Our Week 1 WNBA Power Rankings (Monday, June 3):

1. LA Sparks (1 – 1) – Bringing Chiney Ogwumike over from the Connecticut Sun to pair with sister Nneka gives the Sparks 3 dynamic, all around former Number 1 draft picks (Candace Parker) with size and skill to lean on.  And that’s before we talk about Chelsea Gray. They’re deadly and they’ve shown it so far this season even without Parker. When she comes back, look out league.
2. Connecticut Sun (3 – 1) – The Sun haven’t missed a beat despite LOSING Chiney Ogwumike to the Sparks and continue to pair a balanced attack with consistent defense.  Jonquel Jones is emerging as a potential MVP candidate. With so many big names in the league sitting out or injured, this could the year the Sun win it all.
3. Washington Mystics (1 – 1) – The Mystics were overpowered in last years WNBA Finals against the Storm, but bring back a hungry core led by superstar Elena Delle Donne.  With Emma Meeseman coming back and looking sharp and continued growth from last year’s rookie phenom Ariel Atkins, the Mystics are poised for another deep run.
4. Minnesota Lynx (3 – 0) – Surprise! What many thought to be a rebuilding year for the Lynx with the retirement of Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore sitting out has thus far turned into a strong case for Cheryl Reeve as coach of the year.  Rookie Napheesa Collier has made a seamless transition from the NCAA and Sylvia Fowles looks as dominant as ever. How far can the Lynx go this year?
5. Phoenix Mercury (1 – 1) – With Diana Taurasi to miss the first two months of the season with a back injury, many picked Dewanna Bonner as an MVP favorite on the year.  She has not disappointed putting up big numbers so far and looking very comfortable as the go-to first choice on a Phoenix team that looks strong but lacks guard depth.  They’ll need someone to have a breakout season if they’re going to threaten the leagues best come playoff time.
6. Las Vegas Aces (1 – 1) – There was a lot of preseason hype for the Aces after they acquired Star center and 2018 MVP runner up Liz Cambage in trade before the season.  The starting five for the Aces is as talented as any in the league. The only question is whether they’re ready to put it all together this year or if they’ll need another year of seasoning to find their chemistry and develop the young talent.
7. Seattle Storm (2 – 1) – How good can the Storm be without reigning MVP Breanna Stewart anchoring the team? Sue Bird is also battling injury and out to start the season but the continued development of Natasha Howard, Jewell Lloyd, and backup point guard Jordin Canada are carrying the team so far in 2019.  But its hard to imagine them making a deep run without the MVP on the floor.
8. Atlanta Dream (1 – 2) – The Dream bring back a core of players that built a culture of winning even after superstar Angel McCoughtry went down with Injury last year.  But they haven’t found that winning form so far in 2019, perhaps because of how strong the entire league looks right now, but they’re hopeful McCoughtry will return this season and reinvigorate this team.
9. Indiana Fever (2 – 1) – The post-Tamika Catchings rebuild continues but the Fever are looking like a team with a ton of young talent and some solid veterans.  Guard Kelsey Mitchell is poised for a breakout season and will probably be given a long leash to operate. Look out for the fever next year when Vivians comes back from injury and Rookie McCowan acclimates to the league.  
10. Dallas Wings (0 – 2) – The Wings are without their leader while Skyler Diggins-Smith gets back into WNBA form following the birth of her first Son.  They also lost Liz Cambage when she demanded a trade or threatened to sit out the season. There’s always a silver lining and the wings should use this season to give everyone plenty of minutes and time to develop.  They have some meaningful pieces for the future and should expect some help in next year’s draft, but the ceiling is low at the moment.
11. Chicago Sky (1 – 1) – I may be criticized for having the Sky so low, but for me, the Sky are lacking a superstar presence.  Vandersloot and Quigley make a deadly perimeter combo, but I don’t think they have enough talent top to bottom to score enough to make up for what I expect to be a below average defense. The floor may be high with such consistent shooting talent, but the ceiling is low for this Sky team.  
12. New York Liberty (0 – 2) – The NY Liberty as an organization are going through some transitions, currently playing at the Westchester Community Center (which feels like a high school venue) and trying to incorporate young players such as Asia Durr and Han Xu as well as second year coach Katie Smith.  Tina Charles continues to score at a high clip and lead this team, but she doesn’t have enough help at present to win a lot of games in 2019.