The Portland Fire is making a comeback in the WNBA, but building a successful expansion team is no easy feat. It's a challenging journey, and former coach Linda Hargrove knows it all too much.
As the Fire prepares for the 2026 season, a familiar hurdle emerges. Coach Alex Sarama faces the daunting task of assembling a brand-new roster. But Hargrove, the original coach and general manager from the team's inaugural WNBA stint, has been there, done that.
Hargrove's tenure saw the Fire struggle with a 37-59 record across three seasons. Despite the challenges, the team showed promise in their final season, finishing with a 16-16 record before Paul Allen pulled the plug in 2002.
Building an expansion team from scratch is no walk in the park, and Hargrove highlights the expansion draft as a tricky starting point. She explains that the available players are often benchwarmers, especially when multiple teams are selecting. "You're getting players that aren't being protected. They're like the 8th, 9th, or 10th player on another team," Hargrove reveals. While good players can be found, premier talents are hard to come by.
And the challenges don't stop there. Expansion teams, having not played the previous season, are excluded from the draft lottery, making it difficult to secure high draft picks in their inaugural year. The Fire's first pick in 2000, the 7th overall, was Lynn Pride from Kansas.
It wasn't until 2001, with the 4th pick, that the Fire landed Jackie Stiles, who went on to become Rookie of the Year and a standout player for the next two seasons.
So, what's the secret to building a successful expansion team? Hargrove suggests a strategic approach: attack free agency. This is where the Fire found some of their top players, including Sylvia Crawley, Michelle Marciniak, and Tully Bevilaqua. These players had experience in other leagues but hadn't yet found a home in the WNBA.
Crawley, in particular, left a lasting impact, holding the Fire's career records in points, rebounds, and blocks. And in a heartwarming twist, it was Crawley who delivered the news of the team's revival to Hargrove 23 years after its disbandment.
Hargrove fondly recalls the Fire's connection with the Portland community and the passionate fanbase. She expresses surprise at the WNBA's delay in returning to Portland, given the city's proven dedication to the league.
After the Fire's disbandment, Hargrove continued her basketball journey, working for the Washington Mystics in various roles before retiring in 2008. She briefly came out of retirement to coach at Wichita State in 2017 and now helps run ProHoops Sports & Events, organizing basketball camps and events.
Hargrove's time with the Fire remains a cherished memory, and she eagerly anticipates returning to Portland to witness the new team's debut. She reflects, "It was one of the best three-year experiences I've had. Putting that team together, starting fresh, and watching our improvement was truly special."
But here's where it gets controversial: Is the WNBA doing enough to support expansion teams? The challenges faced by the Portland Fire raise questions about the league's approach to new franchises. Should the league implement more supportive measures to ensure the success of expansion teams? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
