The 2006 Houston Comets centered their attack around Tina Thompson, whose scoring, rebounding, and versatile all-around play made her the team’s focal point. Michelle Snow provided efficient interior scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking, while Dawn Staley organized the offense as the primary playmaker. Houston’s physical defense, strong frontcourt production, and balanced rebounding were clear strengths, although inconsistent perimeter shooting limited the team’s overall offensive efficiency.
Houston leaned on Thompson as its primary half-court scorer after injuries disrupted the rotation. Contemporary coverage highlighted her willingness to shoulder the offensive burden rather than force difficult shots, helping stabilize the team despite playing only 21 regular-season games. (Chron)
WNBA All-Star (2006)
Sheryl Swoopes
Starter/Star (1.1)
35.8
High (1.2)
15.5
5.9
3.7
2.4
72.86
Functioning as Houston’s two-way engine, Swoopes regularly shifted onto elite opposing scorers while also initiating offense. Local reporting praised her vintage defensive intensity and leadership after an early-season back injury, with Van Chancellor repeatedly emphasizing her importance to the club. (Chron)
All-WNBA Second Team (2006)
Michelle Snow
Starter/Star (1.1)
29.2
Medium (1.1)
13.0
7.9
1.4
2.1
58.08
Snow anchored the paint with rim protection and interior finishing rather than high-volume touches. Independent season coverage consistently viewed her as the defensive backbone who complemented Houston’s veteran perimeter stars. (Chron)
—
Dominique Canty
Starter/Star (1.1)
28.7
Medium (1.1)
10.9
3.5
2.9
1.1
44.53
Before injuries limited her season, Canty gave the Comets an attacking guard capable of pushing pace and defending multiple backcourt assignments. Coverage noted her absence significantly reduced Houston’s perimeter depth. (Chron)
—
Dawn Staley
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.1
Low (1.0)
7.4
2.2
3.9
1.1
32.91
Staley embraced a veteran floor-general role, organizing the offense and providing leadership more than scoring. Reporters frequently pointed to her calming influence and professionalism throughout the season. (Houston Chronicle)
Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2006)
Tamecka Dixon
Key Contributor (1.05)
25.7
Low (1.0)
7.0
2.6
2.3
0.7
26.04
Dixon filled multiple perimeter roles as injuries reshaped the rotation. Her value came from dependable wing defense and steady minutes rather than offensive volume, giving Houston lineup flexibility.
—
Roneeka Hodges
Key Contributor (1.05)
21.2
Low (1.0)
7.5
2.0
1.0
0.6
23.31
Hodges developed into an important floor-spacing reserve whose three-point shooting opened driving lanes for Houston’s veterans. Contemporary reports viewed her as one of the younger bright spots in the rotation.
—
Sancho Lyttle
Bench (1.0)
13.1
Low (1.0)
3.7
3.9
0.3
1.0
17.80
Lyttle brought energy, offensive rebounding and defensive activity off the bench. Contemporary independent coverage of the Comets’ frontcourt identified her as a developing interior prospect with long-term upside.
—
Astou Ndiaye-Diatta
Bench (1.0)
11.5
Low (1.0)
3.2
2.7
0.7
0.2
13.60
Ndiaye-Diatta supplied experienced frontcourt depth in limited appearances. Independent reporting from the period on Houston’s rotation was limited, with most discussion focusing on the club’s veteran core.
—
Mistie Bass
Bench (1.0)
10.1
Low (1.0)
2.9
2.4
0.6
0.5
12.80
Bass spent much of her rookie season learning behind established post players while providing rebounding and physical play in short stretches. Contemporary independent coverage of her individual role was limited.
—
Tari Phillips
Bench (1.0)
10.6
Low (1.0)
2.8
2.2
0.2
0.6
11.60
Phillips offered experienced reserve minutes inside when called upon. Independent reporting on her season was limited, with attention centered on Houston’s established starters.
—
Kayte Christensen
Bench (1.0)
14.5
Low (1.0)
3.0
3.2
0.7
0.0
13.80
Christensen appeared sparingly but added size and rebounding when available. Independent season-specific coverage of her role was limited beyond roster depth discussions.
