TRAVERSE CITY -- Bill Laimbeer likes how his defending WNBA champion Detroit Shock look on paper.
But, with the season opener less than a week away, he would like to see how they look on the court.
"On paper, we're just as good if not better than last year," Laimbeer said prior to Saturday night's exhibition game at Traverse City West. "However, the league's a lot stronger and we haven't had all of our players practice yet. We've had some injuries. That's a little worrisome.
"Cheryl Ford was just cleared to play," he added. "Her first practice is going to be this week. (Deanna) Nolan's first practice is going to be this week. Plenette's (Pierson) first practice was Friday. We're working our way through it."
Because of the injuries, Laimbeer has not set his starting lineup for the opener.
"I've got to wait and see how everything goes this week," he said. "But they're pretty smart players. They keep themselves in pretty good shape. I think we'll be OK."
Nonetheless, Laimbeer believes June will be a critical month for the Shock.
"June will be a big month for us in terms of keeping our head above water until we get healthy and (incorporate) a couple new players into our system," he said. "We're very fortunate that the schedule is favorable for us early in the season. After our first three games, we have nine days off. That will help."
The 6-foot-3 Ford, a former WNBA Rookie of the Year, tore her ACL in the playoffs last season. Laimbeer said "getting over the mental part of a knee injury" will be her biggest hurdle now. Still, Detroit showed its strength by beating San Antonio in the finals without her.
"We have great players at many positions," Laimbeer said. "Our guards are a big part of our basketball team. They carry us very well. Hopefully, this year will be no exception."
The guards are Nolan, who is coming off a shoulder injury suffered in play overseas, and Katie Smith, the MVP of last year's finals.
"Katie Smith is one of those players born to play basketball," Laimbeer said. "She's won two championships with us and three gold medals (in the Olympics). The level she competes at -- physically and mentally -- is a tremendous positive. She's a good role model for our players."
Laimbeer said he does not expect this team to lose its focus after a title-winning season.
"That's not a problem with this group," he said. "This is what they do -- they compete for championships. That's what they're all about. They don't care about individual statistics. They look at the regular season as a way to get the home court advantage (for the playoffs). And the playoffs are won by the most intelligent basketball players, as long as the talent is equal. And they're a smart basketball team."
A veteran team, too. Smith has been in the league 10 years, Nolan eight, Pierson and Ford six.
"Everybody understands what their responsibilities are," Laimbeer said. "They're very familiar playing with each other. They know what to do. They know all the plays. They know they can trust each other on defense. It won't take us that long to pick it up. I just wish we had a little more time together (in the pre-season)."
One of the newcomers trying to work her way into the playing group is former Michigan State standout guard Kristin Haynie.
"She pulled a quad muscle, so she's only had four days of practice," Laimbeer said. "She's a better shooter than I thought. And she's a smarter player than I thought. She's picked things up very quickly. I know she's excited to be here. Now I've just got to get her on the court."
Laimbeer brought the Shock to Traverse City last summer during the Olympics break. He said the seeds were cultivated then to bring the team north for an exhibition.
"Our clinic at West (last summer) went well," he said. "I mentioned to our people that we should look at playing a game up here. I thought it would be easy for certain teams to fly into -- certainly not San Antonio, I was expecting Minnesota. But it's a good situation not only for the players to get away before we start but also for the people of northern Michigan to get a chance to see them play."
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