Lynx tabbed most improved team, Maya best addition

The WNBA GMs have spoken. So who are they favorites for this and that?

The 12 general managers -- among them Lynx executive vice president Roger Griffith, who has a gm role in Minny -- picked Seattle to repeat as the league champion. The New York Liberty are next and then three teams -- the Lynx, Los Angeles and Phoenix -- each got one vote from a GM.

Most fun team to watch? Phoenix. That's the Diana Taurasi factor and the run and gun style the Mercury play.

Most improved team? The Lynx. Best offseason moves? The Lynx.

Lynx rookie Maya Moore, a 6-0 forward from UConn, got a lot of attention, too. Se was named the player GMs would want to start a franchise with, the new player who will have the biggest impact on her team, the preseason rookie of the year and the rookie who will be the best player in five years.

Who would the GMs like to take the last shot with a game on the line? Taurasi or Cappie Pondexter of the New York Liberty. Taurasi is also their favorite for MVP and their pick as the best shooting guard.

Best point guard and player who makes teammates better? Sue Bird of Seattle. Best small forward and defensive player and hungriest to win an WNBA title? Tamika Catchings of Indiana. Best power forward and center? Lauren Jackson of Seattle.

Best coach? Brian Agler of Seattle. ... He was once the Lynx coach, remember?

Most athletic WNBA player? Pondexter and Angel McCoughtry of Atlanta.

Team with best home-court edge? Seattle Storm,

Eleven of 12 GMs say Lynx -- and Phoenix -- will be one of four teams in Western Conference in playoffs. All say Seattle and LA. So missing the playoffs will be San Antonio and Tulsa?

It certainly seems like the Lynx have a playoff team. They have missed the playoffs six years in a row. That's not easy to do, especially as the league keeps shrinking. This year, for instance, eight of the 12 teams advance to postseason play.