Who will be this year's Beast in the East?

An Eastern Conference Breakdown

Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream, like most expansion franchise, are expected to fail. However, I'm sure the Atlanta staff as well as fanbase is hoping for a different result. Head Coach Marynell Meadors chose her expansion draft picks with one key similarity - size. Atlanta may be one of the biggest teams in the nation, including centers Katie Feenstra and Chantelle Anderson. The looming question around the Dream roster though and her name is Ann Wauters. After a couple years of being out of the league, it doesn't look like Wauters, who makes tons of money in Russia, is seeking a comeback in the States. If they get Wauters, they are way better than most expansion teams. Without her, meh.

The Atlanta Dream needs tall guard who can score and defend Eastern Conference shooting guards. Right now, with back court prospects of Kristen Haynie, Ivory Latta, and Betty Lennox it may look like guards all over the league may be lighting it up against the Dream. Also, they need help on the wing. Izi Castro is always in question with her committment to the Brazilian national team. She's been very loyal to the WNBA, but it is an Olympic year, and with Arcain gone, she will be looked at as a leader. How long she'll be gone could get interesting. Their other wing options, Strother and Mann, have shown that they can be good in stretches, but in small stretches. To be honest, I wouldn't be shocked if both were cut.

Players to keep an eye on: Amber Holt, Tasha Humphrey, Essence Carson.

Chicago Sky
Even though the Chicago Sky missed out on the playoffs, they still had a pretty good year. They drafted Armintie Price, who should become a star before we know, and saw a star emerge in Jia Perkins. Chicago has gone through a lot this season. They've lost another head coach and from reliable sources, it looks like the face of the franchise, Stacey Dales, is on her way out as well. Still, the future looks bright for the Sky. They return All-Star Candice Dupree and should add another All-Star in Sylvia Fowles. The Sky slipped up last year late in the season, mostly due to lack of focus and experience. I don't expect them to slip up again.

The Chicago Sky needs a post who can score inside and defend Eastern Conference centers (see Fowles, Sylvia). They could also use a tall, athletic scoring guard who can shoot from outside and defend Eastern Conference shooting guards. Right now, the Sky could still use help on the wing. Dales played much of that role last season, and she's not even truly a wing. I expect them to fill this void with second and third round picks and potentially a signing from overseas. Stay tuned.

Players to keep an eye on: Sylvia Fowles, Allie Quigley, Amber Holt.

Connecticut Sun
The Sun will rise in Connecticut, but it's one that we've never seen before. Tamika Whitmore is in, Katie Douglas is out. And Nykesha Sales is resting up in Europe. However, dispite what many have called monumental changes, the Sun should still be in contender mode. They bring in a rookie from France, Sandrine Gruda, who should splash onto the scene along with Fowles and Parker. Add in possible Aussie players in Erin Phillips and Jess Foley, and the Sun should still be a fun team to watch. However, not everything will be bright in cheery. I think it's unrealistic to think that losing Douglas and Sales, two key all-star players, will be a smooth transition. I expect this season to either start really well or really bad, with maybe a rough stretch in between. But never count the Sun out, for they should battle their ways into a possible playoff spot once again.

The Connecticut Sun needs tall post (6-3 or taller). Right now, they have Jones, Whitmore and Gruda who are all around 6-2. They will need a player to match up with the Jacksons, Leslies and Fords of the league. They could also use a shooting guard who can defend, create off the dribble, and has three-point range. Two of the three wouldn't be bad, but right now they are a team with lots of shooters(Carey, Phillips, Foley) and little penetrators (Whalen, maybe Hairston). Both of their needs could be easily picked up by using their two first round picks.

Players to keep an eye on: Quianna Chaney, Laura Harper, Tamera Young.

Detroit Shock
Remember the time when Detroit wasn't a contender? Yeah, me either. It seems like Detroit has been the power in the WNBA for the last five years. In 2008, I expect things to stay the same. Their roster, however, will be much different. First they lost both Katie Feenstra and Ivory Latta to the Atlanta Dream. Also, Shannon Johnson leaves for Houston. Last year, Feenstra had a solid season as the center of the Shock. Kara Braxton has only proven one thing since putting on her Shock uni, and that's that her family knows how to vote a lot(2008 ASG). Expect to Detroit to bring in come posts to compete with Kara. They've already recieved LaToya Thomas from Atlanta(via LA). With losses of Latta and Johnson, they also have holes to fill in the back court and Elaine Powell isn't getting any younger. With all of that said, I expect the Shock to compete and be at the top. It's all they know.

