![]() The addition provided Taurasi with a solid #2 player. The Mercury also drafted Cappie Pondexter with the #2 overall selection in the 2006 WNBA Draft. Westhead was the first WNBA coach to have won a previous NBA championship (1980 LA Lakers). The Mercury posted a 16–18 record in 2005, missing the playoffs again.īringing back "Paul Ball" (2006–2007) įormer NBA coach Paul Westhead became the Mercury's head coach prior to the 2006 season and brought his up-tempo style to Phoenix. Taurasi went on to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in the 2004 season, as the Mercury posted a better 17–17 record. ![]() Diana Taurasi joins the WNBA (2004–2005) Īfter a horrible 2003 season, in which the Mercury posted an 8–26 record, the Mercury won the #1 overall choice in the 2004 WNBA Draft, and select coveted former UConn star Diana Taurasi. Playboy Magazine offered her money to pose in their magazine. During the lean years, the franchise remained in the news as forward Lisa Harrison would become a sex symbol. The Mercury went through coach after coach, and nothing worked. Fielding miserable teams, the Mercury were never competitive. The team descended into turmoil after the season, as coach Miller left and the original core group of players broke up, via retirement or trades, and the team stopped being a playoff contender.įrom 2001 to 2004, the Mercury were at the bottom of the WNBA. In 2000, the Mercury finished 20–12, but got swept by the Los Angeles Sparks. In 1999, the Mercury missed the playoffs, posting a 15–17 record. In a hard-fought series, the Mercury fell 2 games to 1 to the defending champion Houston Comets. The Mercury defeated the Cleveland Rockers to reach the WNBA Finals for the first time. In 1998, the Mercury again qualified for the playoffs, posting a 19–11 record. The Mercury lost to the New York Liberty, though, in those playoffs. In the very first WNBA season, the Mercury posted a 16–12 record and reached the first WNBA playoffs. With a cast that included hall-of-famer Nancy Lieberman, and possible future hall-of-famers Michele Timms of Australia, and Jennifer Gillom, hyper-active star Bridget Pettis, and outspoken coach Cheryl Miller, the Mercury quickly established itself as a major franchise. In 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2021 the Mercury went to the WNBA Finals they lost to Houston in 1998, but won the title in 2007, 2009, and 2014 over Detroit, Indiana, and Chicago respectively.įranchise history Mercury heating up (1997–1998) The franchise has been home to players such as former UConn Diana Taurasi, Rutgers grad Cappie Pondexter, former Temple power forward Candice Dupree, former Baylor center Brittney Griner, and Australian guard Penny Taylor. ![]() The Mercury have qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in fifteen of its twenty-four years in Phoenix. The team is owned by Mat Ishbia, who also owns the NBA team Phoenix Suns. ![]() The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began it is one of the eight original franchises. Skylar Diggins Smith is the best all-round player in the game.The Phoenix Mercury are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Kahleah Copper: 18.2 points / 5.2 rebounds / 2.3 assists / 1.2 stealsĬourtney Vandersloot: 14.0 points / 5.7 rebounds / 8.7 assists / 1.3 steals / 0.7 blocksĬandace Parker: 13.3 points / 8.3 rebounds / 5.0 assists / 2.0 steals / 1.2 blocks Key Inclusions:īrittney Griner is the best scorer in the game.Ĭandace Parker is the best rebounder in the game.Ĭourtney Vandersloot is the best passer in the game. Skylar Diggins Smith: 14.6 points / 3.6 rebounds / 5.7 assists / 0.9 steals / 0.6 blocks Chicago Sky Key players Top picks: Phoenix Mercury Key playersīrittney Griner: 21.0 points / 9.7 rebounds / 3.7 assists / 2.0 blocksĭiana Taurasi: 19.7 points / 4.0 rebounds / 4.0 assists / 0.5 blocks Their best players in the game were Courtney Vandersloot who had 19 points and 4 assists, Kahleah Copper who had 18 points and 6 rebounds, and Candace Parker who had 17 points and 9 rebounds. The Chicago Sky (CHI) are coming off a 79-69 loss against the Connecticut Sun. Their best players in the game were Brittney Griner who had 28 points and 9 rebounds, Diana Taurasi who had 24 points and 2 assists, and Shey Peddy who had 15 points and 5 rebounds. The Phoenix Mercury (PHO) are coming off an 87-84 win against the Las Vegas Aces. Match Previews: Phoenix Mercury Team Updates:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |