10 most memorable moments of the 2008 WNBA season

These are my most memorable moments of the 2008 WNBA season in no particular order:

1. The Los Angeles Sparks versus the New York Liberty at the Garden: The Liberty were ahead by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter. The lead evaporated with a run by the Sparks resulting in a back-and-forth contest in the last few minutes. With 6.4 seconds left in regulation, Janel McCarville hit a layup to give the Liberty the lead by a point which they held with some tough defense to the final horn.
2. Atlanta Dream: Gaining a new franchise in the WNBA is like opening your first Christmas gift as a kid. It’s great for the first five minutes and then you’re like ‘what’s next’. After the addition of the Atlanta franchise in 2008 the anticipation of the first game is palpable. Halfway through the season with a 17-0 record, the realization of an abysmal season evolves into the anticipation of lottery balls.
3. Twice as nice: Candace Parker becomes the second – and third – player to dunk in a WNBA game in a win against the Indiana Fever on June 22nd. Parker dunked again in the 76 – 62 victory over the Seattle Storm on June 24th.
4. Roster full of All-Stars: Usually we only get to watch Yolanda Griffith, Swin Cash, Sheryl Swoopes, Lauren Jackson, and Sue Bird in the same uniform once a year for the All-Star game. This year these incredible five played together for the entire season. The Seattle Storm acquired Yolanda Griffith from the Sacramento Monarchs, Swin Cash from the Detroit Shock, and Sheryl Swoopes from the Houston Comets. Unfortunately, with aging all-stars come nagging injuries. The Seattle Storm were booted out of the first round of the playoffs with most of their all-stars sidelined or hobbling.
5. Minnesota's first place start: Minnesota had high hopes for 2008 and were hot for the first month of the season. They had the talent in Candice Wiggins and Charde Houston,  and Seimone Augustus, but not the experience. The Lynx dropped from first place to almost dead last and found themselves once again out of playoff contention. Maybe next year.
6. Coach of the Year: Head Coach Mike Thibault turned what could have been a disastrous rebuilding year for the Connecticut Sun into a second place finish in the eastern conference. With only two returning starters from the 2007 season, Lindsay Whalen and Asjha Jones, Mike Thibault revamped his roster and got the same result. Thibault acquired Tamika Whitmore from the Indiana Fever and half a roster full of former UConn huskies. It’s no wonder that his team came out on top. Thibault picked up standouts in Barbara Turner, Tamika Raymond, Svetlana Abrosimova, Asjha Jones, and Ketia Swanier and proved that he could probably turn a rec league team into playoff contenders.
7. The 2008 Draft: Candace Parker, Sylvia Fowles, Candice Wiggins were the top three players in the draft, but that is only part of the reason why the 2008 WNBA draft can be considered the deepest draft ever. Talent from the first round practically spilled over to the second and third. Players such as Leilani Mitchell, Crystal Kelly, and Charde Houston made an immediate impact on the league which bolstered talent and increased the level of play.
8. The Liberty Outdoor Classic: The first professional basketball game to be played outdoors. The New York Liberty sourly needed some tuneup games at Rucker Park before playing the Indiana Fever at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY. The Fever looked better prepared and more adept at playing basketball without the confines of a roof and air conditioning. The Fever defeated the Liberty 71-55. 
9. 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China: It's not strictly a WNBA moment, but something I thought I should include. San Antonio Silver Star Becky Hammon had Olympic hopes which were granted during the Games in Beijing, China. Hammon, who can be considered one of the best players in the WNBA, was snubbed by USA basketball for a spot on the Olympic roster (I’m guessing politics plays a big role in player considerations). Hammon decided to play for Russia and make some cash instead. She returned to the states with a bronze medal.
The United States women won gold over Australia in a game most thought would have been more competitive than it actually was. The United States second string had more talent than the entire Australian roster and it showed with a 92-65 victory.
10. Sophia Young’s game-winner: Sophia Young hit a turnaround jump shot with 1.4 seconds remaining on the clock to give the San Antonio Silver Stars a one-point victory over the Los Angeles Sparks in game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. The Silver Stars went on to defeat the Sparks in Game 3 only to be swept by the Detroit Shock in the WNBA Finals.