Houston Comets
Coach: Van Chancellor (fourth season, 71-19 overall).
1999 record: 26-6 (first in West; beat New York 2-1 in WNBA Finals).
Key returners:
Cynthia Cooper, G, 22.1 ppg, 5.2 apg
Sheryl Swoopes, F, 18.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Tina Thompson, F, 12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Polina Tzekova, C, 6.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Janeth Arcain, F, 5.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Say hello to:
Elena Chakirova, F-C, 15.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg (Dynamo Moscow)
Andrea Garner, C, 14.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg (Penn State)
Renee Robinson, G, 9.7 ppg, 4.8 apg (Virginia)
Say goodbye to:
Sonja Henning, G, 4.0 ppg, 2.3 apg
Kara Wolters, C, 1,6 ppg, 1.2 rpg

Outlook: What is left for the Comets to prove? Since midway through the first season, they have dominated the league -- winning all three championships -- and aim to become the first pro basketball team in America to win four titles in a row since the NBA's Boston Celtics captured eight straight from 1959-66. Houston got a steal in the second round when it selected Penn State's Andrea Garner to back up Polina Tzekova at center. But the Comets did not address the need at point guard, and might rely on Jennifer Rizzotti, who averaged less than 10 minutes per game last season and has not seen quality minutes since the ABL folded in December 1998. Two-time MVP Cynthia Cooper is showing no signs of slowing down -- even at age 37 -- and might be once again asked to handle both guard positions, even though she is the league's premier shooting guard. Sheryl Swoopes is one of the most durable small forwards, and Tina Thompson posseses more weapons that any other power forward in the league. All the pieces are in place for a fourth championship. The only team that might beat the Comets is the Comets.

Los Angeles Sparks
Coach: Michael Cooper (first season).
1999 record: 20-12 (second in West; lost to Houston 2-1 in West finals).
Key returners:
Lisa Leslie, C, 15.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg
Mwadi Mabika, G, 10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg
DeLisha Milton, F, 9.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg
Tamecka Dixon, G, 6.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg
La'Keshia Frett, F, 6.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Say hello to:
Nicole Kubik, G, 14.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg (Nebraska)
Paige Sauer, C, 3.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg (Connecticut)
Say goodbye to:
Gordana Grubin, G, 8.9 ppg, 2.8 apg
Penny Toler, G, 4.8 ppg, 2.2 apg

Outlook: The Sparks finally clinched their first playoff berth last season and look to go even further this year under Michael Cooper, their fourth coach in as many years. Lisa Leslie has always put up big numbers, but she finally proved last season she can perform in huge games. How well Los Angeles is able to muscle the opposition, particularly Houston, and how well its frontcourt can perform will determine its fate. DeLisha Milton will need to come close to her 53 percent shooting from last season, and La'Keshia Frett must prove she has a future in the WNBA. Mwadi Mabika was a pleasant surprise last season and hopes to carry that over while backcourt mate Tamecka Dixon continues to be one of the league's rising stars. It is time for Los Angeles to show it can win big games consistently and make a formidable challenge for its first championship.

Minnesota Lynx
Coach: Brian Agler (second season, 15-17)
1999 record: 15-17, tied for fourth in West.
Key returners:
Katie Smith, F, 11.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Andrea Lloyd-Curry, F, 6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Kristin Folkl, F, 4.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Sonja Tate, G, 4.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Angie Potthoff, F, 4.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Say hello to:
Grace Daley, G, 21.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg (Tulane)
Betty Lennox, G, 17.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg (Louisiana Tech)
Maylana Martin, F, 17.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg (UCLA)
Keitha Dickerson, F, 12.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg (Texas Tech)
Marla Brumfield, G 15.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg (Rice)
Say goodbye to:
Brandy Reed, F, 16.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Tonya Edwards, G, 14.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg

