We hope you enjoyed Part One of the Dishin & Swishin 2013 WNBA preview roundtable podcast, which was posted yesterday!

This year the roundtable was so good, and so loaded with information from our esteemed panelists, we have to divide it into two parts. Yesterday you heard the preview of the Western Conference. Today you will get to hear the preview of the Eastern Conference and the predictions for the season from our panelists.

As always the roundtable is hosted by Dishin & Swishin host David Siegel. The panel members joining David are:

• Mechelle Voepel, ESPN journalist

• Debbie Antonelli, television analyst who covers the Indiana Fever and a great deal of NCAA action

• Christy Winters-Scott, television analyst who covers the Washington Mystics and NCAA games

• Cindy Brunson makes her Dishin & Swishin debut, Fox Sports Arizona, former studio host of the WNBA for ESPN and SportsCenter anchor

Can the Indiana Fever repeat in the East? How will the coaching changes impact the division? The roundtable will discuss each team in detail. Topics include arrivals and departures, rookies and veterans, and injuries and health. Who will improve, who will slide back? Who will contend for the playoffs and who will contend for the lottery.

To help you find your favorites, just like yesterday’s discussion of the Western Conference, we have for you a guide as to where they are approximately located in the podcast (minutes:seconds). Obviously the best way to enjoy the flow of the roundtable is to listen in its entirety, but we understand sometimes that is not possible.

• Introduction and Washington Mystics preview – 00:00

• New York Liberty preview – 10:46

• Chicago Sky preview – 17:05

• Atlanta Dream preview – 25:05

• Connecticut Sun preview – 31:37

• Indiana Fever preview and subsequent discussion on Lin Dunn and the evolution of coaches in women’s basketball – 41:21

Once the individual teams have been discussed, it is time for the fearless predictions from each member of the Dishin & Swishin roundtable panelists! In sequence the predictions are:

• Conference champions, playoff teams, and finals predictions – 49:20

• Most Valuable Player award winner – 54:37

• Rookie of the Year and the player you want to see, that you think will make an impact for whatever reason – 58:30

• Final thoughts, parting comments, from each panelist on the upcoming season (and the challenge Mechelle Voepel throws down to host David Siegel) – 1:04:38

One small disclaimer, the Roundtable was pre-recorded, so if you hear references to recently waived players (ie Gemelos, Jeffery) or injuries (Phillips), it is not that the roundtable does not know about them, they just had not happened when the Roundtable was recorded.

Remember, if you have not already, go back and check out part one, the Western Conference! Enjoy the podcast!

All games are hosted by participating schools. The official tournament bracket with first-round opponents, game dates and times will be announced next month.

• Georgia State
• Gonzaga
• Idaho
• IPFW
• Louisville
• Loyola Chicago
• LSU
• Mount St. Mary’s
• North Carolina A&T
• Oklahoma
• Quinnipiac
• Saint Joseph’s
• Stephen F. Austin
• Stetson
• Tennessee-Martin
• Wichita State

Friday the WNBA season tips off, so it is time to unveil the 2013 WNBA preview edition of the Dishin & Swishin Roundtable!

This year the roundtable was so good and loaded with information from our esteemed panelists, we have to divide it into two parts. Today you will get to hear the preview of the Western Conference. Tomorrow you will get to hear the preview of the Eastern Conference and the predictions for the season from our panelists.

As always the roundtable is hosted by Dishin & Swishin host David Siegel. The panel members joining David are:

• Mechelle Voepel, ESPN journalist

• Debbie Antonelli, television analyst who covers the Indiana Fever and a great deal of NCAA action

• Christy Winters-Scott, television analyst who covers the Washington Mystics and NCAA games

• Cindy Brunson makes her Dishin & Swishin debut, Fox Sports Arizona, former studio host of the WNBA for ESPN and SportsCenter anchor

How will the West be won? The roundtable will discuss each team in detail. Topics include arrivals and departures, rookies and veterans, and injuries and health. Who will improve, who will slide back? Who will contend for the playoffs and who will contend for the lottery.

To help you find your favorites, for the podcast from today and part two tomorrow, we will give you a guide as to where they are approximately located in the podcast (minutes:seconds). Obviously the best way to enjoy the flow of the roundtable is to listen in its entirety, but we understand sometimes that is not possible.

• Introduction and Phoenix Mercury preview – :00

• Minnesota Lynx preview – 8:07

• Los Angeles Sparks preview – 14:50

• Who is the best of the rest? One will make the playoffs – 18:30

• San Antonio Silver Stars preview (When when will Becky Hammon win a title?) – 20:00

• Seattle Storm preview – 25:45

• Tulsa Shock preview – 29:30

One small disclaimer, the roundtable was pre-recorded, so you might hear references to recently waived players (i.e. Jacki Gemelos, Chukcy Jeffery) and roster moves that happened before the recording.

