Eastern Conference preview and predictions

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Capsules by Associated Press. Predicted order of finish and bottom line by Seattle Times staff reporter Jayda Evans.

1) Charlotte Sting

Last season: 18-16, tied for 2nd place; lost 2-0 to Connecticut in first round.

Coach: Trudi Lacey, 2nd season, 18-16.

Key additions: F-C Olympia Scott-Richardson (free agent); G-F Nicole Powell (draft, No. 3, Stanford); F Kelly Mazzante (draft, No. 18, Penn State); F Jenni Benningfield (draft, No. 22, Vanderbilt); G Jia Perkins (draft, No. 35, Texas Tech); C Tera Bjorklund (free agent).

Strengths: Perimeter shooting, experience. The Sting was third in the league in three-point shooting at 36.2 percent. Seven players with at least five years of experience.

Weaknesses: Frontcourt and scoring. Charlotte needs more production in the post, and will rely on Scott-Richardson and Mazzante to help improve.

Bottom line: Has the secret patent in beating Detroit; this time it'll be for regular-season title.

2) Detroit Shock

Last season: 25-9, 1st, beat Los Angeles 2-1 to win championship.

Coach: Bill Laimbeer, 3rd season, 34-22.

Key additions: G Merlakia Jones (free agent, Cleveland); G-F Chandi Jones (post-draft trade, Phoenix, No. 8, Houston); F-C Iciss Tillis (draft, No. 11, Duke); C Stacy Stephens (free agent).

Strengths: Experience, depth. All five starters from last year's championship team return. Adding veteran Merlakia Jones and rookies Chandi Jones and Tillis gives Detroit a solid first three off the bench.

Weakness: Turnovers. Detroit averaged a league-leading 17.9 turnovers last season, 1.5 more than second-worst Minnesota.

Bottom line: Only coach Bill Laimbeer could finagle a way to win a championship and still restock through the draft.

3) Indiana Fever

Last season: 16-18, tied for 5th.

Coach: Brian Winters, 1st season.

Key additions: G Kelly Miller (trade, Charlotte); F Deanna Jackson (dispersal draft, Cleveland); C Ebony Hoffman (draft, No. 9, USC); F-C Ieva Kublina (draft, No. 31, Virginia Tech); F-C Astou Ndiaye-Diatta (free agent, Detroit); G-F Kate Starbird (free agent).

Strength: Improved backcourt. Jackson adds athleticism and versatility at shooting guard after averaging 7.2 points and 2.6 rebounds for Cleveland. Miller was 11th in the league in scoring in the preseason, averaging 12.7 points.

Weakness: Defense. The Fever was 12th in the league in rebounding (29.1) and opponents' field-goal shooting (.439), and eighth in scoring defense (68.3 points). Bridget Pettis retired after having played in every WNBA game.

Bottom line: Tamika Catchings, that's all you need to say.

4) Washington Mystics

Last season: 9-25, 7th.

Coach: Michael Adams, 1st season.

Key additions: C Chasity Melvin (dispersal draft, Cleveland); G Alana Beard (draft, No. 2, Duke); G Tamicha Jackson (trade, Phoenix); C Kaayla Chones; (draft, No. 15, N.C. State); F Evan Unrau (draft, No. 28, Missouri); F-C Petra Ujhelyi (free agent).

Strength: Offense. Beard averaged 19.7 points in four years at Duke, and will help complement Chamique Holdsclaw (20.5 points, 10.9 rebounds in 2003).

Weakness: Defense. Opponents made 45.5 percent of their shots, including 35.5 percent on three-pointers. Mystics allowed more points — 73.5 per game — than any team.

Bottom line: All-everything rookie Beard was ordered by Holdsclaw to get her a WNBA title. Let's see if Beard can take the pressure.

5) New York Liberty

Last season: 16-18, tied for 5th.

Coach: Richie Adubato, 6th season, 93-69.

Key additions: C Ann Wauters (dispersal draft, Cleveland); F Shameka Christon (draft, No. 5, Arkansas); F Amisha Carter (draft, No. 17, Louisiana Tech); G Cathy Joens (draft, No. 30, George Washington); G Tasha Pointer (free agent); F DeTrina White (free agent).

Strength: Inside game. The Liberty was last in the league in rebounding last season, and then lost third-leading rebounder Tamika Whitmore to free agency. However, Tari Phillips moving to power forward, and the addition of Wauters should help.

Weakness: Leadership. Departed free agent Teresa Weatherspoon spent seven years with the Liberty as one of the team's original players.

Bottom line: Christon will make 'em sing at Radio City Music Hall.

6) Connecticut Sun

Last season: 18-16, tied for 2nd; lost 2-0 to Detroit in conference finals.

Coach: Mike Thibault, 2nd season, 18-16.

Key additions: F Asjha Jones (trade, Washington); PG Lindsay Whalen (draft, No. 3, Minnesota); F Jessica Brungo (draft, No. 16, Penn State); G Candace Futrell (draft, No. 29, Duquesne); G Jen Derevjanik (free agent); F Le'Coe Willingham (free agent).

Strength: Perimeter shooting. Nykesha Sales (16.1 points) and Katie Douglas (12.0) combined to shoot 38.4 percent on three-pointers. Whalen's scoring and passing skills will help improve the inside game.

Weakness: Defense. Connecticut was sixth in the East in scoring defense (70.9 points) despite being second in field-goal defense (41.1 percent).

Bottom line: Whalen may draw a crowd, but she'll need more around her.