The Detroit Shock needs either a shooting guard or combo guard to come off the bench in relief of starting guards (should be a scoring threat). Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan can't do it alone. Last year, Latta and Johnson gave good solid bench minutes for both of those players. They need to replace those two. Also, they need a back-up post who can play/defend the four and five to free up minutes for a foul-prone Kara Braxton. And let's be honest, Bill Laimbeer can never have enough posts.

Players to keep an eye on: Alexis Hornbuckle, Matee Ajavon, Nicky Anosike.

Indiana Fever
Indiana's end to what was a successful season was barely watchable. Not only do they lose to a Detroit team, that they seemed to handle in Game 1, but they lose All-Star and All-everything Tamika Catchings. For years, it seemed the Fever lacked the post player to match Detroit's power in the paint, but last year it seemed it was their backcourt who let them down. With Anna DeForge gone and Katie Douglas back home, there is an open spot at the power forward spot. The Fever may choose to move Catchings back to the four, or maybe add Hoffman back to the starting line-up. At the end of the day, Indy improved. They made themselves a contender. And God help any backcourt going up against Catch, Tully, and KT. Yikes.

The Indiana Fever needs power forward who can rebound and run the floor in transition. If I know one thing about Lin Dunn, it's that she likes to play fast and furious. Even in her opening press conference said "we're goin' to score some points, ya'll." Indy also needs back-up point or combo guard who can manage the game and provide offense in spurts. Tully isn't the best offense player. You, she and I know that. So an offense player off the bench to bring her relief is key.

Players to keep an eye on: Crystal Kelly, Tasha Humphrey, Angela Tisdale.

New York Liberty
I don't care who you are. If the LibKids didn't shock you last year, you're kidding yourself. A lot of people, including myself, expected the Liberty to crash and burn, thus leading the dismissal of Patty Coyle. Instead, the Liberty made solid runs, beating several good teams, and even getting in the playoffs. Just one year after fans were calling for Patty's job, there were some calling for her as Coach of the Year. It was pure madness. This year, the Liberty lose two players: Ann Wauters and Barbara Farris. Farris is heading to Phoenix and Wauters...well June Courteau has played in more WNBA games than Ann recently. Neither should be a huge loss, but it's scare to think the Liberty players are going to be even younger this year.

The New York Liberty needs tall shooting guard who can eventually become a starter. A lot of fans think Erin Thorn has no business being the starting lineup. She seems to lack speed needed to guard and score against a majority of the guards in the league. Look for them to go atheltic with this pick. They also need a back-up point guard who can make plays and change tempo (should be able to play alongside starting PG). Loree Moore's numbers overseas aren't too hot. Plus, she's coming off of an injury that kept her out of some Team USA time. They need more security at the point guard spot.

Players to keep an eye on: Charel Allen, Sharnee Zoll, Essence Carson.

Washington Mystics
A month ago, not many people were talking about the Mystics. Everything seemed ho-hum in the nation's capital. Since, there have been some shake-ups, though. Former All-Star point guard Nikki Teasley will sit out the year due to pregnancy. The Mystics, looking to possibly fill her void, chose Amber Jacobs - who has seen less and less time in Minnesota since her arrival. Also, there have been rumors that another player may be on her way out. But again, rumors are rumors and rarely do they become fact. Still, this franchise has key players in Monique Currie and Alana Beard as well as Nakia Sanford, who luckily signed a contract to come back to D.C. Last year, the Mystics gave themselve a chance to get into the playoffs, but it was rudely interruped by New York's win over Chicago. If the Mystics can play this season like they end their 2007 campaign, watch out.

The Washington Mystics need tall post player (6-3 or taller) who can rebound finish in transition. After Sanford, things get a bit mysterious. Milton has continued to look for an outside shot. They traded Melvin away to Chicago. And Goring and Mosby are still questions marks. They also need a point guard who can run an up-tempo. Teasley is gone, but this may be a good thing. She did not have a great 2007 season. Bring in some new blood, and we'll see how it works out.

Players to keep an eye on: Laura Harper, Sharnee Zoll, LaToya Pringle.