A Letter to the Editor

A Connecticut Sun Fan's Perspective

by Brian Leonelli

The 2004 season has been a rollercoaster ride for the WNBA's Connecticut Sun. After being projected to end up in last place by virtually every single analyst, the Sun have opened quite a few eyes and at the Olympic Break are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 13-14. The Sun ended on a down note losing to the Chamique Holdsclaw-less Washington Mystics by a point on Friday, July 30 and then followed that up on Saturday July 31, with a 13-point loss to Becky Hammon's New York Liberty. The Olympic break couldn't have come at a better time for the Sun who were losers of three of there last five games played.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for the Sun this year is the emergence of their first round pick, fourth overall, point guard Lindsay Whalen out of the University of Minnesota. After coming off the bench in her first professional game, Lindsay has been the starting point guard ever since averaging 8.4 points per game and 5.2 assists per game, which is third in the entire WNBA. Also, along with Nykesha Sales and Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Whalen has been named a WNBA All-Star in which the WNBA All-Stars will face off with former Uconn Huskies Sue Bird, Swin Cash, and Diana Tuarsi and the rest of the 2004 Olympic team. Whalen was the only rookie chosen to be a part of the All Star team.

For the Sun to continue their Post-Season dreams, they must get tougher in the post area. Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who is perhaps the most underrated player in the entire league, is very good at holding her own in the center position, but because Taj is a natural power forward the Sun are often on the losing end of the rebounding battle against some of the top teams in the league. Those teams have centers that are about 6-4 to 6-5 while Taj is a mere 6 foot 2 inches tall.

Also, in recent games against the Minnesota Lynx the Sun were killed on the boards by an up and coming rookie Nicole Ohlde and third year player and former Husky Tamika Williams. The Sun were on the receiving end of some elbows and some pushing and shoving and it seemed that they were just standing there taking it. In order for the Sun to be successful in the second part of the season, during games the Sun should also throw some elbows. Not to hurt anybody but to make a statement that if you're going to throw elbows watch out because we will throw them right back.

Another very good positive this season for the Sun is the improved play of starting power forward Wendy Palmer. Palmer averaged just 4.7 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game last season for the Sun. This season Palmer is averaging 10.1 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Palmer is perhaps in the best shape of her professional career and it is showing greatly in the way she is performaning this season for the Sun.

The Sun also added some key players in the off-season. After trading away US Olympian Shannon "Pee Wee" Johnson to the San Antonio Silver stars for the fourth pick in the 2004 WNBA draft, the Sun then dealt the eighth pick to the Phoenix Mercury in a three-team deal that sent another former Husky Asjha Jones back to Connecticut. Jones brings to the Sun a young talent that was yet to be found with the Mystics. So far this season she has been a key part of the Sun's success being the first off the bench and contributing right away.

Another key for the Sun's success this year has been the play of Sales. Before the season had even started Sales has been quoted that she wants to be the best player in the WNBA. Although she may not be the best, Sales has improved her game 100% and also came into the season in the best shape of her carrier. Along side Katie Douglas, who has been struggling of late. The Sun could have one of the best one-two punches in the entire league. Douglas has always been known as a 3-point scorer, but this season she has shown that she can also drive to the basket, pass out to the open player, and also make great defensive plays. Although she has been struggling for the past two games, Katie is sure to find her rhythm once again and lead Connecticut back into the playoffs.

Finally, all great WNBA teams have very good bench players. The Sun could have one of the most underrated bench players in the league. Although the bench has four rookies Jessica Brungo, Jen Derevjanik, Candace Futrell, and Le'coe Willingham they also have two vets on the bench, the feisty defender who gets in everybody's way Debbie Black and Jones. The Bench play and been a key for the Sun this year also. On their first long road trip the Sun found themselves without Whalen and had no choice but to look to their bench. The play of Derevjanik and Futrell helped them greatly on that road trip. Also, as of late Auburn standout Willingham has stepped up her game dramatically. She is a solid post player who can make great defensive stops, and can score on the other end of the floor.

After the month long Olympic break, the Sun will surely be itching to be back on the court. They are one of the only teams to not have a single player go to Athens. The break will let them rest, and also allow them to practice and get ready for the final seven games of the season and could determine whether or not the sun will be either watching the playoffs on TV or actually be participating in them. GO SUN!!!