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| Wednesday, May 12 Updated: May 21, 2:55 PM ET Inside the Connecticut Sun |
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ANALYSIS BY NANCY LIEBERMAN  The Sun have some incredible talent in the paint in Wendy Palmer, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Asjha Jones. And all three were immediately made even better on April 17 when Connecticut drafted point guard Lindsay Whalen, who's flashy passes will no doubt set up her teammates inside for some high-percentage shots.
And that's a must for Connecticut to contend this season. In 2003, the Sun's perimeter carried the team as Shannon Johnson, Nykesha Sales and Katie Douglas each averaged at least 30 minutes per game and, as the team's top three scorers, combined for 40.5 points, or 57 percent, of Connecticut's offense.
Johnson is gone now, having been traded to San Antonio, but the Sun's perimeter will continue to provide the bulk of the the team's offensive punch, though Connecticut is trying to build its inside game. After drafting Whalen with the fourth overall pick, the Sun selected forward Jess Brungo and center Ugo Oha in the second round. And of course, Connecticut already had acquired Jones, a former UConn Husky standout, in a three-team trade in late-March. Jones averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds last season for the Mystics, with 15 starts for Washington over the past two years. Jones' role became even more important when the Sun lost Brooke Wyckoff two weeks ago to a torn ACL. Last season, Wyckoff averaged 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 22.2 minutes. She's a very steady player who seemed to be the team's glue in 2003, and this will be a big loss because she was the sort of player who could come off the bench (she also started 22 games) and fill a lot of holes. Still, the biggest question mark for Connecticut is its defense. The Sun gave up 70.9 points last season, and to have any success in this conference, they need that number to be closer to 65 or 66 points. It has been difficult to get an accurate gauge on Connecticut this preseason because so many of the team's core players missed most of training camp with overseas basketball commitments. And when the entire roster finally came together for its first exhibition game, the result was an ugly 77-51 Los Angeles rout. The good news, though, is that eight-year veteran Wendy Palmer is said to have returned to her old form after battling injuries in recent years and is now playing some of her best basketball. And remember, this is a gutsy team that rallied at the end of last season to make the playoffs and then upset second-seeded Charlotte. This season, in the competitive and unpredictable East, anything is possible again. And the Sun just might be the conference's dark horse. Connecticut tips off its season in a sold out home game on May 22 (ABC) against the Phoenix Mercury and Diana Taurasi.
STARTING FIVE
Lindsay Whalen, PG: Like Diana Taurasi, Whalen's a savvy passer and floor leader. She's a scoring point guard who will be a tremendous player for this team.Katie Douglas, SG: She's gaining confidence and experience and getting better every season, averaging a career-best 12.0 points in 2003. Nykesha Sales, SF: With the ability to score off the dribble or from 3-point range, Sales can score from anywhere on the floor. This five-time All-Star has said she wants to become one of the league's dominant players this season. She has the talent to do so, and is said to be fitter than ever. That could be the key. I've never seen her in great shape since she joined the WNBA, and that has held her back at times. Asjha Jones, PF: Coming to a new team is never easy, but Jones is smart enough to learn from the veterans around. I'm confident she'll come into her own and find her game. Taj McWilliams-Franklin, C: She's a six-year veteran, but she's still one of the best players in the league. Last season she was the Sun's only post in double figures (10.4).
BENCH
Wendy Palmer is a solid rebounder who's very effective trailing on the break and has expanded her repertoire. Debbie Black, though sidelined until later this month with a knee injury, remains a defensive specialist and will serve as Whalen's mentor. Center Courtney Coleman has great footwork and works really hard.
QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED
Can the Sun tighten up their defense? Will Connecticut be able to establish its post game?
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