Evolution of the WNBA

One criticism of the WNBA since its inception is that team's favor athletic players who can defend, so few players possess the offensive skills to create their own shots.

As the W has evolved, more players have developed this skill or entered the league with the ability to create their own shot. Typically, these are the superstars or near superstars like Deanna Nolan, Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Candace Parker, Seimone Augustus, Candice Wiggins and others.

Beyond these multi-dimensional players, several teams rely heavily on point guards (Sue Bird, Lyndsey Whalen) or post players (Lisa Leslie, Lauren Jackson, DeMya Walker) on the offensive end, as well as the team's structure and offensive sets.

The role players, it seems, are most frequently athletic defenders or fairly non-descript players. While nearly every NBA team has a "designated shooter" on its roster (Kyle Korver, Jason Kapono, JJ Reddick), it seems like few of these designated shooters stick in the NBA (although Kara Lawson turned herself into an Olympian in this role).

Also, it seems like fewer of the "designated defenders" develop into great spot-up shooters, as with the NBA (Bruce Bowen, Shane Battier, Raja Bell).

My first question, since I have caught only one game this season is: Is this an accurate assessment?

If so, would the next step in the evolution of the W be the development of the two-way role player, players like Battier or Bowen who lock down the opponent's top player while also spreading the floor on offense to give the team's superstar more room to operate?

In the NBA, players like Trevor Ariza, Battier and others command good salaries because of their ability to complement the superstars. Are there such players in the WNBA that go unnoticed because there are not thousands of stat geeks breaking down and publicizing their efforts?

Are there players who realize that they will not be the star of their team, so they create a role to earn playing time and a higher salary? Has someone like Marie Ferdinand-Harris or Noelle Quinn embraced that role with the Sparks? Has Chelsea Newton developed her three-point shot enough to qualify in Sacramento? Does Katie Geralds play defense well enough to qualify? Has Alexis Hornbuckle adopted the role in Detroit? Could she be the prototype for the next generation of complimentary players?

These are honest questions. Is the WNBA more of a team game so specified roles, like in the NBA, are not as pronounced? Are there college players thinking that they might not be stars, but they can earn a rotation spot if they prove their defensive abilities and make open jump shots?