A New Sun Rising

The Connecticut Sun may be the best franchise in league history that has not won a title. They came an eyelash away from defeating Seattle in the 2004 Finals, were bested by Sacramento in 2005 for the league championship and reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2006. Minus Katie Douglas, who was dealt to Indiana, and Nykesha Sales, who is sitting out this season, the Sun have a new look but are getting the same results. With stalwarts Lindsay Whalen and Asjha Jones leading the scoring attack and newcomer Tamika Whitmore providing an intimidating presence down low, the Sun have raced out to a league-best 9-2 start. Will this finally be their year?

Five Questions with All-Star Guard Lindsay Whalen

Q: (The Sun) have gotten off to a great start this year, even with all of the new teammates. What has been the key to your success so far?
A: I think just energy and enthusiasm. Everyone came in and truly wanted to work hard and do the right thing. So, it's been a good start.

Q: You play in Europe during the WNBA off-season with a lot of different teammates. Does that help you adjust quicker to new team members?
A: Yeah, that's a good point. You do have to adjust to different teams and different styles, so players are quick to adjust to different teammates, the way different people play.

Q: Do you feel that being a veteran and kind of taking charge this year that is this "your team" now?
A: I wouldn't say that. I would just say it's our team and we are just trying as hard as we can.

Q: You are still in the running for the U.S. Olympic basketball team. How much thought do you put into that?
A: I am just trying to play as hard as I can right now to help our team and kind of let that happen. … It's not in my control. …It would be a great honor.

Q: You have been very successful since you've come into the league and have come really close to winning a title. What do you think you need to do this year to put yourselves over the top?
A: I think we are just off to a good start. We need to keep that up and keep improving defensively, come into every game ready to go and just continue to improve throughout the whole year.

Mercury Sinking

No team has been more disappointing in the season's early going than the Phoenix Mercury. The defending champs boast the league's top two scorers in Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi, but have struggled to a 2-6 start. It's not difficult to pinpoint the reasons for their slide however; veteran coach Paul Westhead left for the NBA and was replaced by rookie Corey Gaines and sharpshooter Penny Taylor is in Australia training with her national team for the upcoming Olympics.

Steal Of The Draft

Following a disappointing senior year at Connecticut, Charde Houston -- once regarded as the top high school player in the country -- slipped all the way down to the third and final round of this year's WNBA draft. Selected 30th overall by Minnesota, Houston not only made the team but is having a larger impact than most of the players drafted ahead of her. The 6-foot-1 forward ranks in the top five among rookies in scoring and has provided energy and enthusiasm off the bench for the surprising Lynx.

And Finally …

The WNBA could have the most powerful man in the world on its side. Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has been spotted checking out his hometown Chicago Sky and spent some time with the Indiana Fever during their training camp in April.