CAN THE BEST SOAP OPERA AROUND, THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS, WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
Five of 12 WNBA general managers, in a preseason survey, picked the Sparks to win their third title. This is coach Michael Cooper’s final season; he will move on to coach the Southern California women’s team. Center Lisa Leslie (top), the GMs’ choice for league MVP, is retiring after this year.Then there is Candace Parker (bottom). Last season’s MVP and Rookie of the Year had a baby girl on May 13. When will Parker rejoin the team and how effective will she be? 3 DETROIT MAY BE BUILDING A DYNASTY. The Shock has won WNBA titles in 2006 and 2008 and eight of the GMs tab them as the Eastern Conference favorites. Six consider Detroit’s Bill Laimbeer the league’s best coach. The Shock’s strength is its backcourt of Deanna Nolan and Katie Smith, rated by the GMs as the most athletic player and the best pure shooter, respectively. 4 WILL THE MEEK RISE UP? Maybe. Atlanta, an expansion team last season, is loaded with experienced players. Chicago and Washington also have improved in the East. A
