Phoenix Mercury

The 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women will be held next September and October in the Czech Republic, and the Phoenix Mercury are very well represented.

As of now, two players from the WNBA champion Mercury, Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter, will be donning the red, white and blue for Team USA next fall.

FIBA has also conducted the draw for the tournament, and Team USA will participate in Group B, along with France, Greece and Senegal.

The rest of the squad is made up of the following WNBA players: Sue Bird (Seattle), Tamika Catchings (Indiana), Seimone Augustus (Minnesota), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago), Kara Lawson (Sacramento) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles).

UCONN head coach Geno Auriemma will guide the squad, and former Mercury great Jennifer Gillom will serve as one of his assistants. Gillom, who played with Phoenix from 1997 until 2002, is currently the head coach of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.

First off, yes I’m still alive, and yes I still follow the Mercury closely, and yes I am at the games. With my new gig at DIME Magazine being more hectic than I originally thought, I sincerely apologize for not updating everyone on the status of the Mercury lately. So, here is a boat-load of updates to hopefully make up for my absence! Also, there is some very exciting stuff coming up that you’ll want to know about and I’ll be posting much more frequently. So, please, keep coming back! (Twitter - @bjyork)

Schedule

At 16-7, the Mercury are (obviously) 1^st place in the Western Conference. However, what isn’t as well-known is how they could finish the season and perhaps set a franchise record for most wins. The Mercury have 11 games left in the 2009 regular season.

· San Antonio, San Antonio, Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles, Connecticut, Detroit, Indiana, Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles

5 of those games are home, and 6 are away. The franchise record for most wins in a season was 2007 with 23. There is no reason to think the Mercury cannot win 7-9 of the aforementioned games if they play up to their ability. I see them beating San Antonio, Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles, Connecticut, Detroit, Atlanta, and either the Storm or Sparks to close out the season. That’s 8 wins, and they could conceivably have more if they got really hot.

That would give them a potential win total of 23-25 and either tie or surpass the franchise record. Of course, this is barring any major health issues etc. Perhaps more astonishingly, the Mercury had a full, healthy roster against Indiana for the first time since early July. Before that, it was consistently a question mark too. Still, they were able to come together and play the Mercury basketball we all know and love to sit atop the West.

Hypothetically speaking, how scary could they be when they really start to click with Penny Taylor??!! If nothing else, they are now one of the deepest teams in the league.

MVP Rankings

It should be no surprise that Cappie and Diana are in the top 5 in the MVP race either. It’s hard to quantify or justify who is better, and if I’m honest, it really doesn’t matter because they play so well together and are as unselfish as they come.

This year, perhaps more so than any, DT and CP have proven what a force they are in the league and have shown no signs of letting up. The adversity the team has seen this season has only brought them (and the team) closer.

Rookie Rankings

Another no-brainer is how consistently DeWanna sits atop the Rookie Rankings on WNBA.com. DB has been there for numerous weeks already and despite only playing close to 20 minutes a game, she is becoming more and more comfortable (and in control). I compared her to Shawn Marion when the Mercury drafted her, and it seems like that is a more than fair comparison since DB gets most of her points and rebounds off intangibles, determination, and hustle.

Gaines

There shouldn’t be any question now that Corey Gaines is the perfect coach for this team. We’ve seen improvements on the defensive end of the floor, however gradual they might be, and even improvements offensively which is amazing in and of itself. He brings a disciplined, but fun, attitude to this club and the players love playing for him. Julie and Bridge add to the light atmosphere and provide the players a much needed laugh when need be. It’s great to see.

Meek and Ketia

How good are our PG’s?! They are similar and different at the same time. Meek has a calming presence on the floor and can direct traffic with ease. Ketia is a high-octane energy boost off the bench and is gaining in confidence with each game. For opposing teams, it’s hard to gameplan which guard they’ll face. Both Meek and Ketia are exceptional ball-handlers and are unselfish; two characteristics that not many guards have in the league. Some of the passes Meek and Ketia make are incredible and they both have a knack for knowing where the open player is; and it’s only going to get better.

The Constants – Le’coe, Tangela, and DeWanna

I mentioned this earlier, but about 95% of the Mercury’s plays are run for Diana and Cappie…which is obviously a smart thing with their ability. But, Le’coe, Tangela, and DeWanna can light up the score board at anytime if they get hot, or if the team needs that type of contribution. Perhaps more importantly, they fit in seamlessly with the type of offense and defense the Mercury run which allows freedom and accountability from everyone. They have been, and will be, invaluable come playoff time.

