York Liberty for Cappie Pondexter, allowing her to come home. The biggest question mark for the team is the status of center Sylvia Fowles, who asked for a trade. She said she'll sit out this season if her demand isn't met. The Sky also need Elena Delle Donne to stay healthy. Last season she missed time because of Lyme Disease and a balky back. The Sky were 5-12 without her. With Delle Donne healthy and coming off of a Eastern Conference berth in the WNBA finals, they should be the conference favorites.
2. Atlanta Dream- Atlanta had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, but fell to Chicago in the opening round. The Dream didn't make too many moves in the offseason and with their nucleus intact hope to make another deep playoff run. Perennial MVP candidate Angel McCoughtry will be the key to see how far the Dream can go. Expect Atlanta to be a factor in the Eastern Conference yet again.
3. New York Liberty- New York brought back head coach Bill Laimbeer after letting him go in October. They have continued to retool the roster over the last few years, adding Tanisha Wright and Epiphanny Prince as well as talented draft picks Kiah Stokes and Brittany Boyd. The biggest question is whether the Liberty can avoid being distracted by the hiring of Isiah Thomas as president and potential owner. I believe they will avoid the distraction and return to the playoffs after a two year hiatus.
4. Indiana Fever- Stephanie White takes over for Lin Dunn as coach of the Fever. The new head coach has a talented core group led by Tamika Catchings and she's hoping to run a more up-tempo offense while continuing the defensive attitude the Fever have been known for in making the playoffs the past 10 seasons in a row. I like Indiana to make the playoffs for the eleventh straight year.
5. Washington Mystics- Mike Thibault's continued rebuilding of the Mystics is in year three. They've made the playoffs in each of his first two seasons and look to make the next jump this year. With teams in the conference like the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky improving, it will be tough for this team to make it three straight years, although it would not surprise me if they made the playoffs.
6. Connecticut Sun- Connecticut has already been devastated by injuries and the season hasn't even started yet. Chiney Ogwumike, last season's rookie of the year, is out indefinitely after having microfracture surgery on her knee. Allison Hightower has played in just 35 games over the past two years with knee injuries. She's on the suspended list to start the year after knee surgery in March. Connecticut also cut Kelsey Griffin on Tuesday after she underwent season-ending surgery on her left hip on Friday. The Sun had the worst record in the conference last season and expect the same again this upcoming season.
Western Conference
1. Minnesota Lynx- Minnesota had an incredible season last year and had it not been for the Phoenix Mercury's record-breaking one the Lynx could have had a good shot at repeating as champions. With the main core back of reigning MVP Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus, Minnesota is the favorite to win its third title in five seasons.
2. Phoenix Mercury- Coming off a record setting season which ended with the Mercury as WNBA champions, Phoenix will be hard-pressed to repeat. Diana Taurasi is sitting out the season to rest. Brittany Griner is suspended for the first seven games for a domestic violence arrest. Still the pieces are in place to make it to the playoffs again and I believe they will make it again.
3. San Antonio Stars- For the first time in a long while, Becky Hammon won't be on the court for the Stars. The team's long-time guard retired after last season and is now coaching with Gregg Popovich the San Antonio Spurs. The team will look to Kayla McBride, when she gets healthy, and Danielle Robinson to lead the way. This team is still pretty good without Hammon and I believe they get back to the playoffs.
4. Los Angeles Sparks- Brian Agler will have his work cut out for him in his first season at the helm with Candace Parker sitting out for at least the first half of the season to rest. The Sparks will also be missing Kristi Toliver, who is playing overseas in the Eurobasket tournament for the first month of the season. The Sparks have only had a few weeks together to put in their coach's system, but with Parker and Toliver coming back for the second half of the season, they should be able to sneak in the playoffs.
5. Tulsa Shock- Tulsa coming into the season had their sights on making the playoffs. No player improved more last year than Skylar Diggins and with the additions of Karima Christmas and Plenette Pierson, Tulsa looked poised for the postseason. After it was announced that the Shock will be missing Glory Johnson for the first seven games because of her suspension for domestic violence, Johnson announced she was pregnant, so now she will miss the entire season. First round draft pick Amanda Zahui B. could step right in to fill Johnson's void, but I don't think it will be enough to make the playoffs.
6. Seattle Storm- Jenny Boucek moves one chair over to take over the team and will have a young squad to guide. The Storm added Jewell Loyd and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis in the draft and Renee Montgomery in a trade. The Storm may take their lumps early, but the future is bright in Seattle.
2015 WNBA Playoffs
Semi-Finals
(E1) Chicago Sky over (E4) Indiana Fever in two games.
(E2) Atlanta Dream over (E3) New York Liberty in three games.
(W1) Minnesota Lynx over (W4) Los Angeles Sparks in three games.
(W2) Phoenix Mercury over (W3) San Antonio Stars in two games.
Conference Finals
(E1) Chicago Sky over (E2) Atlanta Dream in three games.
(W1) Minnesota Lynx over (W2) Phoenix Mercury in three games.
WNBA Finals
(W1) Minnesota Lynx over (E1) Chicago Sky in four games.
WNBA Award Predictions
MVP- Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx
Defensive Player of the Year- Brittany Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Rookie of the Year- Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
Sixth Woman of the Year- Roneeka Hodges, Atlanta Dream
Most Improved Player- Kayla McBride, San Antonio Stars
Coach of the Year- Bill Lambeer, New York Liberty
Sixth Woman of the Year- Roneeka Hodges, Atlanta Dream
Most Improved Player- Kayla McBride, San Antonio Stars
Coach of the Year- Bill Lambeer, New York Liberty
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