Remember, tomorrow we will have part two, the Eastern Conference and the fearless panel predictions! Enjoy the podcast!

Team and coach quotes

From USA Basketball:

Headlined by three returning members of the gold-medal winning 2011 USA Basketball Women’s U19 World Championship Team, USA Basketball today following four days of trials announced the 12-member team that will represent the red, white and blue as it attempts to capture its fifth-straight gold medal at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship, hosted by Lithuania from July 18-28 in Klaipeda and Panev?žys. Held May 16-19 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., the USA U19 trials featured 33 athletes age 19-years-old and younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 1994). The team was selected by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee, chaired by UT Chattanooga head coach Jim Foster.

At the most recent biennial U19 tournament in 2011 the U.S. extended its golden U19 streak to four-straight behind the play of Alexis Jones (Duke / Irving, Texas); FIBA U19 All-Tournament Team selection Breanna Stewart (Connecticut / North Syracuse, N.Y.), who was later named the 2011 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year; and Morgan Tuck (Connecticut / Bolingbrook, Ill.), all three of whom return this summer and list as the only U.S. athletes to ever repeat on a USA U19 squad.

A total of eight previous USA Basketball gold medalists were named to the team, including Candice Agee (Penn State / Victorville, Calif.); Bashaara Graves (Tennessee / Clarksville, Tenn.); Linnae Harper (Whitney Young H.S. / Chicago, Ill.); Moriah Jefferson (Connecticut / Glenn Heights, Texas); and Brianna Turner (Manvel H.S. / Pearland, Texas).

The 2013 U19 team also features a talented blend of newcomers in Nia Coffey (Hopkins H.S. / Minneapolis, Minn.); Gabby Green (St. Mary’s College H.S. / Oakland, Calif.); Kelsey Plum (La Jolla Country Day / Poway, Calif.); and A’ja Wilson (Heathwood Hall H.S / Hopkins, S.C.).

“We were able to pick a U19 team that has a lot of strengths in a lot of different areas,” said Foster. “I think that bodes well for them. They have good size. They have some people who can put the ball in the basket. They’re athletic, and I think they can be good defensively. It’s a team that has a lot of potential to be very successful.

“The team has some players whose skill set is a little different than their position. Breanna Stewart, A’Ja Wilson and Brianna Turner are all 6’3” or above and are equally as comfortable putting the ball on the floor after they get a rebound and starting a fast break on their own. It’s an interesting dimension, and it makes the team that much more versatile because you could actually play some of them at wing positions and have a very, very big team on the floor. It makes for a lot of versatility.”

“I’m thrilled. The length is incredible, the talent, the diversity,” said USA U19 and University of Miami head coach Katie Meier following the team announcement. “Everybody brings a little something different. That gives us a lot of choices as coaches in a lot of different ways that we can win basketball games. (The committee) put together what I think is the team that answers any type of a question. We have speed. We have quickness. We have size. We have shooters. They really made sure that they gave us every weapon.”

Stewart is the most experienced USA Basketball athlete on the team. The MVP of the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, she has helped USA squads earn gold at the 2010 U17 and 2011 U19 FIBA World Championships, as well as the 2009 U16 and 2012 U18 FIBA Americas Championships. Further, Stewart was the lone high school athlete on the 2011 USA Pan American Games Team.

In addition to Stewart; Agee, Bashaara Graves, Jefferson and Tuck were members of the 2012 USA U18 National Team that captured the FIBA Americas U18 Championship to secure a berth to this summer’s competition.

Also winning gold for the USA in 2012 were Harper and Turner as members of the 2012 USA U17 World Championship Team; while Turner earned a second gold medal last summer at the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championship.

Harper helped the U.S. win gold at the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and competed later that summer in the inaugural FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championship. After falling to Italy in overtime of the semifinal with just two healthy players on the court and being forced to forfeit in the bronze medal game due to a lack of players, the U.S. was awarded an honorary bronze medal by FIBA.

In 2010 Bashaara Graves, Stewart and Tuck were members of the gold medal-winning USA U17 World Championship Team; while Jones captured gold that summer at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

Bashaara Graves and Stewart earned their first gold medal with USA Basketball at the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.

In addition to the eight gold medalists on the team, three athletes have participated in a USA Basketball trials previously, including Coffey, Green and Plum; while Wilson, the youngest team member, is new to USA Basketball this year.

Assisting Meier and the U19 squad are collegiate head coaches Nikki Caldwell of Louisiana State University and Kelly Graves of Gonzaga University.

The USA will regroup for training on July 1 at the USOTC prior to traveling to Europe for a July 11-14 Spain-hosted tournament in Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Featuring U19 squads from Australia, Canada and Spain, the tournament will be good test for the U.S. From there, the American women will travel to Lithuania in an attempt to defend gold.

The All-Star weekend includes the official Hall of Fame banquet to honor the 2013 class of Alfreda Harris, Kim Ortega, Susan Summons and Gwyn Young on July 26 and four games featuring the 40 All-Star selections on July 27-28.

