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2011 WNBA Playoff Stars to Watch
2011 WNBA Playoff Stars to Watch
Diana Taurasi
Phoenix has been the highest scoring team in the WNBA every season since 2006, and many of those points this year came from league-high scorer Diana Taurasi. She just packaged her fourth consecutive scoring title (fifth overall), averaging 21.6 points per game. The Mercury play Seattle in the first round of the playoffs, keeping their strong rivalry alive.
Angel McCoughtry
Atlanta Dream's Angel McCoughtry (right) had a stellar season, averaging 21.6 points per game (just shy of Diana Taurasi and the scoring title), and bringing the Dream back from a rough 3-9 start to the season. They face the No. 2 Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs.
Maya Moore
Forward Maya Moore (left), the highly-touted rookie out of UConn, lived up to the hype and is the current frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. She started all 34 games for Minnesota, averaging 13.2 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game. The Lynx have the best record in the WNBA, and face off with the Silver Stars in the first round of the playoffs.
Becky Hammon, Lindsay Whalen
The Silver Stars' Becky Hammon (left) and the Lynx's Lindsay Whalen have both been critical to their teams' success this season; it will be an intriguing match-up to watch when their teams face off in the playoffs.
Seimone Augustus
Guard Seimone Augustus led the Lynx in scoring this season with 16.2 points per game. Her shooting ability will be critical for Minnesota in the playoffs.
Cappie Pondexter
The Liberty ended the regular season on a high note, winning six of their last nine games. New York's guard Cappie Pondexter (right) leads her team in both scoring (17.4 ppg) and assists (4.7 apg) for the season.
Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas
On the other hand, the Indiana Fever slugged through their last few games, dropping six of nine. Despite the fact that they are the no. 1 seed in the East, they will have to face the Liberty, who came roaring into the postseason. Tamika Catchings (left) has been strong for Indiana when she's healthy, but Katie Douglas (right) can back her up if her knee acts up.
Sue Bird
Veteran guard Sue Bird has nicely filled in for reigning MVP Lauren Jackson, who was out for 20 games after suffering a hip injury. Even though she hasn't returned to full form yet, the Storm still have the upper hand against the Mercury, their first playoff opponent.
Penny Taylor
Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor contributed 16.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 4.7 apg, and she will be a significant part of their playoff attack.
Tina Charles
Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles led one of the youngest teams in the WNBA through the season to the playoffs. Charles leads the league in rebounds (11.0 rpg), and set a single-season record for double-doubles for the second year in a row (23).
