WNBA 2021 season predictions: Which player wins MVP? Which team wins the title?
The WNBA's 25th anniversary season opens Friday with four games. Are the Seattle Storm the favorite to repeat and win the 2021 title? Will the Las Vegas Aces break through for their first championship? Or will a former dynasty return to the top? A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are again the front-runners for league MVP, but they have company in the race. At least, that's what our panel predicts.
ESPN analysts Rebecca Lobo and LaChina Robinson, play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco, ESPN writers Katie Barnes, Kevin Pelton and Mechelle Voepel, and The Undefeated's Sean Hurd make their preseason picks for how the season will unfold.
Which player is your preseason pick for MVP?
Katie Barnes: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Acesbr/>Sean Hurd: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Acesbr/>Rebecca Lobo: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Stormbr/>Kevin Pelton: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynxbr/>LaChina Robinson: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Acesbr/>Ryan Ruocco: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Stormbr/>Mechelle Voepel: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Who is your pick for preseason Rookie of the Year?
Barnes: DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sunbr/>Hurd: DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sunbr/>Lobo: Jasmine Walker, Los Angeles Sparksbr/>Pelton: Charli Collier, Dallas Wingsbr/>Robinson: DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sunbr/>Ruocco: DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sunbr/>Voepel: Charli Collier, Dallas Wings
Who is your preseason Defensive Player of the Year?
Barnes: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercurybr/>Hurd: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynxbr/>Lobo: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercurybr/>Pelton: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Acesbr/>Robinson: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercurybr/>Ruocco: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynxbr/>Voepel: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Which five players will make the All-WNBA First Team
Listed in positional order. One center, two forwards and two guards:
Barnes: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Hurd: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Lobo: Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Pelton: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Robinson: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics; Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury; Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky
Ruocco: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
Voepel: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Liz Cambage, Las Vegas Aces; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Which teams will meet in the WNBA Finals?
Barnes: Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Acesbr/>Hurd: Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynxbr/>Pelton: Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynxbr/>Robinson: Las Vegas Aces vs. Washington Mysticsbr/>Ruocco: Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Stormbr/>Voepel: Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury
Which team will win the 2021 WNBA title?
Barnes: Las Vegas Acesbr/>Hurd: Las Vegas Acesbr/>Pelton: Minnesota Lynxbr/>Robinson: Las Vegas Acesbr/>Ruocco: Seattle Stormbr/>Voepel: Las Vegas Acesbr/]