2013 NJCAA Women’s Basketball All-Star Weekend Selections

*The same weekend as WNBA All-Star events at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Image of the WNBA’s splash page for the 2013 subscription to LiveAccess.

Last year the WNBA offered its LiveAccess¹ streaming service for a fee for the first time since service launched in 2009. According to the league LiveAccess “provides access to close to 200 live game webcasts and archived games for on-demand viewing.”

In 2012 at $4.99, LiveAccess enabled fans to watch nearly every game live via their computer or the WNBA’s Center Court app. Games broadcast on ESPN were excluded from the service. Features of LiveAcess included a live box score, pause and rewind, video quality options, the ability to watch up to four games at once in quadview, picture-in-picture and game archives on demand.

Today the league announced new pricing for LiveAccess. It costs $14.99 with a $2.00 discount for those who subscribed last year. The league is offering a free trial up to May 26. There is one game on Friday, May 24 (Indiana at San Antonio, the season opener) and two games on Saturday, May 25 (New York at Connecticut and Tulsa at Atlanta). After the free trial fans will be billed for the service.

The season opener will be broadcast locally on Fox Sports Southwest. The TV broadcast of Tulsa at Atlanta will be provided by SPSO (SportSouth).

¹Or Live Access, the spelling varies on the league website

Shock website splash screen for Liz Cambage’s return before announcing a previous decision not to return to Tulsa after last summers’ Olympic Games.

From Tulsa:

The Tulsa Shock has announced center Elizabeth Cambage will be returning to Tulsa for the 2013 season. Cambage has previously stated that she would not be returning this season. Cambage is expected to be in Tulsa the middle of next week.

Cambage missed the 2012 season due to her commitment to the Australian Olympic Team where she earned a bronze medal. During the 2012 London Olympics she became the first woman in history to dunk during the tournament.

“I am really looking forward to returning to Tulsa and the WNBA this season,” Elizabeth Cambage said. “I am most looking forward to working with coach Kloppenburg as I have heard many great things about his coaching ability and getting the best out of his players. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to return to Tulsa this season as I sustained a broken wrist while playing in China this past season. I have been given the all clear by my doctors and I am excited to return to Tulsa and the team for a great season.”

“Our goal has always been for Liz to play in Tulsa and we are thrilled that she has decided to return,” Shock President Steve Swetoha said. “ She has never played under coach Kloppenburg and I know Gary is excited to get a chance to work with her. Gary and I continued to keep the lines of communications open with Liz, her agent and family to return to Tulsa.”

“We’re absolutely elated that Liz has decided to return to the Tulsa Shock this season and play in the WNBA,” Head Coach Gary Kloppenburg said. “She’ll be a great addition to what is shaping up to be a quality young team.”

In the 2012 off-season Cambage played in China for Zhejiang where she averaged 36.2 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. Cambage earned her season-high 59 points, going 22 of 24 from the field and hitting 15 of 16 free throws, on January 1, 2013 in a 115-101 victory over Shenyang.

In 2011, Cambage averaged 11.5 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game. Cambage also was named a 2011 WNBA All-Star and earned All-Rookie Team honors.

The Shock’s home opener will be on Monday, Memorial Day, May 27 against the Washington Mystics at the BOK Center. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN2.

Kelsey Griffin and Allison Hightower during Connecticut Sun media day..

A benefit of living in Connecticut is that I get the privilege of covering both the University of Connecticut women’s basketball program and the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. Not very many places have two programs that seem to be close to a championship each year. One of the differences between the two teams is that while UConn has won eight for head coach Geno Auriemma, the Sun is still chasing the elusive first one.

New Sun head coach Anne Donovan has a strong squad, but there are definitely a few question marks as well. In this podcast we are going to talk about both.

Tina Charles was last year’s WNBA Most Valuable Player, but it can be argued that the strength of the team was the backcourt, in particular starters Kara Lawson and Allison Hightower, and sixth-woman award winner Renee Montgomery. Both Lawson and Hightower are coming off what could be considered career years for each. They seem to play off each other’s strengths very well. Montgomery’s ability to come off the bench and fill either guard position makes her equally important. In the first part of this podcast, I talked to Lawson and Hightower together, covering the new coaching staff and rules, the growth and improvements needed for the Sun and the “three to see” entering the league.

When Asjha Jones decided to sit out the season to rest injuries, Donovan suddenly had a new area of concern, the power forward position. There is no shortage of candidates ready to take Jones’ minutes, but can they match the production? That is the focus of the rest of this podcast.

Mistie Bass filled the spot when Jones missed 20 games last season, and she too had the best season of her WNBA career. Bass came to the team under former head coach Mike Thibault with certain promises that he fulfilled, and she rewarded him with strong play. What will the new season bring for her? Bass is next up in the podcast, discussing her love for playing in France and her personal growth, the Thibault/Donovan change and its impact on her, and the Sun’s weaknesses that need to be corrected.

