Los Angeles Sparks coach Michael Cooper knows about basketball legends in the City of Angels.

He played with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s. He's been around to see the city as Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant hoisted multiple championship trophies.

So it's fitting Cooper's WNBA coaching career would be linked to another Los Angeles basketball legend, Sparks center Lisa Leslie.

One of the original WNBA players, Leslie plans to retire at the end of the season. And since the league began in 1997, Leslie has been one of the best and most recognizable players in the league.

She's the WNBA's all-time leader in points (6,047), rebounds (3,224), shots made (2,240) and second in blocks (801).

"She's a marquee player," Cooper said. "Every L.A. team has always had a marquee player, and it's always been a center. She's like that dominating center that every team needs. Wilt (Chamberlain), Kareem, Vlade (Divac), Shaq."

Barring a miraculous turnaround by Sacramento that creates another Sparks-Monarchs playoff matchup, tonight's game at Arco Arena will be Leslie's last at Arco.

And as the game has changed, with 6-foot-5 players like Seattle's Lauren Jackson becoming proficient three-point shooters, the 6-5 Leslie made her name playing in the paint.

"I think her identity came as that true legitimate center," Cooper said.

Leslie's accomplishments are many. She's a member of two WNBA championship teams (2001, 2002) and was Finals Most Valuable Player after each title. She is a three-time league MVP (2001, 2004, 2006) and twice the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2004, 2008). She has won a gold medal in the last four Olympics and became the first player to dunk in a WNBA game on June 30, 2002.

Leslie, however, said Arco would always be a special place in her career.

"The fans there are always great," Leslie said. "Whether they're booing or cheering, they're always loud. With the cowbells and with their chant of 'Beat L.A.,' it was like it was invented there."

Leslie said some of her worst games have been at Arco, thanks to the constant defensive pressure the Monarchs put on her at the height of their rivalry.

Leslie battled Yolanda Griffith in the paint in the regular season and playoffs and was always the focal point of the Monarchs' scheme.

"Yo played extra hard when she played against Lisa because she knew Lisa was the dominant force and the face of the league," Monarchs coach John Whisenant said. " … Lisa's always been a challenge and she's always been our No. 1 player to stop. If we had an advantage, Yo played her most inspired games against Lisa."

Long before Leslie took on the Monarchs, she'd been synonymous with women's basketball in Southern California.

She scored 101 points in one half as a senior while playing for Morningside High School in Inglewood in 1990. She went on to become a three-time All-American at USC. Those feats, along with her WNBA and international success, make Leslie one of the most accomplished women in sports.

But Leslie is focused on getting the Sparks, fifth in the conference standings, back into the playoffs for one last title run.

Talk of her legacy can wait.

"I've always played basketball, and it's always been what have you done for me lately," Leslie said. "I think I've represented my family name, city, country to the best of my ability. I try to leave it out on the floor and stay positive."

But Leslie's legacy has been established for some time.

"It's obvious she's been the face of the league," Whisenant said. "She's been an All-Star since she started. She's very professional, highly competitive but remains lady like. She's not only led the Sparks, but led the WNBA and the U.S. in the Olympics with a lot of class. It's been enjoyable competing against her."

Leslie's role as a mentor for other players means her impact will continue to be felt. Sparks teammate Candace Parker is poised to take Leslie's place as the WNBA's marquee name after winning MVP and Rookie of the Year last season.

And Leslie, who took off the 2007 season for the birth of her daughter, is also helping Parker, a new mother herself, in that role.

"She's showing (Parker) some moves on the court that only another player can show you," Cooper said.

Leslie believes the WNBA is in a good place as she leaves. And she expects nothing but a fight tonight, even if the Monarchs have the worst record in the league.

"I don't think it means anything with the record," Leslie said. "With Sacramento, they'll play the spoiler and try to win as many games as possible."