Howdy,Janel McCarville won't be with it this season. She needs time to rest due to the wear-and-tear of playing year round.Taj McWilliams-Franklin signed with Minnesota during the offseason.

Well, the Eastern Conference got a lot more interesting the last few days.

To those of you who haven't been paying attention, New York announced that center

McCarville's absence means that the Lib will have a new front court this year as forward

New York is all set at power forward as it has Plenette Pierson. It doesn't have a proven center, however, and its front line depth has been compromised.Shameka Christon sustained cartilage damage to her knee in training camp last week and had surgery Tuesday. She's out a minimum of eight weeks.FIBA EuroBasket Women tournament. The Olympic qualifier runs from June 18-July 3 in Poland.five times this season, starting next Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena.Rebecca Lobo took part in the conference call and talked about Connecticut, among other things.Which team will win the 2011 WNBA Finals?Which team will win the Eastern Conference?Which team will win the Western Conference?

Chicago small forward

"It's not the way you want to start off," Sky coach Pokey Chatman deadpanned during Tuesday's WNBA conference call.

If Christon were to miss eight weeks from the day of her surgery, then she'd miss 17 games (or half the season).

Compounding Chicago's problems is that guard Epiphanny Prince will miss an undetermined number games as she'll be with Russia at the

"We're still waiting for when Epiphanny will have to depart from us," Chatman said. "So that status is day to day. They're still playing in tournaments and they're preparing for the day to day situation."

The East playoff race should be as tight as ever, so any games missed by both Christon and Prince could have a big impact. It could be beneficial to the Sun, too, as they play Chicago on June 19 and 23. The teams play one another

■ ■ ■ ■

ESPN commentator/outstanding human

"I think it hurts a bit that they don't have (French post Sandrine) Gruda back this year because she was so good for stretches during the season last year," Lobo said. "But Asjha (Jones) is healthy, and that is big.

"I think this is the year for Renee Montgomery to really have a great season. She was overseas in Israel throughout the winter. Now this is her third year and it's her time. She's had a year under her belt playing with coach (Mike) Thibault and has players surrounding her who she's very comfortable with in terms of collegiate experience (Tina Charles and newly acquired Kalana Greene). I think this is the year where it'll be fun to watch her and she how much she's grown and matured.

"I think Tina could be in the discussion for MVP if she puts up the numbers she put up last year and Connecticut has a lot of success. If they can stay healthy, if they get some production out of DeMya Walker in terms of that core group of post players, then I think Connecticut could be very good again. And don't forget (rookie wing) Danielle McCray. Her addition is very important to that team as well."

■ ■ ■ ■

The WNBA announced the winners of its annual general manager survey.

Among the more notable categories:

1. Seattle Storm 58.3%

2. New York 16.7%

T3. Los Angeles 8.3%

T3. Phoenix 8.3%

T3. Minnesota 8.3%

T1. Atlanta Dream 41.7%

T1. Indiana Fever 41.7%

3. New York Liberty 8.3%

3. Connecticut Sun 8.3%

1. Seattle Storm 58.3%

T2. Phoenix Mercury 16.7%

T2. Minnesota Lynx 16.7%

4. Los Angeles Sparks 8.3%

Stunned that no one picked Atlanta.

You can read more by going HERE.Mike DiMauro, Lobo and I make our predictions. Stay tuned.

Friday,

Vaya con dios....