Kelsey Griffin is Bass’ prime competitor for time. Griffin has struggled in her tenure with the Sun, in part due to her being moved between positions and roles, and in part by a perceived lack of confidence. On the heels of an award-winning season in Australia, a more relaxed and confident Griffin seems to be a completely different person, and is excited to show that on the court. Griffin in her segment of the podcast discusses the difference between her prior years in Connecticut and this one, the piece of mind she now has, and how that has translated to on court improvement, and where she feels the problems in her career came from and what caused them.

Three free agent invitees are fighting for probably only one roster spot and for a chance at that power forward spot. Ashley Walker from Cal is the most well known of the three, narrowly missing a roster spot on a few occasions. Latoya Williams is a slight post with a long reach who never played above junior college, but has played internationally. Finally, there is recent St. Joseph’s product Chatilla van Grinsven, the 2013 Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year. Walker is on the podcast. Williams and van Grinsven follow Griffin, and share what their initial thoughts on the WNBA and training camp have been, and how they each feel their game will translate to the league.

So this week we delve into a few important pieces that will be called upon to keep the Connecticut Sun in the hunt in the East: Kara Lawson and Allison Hightower will need to replicate last year’s success, Mistie Bass and Kelsey Griffin will need to fill an important role, and Latoya Williams and/or Chatilla van Grinsven will need to help out as well.

Next week, the WNBA preview roundtable returns in a special two-part Dishin & Swishin! Enjoy he podcast!

Tina Charles. Photo: WNBA.

Throughout the WNBA season, Hoopfeed will be giving you Dishin & Swishin Q & A Sessions to supplement our weekly podcasts. Who better to start with than the defending Most Valuable Player of the league, Tina Charles.

Charles is only 24 years old yet her resume already includes not only the MVP award but also NCAA champion, WNBA rookie of the year and Olympic gold medalist.

After averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds per game last season for the Connecticut Sun, Charles is looking to build on her success by adding “WNBA champion” to that list of honors. The Sun went into the playoffs last year as the top seed in the East, but ran into the Indiana Fever juggernaut that won the WNBA title last season. Dropping their final game in convincing fashion on their own court left Charles even more motivated than before and she is anxious for the season to begin.

Charles has always been a quiet leader on the court and in the locker room. As she has matured she has become a philanthropist as well. Last season she donated funds to build a school in Africa. Now, Charles has found a true passion and platform for her generosity, the Tina Charles Hearts of Hope foundation, which seeks to give automatic external defibrillators to schools and recreation centers.

Tina it’s a new year and a new coaching staff. Last year, when you won the most valuable player award, you gave a lot of credit to coach Mike Thibault. Anne Donovan is here now, and is known as a post-coach, so what’s different? What are you seeing that is a different set up thus far?

“She’s really direct about what she wants out of the players and her expectations in a clear, channeling way. I know the girls love her; I don’t think there are any complaints. I know Kara [Lawson] played for her in the Olympics and Kaleena [Greene] did her rookie year with New York and had said nothing but positive things. So that helps me coming in.”

Asjha [Jones] is not going to be here and obviously that makes a big difference. You played a lot of games without her last year, but how does that translate to you in terms of preparation for this season knowing she will not be here at all?

“I’m going to go out there still and do what I usually do, just be more efficient, more consistent. Somebody will step up I have no doubt in my mind, because she [Jones] didn’t come back after the Olympics and somebody stepped up then, so I’m sure they will do it again.”

The WNBA made these changes to the rules and all we heard about at first was the defensive three seconds was because of Brittney Griner’s size, but all I thought about was the impact on you; you were doubled and tripled last season. What do you expect to see from the rule changes?

“I’m looking forward to. It’s going to be a change. I haven’t practiced much yet so just defensively I’m going to have to think about getting in and out of the lane, but I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to show everybody’s skill and I think it’s definitely going to expose people on the defensive end, especially guards. Also, moving the three-point line is going to expose who the real three-point shooters are. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a great year!”

You come in as the defending MVP. Do you put pressure on yourself to build off of that, defending that MVP title?

“Yeah I don’t worry about that. Like I’ve said the whole MVP thing is up to people not on the court so I’m just going to go out there and do what I normally do and I’m just going to try to do it better.”

So Kelly [Faris] comes in as an addition. You lose one Husky and gain another. You played with her at UConn, what do you expect from her as a rookie and what can be the most difficult adjustment that you guys have to help her through?

“Just knowing that as a rookie when you come in your role changes. That’s the thing that gets a lot of rookies. Sometimes they think, ‘oh I’m not playing,’ but know your role changes. You have a different team now. You have to adjust. You have to continue to be coachable. For any rookie I would tell them just focus on one thing and do that one thing well. That will help you make the team, that’s what will keep you around in this league. With Kelly, Kelly’s really good at being a team player and doing whatever it takes for her team to win.”