Outlook: Coach/general manager Brian Agler will either look like a genius or something far less by season's end. He traded his top two scorers from last season -- Brandy Reed and Tonya Edwards -- and made other deals that resulted in eight draft picks, including three of the top 10. The frontcourt will once again be the focus for Minnesota, which just missed the playoffs last year in its inaugural campaign. Katie Smith, Andrea Lloyd-Curry and Kristin Folkl will shoulder most of the load up front, but Maylana Martin also should see plenty of minutes. Grace Daley and Betty Lennox will step in right away in the backcourt and hopefully provide a spark for a Lynx squad that shot a league-worst 39 percent from the floor last season. Agler has succeeded before with a pair of ABL championships, and has the talent for a postseason berth this year. But the highly touted draftees must produce early and often in order for Minnesota to make some noise.

Phoenix Mercury
Coach: Cheryl Miller (fourth season, 50-40).
1999 record: 15-17, tied for fourth in West.
Key returners:
Jennifer Gillom, C, 15.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg
Maria Stepanova, C, 7.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Michele Timms, G, 6.8 ppg, 5.0 apg
Lisa Harrison, F, 6.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Bridget Pettis, G, 5.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Michelle Griffiths, F-C, DNP (maturnity leave), 8.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg (Phoenix, 1998)
Say hello to:
Brandy Reed, F, 16.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg (Minnesota Lynx)
Tonya Edwards, G, 14.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg (Minnesota Lynx)
Adrain Williams, F-C, 14.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg (USC, 1999)
Say goodbye to:
Marlies Askamp, C, 9.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg
Kristi Harrower, G, 4.5 ppg, 3.0 apg
Edna Campbell, G. 9.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg

Outlook: What a turnaround an offseason can make. After missing the playoffs last season for the first time in their three-year history, the Mercury acquired Brandy Reed and Tonya Edwards, Minnesota's top two scorers last season. With Jennifer Gillom on top of her game and forward Michelle Griffiths returning from maturnity leave, Phoenix figures to be a team to watch in the competitive Western Conference. Michele Timms' numbers have declined over the past two seasons, but getting Edwards gives Phoenix the No. 2 scorer it lacked last season. If the Mercury want to be among the league's elite, they must prove they can win away from home. Phoenix has had a losing record on the road in all three of its seasons, including a 3-13 mark last year.

Portland Fire
Coach: Linda Hargrove (first season).
1999 record: None (expansion team).
Say hello to:
Lynn Pride, G-F, 17.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg (Kansas)
Stacey Thomas, F, 14.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg (Michigan)
Alisa Burras, F, 7.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg (Cleveland Rockers)
Sophia Witherspoon, G, 8.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg (New York Liberty)
Vanessa Nygaard, F, 0.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg (Cleveland Rockers)
Michelle Marciniak, G, (Philadelphia, ABL, 1999)
Michele Van Gorp, C, 1.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg (New York Liberty)
Jamila Wideman, G, 2.2 ppg, 2.0 apg (Cleveland Rockers)
DeMya Walker, F, (No WNBA experience)

Outlook: Portland is a strong favorite to be the elite among the expansion clubs, but a playoff berth in the highly competitive Western Conference is asking a lot. Lynn Pride did it all in college and will be asked to step up in a big way for the Fire, along with Stacey Thomas, who came out of nowhere to blossom at Michigan. Alisa Burras and Vanessa Nygaard each endured a brutal season with Cleveland last year, and hope a change in scenery will help bring back memories of successful college careers. The Fire possess a potentially dangerous backcourt. Sophia Witherspoon is coming off a disappointing season in New York, but averaged in double figures the two previous years and has a deadly 3-point shot. Former Tennessee Lady Vol Michelle Marciniak looks to make a valiant comeback and regain past glory after undergoing surgery two years ago to remove a lump from her breast. Do not be surprised if this club makes some noise and jells quicker than most expansion teams.

