The announcement of the Top 15 in league history 

The 15th anniversary of the WNBA brought about a special celebratory feel to the 2011 All-Star game, most noteably due to the immense amount of league greats in attendance at the game. These superstars in the record books of the W were here for more than just basketball, however, they were in San Antonio to get recognized as a member of the Top 15 All-Time team that was unveiled at halftime.

Amazing names in the game, both past and present, were greeted by roars of approval from the fans in the stands. Five of the 15 - a third of those honored - were there for more than just a crystal plaque, they were current WNBA greats selected to play in the all-star game. But whether you were there as a fan, a retired legend, a rookie all-star or a legend still lacing them up, everyone knew the importance of the day.

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The All-Star game was complete with a full cast of all-stars and then some. Along with the players on the court, the all-time greats in the league were back to earn accolades for their accomplishments in the WNBA. After the glass plaques were handed out and the on-court photo op was seen with hundreds of flashbulbs, two of the greats, Dawn Staley and Lisa Leslie, took some time to talk about the honor and the league that bestowed it.

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When WNBA president Laurel Richie came into the league, the talk was about Girl Scout cookies and her casual sports fandom. Questions revolved around marketing plans, answers started with I am not sure yet. But now, after the league has played a half of a season, after the president has her feet fully immersed in the waters the answers are stronger, more self- and league-assured.

Before the All-Star game, Richie fielded some tough questions about the viability and sustainability of the league in a tough economic market that has caused lockouts and fissions in other leagues. When NBA counterparts are talking about taking their talents to Turkey or Spain, she addressed the issue of the fact that women's basketball players have no off-season and already supplement their income overseas. She spoke candidly about the growth of women's sports into just sports. And Richie talked about a plan to get more fans of the game she called magical.

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The 2011 WNBA All-Star game fun started as soon as the cowboy hats went on and the music blared for the team intros. Really, well before that time as the preparations were made by the starters to come out of the tunnel. For the West, Swin Cash was the dancer of the group, but not solely by design. You see, there was a plan that went awry and left some of the starters stumped on how to adjust their moves.

"You know what, it's hilarious because I really felt that it was harder figuring out what we were going to do coming out in the intros than playing the game, it really was!" Cash said. "I tell you, we were back there last minute and I was like 'Sue was it a jacket throw?' Becky wanted me to kick the foot like this," as Cash demonstrated a leg kick that fellow starter Rebekkah Brunson thought was a necessary addition to the routine.

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As San Antonio Silver Stars guard Becky Hammon said on the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game preview on NBA TV, not even players really get serious about winning this basketball spectacle until the last few minutes or so.

Of course, late-game competitiveness hasn't always been a defining feature of WNBA All-Star games in the past. But with a reasonable representation of the WNBA's best talent on one court, these kind of games are always better when they're competitive enough down the stretch for fans to stay engaged.

So let's just assume the best for today's game at 3:30 pm EDT on ABC, that the game will actually be competitive enough that the outcome will remain in doubt until the final few minutes. Which team has the advantage?

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The 2011 WNBA All-Star game rosters are packed with names that you've come to expect to be voted into the game as starters - the Seattle Storm pair of Sue Bird and Swin Cash who have 11 all-star appearances combined, the seven-time all-star Tamika Catchings from the Indiana Fever, the fourth all-star nod for Cappie Pondexter. On the reserves lists you can find six-time all-star Becky Hammon from the home town San Antonio Silver Stars and a pair of honorees who are making their third appearance in Seimone Augustus and Penny Taylor.

But something unusual on today's squad is the extraordinarily high number of first-year players, a record 11 women. And of those 11, four are rookies. Maya Moore, Liz Cambage, Courtney Vandersloot and Danielle Adams anchor a strong rookie class that is effectively and indelibly making their mark on the game and the hearts of not only the fans that have voted them in, but the coaches that placed them on the rosters.

Moore, the first pick in the WNBA draft is the only rookie selected as a starter by the fan vote. Moore, one of the always present UConn contingent, is averaging 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in her first season with the Minnesota Lynx.

In a season that marks special significance for the league as year 15 is at its midway point and a group of 15 players of the past and present will be designated as the greatest to ever play in the league, the symbolic nature of the day is not lost on Moore.

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The WNBA announced its 2011 All-Star starters last week and today they have announced their reserves, listed as follows: 

* = Best in league
** = Best in conference

So who were the biggest snubs?

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The WNBA has announced its 2011 All-Star starters tonight, with the following players being selected to the Eastern and Western Conference teams by the fans. 

For the most part, these selections aren't unreasonable, even though it ends up amounting to the Big East - SEC Challenge (plus Purdue) - the good thing is that even the most questionable selections are defensible.

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