You’ve never been a real vocal, out in the public type person, but your activities off the court have been speaking volumes. First, you build the school in Africa and now the creation of the Tina Charles Heart of Hope foundation. Can you talk for a minute about the foundation and what it means to you?

“The foundation’s mission is to provide automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, to schools and recreation centers across the United States, especially for places that don’t have them. I got inspired by reading an article about Wes Leonard, a high school player out of Michigan. State law in Michigan does not require AEDs and he was struck by sudden cardiac arrest while playing and passed away because the school didn’t have one. So his parents started a foundation and I donated five AEDs to that foundation and being from New York I donated five AEDs to the New York Department of Education. In New York the law is there. My aunt, Maureen Vaz, passed away March on March 9, 2013. Her nickname was Hopey and that’s why the foundation is Hearts of Hope because it is trying to mirror all of her actions, in the type of person she was and just how she was able to impact people’s lives. That’s what I’m trying to do with this foundation, impact people and save people’s lives and I hope to do so throughout the years.”

With the changes in the East, the new players the new coaches what does the Connecticut Sun have to do this season to remain an elite team at the top of the conference?

“The team gets better when an individual gets better. If everybody takes their role more seriously, they take it more personally; I believe that we will be better. Everybody just has to up their game a notch, and do it consistently, and we will be fine.”

February 12, 2013 – Kristy Curry coaches Texas Tech vs. Baylor in Waco, Texas. Photo © Robert Franklin, all rights reserved.

Kristy Curry is leaving Texas Tech to become the head coach at the University of Alabama.

“I am very excited to announce that Kristy Curry will be the next women’s basketball coach at the University of Alabama,” said UA Director of Athletics Bill Battle. “When we began our search for a head coach, we sought a veteran head coach that had a proven record as a consistent winner. Coach Curry has produced an impressive record at Purdue and Texas Tech. We are thrilled that she has chosen to lead our program, and we are looking forward to welcoming Kristy, her husband Kelly, and their children, Kelsey and Kendall, to Tuscaloosa.”

From Alabama release:

Curry, who just finished her seventh season as head coach at Texas Tech, led the Lady Raiders to a 21-11 record last season and a No. 7 seed in the 2013 NCAA Championship. The tournament appearance was the second for her at Texas Tech and her ninth overall as a head coach. While in Lubbock, she compiled a record of 130-98 and had several all-Big 12 performers, including the 2010-11 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year, Chynna Brown.

“I am honored and thrilled to be the next women’s basketball coach at the University of Alabama,” said Curry. “The Alabama program has tremendous potential and I am very excited to get the chance to lead the Crimson Tide back to national prominence. I want to thank the Alabama administration for the confidence they have shown in me, and for giving me this opportunity. We leave Texas Tech with heavy hearts. Kelly and I owe our deepest gratitude to so many people in the Red Raider family. We will always be grateful to the Texas Tech fans, the administration, the faculty and, most of all, our players.”

Prior to her appointment at Texas Tech, Curry spent seven seasons at Purdue where she guided the Boilermakers to NCAA tournament appearances in each season, including the championship game in 2001. She became the second coach in NCAA history to lead her squad to the championship game in her second season as a head coach. Curry’s overall record in West Lafayette, which includes six 20-plus win seasons, is 179-51.

Curry began her coaching career in the high school ranks before moving onto Tulane, where she spent two seasons (1991-93). From there, she spent one year as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin (1993-94), two at Texas A&M (1994-96) and three at Louisiana Tech (1996-99) before accepting her first head coaching position at Purdue.

Curry, a native of Olla, La., earned a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education from Northeast Louisiana in 1988, and a master’s degree in education at Stephen F. Austin in 1994. She and her husband, Kelly, have two daughters, Kelsey and Kendall.

“Given feedback from stakeholders through the years, this is the right time to approve the rule,” said Barbara Burke, women’s basketball rules committee chair and director of athletics at Eastern Illinois. “Overall, we discussed pace of play, creating scoring opportunities and flow of the game. Adding the 10-second backcourt rule adds another element of strategy, and this rule fits into the concepts of growing the game.”

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel must approve the proposed rule change. It meets via conference call in June. If approved the rule becomes effective for the 2013-14 season.

Previously, teams could take as much time off the 30-second shot clock as they wanted before crossing the mid-court line. Officials will use the shot clock to determine if a 10-second violation has occurred.

The committee is also recommended that the closely guarded rule in the backcourt be eliminated from the rules book.

From the NCAA:

The closely guarded rule in the frontcourt would read that a player holding the ball for five seconds with a defender not exceeding six feet will be a violation. Previously, the defender had to be within three feet of the offensive player with the ball to force a five-second violation.

Pokey Chatman and Anne Donovan. Photos courtesy Chicago Sky and Seton Hall Athletics.

