For almost the entirety of the WNBA, the Western Conference has been the dominating conference and this year it won’t be different. The Minnesota Lynx, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm have dominated the WNBA. When we compare the number of championship teams that are in the Western and Eastern Conference, only two teams from the East have won. Only the Indiana Fever, and the then team, Tulsa Shock, now known as the Dallas Wings.
In each category for the 2020 season leaders, there were at least two players from the Western Conference in the top five. If we look at the 2020 season league stats, almost every statistic except for field goal percentage, the number one position was a team from the West.
Last season, just one team from the Eastern Conference had an above .500 record. Compared to the Western Conference where five teams had an above .500 record. Five teams from the 2020 season had won more than ten games while the Eastern Conference only had two teams. Despite some players from both conferences unable to play for many reasons concerning Covid-19, the Western Conference is undeniably superior.
The Western Conference is a higher caliber conference because they have more dominating players in each position. They have more players who can play multiple positions. Players such as Elena Della Donne, Breanna Stewart, Nneka Ogwumike who can handle the ball, shoot around the perimeter, and can play great defense make the West hard to defeat.
Another reason why the West is better is that it has more veterans than the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, there are veterans Diana Taurasi, Seimone Augustus, Angel McCoughtry, Sue Bird, and more. They have been big contributors to their teams’ success throughout the years.
The Western Conference didn’t make huge major trades except for long-time Sparks player Candace Parker to the Chicago Sky. However, Liz Cambage will be back for the Las Vegas Aces as one of the best centers in the WNBA.
The West will have a challenge this season since multiple top draftees went to the Eastern Conference, the Wings three round one picks and Candace Parker traded to the Chicago Sky.