Penny

The Merc have done a perfect job integrating Penny into the lineup thus far. It would’ve been a mistake to throw her in there from the beginning and it also would’ve been a mistake not to play her. Gaines has allowed Penny to compete in practices at a high-level for several weeks now which allows the rest of the team to get used to her and more comfortable. Thus, when she comes in during games, it’s not unusual or weird for the other players. The best part? It’s only going to get better.

Nicole, Mazz, Brooke

They haven’t received many minutes, whether it’s due to the rotation or injuries, but there isn’t a question they all come in and contribute in one way or another when their name is called. Whether it’s getting to the foul line or defending the post by Nicole, hitting a much needed three by Mazz, or getting a key rebound by Brooke the Mercury are comfortable and can count on these ladies.

Stats

The Mercury are having an almost unbelievable year statistically. Here are some of the highlights…

· 2 of the top 5 players in scoring (Diana, Cappie)

· 1^st in ppg as a team (92.0), next closest is 83 (Atlanta)

· 1^st in FG% (45.5)

· 2^nd in 3PR% (39.1)

· 1^st in FT% (85.9)

· 4^th in rebounds (35.0)

· 1^st in assists (18.2 a game)

· 9^th in turnovers (only 14 a game)

· 1^st in blocks (5.6)

· 2 players in the top 3 in assists per game (Cappie 5.3, Meek 5.1)

Be Excited, Be Very Excited

I don’t have to tell the die-hard fans this, but I’ve said all-season long this is a special team and the way they’re playing is justifying that sentiment. It was so nice to see over 10,000 people at the arean vs. the Fever and we need that same type of support in the last 5 home games.

I could not be more excited for the playoffs to start and to see US Airways Center rocking.

Enjoy this Mercury fans, because as we all know, seasons like this don’t come along very often.

What are your thoughs about the Mercury’s stellar season so far? Let’s hear them!

Welcome officially to the 21st century, or the 20th century if you are a fan of European sports.

In an announcement dubbed as the “biggest in franchise history” the Phoenix Mercury revealed this morning that they would be placing corporate sponsor LifeLock’s logo on the front of their jerseys. The logo will be in place of the word Mercury on home whites and in place of Phoenix on road purples.

While some are claiming the team over hyped a less than news worthy story, they are completely underselling how monumental this is for American professional sports.

The deal, worth $3 million over three years, is the first of its kind in major American professional sports, unless you count the MLS, and has the blessing of NBA commissioner David Stern. The money from the deal covers the Mercury’s entire team salaries with $197,000 dollars to spare. That means that any money the team makes from ticket sales and additional sponsorships is pure profit.

In a league where one of the original franchises, the Houston Comets, folded during the off season and budgets are tight, this move solidifies the Mercury’s future both on and off the court. With players salaries covered by the sponsorship the team can now focus money in areas which will help attract free agents. These areas include team travel and accommodations, additional team support in the way of training and medical staff ability, not to mention additional marketing of said free agents and in turn larger national exposure.

The agreement makes the Mercury a much better business and a perpetual WNBA championship contender but its impact goes much further than just that.

This is the first move in what will become the norm in professional sports, that is if team owners are smart businessmen. It can help teams get the added revenue needed to secure financial stability in certain leagues. In other leagues it will pad the coffers to spend more on marketing and fan experience. Depending on the deal a team can gain a competitive edge in their sport just by the sponsor and amount the deal is worth.

Imagine if you will, a situation where your team is losing millions of dollars, the stability of the organization is in question and the team is about to leave your city for another market that, they think, can support the team better (you don’t have to imagine too hard; it’s happening in Glendale as we speak). What if by slapping a sponsors name or logo on the team’s jersey the owner could help the franchise’s feasibility in the sport, its profitability and keep the team in town? Would you care?

How about this hypothetical, your team hasn’t won a championship in its 41 years of existence but has come close. Your market isn’t the largest so the team can’t spend quite as much as other clubs. By signing a sponsorship deal that includes a logo on the team’s jersey they can now afford the player that makes the difference between losing in the first round and winning the championship. Would you care that the logo was on the jersey?

Some will argue that you are turning sports into a corporate side show if you do this to team jerseys. The fact of the matter is that sports already is an advertising circus. Teams play in monumental venues named after the highest bidder. They compete surrounded by millions of dollars worth of corporate billboards and ribbon ads. Not to mention every part of the pregame, halftime and in game entertainment is sponsored by one corporation or another.

The truth of the matter is sports is a business and money talks. No matter whose name or logo is on the front of the jersey, there will be no impact on how well the player in said jersey can hit, shoot, dribble, pass, kick or tackle. It won’t affect the player’s mentality and it most certainly won’t change the fans experience at the games, just ask European soccer fans.

