By all accounts, Indiana looked to be a playoff team when 2003 opened. And for much of the season, the Fever lived up to the expectations, even ranking as high as second in the East. But then it call came crashing down in August, as Indiana lost six straight games, and eight of its final 11. The Fever went from a 13-10 mark to a 16-18 finish that fell short of the playoffs.

ROOKIE IMPACT?
with Mechelle Voepel   If Ebony Hoffman is wise, she'll keep her eyes and ears on Natalie Williams every second. Williams has the strength, smarts and tenacity inside that any young post player would be lucky to learn from. If Hoffman's attitude and conditioning can match her talent, she is going to be effective.

On the season, Catchings ranked third in the WNBA in scoring (19.7 points), sixth in rebounding (8.0), second in steals (2.12) and 3-pointers (74), fifth in double-doubles (11) and 13th in assists (3.4). Catchings, the runner-up for the league's MVP and Defensive Player of the Year balloting, accounted for nearly 29 percent of Indiana's offense as only one teammate, Natalie Williams (13.4 ppg), averaged more than seven points last season.

So what was lacking? Confidence, for starters. The Fever were good enough to win 12 of their first 21 games before collapsing and ultimately underachieving. But Indiana's lack of production from its low-post game and bench also played vital roles in the downward spiral.

Williams (7.5 rebounds), Kristen Rasmussen and Kelly Schumacher combined to average just 25.8 points and 13.9 rebounds. To win at this level, your low-post game must be more productive than that, and three players should be able to produce better numbers.

Of course, Indiana underwent somewhat of a major overhaul in the offseason, adding a new coach, a new backcourt, better perimeter scorers and some low-post players.

The Fever's backcourt will look very different this year with the additions of Kelly Miller (acquired in a trade with Charlotte) and Deanna Jackson (dispersal draft). After three years in the league, Miller finally has a chance to be a starter. She played in 92 games with the Sting, but never started, serving mainly as Dawn Staley's backup and averaging 14.2 minutes and 4.9 points.

Miller's very versatile; she can run an uptempo or half-court offense, and play various defenses. But Miller, the league's most accurate 3-point shooter in 2002 (47.1 percent), and Jackson also can hit the outside shot and will stretch opposing defenses. Now it's a question of whether Miller has the confidence to step into the leadership role her point guard position demands.

Inside, first-round draft pick Ebony Hoffman will compete with Rasmussen and Schumacher for playing time, and Astou Ndiaye-Diatta also will be a solid reserve off the bench.

If Hoffman can develop quickly and the team can find chemistry and consistency, Indiana has the potential to be better than last season. A starting lineup of Miller, Jackson, Catchings, Hoffman and Williams makes the Fever a big (Miller is 5 feet 10, the rest are all over 6 feet), strong, good-shooting team.

They've had a great preseason. And they have a good coach leading the way in first-year coach Brian Winters, who comes with a lot of experience and respect.