Indiana Fever spread minutes among four centers - Indianapolis Star

The Indiana Fever have been employing four centers. Does that mean they really have none?

Evidence is to the contrary.

What the Fever have is one veteran -- 6-4 Tammy Sutton-Brown, 34 -- and three understudies: 6-5 Jessica Davenport, 27; 6-1 Erlana Larkin, 26; 6-5 rookie Sasha Goodlett, 22.

"What you're seeing is a challenge to these guys," Fever coach Lin Dunn said. " 'OK. Who wants those minutes?' "

The Fever (14-8) will try to extend their post-Olympics record to 5-1 in tonight's game against the last-place Washington Mystics (5-18) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Unresolved minutes in the post have not unsettled the Fever. Davenport began the season as the starter but now comes off the bench. Sutton-Brown has 20 starts but averages fewer than 20 minutes a game.

The interloper is Larkins, who was out of the WNBA for two years after playing two seasons for the New York Liberty. The Fever acquired her as a free agent March 14, and she has supplied the rebounding the team has long sought, even if she is undersized.

"We know we're only going to go as far as we rebound," Dunn said. "We are a better rebounding team than we were before the Olympic break, without a doubt."

Larkins had seven rebounds and a career-high 16 points in leading the Fever over the Mystics 84-66 on Aug. 16. In five games since the Olympics, she has averaged 6.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. She has become not only a backup power forward behind Tamika Catchings, but also a center off the bench.

Larkins played in Turkey over the past four years, staying fit and improving her skills. She was second in that league in rebounding this year (10.9). Larkins said she was thankful the Fever gave her a chance after being waived by the Phoenix Mercury last year and by the Liberty in 2010.

"It's not necessarily about the size. It's about the heart," she said.

Meanwhile, Davenport reasserted herself in victories last week at Seattle and Phoenix. She totaled 20 points and 14 rebounds in 38 minutes.

That showed she wanted some of those minutes, Dunn said. Davenport, whose role has fluctuated during four seasons in Indiana, said she has been in the league so long that she can adjust.

"Whatever minutes are allotted, you have to do your best in that time," Davenport said.

Sutton-Brown remains the team's best post defender, Dunn said, but doesn't have the physical presence the others provide. What Sutton-Brown provides is mentoring.

She is in the final year of what once was believed to be her final WNBA contract. However, she said that as long as her health and passion are there, she would continue playing.

"The plan is to win a championship," Sutton-Brown said. "After that, definitely revisit it. I love the team, I love the girls. And it's a great place to be."

Goodlett has averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 18 games this season.

Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195.