There are several weeks to go before the All-Star rosters are announced -- hey, the season hasn't even started yet -- but with a little help from ESPN analyst Nancy Lieberman and ESPN.com columnist Mechelle Voepel, here's our preseason take on the top players in the WNBA's Western Conference (with a look at last season's stats):

PRESEASON ALL-WEST TEAM

Yolanda Griffith Sacramento | No. 33 | fourth season | F | 6-3 | Florida Atlantic '93 | WNBA.com bio Lieberman: Griffith is a phenomenal athlete, and there's no better rebounder in the game at either end of the floor. Like Lisa Leslie, Griffith has stretched her game out to the 3-point line. She's a solid finisher with good moves under the basket. Voepel: She's a rebounding monster who at times has carried the Monarchs single-handedly. G MPG FG 3FG FT RBG APG PPG 32 33.7 52.2 00.0 72.0 11.2 1.7 16.2

Lisa Leslie Los Angeles | No. 9 | sixth season | C | 6-5 | Southern California '94 | WNBA.com bio Lieberman: With a work ethic second to none, Leslie is the ultimate competitor. No matter what awards she wins, she never allows herself to think she's the best out there, and her refusal to be content is what keeps Leslie working so hard. Her mission is to be the best, and she plays like she always has something to prove, whether it's practice or game time. That's why she's the best player in the world today. Voepel: She came into her own last season as the league's dominant player. I don't see any letup happening this year. G MPG FG 3FG FT RBG APG PPG 31 33.3 47.3 36.7 73.6 9.6 2.4 19.5

Katie Smith Minnesota | No. 30 | fourth season | F | 5-11 | Ohio State '96 | WNBA.com bio Lieberman: There's not a more versatile player in the WNBA right now. Yet Smith, who has the skills to play all five positions, is the most underrated superstar in the game. She's a great defender, and smart on and off the ball with a great understanding of the game. Offensively, Smith can get her shot anytime she wants. She can shoot off the catch and off the dribble, post you up or sink it from 3-point range. She gives a lot of defenders sleepless nights. Voepel: How many different ways can you score? Katie Smith knows all of them. G MPG FG 3FG FT RBG APG PPG 32 38.6 39.3 35.4 89.5 3.8 2.2 23.1

Sheryl Swoopes Houston | No. 22 | fifth season | F | 6-0 | Texas Tech '93 | WNBA.com bio Lieberman: In 2000, Swoopes was the best player in the league, and after missing a season with a torn ACL, she has worked very hard to come back. Those who know her best say Swoopes is ready to play, and every possession will be another step toward Swoopes returning to her superstar ways. Her game is loaded at both ends. Voepel: Swoopes is probably itching to reestablish herself as the league's top player after missing last year with a knee injury. G MPG FG 3FG FT RBG APG PPG 31 35.2 50.6 37.4 82.1 6.3 3.8 20.7

Natalie Williams Utah | No. 24 | fourth season | F | 6-2 | UCLA '94 | WNBA.com bio Lieberman: Williams is just a monster in the paint, and if she gets the ball down low, you most likely aren't going to stop her. Try and make her shoot over you, and she will. Williams is very consistent there, and also good at turning to her left and even her right. She's a powerful rebounder, too. She's expanding her game, going out deeper, and getting increasingly difficult to stop. Voepel: Williams is one of most dependable inside players in the game. G MPG FG 3FG FT RBG APG PPG 31 34.3 49.0 00.0 72.9 9.9 1.8 14.2

Note: Stats for Sheryl Swoopes are from the 2000 season. Tamecka Dixon, Ticha Penicheiro and Tina Thompson also were nominated.