Sparks sit atop AP preseason WNBA poll; Lynx are 2nd

FILE – In this Oct. 20, 2016, file photo, Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker, right, touches the trophy held by team owner Magic Johnson after the Sparks won the WNBA championship title with a win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 in Minneapolis. The defending champion Los Angeles Sparks start the season atop The Associated Press WNBA poll. The Sparks received 11 first-place votes from the national media panel Tuesday, May 9, 2017. The Minnesota Lynx, who fell to the Sparks in a decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals last fall, garnered the other five first-place votes and came in second in the poll.(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

NEW YORK — The defending champion Los Angeles Sparks start the season atop The Associated Press WNBA poll.

The Sparks received 11 first-place votes from the national media panel Tuesday.

“We appreciate the people giving us that kind of respect, although I know that there’s several really, really good teams in this league,” Sparks coach Brian Agler said. “We feel like we can be good. There are some teams that are really strong as well. People have improved through the offseason, improved through the draft.”

Los Angeles opens its season Saturday against Seattle.

The Minnesota Lynx, who fell to the Sparks in a decisive Game 5 of the WNBA Finals last fall, garnered the other five first-place votes and came in second in the poll.

The Lynx are led by Maya Moore, who was the 16-member panel’s choice as preseason player of the year.

“I appreciate the confidence expressed in me for this 2017 season, and I hope to bring everything needed for my team to be the best Lynx team yet,” Moore said.

Moore highlighted the AP preseason all-WNBA team. She was joined by New York’s Tina Charles, Washington’s Elena Delle Donne, reigning AP player of the year Nneka Ogwumike of the Sparks and Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi.

New York is third in the poll, followed by Washington, Seattle, Phoenix and Indiana. Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Connecticut and San Antonio round out the poll.

The Stars are led by top draft pick Kelsey Plum, who was a unanimous choice for preseason rookie of the year.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the Stars organization and the Spurs family,” Plum said. “I cannot wait to get on the court with my teammates and play ball.”

The WNBA tips off its 21st season this weekend.

This is the second year the AP is doing a WNBA poll. The first regular-season poll will be released on Tuesday, May 23.