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May 21, 2007 - The 2007 WNBA season will get into swing with our first full week of games, and so will the Pick One Challenge. After the opening weekend of the season, there are 69 days with at least one game remaining on the WNBA schedule. Saturday and Sunday saw some outstanding games from the usual stars as well as some surpises, so you should have plenty of different options as you make your daily choices.
Last Week's MVP: Ashley Shields, Houston Comets
A lot of people were surprised when the Comets tabbed Ashley Shields in the first round of this year's WNBA Draft, as she was relatively unheralded coming out of Southwestern CC. However, Sheilds showed that she is the real deal in the Comets' season opener on Saturday, scoring 19 points with three rebounds and three assists off the bench. If you were one of the select few who selected Sheilds, you received double points as she is a rookie and your entry is probably near the top of the standings. It looks like Shields should be seeing a lot of time in the Houston backcourt so is a viable selection on the Comets roster after Swoopes, Thompson, and Snow.
Last Week's Picks
Cheryl Ford had a great game on Saturday... when she was on the court. Ford picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter and was plagued by whistles for the whole game, seeing only 16 minutes of action. She finished with 10 points and four rebounds, which would have translated better if she played close to 30 minutes she usually averages per game. Foul trouble is the hard-luck occurences that you really can't prepare for in the Pick One Challenge.
On Sunday, Cathrine Kraayeveld scored 10 points for the Liberty. So I had a decent start to the season, not great, but not terrible either. Of course, we still a long way to go with three months of basketball ahead of us.
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WNBA.com Daily Expert Pick |
 Tuesday, May 22Swin Cash Detroit vs. Minnesota |
 Weds., May 23Iziane Castro Marques Seattle vs. Phoenix |
 Thursday, May 24DeLisha Milton-Jones Washington at New York |
 Friday, May 25Kelly Miller Phoenix vs. Houston |
 Saturday, May 26Taj McWilliams-Franklin Connecticut vs. Los Angeles |
Swin Cash put up 10 points with three assists and rebounds in her season debut on Saturday. I think that she should have a good game for the Shock on Tuesday night against the Lynx, who have struggled to stop their opponents in an 0-2 start to the season.
Wednesday: Iziane Castro Marques, Seattle vs. Phoenix
Iziane Castro Marques started off 2007 with a bang, scoring 25 points in the Storm's comeback win over the Comets on Saturday night. Starting at forward opposite Lauren Jackson, Marques will get another chance to put up big numbers when the Mercury visit Seattle on Wednesday night. Last season Phoenix gave up the most points in the WNBA, a reflection of their fast paced style. Until the numbers prove themselves otherwise this season, look to use players who are facing Phoenix as a high-scoring game is almost a guarantee.
Thursday: Delisha Milton-Jones, Washington at New York
Delisha Milton-Jones torched the Sun for 20 points in a losing effort on Saturday, and should be productive against a Liberty team that struggled at times in their home opener against the Sky. Milton-Jones scored 15 points against the Liberty in the final game of the 2006 regular season at Madison Square Garden.
Friday: Kelly Miller, Phoenix vs. Houston
Kelly Miller started and scored 15 points with six assists for the Mercury as they overpowered San Antonio on Saturday night. Miller can be overlooked with all of the offensive firepower in the Phoenix lineup but she has averaged in double figure scoring in her last three WNBA seasons. I think that the Mercury will put up a lot of points against Houston on Friday, and Miller should thrive against the inexperienced Comets backcourt.
Saturday: Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Los Angeles at Connecticut
It will only take a week into the season for Taj McWilliams-Franklin to return to Connecticut, and you know that she will be fired up for her first game at the Mohegan Sun as a member of the opposition. Take some time out from your Memorial Day weekend festivities and tune in to ABC at 3:30 p.m. to watch McWilliams-Franklin and the Sparks face the Sun.