Phoenix Mercury

The Phoenix Mercury are a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury began in 1997 as one of the league's original eight teams and quickly established themselves as a major franchise. Led by early WNBA standouts Michele Timms and Jennifer Gillom and outspoken coach Cheryl Miller, they were one of the teams that participated in the first WNBA Playoffs.

History

With a cast that included hall-of-famer Nancy Lieberman, possible future hall-of-famers Michele Timms of Australia, and Jennifer Gillom, plus the energetic and hyper-active star Bridget Pettis, the Mercury reached the playoffs at various times during the late 1990s, including a trip to the WNBA Finals in 1998.

Related Topics:
Nancy Lieberman - Michele Timms - Australia - Jennifer Gillom - Bridget Pettis - 1990s - WNBA Finals - 1998

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All of the above-mentioned players left, because of retirement or trades, and the Mercury stopped being a playoff contender. In addition, player Lisa Harrison became a sex symbol, and Playboy Magazine offered her money to pose in their magazine. In 2001, the Mercury had hoped to get a chance to draft college star Tamika Catchings, who is considered to be one of the best basketball players in the country, but Catchings went to the Indiana Fever instead. The team's first draft choice in 2004 was Diana Taurasi, who led UConn to three consecutive national titles.

Related Topics:
Lisa Harrison - Playboy Magazine - Tamika Catchings - Basketball - Indiana Fever - 2004 - Diana Taurasi - UConn - National titles

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