Sparks Without Stars as Season Gets Closer

The Sparks, nearing the halfway point of their training camp, are relying as much on their imagination as on physical preparation for their June 11 WNBA season opener.

Mainstays Lisa Leslie and Haixia Zheng are playing in the World Championships, which begin next week in Germany; and guard Jamila Wideman is out at least two more weeks because of an ailing back.

“I finished last season with a sore back, but it began hurting in a different way before training camp,” Wideman said.

“The doctors say I don’t need surgery, that two more weeks of physical therapy will enable me to play.”

Wideman says Pam McGee, acquired in a trade, has “totally changed” the Sparks. “She brings a lot of very physical play and experience to our post play. Teams won’t be able to key their defenses to Lisa like they did last year.”

Also missing from practice on Tuesday were top draft picks Allison Feaster and Octavia Blue, who were in Chicago for a WNBA orientation meeting.

WNBA Notes

The Sparks will play Sacramento in an exhibition at 7:30 p.m. May 30 at the Pond. . . . Former USC player Audrey Gomez has been added to the Sparks’ training camp roster. . . . Wideman on top draft pick Allison Feaster, from Harvard: “She’s impressive. She has a certain physical presence on the court, and she’s got an inside and outside game.”

Spark President Johnny Buss said the chances are “better than 50-50” that his team will move into Staples Center, probably in 2000, joining the Lakers, Clippers and Kings. Previously, he had said the team would remain at the Forum.