Sparks fly
Photograph By Steve Grayson/Getty Images
The Houston Comets dominated the WNBA's early years, winning four consecutive titles. But in 2001, Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks broke through to finally give the league a new champion. As Mechelle Voepel once wrote for espnW, "Leslie became a dominant force in the sport when the WNBA needed signature players as it launched and began to grow." And with Leslie -- the regular-season and WNBA Finals MVP -- leading the way, Los Angeles swept the Charlotte Sting in two games for the 2001 title.
