Don't Let the Lipstick Fool Ya: 2008 WNBA Season Worth a Watch

Who cares about women's basketball? 

Many people ask that question whenever women's basketball is brought up.  But this year's WNBA season could change your opinion about the game. 

As an avid follower of WNBA basketball, this upcoming season will have at least five juicy story lines that will catch my eye.  

1. The Return of Lisa Leslie and the Arrival of Candace Parker

Since its inception in 1997, the Los Angeles Sparks have been one of the more successful franchises.  

Then,  star player Lisa Leslie missed the entire 2007 season because of the birth of her child.  Without her, the Sparks suffered their worst season in team history, which led to them drafting Candace Parker with the No. 1 overall pick in April.

Candace Parker was the most exciting player to watch in women's college basketball last year.

She was a great player during her tenure at Tennessee while playing for Pat Summit, and she led her team to back-to-back national championships.

CP is the total package. She can shoot inside the perimeter, rebound, and will even  dunk the basketball on every once in a while. 

And now that she and Leslie will be side by side, Parker and Leslie could form potentially the best frontcourt in the league.  L.A. is already the favorite to win the Western Conference.

2. The Wild, Wild West

The parity will be nowhere as close or as good as the NBA's Western Conference, but they will have their similarities.

Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie already spell star power in the Los Angeles, but a few more faces will make the West worth watching as well.

Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Candace Wiggins, Lauren Jackson, Seimone Augustus, Becky Hammon, and Tina Thompson are just a few names that make the Western Conference the best it's ever been.

And though L.A. is the preseason favorite, Phoenix is still the defending WNBA champions.  Plus, Seattle and San Antonio have legit chances to compete for a championship, too.

3. The 2008 Rookie Class

You've heard enough about Candace Parker, but she won't be the only rookie sensation this season.

Candice Wiggins of the Minnesota Lynx will make an immediate impact on both sides of the floor, and with Seimone Augustus by her side, they have a good chance of clinching a playoff berth.

Also, Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Essence Carson (New York Liberty), Matee Ajavon (Houston Comets), Nicky Anosike (Minnesota Lynx), and Tamera Young (Atlanta Dream) are all names to watch for in this deep freshman class.

4. Race for the MVP

Taurasi (Phoenix). Leslie (Los Angeles). Cheryl Ford (Detroit). Deanna Nolan (Detroit). Jackson (Seattle). Hammon (San Antonio).  Take your pick, because these players will all be MVP candidates near the season's end.

Lauren Jackson, who led the league in scoring and rebounding last season, tops my top-five list of this year's MVP candidates.

5. The Phoenix Mercury's Title Defense 

The Mercury's high-powered offense might not be as fun to watch this year because of the loss of their coach, Paul Westhead.

But Taurasi, Pondexter, and Penny Taylor are more than enough to lead this team to another Finals appearance.

The addition of Tangela Smith will also give them another needed low-post presence. 

Phoenix begins their title defense Saturday against Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks. 

Need some basketball in your life after the NBA playoffs?  Tune into what should be one of the best seasons in WNBA history. 

Michael Whittenberg is an NBA Community Leader at BleacherReport.com