Ruthie Bolton is one of the most unselfish players I've ever seen. The Sacramento Monarchs guard has been a star for a long time and has played on two gold-medal Olympic teams (in 1996 and 2000). But this year, she's coming off the bench. Coach Maura McHugh has made it clear she needs Bolton providing a spark as a reserve.

	Bolton

Bolton has done just that, without ego and without disrupting team chemistry. I love her selflessness -- which is a key reason why Sacramento has a chance to win every year. Bolton is like a rock. She's the kind of player any coach wants to have on her team. As I watch her continue to play at this stage of her career, my respect for her grows. She's still one of the WNBA's best players and could become a Hall of Fame-type player.

Bolton is a WNBA original -- she has played in the league since its inception in 1997. She has a fantastic outside shot, and she's as clutch as it gets. This season she's averaging 11.8 point per game and shooing 56.3 percent from 3-point range.

But beyond the stats, Bolton holds her teammates to the highest standards. As a coach, when you yell at your players to get in shape or to work harder in practice, sometimes they begin to tune you out. But when one of your elite players -- like a Michael Jordan -- holds teammates accountable every practice, every game, every possession ... well, it doesn't get better for a coach. Coming from that type of player, it carries more weight.

This year, the Monarchs are struggling with an 0-4 record. But two key players are on the disabled list: guard Edna Campbell, who is fighting breast cancer; and forward Yolanda Griffith, who has a bulging disc in her neck. Coming off the bench, Bolton has led the team in scoring twice: 21 vs. Portland and 18 vs. Houston. Sacramento next hosts New York on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.

She's also an excellent defender, always guarding the opponent's top offensive player. She has one of the most powerful bodies women's basketball has ever seen.

When one of your elite players holds teammates accountable every practice, every game, every possession ... well, it doesn't get better for a coach.

When I was trying out for the 1992 Olympic Team, we were working out at Auburn -- Bolton's alma mater -- and I remember being impressed by this young Bolton kid. She was as tough as nails, going hard at both ends of the floor. Her expression never changed. And she got better each year. First she made the U.S. national team, then she became a force on the U.S. team, later starting all eight games at the '96 Olympics. She improved her outside shooting and penetration.

She was so single-minded in her pursuit of excellence.

Bolton isn't hype, she isn't flash-and-dash, she won't wow you with crazy plays. But she will finish the layup on the break. She will get the steal in crunch time. She will hit the big 3-pointer when the game is on the line. She won't be pumping her first or doing cartwheels or playing to the fans. But she will hustle back on defense. She has a drill sergeant's mentality.

I love her approach. I believe she has had a tremendous influence on anybody she has played with or against. The players I know admire her immensely. I have such respect for her and for how she handles herself -- as an athlete, a role model, a Christian and a leader. She's an extraordinary person. Bolton has taken young Monarchs like Yolanda Griffith and Ticha Penicheiro under her wing. Yes, they have talent, but Bolton sets the tone for the team.

By the way, Bolton and her siblings could form four hoop teams -- yes, she's one of 20 children.

Bolton isn't hype, she isn't flash-and-dash, she won't wow you with crazy plays. But she will hustle back on defense.

Bolton tore her ACL in 1998 playing against my team (when I was coaching the Detroit Shock). I will never forget when she went down about 20 feet from our bench at the Palace at Auburn Hills. I can remember running out there and squeezing her hand -- she was wailing in pain.

Seeing her in such pain was one of the worst moments in my basketball career. But she worked hard to come back. And now she's coming off the bench. The classy way she has handled her new role absolutely typifies Ruthie Bolton.

Putbacks
Please, No Strike: The WNBA players association has discussed a strike next season, which would be devastating for the league. I certainly hope it doesn't happen. I hope the players and the league can work something out to everyone's mutual satisfaction. I believe the players and the league have a good relationship and want to see the WNBA grow. The two sides need to sit down and work together. They need to see the big picture -- which is what's best for women's basketball. Would a strike be the death knell for the WNBA? I don't know; that's conjecture right now. But I sure hope we never have to find out.

Sweet Trade For Sol: What a trade for the Miami Sol, who dealt Minneapolis native Tamara Moore to the Minnesota Lynx for guard Betty Lennox. Lennox was the WNBA rookie of year in 2000 but had struggled this season, largely because she has been playing out of position (Minnesota tried to make her a point guard). The emergence of Svetlana Abrosimova and Georgia Schweitzer made it easier for the Lynx to deal Lennox. Earlier this season, Moore, a rookie, scored 22 against Minnesota -- and apparently it made an impression. Now she'll be scoring for the Lynx. If Lennox returns to her rookie-of-the-year form, I expect this to be a great trade for the Sol.

Swoopes Does It All: Sheryl Swoopes has returned to the elite All-Star status she achieved before her knee injury. Swoopes is an amazing all-around talent, with per-game averages so far of 16.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.8 steals. When the game is on the line, we know about her ability to score. But we forget what a tough defensive player she is. She's great at getting in passing lanes. If there's a quicker player in the league with better anticipation off the ball, I want to meet her.

Mystics Turnaround: Congratulations to the 4-1 Washington Mystics, who have the fewest losses in the Eastern Conference. The Mystics are averaging a league-best 84 points per game -- after averaging only 60.3 last year (next to last in the league). The Mystics are playing hard and having fun. Besides the scoring, they also lead the WNBA in field-goal percentage (.495), 3-point field-goal percentage (.457) and offensive rebounding (10.8 per game).

ESPN analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman is a former WNBA coach, general manager and player. She is a regular contributor to ESPN.com's women's basketball coverage.