Here’s a question for all the people who claim it will mess with the integrity of the game, should we remove the Nike, Reebok or Under Armour logo off of the teams uniforms? Should we not let players wear sweatbands that have the Jumpman logo on it? Should commissioners not let a player wear Oakley or Nike sunglasses because those are corporate brands and they have no place on the playing field? Should Major League Baseball ban ads on outfield walls because that brings corporate sponsorship way too close to the in game action? Does any one of those things truly impact the game or its players or its integrity?

Sports may be America’s number one pastime and has been for the last hundred years. Guess what number two is… capitalism. We are a nation of consumers and entrepreneurs looking to earn and spend as much money as possible. It’s no surprise it’s beginning to permeate into sports.

The Phoenix Mercury may be the first with such a deal but they most certainly won’t be the last. They are pioneers in what should become the norm in sports. It’s the American way. Too bad the Europeans beat us at our own game.

Today marked the first official day of training camp for the 2009 Phoenix Mercury.  Though, just watching practice, I was surprised at how fluid the team looked in just their first day.  There is an excitement about this team that is palpable throughout the arena; everyone was slapping hands, encouraging teammates, and working hard.

Here are a few bullet points you’d be interested in:

General

• Lots of fastbreak drill as you can imagine
• Defensive rotation was worked on quite a bit with everyone hustling to the open spot and closing out
• Huge emphasis on pushing the ball
• Rebound and outlet drills
• Lots of encouragement and high-fives (really cool to see)
• Nicole Ohlde was on hand, but due to her injury, she was limited to watching and riding the bike
• There are 7-9 ladies on this team that can legitimately hit the three
• 95% of the players are fast, quick, and athletic

Player Specific

• DeWanna Bonner already looks like a seasoned veteran in just her first practice
• Diani Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter are all business and competitive, but they have fun at the same time
• Also, they are some of the most talented and gifted players in the world
• Yuko (Shin) Oga is one of the fastest women I’ve ever seen play basketball; look for her to get time backing up Temeka Johnson
• DeWanna is much stronger than her 136 pound frame would suggest; reminds me of Stephen Jackson strong
• DeWanna got time at the 3 but should play 4 or 5 the most
• Laurie Koehn can shoot lights out
• Alison Bales has a soft touch around the basket
• Brooke Smith has an amazing left hand around the rim
• Temeka Johnson is going to be HUGE for this team; she can penetrate and will get Diana and Cappie a ton of open looks
• Kelly Mazzante will be solid off the bench
• Tangela Smith will need to come up big with Ohlde being out for 3-5 weeks; looked great today

We’ll have much more on the Mercury tomorrow (Tuesday) including player interviews, coach interviews, pictures, video etc.!

Bridget Pettis begins her third season as an assistant coach in Phoenix and her ninth season with the Mercury as a player or coach. Pettis also serves as the team’s director of player and fan development.

A nine-year veteran of the WNBA, Pettis was an original member of the inaugural Mercury club in 1997, selected by the team with the seventh pick in the 1997 Elite Draft. The University of Florida product played in a club-record 154 consecutive games from 1997-2001 and owns career averages of 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 228 career games.

Pettis, who returned to play for the Mercury in 2006 before retiring midway through the season, was honored along with former teammates Michele Timms and Jennifer Gillom and former coach Cheryl Miller with a banner that hangs permanently in US Airways Center. The ceremony was held at halftime of the Mercury’s June 6, 2006 game vs. Sacramento.

Pettis played 14 years internationally in Italy, Turkey and Spain.

The following is an essay written exclusively for Fanster by the Phoenix Mercury’s Bridget Pettis

I believe in…

…the WNBA. The WNBA has been more than a great accomplishment for me and many other players who have had the opportunity to be apart of such a great experience. What the WNBA truly represents is a journey that has been traveled by many women. Some of these women have had their thirsts quenched for playing the game professionally not only overseas, but also in our own country. The road to get here has been so long but yet seems so short today with the WNBA entering its 13th season. Today we are still paving the way for more young girls to have the opportunity to play the game that beats so passionately in their souls, and to also give them the opportunity to live life how it’s meant to be lived - “doing what you love”. I grew up in east Chicago where basketball was a way of life. I grew up around many great male athletes, like Kenny Lofton and Glen Robinson. Seeing them prepare for a career in this game that I too wanted to experience was overwhelming at times. My journey was like that of many young female college graduates at the time, leaving the United State to play overseason, in my case in Istanbul, Turkey. Playing in another country was an enlightening experience and an opportunity I wouldn’t trade for the world. When talks about the WNBA coming about took place, the light in players’ eyes was undeniable, just like when anyone’s long-awaited dream is realized. The experience was all I imagined and more. There I was, just before our home opener on June 22, 1997, listening to the National Anthem being sung by Gladys Knight , and I looked up for a moment and realized I was living my dream - 16,000 people watching women play basketball. In that moment I believe every player shared the same experience of a journey well traveled. It was here. Now the new mission was to make it stay.

