The WNBA Playoffs Begin Tonight

The WNBA playoffs with a fresh, fair format in which the teams are seeded by record with no regard to conference, begin tonight with two single elimination games.

In the first tilt, the defending Eastern Conference champion, (there will be no conference champions this season with the new format which seeds teams from (1-8) regardless of conference), and 5 seed, Indiana Fever host the eight seed, Phoenix Mercury.

The other game pits the Seattle Storm, the 7 seed, led by Sue Bird against the six seed, home team, Atlanta Dream, coached by Michael Cooper.

Bird, not Larry and the same “Coop” battling again, evokes memories of the classic L.A. Lakers vs Boston Celtics games (three NBA Finals) in which the great, great Larry Bird was guarded by Michael Cooper. “Coop” as he is still known, was a superb player and Mr. Bird said nobody was a tougher defender vs him, than Michael Cooper.

These WNBA playoffs, of course can not match vintage Celts/Lakers, but no current NBA battle could either. I think the WNBA playoffs, again kicking off tonight, will be great!