It is one type of pressure when the franchise you coach has never made the playoffs in its entire existence. It is another type of pressure when you are succeeding a coach that took the franchise to the conference finals the previous year before losing to the eventual champion. Those are the situations facing Chicago Sky head coach Pokey Chatman and Connecticut Sun head coach Anne Donovan.

Chatman enters her third season in the WNBA with high expectations. The team returns most of its core from a team that struggled under the weight of injuries last season, but includes a lot of talent. Sylvia Fowles played less minutes overseas this past winter, Epiphanny Prince was having a breakout season before getting injured last year, Courtney Vandersloot is entering her third season, and Swin Cash continues to play at an extremely high level. The primary reason for the excitement however, is the arrival of Chicago’s member of the ‘three to see,” Elena Delle Donne.

On paper, that starting five is as good as any in the Eastern conference; however, it is on the court they need to improve. Delle Donne needs to adjust very quickly to the pro game’s speed and intensity, Vandersloot has to improve consistency, Prince needs to continue to blossom, Cash needs to help Delle Donne out on both ends, and perhaps most importantly, Fowles needs to stay healthy and return to the 20 points, 10 rebounds per game star she has been.

Chatman has the task of pulling this all together and taking the team not only into the playoffs, but possibly make a deep run. It is a crucial year for the Sky; attendance still has not been outstanding, and while the pre-season buzz has been phenomenal, including Delle Donne throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game in Wrigley Field, it will take victories for the fans to turn out consistently.

Victories the Connecticut Sun have consistently achieved; it is championships that are lacking. So after last season’s final playoff series collapse, the management of the franchise decided highly successful and popular coach Mike Thibault had taken the team as far as he could. Anne Donovan had left the WNBA to build the program at Seton Hall University, back home in New Jersey, when the Sun called, and Donovan jumped at the chance to coach the Sun.

Duplicating last season’s success would be difficult under any circumstances, but when all-star Asjha Jones decided to take the season off, it became even tougher. Figuring out how to replace Jones’ minutes and production will be difficult, and will involve a combination of Mistie Bass and Kelsey Griffin stepping up, and perhaps the July arrival of Sandrine Gruda. Still, the Sun returns the league’s Most Valuable Player in Tina Charles and veteran floor leader Kara Lawson, along with Allison Hightower, Renee Montgomery and other experienced players ready to challenge again.

On today’s Dishin & Swishin podcast Chatman and Donovan discuss the season ahead, and the challenges they face.

Chatman talks about the drafting of Delle Donne and how the team plans to use her, the needed improvement in Vandersloot, and the importance of Prince, Fowles and Cash. She talks about the Russian season and coaching her Seimone Augustus led team in Chatman’s final season as a head coach in Russia. Chatman also discusses the need to succeed, and how the franchise needs to make the playoffs this year .

Donovan joins the podcast from Media Day earlier this week, and talks about coaching Charles and Lawson, and the rest of the Sun. Donovan discusses the decision to leave Seton Hall, what she saw and why they drafted Kelly Faris, the division of Jones’ production and minutes, the “Gruda situation,” and where else the team will need to improve to succeed.

A pre-season WNBA Dishin & Swishin podcast for your enjoyment!

Kara Lawson answers a question at Connecticut Sun Media Day.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Former head coach Mike Thibault is in Washington and All-Star and USA national team player Asjha Jones is at home. Bill Laimbeer is trying to recapture Detroit Shock glory in New York, Elena Delle Donne is in Chicago, but Tamika Catchings is still in Indiana and Angel McCoughtry is still in Atlanta. The Eastern Conference of the WNBA is potentially tighter than ever before. After chatting with the players and the coach, it was clear the Sun knows what lies ahead. They are confident, and ready for the challenge.

When the Sun management decided to fire Thibault after last season, the only coach the team has had since moving from Orlando, there was some concern from players and fans alike as to how they would replace the success The Anne Donovan era has officially begun at Mohegan Sun Arena, and she is as surprised as anyone that she is here.

“I was really thinking Seton Hall and building that program was going to be my energy, and might be a career-ending move for me,” Donovan explained. “I really thought I’d left the WNBA behind, but I never dreamed this job would become available. When the phone rang to come look at Connecticut it was an easy decision.”

The key word for the 2013 Sun appears to be “defense.” and it was heard from virtually every player. Kalana Greene, who was drafted when Donovan was coaching in New York, explained that the team’s defense will need to be better to succeed this year.

“I don’t think teams in the East like to play difference for an entire game,” Greene said. “We’re going to score, but I think we are the team that’s going to buckle down and defend for the entire game.”

There is no denying the strengths of the team are 2012 Most Valuable Player Tina Charles at center and the stability and three-point shooting of Kara Lawson at the guard position. Both are ready for the challenges ahead, especially the new rule changes moving back the three-point line and the introduction of defensive three seconds.

