SAN ANTONIO SILVER STARS

2008: 24-10, 1st; lost to Detroit 3-0 in WNBA finals.

COACH: Dan Hughes, 5th season with team, 140-146 overall.

KEY ADDITIONS: C Katie Feenstra Mattera (free agent, Atlanta); G Belinda Snell (free agent); G-F Megan Frazee (draft, No. 14, Liberty); C Bernadette Ngoyisa (free agent).

KEY LOSSES: G Morenike Atunrase (waived); F Sandora Irvin (waived).

STRENGTHS: Backcourt, experience. The Silver Stars are coming off their most successful season since moving from Utah in 2003. All-Star Becky Hammon (17.6 ppg, 4.9 apg), Sophia Young (17.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Ann Wauters (14.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg) were a formidable trio. San Antonio rolled to the league's best record, edged Sacramento in OT in Game 3 of the first round and needed a last-second shot from Young to avoid elimination in Game 2 against the Sparks in the conference finals. Hammon and longtime veteran teammate Vickie Johnson, one of the few remaining players from the league's first season, again anchor the backcourt. Shanna Crossley is back after missing last season with a torn ACL in her left knee, and reserves Helen Darling and Edwidge Lawson-Wade provide valuable minutes.

WEAKNESS: Frontcourt. Wauters is taking the first half of the season off to remain overseas and rest. Ruth Riley will take her place in the starting lineup, and the Silver Stars signed Mattera - and who began her career with the team - and Ngoyisa as backups. Snell joins the team after sitting out last year following a championship season with Phoenix in 2007.

SEATTLE STORM

2008: 22-12, 2nd; lost 2-1 to Los Angeles in conference semifinals.

COACH: Brian Agler, 2nd season with team, 70-79 overall.

KEY ADDITIONS: G Shannon Johnson (free agent, Houston); C Suzy Batkovic (free agent).

KEY LOSSES: F Sheryl Swoopes (waived); F Shyra Ely (free agent, Chicago); F Yolanda Griffith (free agent, Indiana).

STRENGTHS: Experience, leadership. The Storm's key signing in the offseason came when free-agent Lauren Jackson decided to stay in Seattle rather than jump to Phoenix. The two-time MVP averaged 20.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 21 games before leaving to join the Australian national team for the Olympics. She injured her ankle in Beijing and didn't return for the final stretch of the season. Sue Bird (14.1 ppg, 5.1 apg) was again solid at the point and picked up her scoring in Jackson's absence. Seattle also gets forward Janell Burse (8.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg in 2007) back after she missed last season to rest lingering injuries.

WEAKNESS: Depth. Jackson, Burse and Swin Cash (11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg) are all coming off injuries. The 6-foot-4 Batkovic is back in the league after playing with the Storm in 2005. Ashley Robinson, Camille Little and the rookie Walker provide help up front, but the backcourt depth could be lacking. Tanisha Wright filled in nicely when Swoopes was slowed by injuries down the stretch and will likely start alongside Bird. Johnson is an experienced backup at the point, but after that, it'll be up to Katie Gearlds and A'Quonesia Franklin to provide valuable minutes.

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