I believe in….

…the WNBA

On May 2nd, the Phoenix Mercury held open tryouts for all interested players in getting the chance to fulfill their dream of playing at the professional level.

Kalei Nance and Ieshia Randall were chosen from the May 2nd tryouts at U.S. Airways Center and will be invited to pre-training camp workouts with Mercury staff and players on May 14th and May 15th.

“Kalei and Ieshia were selected because of their skills and determination to strengthen their game,” said Head Coach Corey Gaines. “Opportunity is what the WNBA is all about and we are thrilled to allow the players to showcase their talent at a workout and help them continue to develop as players and reach for their goal of playing in the WNBA.”

Nance played for the University of Missouri-Kansas City and graduated from Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee.  She is also the niece of NBA veteran, Alton Lister.  Randall played at Graceland University and ranked third in the nation in assists (5.1) during the 2007-2008 collegiate season at the division II school.

It is unclear what their chances are of making the final roster with WNBA now limiting roster size to 11.

The Phoenix Mercury announced today their schedule for local and national television.

Fox Sports will broadcast 5 games on local television (2 home, 3 away).  Each of the match-ups are against fellow Western Conference foes.  Perhaps the most intriguing, is the very first FOX Sports Arizona broadcast game of the season when Lauren Jackson and the Seattle Storm head to US Airways Center on Sunday, June 21st.

The Mercury will also appear on national television via ESPN2 three times in 2009.

Television Broadcast Schedule - Local

• June 21 vs. Seattle Storm (FOX Sports Arizona)
• June 27 at Minnesota (FOX Sports Arizona)
• July 5 at Los Angeles (FOX Sports Arizona)
• July 15 vs. Sacramento (FOX Sports Arizona)
• August 15 at San Antonio (FOX Sports Arizona)

Television Broadcast Schedule - National

• June 23 at San Antonio (ESPN2)
• July 28 at Connecticut (ESPN2)
• September 13 vs. Los Angeles (ESPN2)

Need your Phoenix Mercury fix while the team is away from the US Airways Center? FOX Sports Arizona, ESPN 2 and the Mercury have you covered.

FOX Sports Arizona will have five of the Mercury’s contests live with three road games and two home games. The two home games will be the June 21st game against Lauren Jackson, who turned down signing with the Mercury in the offseason, and the Seattle Storm at 5 p.m. FSNAZ will also broadcast the July 15th midday matchup against the Sacramento Monarchs at the US Airways Center with tipoff scheduled for 12:30 p.m. The game will be rebroadcast at 7:30 p.m. as well.

The three road games FSNAZ will air are, the June 27th matchup against the Minesota Lynx live at 5 p.m., the July 5th matchup against Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks live from the Staples Center at 6:30 p.m. and the August 15th game against the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Silver Stars at 5 p.m.

In addition to the five locally televised games, the Mercury will also be feature nationally on three different occasions. ESPN2 will broadcast the team’s June 23 trip to San Antonio, the July 28th game against Connecticut and the September 13th season finale at Los Angeles against the Sparks.

The Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA will be holding open tryouts for any player interesting in testing their skills to see if they can play at the top level of professional women’s basketball.

The tryouts will happen this Saturday, May 2nd, at 9:00 a.m. at U.S. Airways Center.

Two women will be chosen from the tryouts to participate in preseason workouts with the Mercury.

The opportunity to register costs $100, and interested parties should contact Leslie Factor at 602-514-8370.

For more information, visit the Mercury’s Official Website.

The WNBA Draft unfolded earlier today, and with the 5th overall pick, the Phoenix Mercury selected DeWanna Bonner, a 6-4 guard out of Auburn, who averaged 21 points, and 8.5 rebounds per game for a 30-4 Tigers team that won their first outright regular season SEC championship in 20 years. She was also named a First Team All-American by ESPN.com.

General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale announced that Bonner was the top player on the Mercury’s draft board, and would have been their selection even if they had the first overall pick.

ASU guard Briann January was selected one spot after Bonner, at #6 overall, by the Indiana Fever.