:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46367642/GettyImages-452460370.0.jpg)
1. Maya Moore - Minnesota Lynx
The reigning WNBA Most Valuable Player is poised to have another statistically ridiculous season. In 2014, Moore averaged 23.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, which pretty much makes her the LeBron James of the WNBA (give or take a few assists).
She also shot over 50% from the floor and 88% from the free throw line in 2014; two categories in which she posts better numbers than King James himself did this NBA season. Moore could possibly win her second-straight MVP this season, and her third WNBA championship in the past five years. Talk about dominance.
2. Elena Delle Donne - Chicago Sky
Dubbed the future of women's basketball in 2013, Delle Donne has not disappointed in terms of her play so far in the WNBA, but simply in terms of the amount of games she has played. Following her Rookie of the Year season in 2013, Delle Donne played only 16 regular season games in 2014 due to the effects of Lyme disease.
However, she returned in the 2014 playoffs to lead the Chicago Sky to their first ever Eastern Conference Championship and WNBA Finals appearance. When healthy, Delle Donne is one of the most difficult matchups in the WNBA, because she is 6-foot-5 and can score in the post, but also possesses immense shooting ability, and the court vision of a point guard.
As long as Delle Donne stays on the floor during the 2015 WNBA season, look for her to be a serious contender in the WNBA MVP trophy.
3. Angel McCoughtry - Atlanta Dream
After losing a heartbreaking Eastern Conference Semifinals series to Chicago in 2014, look for McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream to approach the 2015 season with a focus on redemption. Over the past five years in the WNBA, McCoughtry has been the definition of consistency for the Dream.
She has averaged over 18.5 points per game and shot over 40% from the field in each of the last five seasons. The question is: can McCoughtry go from being a consistent star in the league, to a MVP contender? If the 2014 playoffs were any indication, I'd say there's a good chance.
In last year's postseason, McCoughtry rose to the occasion and increased her scoring average by over eight points per game. I am interested to see if McCoughtry can play with that playoff-like intensity throughout the 2015 WNBA season.
4. Brittney Griner - Phoenix Mercury
Despite having to sit out the first seven games of the 2015 WNBA season due to suspension, Griner is still a must-watch player this season. With Mercury teammate Diana Taurasi sitting out the entire WNBA season, Phoenix will truly be Griner's team for the first time in her young career.
In 2014, Griner displayed her defensive prowess throughout the season, as she recorded 129 blocks in 34 games (3.8 bpg), which led the league by a significant margin. The question this season will be if Griner can become more dominant on the offensive end, as the Mercury will need her to with Taurasi's absence.
This season will truly prove if Griner can become a superstar in the WNBA on both ends of the floor.
5. Skylar Diggins - Tulsa Shock
In just her second year in the league last season, Diggins was second in the WNBA in scoring average (20.1 ppg). That means Diggins averaged more points per game than Candace Parker, Angel McCoughtry, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and many other WNBA stars.
Diggins is the best scoring point guard in the league, and is a proven winner evidenced by her college days at Notre Dame. With a solid supporting cast returning, Diggins is poised to lead the Tulsa Shock to their first ever playoff appearance.
Diggins and Odyssey Sims make up one of the best backcourts in the WNBA; however, Tulsa goes as Diggins goes. Look for Diggins to finally lead the Shock to a coveted spot in the WNBA postseason in 2015.