The 2009 WNBA Draft took place last week, with Louisville Cardinals guard Angel McCoughtry being chosen by the Atlanta Dream who had the first pick of the draft. Some teams came out of the draft winners, getting exactly what they needed and also possibly getting a few steals. While some others came out loser, making questionable picks and addressing none of the needs for their team. Let's go over our winners and losers.
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream chose Angel McCoughtry with their 1st pick, Shalee Lehning with the 25th overall pick, and Jessica Morrow with the 27th pick overall. Looking at their roster, McCoughtry is the only likely pick that will stick and win a spot on their roster. With Marques, Latta, Shields, and Teasley all ahead of her, Lehning will most likely be unable to beat out someone for a spot on the roster. The same would virtually go for Morrow, because even though she can bring rebounding and defense to the guard position, her outside shot is very inconsistant and will hurt her chances of making the team.
So even though Atlanta didn't get a reliable point guard, they were still able to add onto their athleticism, youth, and talent by getting Angel McCoughtry. Not to mention, the girl can flat out play! Either way, they are what you would call a "draft winner."
Washington Mystics
The Mystics were also draft day winners. They drafted Marisa Coleman with the 2nd overall pick, Camille LeNoir with the 23rd overall pick, Jelena Milovanovic with the 24th overall pick, and Josephine Owino with the 28th overall pick. Coleman will definitely make the team and if Milovanovic impresses during training camp, she could be an under the radar steal of the draft.
The Mystics will need to address the issue of the lack of depth in the post position so they may have to make a trade but Coleman was the right pick at #2.
Chicago Sky
Unforunately for the Sky, I have to dub them as one of the biggest losers in this year's draft. Kristi Toliver over Renee Montgomery? No, wrong move. The Sky should have drafted Montgomery with the 3rd pick. She has shown the leadership, work ethic, and tenacity that would be perfect for Chicago. She is also in my mind, the better passer and defender of the two. Yes, Toliver is the better shooter but Renee is the better point guard. Other than that, no one else will make the roster.
Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx can thank the Sky for giving them Montgomery. Even without Montgomery, the Lynx had a very solid draft, adding Rashanda McCants and Quanitra Hollingsworth. McCants and Hollingsworth are not locks to make the team but expect to see them in a Lynx jersey at the start of the season.
Phoenix Mercury
DeWanna Bonner will be the only Phoenix draft pick to make the team. Unfortunately for the rest of the Mercury's picks, the team is too talented and deep for them to have an impact and possibly steal someone else's roster spot.
Indiana Fever
The Fever are definitely winners in this year's draft. It is shocking how they addressed nearly every need in the draft and have players that should be able to hang around and make the team. Brianna January will be a very balanced back up point guard behind Tully Bevilaqua and will bring scoring, defense, speed, and energy to the second unit. Christina Wirth will need to consistantly nail shots from long distance to stay with the team. If she does, it will surround Tamika Catchings with more outside weapons. Danielle Campbell is a bit of a stretch to make the roster, even though the Fever are lacking in the post. Expect to see a possible trade made by the Fever for a post player. Maybe a point guard and post player swap between Los Angeles and Indiana?
That's it for this installment! Be sure to check back for part II of the WNBA Draft! I will analyze the picks made by the remaining teams.
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