—
Anastasia Kostaki
Bench (1.0)
8.2
Low (1.0)
2.1
0.8
0.6
0.2
7.40
Kostaki served as a reserve playmaker behind Dawn Staley, primarily tasked with keeping the offense organized in short bursts. Contemporary independent reporting on her season was limited.
—
Edwina Brown
Bench (1.0)
7.0
Low (1.0)
1.0
1.0
0.3
0.3
5.20
Brown saw only brief action in a veteran-heavy rotation. Independent season-specific reporting on her contributions was limited.
Houston leaned on Snow’s interior presence throughout the series, asking her to finish inside while anchoring the defense. Her rim protection stood out against Sacramento’s frontcourt, and playoff previews consistently identified the Comets’ veteran front line as the club’s biggest advantage entering the matchup. (The Washington Post)
—
Tina Thompson
Starter/Star (1.1)
31.5
High (1.2)
13.5
2.5
1.5
1.5
49.90
Thompson remained Houston’s primary half-court scoring option even as Sacramento focused defensive attention on her. Much of the playoff discussion centered on whether her shot creation could break down the Monarchs’ elite defensive scheme, reflecting the responsibility she carried within the offense. (The Washington Post)
WNBA All-Star (2006)
Sheryl Swoopes
Starter/Star (1.1)
31.0
Medium (1.1)
11.0
2.5
1.5
2.0
41.14
Rather than simply hunting points, Swoopes spent much of the series balancing defensive assignments with secondary playmaking. Independent coverage continued to describe her as Houston’s emotional leader and most versatile two-way player despite Sacramento’s physical defensive approach. (The Washington Post)
All-WNBA Second Team (2006)
Dominique Canty
Starter/Star (1.1)
24.0
Medium (1.1)
8.0
2.0
3.0
0.0
31.94
Canty operated as the attacking guard who kept the offense moving instead of dominating possessions. Her ability to pressure the paint and defend opposing guards had been valued throughout the season, even if Sacramento limited her scoring opportunities in this short series.
—
Tamecka Dixon
Key Contributor (1.05)
22.0
Low (1.0)
5.5
4.0
2.5
0.0
25.20
Dixon filled a complementary wing role, providing defensive versatility and secondary ball handling whenever Houston needed lineup flexibility. Her playoff minutes reflected the coaching staff’s trust in her experience more than offensive production.
—
Sancho Lyttle
Bench (1.0)
15.5
Low (1.0)
5.5
5.0
0.0
0.5
22.00
Lyttle brought energy off the bench, attacking the glass and finishing efficiently around the basket. Even in limited minutes, she looked like a young post player capable of changing the game’s physical tone with hustle plays. (Texas State Historical Association)
—
Roneeka Hodges
Key Contributor (1.05)
17.5
Low (1.0)
7.0
1.5
0.5
0.0
18.90
Hodges was used primarily as a spacing option on the perimeter, giving Houston another shooter against Sacramento’s compact defense. Independent reporting during this period viewed her as one of the younger rotation players with long-term upside despite inconsistent shooting.
—
Dawn Staley
Starter/Star (1.1)
20.0
Low (1.0)
1.5
2.5
1.0
0.0
11.00
In her final WNBA postseason, Staley focused on organizing the offense and bringing veteran composure rather than looking for her own scoring. Her leadership and decision-making remained central to Houston’s backcourt identity. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2006)
Anastasia Kostaki
Bench (1.0)
5.5
Low (1.0)
2.5
0.5
0.5
0.0
7.00
Kostaki saw only brief reserve minutes as a backup facilitator behind an experienced guard rotation. Independent playoff coverage discussing her individual role was limited.
—
Mistie Bass
Bench (1.0)
4.0
Low (1.0)
1.0
0.5
0.0
0.0
3.00
Bass appeared only in short stretches, with Houston relying primarily on its veteran frontcourt during the postseason. Contemporary independent reporting on her playoff role was limited.