Seattle Storm
Coach: Lin Dunn (first season).
1999 record: None (expansion team).
Say hello to:
Kamila Vodichkova, F-C, 15.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg (Czech Republic)
Edna Campbell, G, 9.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg (Phoenix Mercury)
Sonja Henning, G, 4.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg (Houston Comets)
Katrina Hibbert, G-F, 14.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg (Louisiana State)
Charisse Sampson, G, 3.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg (New England, ABL, 1997)
Kirra Jordan, F, 13.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg (Rice)
Quacy Barnes, C, 0.9 ppg, 0.5 rpg (Sacramento Monarchs, 1998)
Robin Threatt, G (No WNBA experience)

Outlook: Seattle is hoping that Kamila Vodichkova's solid play overseas will carry over in the team's expansion season. But there are very few options to help her up front in what could be a long season for the Storm. Edna Campbell is a talented guard who never developed into the No. 2 scorer Phoenix anticipated and was left unprotected in the expansion draft. She teams with Sonja Henning, another talented guard who could not adequately replace the late Kim Perrot in Houston. Katrina Hibbert was an explosive player in college, and Robin Threatt has caught the attention of coach Lin Dunn, but not much is expected from the Storm this season. The Western Conference opponents should expose Seattle's lack of depth.

Sacramento Monarchs
Coach: Sonny Allen (second season, 19-13).
1999 record: 19-13, third in West; lost to Los Angeles in West semifinals.
Key returners:
Yolanda Griffith, F, 18.8 ppg, 11.3 rpg
Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, G, 13.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Kedra Holland-Corn, G, 11.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg
Latasha Byears, G-F, 9.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg
Tangela Smith, F-C, 8.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Ticha Penicheiro, G, 7.3 ppg, 7.1 apg
Say hello to:
Katy Steding, F, 13.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg (Portland, ABL, 1999)
Stacy Clinesmith, G, 12.9 ppg, 5.8 apg (UC Santa Barbara)
Say goodbye to:
Kate Starbird, G, 2.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg
Molly Goodenbour, G, (out - ACL tear)

Outlook: How much proof does one need that Yolanda Griffith is the most valuable player to her team? The league's 1999 MVP and top rebounder suffered torn cartilage in her right knee late last season and Sacramento lost its last four games without her, including a playoff exit against Los Angeles. She and Latasha Byears form a formidable frontcourt that is the key for the Monarchs as they look to take the next step toward a championship. Sacramento possesses the most exciting point guard in the league in Ticha Penicheiro and also a fearless competitor in Kedra Holland-Corn. The Monarchs did not help themselves in a weak draft, but they have the tools to make another serious playoff run.

Utah Starzz
Coach: Fred Williams (second season, 13-15).
1999 record: 15-17, tied for fourth in West.
Key returners:
Natalie Williams, F, 18.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg
Adrienne Goodson, G, 14.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Margo Dydek, C, 12.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Korie Hlede, G, 9.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Say hello to:
Jennifer Azzi, G, 10.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg (Detroit Shock)
Kate Starbird, G, 2.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg (Sacramento Monarchs)
Stacy Frese, G, 13.8 ppg, 5.0 apg (Iowa State)
Naomi Mulitauaopele, C, 1.5 ppg, 0.9 rpg (Seattle, ABL, 1999)
Kristi Rasmussen, F, 14.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg (Michigan State)
Say goodbye to:
Elena Baranova, C, 6.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Cindy Brown, F, 5.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg
Debbie Black, G, 5.1 ppg, 5.0 apg

Outlook: Can the Starzz catch a break? Utah, the only one of the original eight teams never to make the postseason, dealt two first-round picks for Jennifer Azzi, a quality guard and something the franchise has never had. But in Utah's second preseason game, Azzi suffered a broken right hand and is out until at least July. Kate Starbird and Stacy Frese need to step up to fill this unexpected void. Starbird was one of the top players for Stanford and in the defunct ABL, but rode the bench last season and is eager to get back into the mix. Frese led Iowa State to the "Sweet 16" last season and to the Elite Eight in 1999, and has outstanding court awareness. All-Star Natalie Williams provided the leadership and talent up front last season that everyone expected, and Margo Dydek is an intimidating defensive presence. The Starzz won as many games last year (15) as the previous two seasons combined, but must start beating the elite teams regularly.