From the beginning, the 2015 WNBA campaign promised to be an interesting one, with many of the big names taking some time away from the game. However, injuries have also had an impact on the league and many of its players. A quick look at the standings will show you teams in positions which they are quite unfamiliar with. Let's take a look at a few:
Phoenix Mercury (6-5 on the season). While the Mercury have turned it around with three straight wins since the return of the suspended Brittney Griner, they got off to an abysmal start. Without Griner, DeWonna Bonner had to carry the team by herself as both Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor took the season off for personal reasons. While the Mercury are on the right track, it does not look like another championship season is in the offing.
Los Angeles Sparks (2-8). The Sparks are off to one of their worst starts in their history. The season started on a bad note when Candace Parker announced she was going to miss the season for personal reasons, and got worse when All-Star G Alena Beard went out indefinitely with a foot injury. It hasn't helped that first year Sparks coach Brian Agler (who won a title with the Seattle Storm) has been reluctant to use his bench unless it was absolutely necessary. everything will have to go perfectly for the Sparks to make any type of a run.
San Antonio Stars (2-8). This team is baffling. While there haven't been any long-term injuries except for outstanding defensive center Jayne Appel (who is now back on a limited basis), guards Alex Montgomery and Jia Perkins have also missed some time. It is hard to figure out what the problem is with this team. The talent is there, the coaching of Dan Hughes (who has been in the league since he was the Head Coach of the long-lamented Cleveland Rockers) is solid, but something is missing. Don't expect to see them do anything in the postseason.
Tulsa Shock (8-4). While their record is impressive, they have lost three in a row since the loss of young phenom G Skylar Diggins for the season with a knee injury. Losing G Odyssey Sims indefinitely with a knee injury also hurts, as did outstanding F Glory Johnson taking the season off for personal reasons. The Shock are still a talented team led by twelve year veteran F-C Plenette Pierson and young C Courtney Paris, but the loss of Diggins puts a damper on their title hopes.
Chicago Sky (6-5). While Elena Delle Donne has done everything for this team and is currently the early front runner for the MVP of the league, there are some injuries which are a concern. F Tamera Young is out indefinitely with a thumb injury, and C Sylvia Fowles is out indefinitely for personal reasons. The cupboard is not exactly bare however, as G Cappie Pondexter and G Courtney Vandersloot are having outstanding seasons. Any team with Delle Donne can't be counted out, as she proved earlier this season with a dominating 43 point performance, the best of the season to date.
Atlanta Dream (5-6). The Dream were a surprise team last season, but have been unable to continue that momentum. Led by the amazing F-G Angel McCoughtry, this team should be much better than they are. There are a few reasons for this. G Shoni Schimmel, despite having a large number of all-star votes has regressed, and G Celine Dumerc is out for the season due to a suspension. F Delisha Milton-Jones is also showing the wear and tear of sixteen professional seasons. Head Coach Michael Cooper has his work cut out for him.
There you have an early look at some of the surprises in the upside down world of the WNBA. In the near future, we will look at some impressive rookies and what players deserve to be in the All-Star Game on July 25th. Watch for those and more. VAVEL is the place to keep up with the news, games and happenings in the WNBA.