WNBA 2008 Conference Finals Breakdown

What an interesting first round of the playoffs. For the first time, all four games went the limit. As a result, we have two very intriguing matchups: New York vs Detroit, and Los Angeles vs San Antonio.

New York Liberty vs Detroit Shock

With Plenette Pierson’s status being very up in the air as of this writing, this is a tough series to call. You all know that I rather loathe Laimbeer’s style on the sidelines, but I have to give the man his due: the us-vs-the-world mentality his gives his players does seem to inspire them to excel. On paper, Detroit has a very awesome team, but very often a player or two, sometimes the stars, just disappear…seemingly afraid to show how dominating they can be and attracting attention to themselves. It’s this inconsistency that is the Shock’s Achilles heel.

New York comes at this game from a different angle. It’s Janel McCarville’s team, and a lot of the Liberty’s fortunes depend on if she can perform to her capabilities. If she can stay out of foul trouble, New York could have a legitimate shot. Also helping them is that they’ve become a serious contender over the past few years. They have the hunger.

This series has a lot of variables. I want New York to win, but on the basis of Laimbeer’s ability to lead his players, I’ll have to lean to thinking that it will be Detroit in 3.

Los Angeles Sparks vs San Antonio Silver Stars

This will be a heck of a front court battle: three Olympians vs the size of the Stars. Both teams have interior players who can not only shoot the jumper, but shoot threes. I imagine that the Stars will matchup Sophia Young on Candice Parker as much as possible. Sophia has been very good on defense, but Parker is Parker. That leaves Wauters and Riley (and Buesher) to cover Milton-Jones and Leslie. All-in-all, I think the two teams are about equal with the bigs, if there’s any edge at all, I’d give it to L.A.

The key is with the guards. If Marie Ferdinand-Harris comes to play like she did in Game 3 at Seattle, then L.A. can be very dangerous–especially if you add in a good game or two for Sydney Spencer . Thing is, their 1s, especially, tend to be more liability than asset. Too often you see Bobbitt dribbling in place, as if winding the clock down. In contrast, Becky Hammon probably dribbles at least as much, but never in place. There is always a purpose. She’s not lightning quick or fast or tall (though taller than L.A.’s tiny guards), but she knows this game like few others and finds every advantage.

Given that the teams both won at home during the season, I think that’s how the advantage might fall. Though I want Parker and Co. to have a shot at the title, I think L.A.’s guards are too weak a link to beat a more balanced opponent. San Antonio in 3.