“I think it’s going to show everybody’s skill,” Charles said in discussing how the changes would spread the floor.

“I think it’s definitely going to expose people.” Lawson joked, “Now we’ll see the real three-point shooters,” and that “there’s been posts shooting three-pointers before, this should stop a lot of that.”

The forward slots are where the questions will arise.

At the small forward spot, rookie Kelly Faris (currently in a boot and not yet practicing from a foot injury) and Greene bring similar skills to the position; defense, smart play, but not necessarily consistent offense. Tan White is back and was in the mix when the Sun went small last year, but the loss of Danielle McCray to a torn Achilles’ tendon weakens the depth, and will give a player like England’s Johannah Leedham who has a great deal of international experience a chance to stick.

The power forward slot, has more depth. While Jones’ absence is important, the Sun did play twenty games last year without her due to injury around the Olympic break. Mistie Bass and Kelsey Griffin return after stellar overseas seasons, with great confidence and both feel that they have an excellent chance of claiming the position. In addition, Ashley Walker, Latoya Williams, and Chatilla van Grinsven are all in camp trying to claim time in the post rotation.

While Donovan stated that a mix of players will most likely fill both the production and minutes Jones provided, Charles is not concerned.

“Somebody will step up, I have no doubt in my mind,” Charles said. “She (Jones) didn’t come back after the Olympics and somebody stepped up then so I’m sure they will do it again.”

With the changes throughout the league, it is hard to imagine the Sun will be able to duplicate their 25-9 regular season record. The good news for Connecticut fans, though, is that may not be necessary for the team to still be a force in the East and contend for a conference championship.

Last year’s conference final loss to Indiana has left a bad taste for the returning Sun players, and there is no denying that they all would like to cleanse their palette with a WNBA championship.

Canada Basketball is proud to announce the players who have been invited to attend the Senior Women’s National Team tryout. The 29 invited athletes will join the Senior Women’s National Team (SWNT) staff and Canada Basketball personnel at McMaster University’s David Braley Athletic Centre for the May 17-19 tryout.

The SWNT is coming off a very successful season having played against several of the best teams around the globe. On Canada Day, the team qualified for the London Olympic Games through a thrilling 71-63 victory over Japan at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women. The victory paved the way for Team Canada’s return to the Olympic stage following a 12-year absence.

At the London Games, the SWNT showed determination and resolve in two hard-fought victories over host Great Britain and a strong Brazilian team. Their three single-digit losses in group-play came against the strongest squads in London: France would capture the silver medal, Australia took home the bronze and Team Russia finished in fourth place.

The Canadians’ run at the Games came to a close when they took-on eventual gold medalists Team USA in a quarter-final match-up. The show of skill and the strength of character that Team Canada displayed at the Games endeared them to basketball fans across the nation.

At the helm of the program will be a familiar face in an unfamiliar role. After 11 years as head coach of the SWNT, Surrey, B.C. native Allison McNeill retired from the program last December. Long-time SWNT assistant coach Lisa Thomaidis was named the new head coach in March after Canada Basketball’s thorough search for the right individual to build upon McNeill’s success. In the end, the Dundas, Ont. native proved to be the leader they needed and the voice they wanted.

The 29 tryout invitees will feature both new and familiar faces as the SWNT comes together under the guidance of new leadership. The challenge for Thomaidis and her coaching staff will be to find the right blend of veteran leadership and youth to fulfill their vision of Team Canada.

The first test for the 2013 edition of the team will come in the form of an exhibition series as the SWNT travels to Prague to face the Czech Republic National Team. The team’s preparatory summer tour will span the globe with tournaments in Serbia, France, China and Brazil featuring some of the best teams in the world. The busy summer season will build toward the 2013 FIBA Americas Championships as the team begins its journey to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

2013 Senior Women’s National Team Tryout Invitees

2013 Senior Women’s National Team Schedule

Senior Women’s National Team May Training Location

Jacki Gemelos and Shyra Ely-Gash (Photos: Jon Kondrath/USC Sports Information and Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images).

Jacki Gemelos was in college playing for Southern California when it happened to her. Shyra Ely-Gash was a WNBA veteran getting ready for Indiana Fever training camp when it happened to her. Those three letters that every athlete and fan hates to hear: ACL.

Now as the 2013 WNBA gets ready to begin, both Gemelos and Ely-Gash have a common bond, as they both try to overcome their knee injuries and earn a spot on a team roster. Not just any roster, mind you. Ely-Gash is trying to return to the defending champion Indiana Fever. Gemelos is looking to earn a spot on the team the Fever beat in the finals, the prior year’s champion Minnesota Lynx.

