The Portland Fire 2000 centered their offense around Sylvia Crawley and Sophia Witherspoon, who provided the team’s primary scoring and frontcourt production, while Dawn Staley directed the attack with elite playmaking. Linda Burgess added rebounding and interior support, giving the Fire a balanced inside-out approach. Strong ball movement was a clear strength, but inconsistent shooting efficiency and defensive play limited the team’s overall effectiveness.
Set the tone as Portland’s primary perimeter scorer, creating offense off the dribble while defending opposing backcourt stars. Contemporary coverage frequently described her as the veteran leader carrying much of the Fire’s offensive burden despite constant defensive attention.
MVP Voting (T-7th, 2000)
Sylvia Crawley
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.0
Medium (1.1)
11.5
6.0
1.1
1.7
48.51
Played an interior-first role built around rebounding, post finishing and energetic rim protection. Independent reporting regularly praised her athleticism and willingness to do the physical work that balanced Portland’s perimeter-oriented attack.
Stacey Thomas
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.0
Medium (1.1)
5.1
3.9
3.2
2.2
34.61
Brought defensive versatility and secondary playmaking from the forward spot, often handling difficult assignments regardless of matchup. Analysts covering the Fire highlighted her hustle and all-around contributions that rarely showed up through scoring alone.
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2000)
Vanessa Nygaard
Key Contributor (1.05)
26.3
Medium (1.1)
7.9
3.8
0.9
0.7
30.03
Filled an important complementary wing role, stretching defenses with perimeter shooting while defending multiple positions. Season coverage consistently noted her basketball IQ and willingness to embrace low-usage responsibilities.
Alisa Burras
Key Contributor (1.05)
15.0
Low (1.0)
7.6
3.5
0.3
0.4
24.99
Supplied efficient frontcourt production off the bench, finishing around the basket and providing physical rebounding in limited minutes. Independent reporting often cited her instant-energy role whenever Portland needed interior scoring.
Michelle Marciniak
Bench (1.0)
16.8
Low (1.0)
5.5
1.8
2.3
1.4
22.00
Served as a reserve guard whose value came from pushing tempo and organizing the second unit. Contemporary coverage highlighted her competitiveness and playmaking even when her shot wasn’t falling consistently.
Tully Bevilaqua
Starter/Star (1.1)
24.9
Low (1.0)
4.8
3.0
2.8
1.5
26.62
Operated as the club’s defensive-minded point guard, applying full-court pressure and keeping the offense organized. Writers covering the league frequently praised her hustle, leadership and disruptive perimeter defense.
Lynn Pride
Bench (1.0)
14.4
Low (1.0)
3.6
1.9
1.3
0.8
15.20
Provided steady reserve minutes on the wing, focusing on defense and ball movement rather than shot creation. Independent reporting specific to her season was limited because of her supporting role.
DeMya Walker
Bench (1.0)
10.4
Low (1.0)
3.1
1.6
0.6
0.8
12.20
Added physicality in the frontcourt and competed for rebounds whenever called into the rotation. Contemporary independent coverage remained limited due to her modest workload.
Tara Williams
Bench (1.0)
6.7
Low (1.0)
3.1
0.7
0.5
0.4
9.40
Filled a specialist reserve role with an emphasis on floor spacing and energy. Independent reporting on her season was limited because of her restricted minutes.
Michele Van Gorp
Bench (1.0)
7.1
Low (1.0)
2.5
1.5
0.2
0.2
8.80
Saw limited action as a developmental post player, contributing with size and effort around the basket. Contemporary independent coverage was sparse because of her small role.
Jamila Wideman
Bench (1.0)
7.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.8
0.4
0.4
3.20
Appeared only briefly during the season, leaving little opportunity to establish a consistent rotation role. Independent contemporary coverage was limited because of the small sample.
