The San Antonio Silver Stars are at a critical point in the WNBA season. They are current at 5-10, holding on the sixth place in the Western Conference with two games left before the All-Star break.
Last year as the Utah Starzz, the team lost in the Conference Finals and had big aspirations as the 2003 season began. But the Silver Stars have struggled and if they don't turn things around quickly, the playoffs will be out of reach. The top four teams from each conference make the WNBA playoffs.
The Silver Stars have lost four out of their last five games. In three of those losses, they scored less than 59 points. Against Detroit on Tuesday, San Antonio had their biggest offensive output of the season -- 88 points -- but gave up 99 to the Shock.
The Silver Stars' problems are fundamental. Too many turnovers. Poor transition defense. Inconsistent offensive execution.
Each game is like a roller coaster ride for San Antonio. The team gives up big runs in almost every game. Sometimes it's in the first half. Sometimes in the second stanza. But it seems their opponents always manage to go on a huge run. Then just when you are about to give up on this team, they do something that reminds you how good they can be.
Against the league-leading Los Angeles Sparks on June 26, the Silver Stars led by 22 points in the first half. Their defense was stifling and their offense was clicking on all cylinders. It seemed they had finally gotten it together. But low and behold, the Sparks made their run in the second half and beat the hometeam 67-58.
"We just need to put together two solid halves," said forward Adreinne Goodson. "We know how good we can be. We need to execute. Play team basketball."
Good news for the Silver Stars may be that some of their veterans are just starting to get warmed up. Point guard Jennifer Azzi's numbers are down on the season, averaging only 6.1 points and 3.3 assists, while shooting 33.0% from the floor. 36-year-old Goodson is averaging only 9.5 points -- over six points less than last season. But on Tuesday night, she had a season-high 22 points in the loss to the Shock. Two of her teammates, Marie Goodson and Gwen Jackson, also had season-highs against Detroit. So maybe that's the Silver lining.
Silver Stars' center Margo Dydek was named to the WNBA Western Conference All-Star team. The 7-2 Dydek is averaging 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. With her huge height advantage over most opponents, if the Silver Stars can run their offense through Dydek in the low block more often, they should be able to have a more consistent, versatile offensive attack.
The Silver Stars have a chance to pick up a win on Saturday night against the Phoenix Mercury (3-12) at SBC Center. San Antonio is 1-1 against Phoenix this season.
