WNBA Women's National Basketball Association

Five WNBA Teams Tie to Win Finals In Exclusive 2006 WNBA.com GM Survey

May 18, 2006 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release


NEW YORK, May 17, 2006 - As the WNBA's 10th anniversary season tips off on Saturday, May 20, general managers are equally divided on five teams -- the Connecticut Sun, Detroit Shock, Houston Comets, Seattle Storm and defending champions Sacramento Monarchs -- winning the 2006 WNBA Finals, according to respondents of the 2006 WNBA.com GM Survey.

In the exclusive survey that provides fans with an insider's look into the minds of WNBA decision-makers as they reveal their thoughts on the 2006 season, the aforementioned teams each received nearly 20 percent of the votes to win the title. A complete listing of the survey and results will be posted on WNBA.com.

Additionally, 46 percent of WNBA GMs predicted that the Storm's Lauren Jackson, the 2003 WNBA MVP, will win the award again this season after narrowly missing last year to the Comets' Sheryl Swoopes. The Los Angeles Sparks' Lisa Leslie, a two-time MVP award recipient, and the Indiana Fever's Tamika Catchings tied for second, each receiving nearly 20 percent of votes.

With 46 percent of votes in their respective conferences, GMs believe that the Detroit Shock will win the Eastern Conference and Sacramento Monarchs will win the Western Conference this year.

The WNBA.com GM Survey revealed that 64 percent of GMs think Leslie is the best center in the WNBA, and that 64 percent believe Jackson is the best power forward. The Storm's Sue Bird (46 percent) and Comets' Dawn Staley (46 percent) tied as the best point guards. The Shock's Deanna Nolan (64 percent) was chosen as the best shooting guard and Catchings (64 percent) was selected as the best small forward.

Additional results of the WNBA.com GM Survey include:

- Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx winning Rookie of the Year Award (64 percent)

- Deanna Nolan, Detroit Shock as the most athletic player (91 percent)

- Nikki Teasley, Washington Mystics as the player acquisition that will make the biggest impact in 2006 (55 percent)

- Lindsay Whalen, Connecticut Sun as the player who's best at making her teammates better (37 percent)

- Dawn Staley, Houston Comets as the player who would make the best head coach (90 percent)

- Anne Donovan, Seattle Storm as the best head coach (50 percent)

- Phoenix Mercury as the most fun team to watch in 2006 (37 percent)

- San Antonio Silver Stars as the WNBA most improved team in 2006 (37 percent)

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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