On the other hand, the WNBA's parsimonius pay scale is starting to bear some bitter fruit. More than 100 WNBA players turned in union cards, and the specter of an organized labor dispute now hangs over the league's future.
In addition, some foreign players are rethinking their commitment to the league, especially the well-paid ones overseas. Why should Isabelle Fijalkowski, to name just one, risk a $200,000 contract in France for $50,000 in America? And how about Elena Baranova or Michele Timms?
Even more problematic are players like Sandy Brondello and Carla Porter, who are starters in the WNBA who make just $15,000. They can make five times that, at least, overseas in the winter, and now that they've proven themselves, are going to want more money to return.
Because of the Olympics, the WNBA will probably be able to avoid making the hard decision about what kind of league it's going to be until 2001. But at that point, it will be time to fish or cut bait -- either become a real, full-time league with a real schedule and real salaries or settle for being a minor league addendum to the European powers. Once the ABL is dealt with (which should happen about the same time), the WNBA could then decide to scale back, not pay much money and just be satisfied with an American monopoly on women's pro basketball, regardless of the quality of the league.
A union, of course, will make it more expensive to take either course, but we can only hope the men in suits who will make the ultimate decision feel it's worthwhile, and ultimately profitable, to take the necessary scheduling and financial steps to make the WNBA the best league in the world.
* * * * *
The great coaches don't miss a trick.
Houston has lost three games -- to Cleveland, Phoenix and New York. Not coincidentally, those are the three teams joining the Comets in the playoffs.
So when Van Chancellor wants to get Houston's attention prior to the playoffs, he can legitimately say to his powerhouse team that each opponent is capable of winning the series. After all, each has already beaten Houston once.
From a coaching standpoint, it's very difficult to fire up a team against an opponent that it has beaten every time. Watching film of a loss, though, is proof positive against complacency, which is the Comets' only real enemy in the playoffs.
* * * * *
Bridget Pettis has found her stroke, and Phoenix has found its way.
When Pettis is shooting well, the Mercury are a playoff team. When she's clanking, Phoenix is shaky, but luckily for Cheryl Miller and friends, she's back on track, and it looks like the Mercury will win four straight and make the playoffs.
That will leave Charlotte out in the cold, trying to figure out what went wrong in a season that started so well. The Sting simply collapsed down the stretch, losing to Los Angeles in an absolutely critical game, and then watching rookie star Tracy Reid miss a boatload of free throws in a close loss to Cleveland.
The Rockers, on the other hand, got hot when they needed to -- and when Michelle Edwards got healthy. New York also put it together down the stretch, which everyone will remember. No one, however, will recall how good Charlotte was in July.
* * * * *
Early picks:
MVP: Her ego is big, but her game's even bigger: Cynthia Cooper.
Rookie of the Year: Korie Hlede (and let's all hope she comes all the way back from that ACL injury).
Newcomer of the Year: Forget Nikki. We go with Sandy Brondello of Detroit, who is clearly one of the best point guards in the league.
Coach of the Year: Sure he has the talent, but there's more to this game than talent: Van Chancellor.
8/17/98