For Gemelos, just getting to training camp is an amazing story of perseverance and dedication. She first entered school in time for the 2006-07 season, only to see not only that year but also the next two season be lost to ACL tears. It was not until February 4, 2010 that Gemelos was able to play college basketball. After winning a gold medal in the 2011 World University Games, she had high hopes for her senior year, only to tear yet another ACL nine games into it. Still, the Lynx thought enough of Gemelos’ skills and dedication that they drafted her last season with their third round choice, waiting for this opportunity, to give her a chance at making their roster.

The good news for Gemelos is two guards, Candice Wiggins and Erin Thorn, that were on last year’s Lynx roster are gone, creating two openings. The bad news is the Lynx also drafted guards Lindsey Moore, Sugar Rodgers and Chucky Jeffery to compete for a roster spot. One thing is certain: it is going to be a tough competition to make the Lynx roster.

Ely-Gash has had a different career path. After starring at Tennessee, she was drafted with the first pick in the second round of the 2005 draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars. Instead of being surprised or puzzled by her journeys through San Antonio, Seattle, Chicago and Indiana, Ely-Gash has molded and extended her game, adding facing the basket moves to the post moves she learned as a Lady Vol. It is that ability to adjust that has led to Ely-Gash being one of only ten players from the 2005 draft still in the league. She missed the 2010 season with an injured patella tendon, and then while preparing for training camp, tore her ACL last spring.

Ely-Gash will be trying to earn a spot on the defending champions, a team that returns to camp ten of the eleven players from last season’s championship squad, plus draft choices and free agent signings. It will not be easy to make the Fever, but at least Ely-Gash knows she has put in the work, and should it not work out, she has been using her downtime in building a successful fashion consulting business.

Camps open this weekend, and these are just two of a great deal of stories that are similar, but different. Players from all over the world looking for a spot on a roster in the best women’s basketball league. It may be injuries, it may be another type of adversity, but they will all have those hard-to-earn eleven roster in their sights.

Good luck to all the incredibly talented women entering camps. I hope you enjoy the podcast!

• Atlanta Dream, Saturday, May 25 at 6 p.m. CT
• San Antonio Silver Stars, Sunday, August 4 at 3:30 p.m. CT
• Phoenix Mercury, Sunday, August 11 at 5 p.m. CT

The games will air on the Cox Channel (channel 3 in SD, channel 703 in HD).

“We are excited and pleased about renewing our broadcast partnership with Cox Communications for the upcoming season,” said Steve Swetoha. “This relationship will allow us in continuing to grow our brand within the Tulsa market and surrounding areas.”

“Cox is committed to providing valuable local programming to our customers,” said Christine Martin, director of communications. “By partnering with the Tulsa Shock to bring live coverage of their away games, we are providing Oklahoma WNBA fans the opportunity to see the games that matter to them at no additional cost.”

The Shock begins its regular season schedule Saturday, May 25 hosting the Atlanta Dream. The team plays three preseason games beginning with a road contest vs. the Dream on Thursday, May 9.

PHOENIX, Ariz. –  The Phoenix Mercury welcome Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury on April 15, 2013 at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images.

The Phoenix Mercury knew the player they were getting when they won the lottery for the 2013 WNBA draft. At 6-8 and a dominant presence on both ends of the court, Brittney Griner was an easy fit alongside the Mercury’s All-Stars, Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor and Candice Dupree.

What they did not know they were getting was a charming, smiling young woman that was ready to come out of the college cocoon, publicly embracing being a member of the LGBT community, and become a phenomenon, not only in Phoenix but nationally.

Amber Cox, the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Mercury joins Dishin & Swishin this week to discuss Grinermania, the marketing of a new star, and promoting a team that has won before, and wants to win again – now.

With Taurasi, Taylor and Dupree injured, the 2012 Mercury saw the emergence of DeWanna Bonner as a star, plus the debut of last year’s top draft choice Samantha Prahalis as successes, but their record was a disaster, finishing only ahead of Washington in the overall WNBA standings. The ping pong balls bounced right for them, however, and those returning stars will have Griner to back them up on defense and help them on offense.

Cox has a team in place to maximize the exposure in the area for the Mercury, because as nice a person and player Griner may be, if it does not translate into ticket and merchandise sales, it will not matter.

You have already seen the 77-foot tall banner of Griner, and the re-naming of First Street in her honor. Griner has appeared with the Diamondbacks, tooled around the city in a Porsche, signed a deal with Nike for even more exposure and has appeared on just about every television network in Arizona. Yet there is more on the horizon.

Still, listening to Cox, it is clear that she recognizes that Griner is a rookie, and she has on the Mercury one of the greatest players in the world in Taurasi. Anyone who felt Taurasi and the others would be swept under the carpet by Grinermania is clearly mistaken, at least to the people that matter the most, the management of the Phoenix Mercury.

Cox discusses all of this, the way last year’s injury bug was handled publicly, the problem of player’s playing year round, altering your marketing plans when your phenom suddenly creates a national media story with her publicly coming out, and a lot more.

Get a look inside the world of a team president and more.

Enjoy the podcast!