My worthless predictions
Saturday 06 September 2003
Well I picked two out of four winners but my result predictions were way off. Making predictions will always get you into trouble...
Detroit Shock vs Connecticut Sun
The Shock faced an unexpected struggle in the first round from a Rockers team that showed some feistiness in the first two games but disappeared in the third. Meanwhile, the Sun unexpectedly beat the Sting in two games. The Sun have shown toughness down the stretch (something they've never had before) but the Shock have a better balance of talent and superior coaching. The Sun don't really have an experience advantage either because they have never made it here before either. Detroit sweeps 2-0 but Connecticut will be put up a good fight.
Key matchup: Swin Cash vs Nykesha Sales. UConn alum go head to head and both are different types of small forward - Sales is the more traditional perimeter wing while Swin's a 3/4 type whose perimeter skills are still developing. Sales will probably have more difficulty with this matchup and she's not renowned for her consistency. Another matchup to look out for is former backcourt mates Shannon Johnson and Elaine Powell going to head to head.
Los Angeles Sparks vs Sacramento Monarchs
Looks like all those Monarchs predictions were right after all even though it was a VERY close thing. I honestly don't think that L.A will roll over Sac like many people do but it doesn't look good for the Monarchs. They can't out-thug L.A in the paint and a shootout is a dicey affair though a definite possibility with L.A's love of the 2-3 zone. If they can get any L.A starter in foul trouble (especially Leslie or Milton), the pendulum will start to swing their way but in the end L.A has more experience and a better spread of talent. L.A to win 2-1 in a PHYSICAL series.
Key matchup: Who else? Lisa Leslie vs Yolanda Griffith. Yo had a corker of a game 3 but the Sparks' post is an entirely different proposition. Yo has good strength and athleticism but her D can be erratic at times. She has to be on the ball against Leslie and Milton who have good fundamentals and will throw a flurry of elbows. Another potential matchup to watch out for could be DeMya Walker against Mwadi Mabika. Swoopes had trouble with Walker and it's unlikely Mabika could do any better though Cooper may choose to tinker with the matchups.
Of course with my predictive ability, the end result probably would be Detroit winning in a squeaker 2-1 and the Monarchs winning 2-0.