10年了耶 http://www.wnba.com/lynx/news/celebrate_1997.html Celebrating the WNBA’s 10th Season: 1997 May 31, 2006 In honor of the WNBA’s 10th season, we will look back at some significant events in the league’s history. The First Season - 1997 On April 24, 1996, the NBA Board of Governors approved the concept of a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to begin play in June 1997. In August of 1996, Val Ackerman was named the first president of the WNBA. The first of the player signings was announced on October 23, 1996, with Sheryl Swoopes and Rebecca Lobo joining the league. They were soon followed by Ruthie Bolton, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Michele Timms and many more. Eight teams comprised the league’s inaugural season. The Eastern Conference consisted of the Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets and New York Liberty while the Western Conference was composed of the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs and Utah Starzz. On January 22, 1997, the first 16 players were assigned to teams in the following manner: Charlotte Sting: Vicky Bullett, Andrea Stinson Cleveland Rockers: Janice Braxton, Michelle Edwards Houston Comets: Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes Los Angeles Sparks: Lisa Leslie, Penny Toler New York Liberty: Rebecca Lobo, Teresa Weatherspoon Phoenix Mercury: Jennifer Gillom, Michele Timms Sacramento Monarchs: Ruthie Bolton, Bridgette Gordon Utah Starzz: Elena Baranova, Lady Hardmon On Apr. 28, 1997, The WNBA Draft was completed with Tina Thompson being selected first overall by the Houston Comets. Others drafted that day who had WNBA success include Eva Nemcova (Cleveland), Tammi Reiss (Utah), Sue Wicks (New York) and Tamecka Dixon (Los Angeles). 1997 Final Standings Eastern Conference Western Conference Houston 18-10 Phoenix 16-12 New York 17-11 Los Angeles 14-14 Charlotte 15-13 Sacramento 10-18 Cleveland 15-13 Utah 7-21 Houston won the top team in the Eastern Conference with an 18-10 record and Phoenix finished with the best record in the West at 16-12. In the one-game conference playoffs, Houston beat Charlotte 70-48 and New York defeated Phoenix 59-41. In the one-game championship tilt, Houston prevailed over New York 65-51 before a crowd of 16,285 to become the first-ever WNBA Champion. The Comets’ Cynthia Cooper was the league’s first Most Valuable Player (awards) after averaging 22.2 points. Cooper’s was also named the Championship Game MVP thanks to scoring 25 points - she had 31 points in the Comets’ semifinal win over Charlotte. Teresa Weatherspoon was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. --

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