Why do so many teams look sloppy early? Because half the players didn't report to camp. Why not? Because they were playing in Europe. Why were they playing in Europe? Because they make a lot more money there than they do, or can, or will in the WNBA.

What can the WNBA do about it? Not much, says Voepel: some problems just don't have solutions.

DeMya Walker: "What I make here is not nearly as much as I make overseas. The money I make there -- that's what I'm saving for my daughter to go to college."