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SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

Our climb in the standings, and outstanding team play in recent games, got me to thinking - is this 2005 team the greatest collection of starters our franchise has ever had?

I'm no expert, but I sure do like what I've seen so far this year. I was curious as to what my fellow posters think of this team as compared to former Mercury starting lineups.

DTaurasi31smygirl · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 18 Location: north Carolina, USA

I really can't say as I have just started wayching the team - they are the finest team to date. It's their future I'm looking forward to. Diana I'm sure is gonna go soon as well as Penny, but with the back up they have, I see a two maybe even a three-peat! Don'y get me wrong, I want the "11 cent stamp" DT and PT to help them get there and KV isn't too bad either.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1049 Location: Phoenix AZ

It's possible we have the best 5 starters. To be correct I'd have to go back & compare stats with 1997 & 1998. I'm too lazy to do that. The problem is it took too long to get them together this season. Our bench isn't nearly deep enough. We're damn lucky (knock on wood) that we haven't had any serious injuries. For 2006; if we keep our starters, they all get here for camp, and our bench continues to improve as much as it did for this year, I might say 2006 is the best team ever. It depends a lot on continuity.

Until then, and I think most will agree, I have to go with 1997 &/or 1998. Cheryl Miller coached & we had player combinations of Jen Gillom, Nancy Lieberman, Bridgett Pettis, Michelle Timms, Kristi Harrower, Michelle Griffiths, and 19 yr old Stepanava. They were amazing teams.

If you're interested in Mercury history, follow this URL. It gives a brief synopsis of each yr thru 2003.

http://www.wnba.com/mercury/archives/seasons.html

SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

I agree with you nearly word for word, 1C. Especially the part about being too lazy to compare stats! If we can have a REAL training camp, then we will be unstoppable next year.

I suppose I was thinking about each starter, and the level of talent each position has this season compared to previous. Besides, as some might say, "We have Diana Taursi, and those teams didn't." Or Penny "Money".

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1137

Overall talent, we are better this year than probably any other season. But I think any team can say this, as the talent level in the W has improved each season, IMO.

Maria has gotten much better than she was when she was here in her younger day. The thing that makes DT stand out is that she is so good and still just a kid.

I agree with 1Carol too, about our earlier teams. You would be hard pressed to find a better point guard...ever than Timmsy in her prime. Jennifer Gillom in the early days was such a clutch player.

I think my favorite teams to watch to date were the 2003 team and this year's second half team. The 2003 team did not win many games, but they PLAYED every game and 40 minutes worth. This year's second half team is doing the same thing, they are just winning doing it. :)

SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

I agree, Timms was the best point guard EVER. As far as I'm concerned, there'll never be as exciting a match-up as Timmsy vs. Perrot. Maria is so much more mature now, but I think we all recognized her potential years ago, that's why we were so excited to get her back. Jennifer - well, she was the franchise for so long, and rightly so. Baby had the back to carry the team whenever she need to!

I guess what got me to start this thread was thinking about each position - and how, up until now, it seemed like we'd have one or two really good players, then every one else was not quite as talented. I suppose I'm just very excited about our 2nd half 2005, and it got me thinking.

In a related vein, I was also thinking about some of our former players, and wondering where they are, how they are, what they're up to. People like Umeki Webb, Toni Foster, Brandy Reed (hopefully in rehab), Marlies Askamp, Mikiko Hagiwara, etc. Anyone got info? I wish them all well.

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

I'd have to agree with Sportsfan48 about the 2003 team. They didn't have the talent, but they had the heart.

I feel that this team is strong in each position, yet doesn't always play to its potential. Maybe its youth that causes it to happen, I'm not sure. I guess I felt that we used the built in excuse, that since all of our players were not here, we weren't expected to win, so we didn't and sometimes seemed to mail in performances.

I feel that this team could be the best ever, they have the talent, now they need the heart to go all out every game. I think Penny brings it every night and we need to bottle it up and give it to everyone on the team.

I know some will have my head on a platter, but thats my two cents.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1049 Location: Phoenix AZ

I'll match your 2 cents and add my 2 cents. I agree with you and Sportsfan. That 2003 team was fun to watch cuz they put their whole heart into every game. I think where this year's team is concerned, DT is truly the one player that can bring a whole team up with her. Her charisma & joy in the game is infectious. If she's not up, the team seems to be on edge waiting for her.

Mercurymaniac wrote: I'd have to agree with Sportsfan48 about the 2003 team. They didn't have the talent, but they had the heart.

I feel that this team is strong in each position, yet doesn't always play to its potential. Maybe its youth that causes it to happen, I'm not sure. I guess I felt that we used the built in excuse, that since all of our players were not here, we weren't expected to win, so we didn't and sometimes seemed to mail in performances.

I feel that this team could be the best ever, they have the talent, now they need the heart to go all out every game. I think Penny brings it every night and we need to bottle it up and give it to everyone on the team.

I know some will have my head on a platter, but thats my two cents.

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1689 Location: Central Phoenix

As far as former players go, Tia Jackson (from 1997) is an assistant basketball coach at Duke.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:36 am Post subject:

SuziQ, could you please clarify the question?
Are you asking about our best team ever, or our finest? :wink:
(Either way it's a tough question - I just need to know what to use to come up with my answer)

SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

To clarify, I'm just wondering if this team, this current lineup of starters (we can discuss bench another time!) has the greatest level of talent in all positions, from 1 to 5.

I mean finest in that way, depth of talent in all starting positions.

Does this help, Dunkin' Dan?

As for best, well, that remains to be seen. If we go deep into post-season play, or even to the finals, then I think some argument would have to be made for this team being best - and if they win it, there'd be no discussion. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still have to play Sacramento on Friday, and they are Tough. We know we can be tougher, but I'll agree with the effort comments. We must BRING IT, every night, every player, every fan, from now until whenever this season ends.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject:

Thanks :) so you're talking about playing ability of our starters.
That means I have to rule fine players such as Kayte, Niele & Lisa out of contention for the purposes of this comparison.

It's going to be tough... I'll have to get back to you on this one.

First instinct says the current team, but somehow those early teams found a way to play above themselves. Timmsy was a genuine star of the league, as was that other girl... I can't think of her name... Jen something... Peggy Gillom's sister... nickname was grandmama... had a celebriduck made in her honour... not the center - that was Majerle's Ass Camp, I'm talking about the power forward... nope, can't think of the name right now, but I'm sure someone can help me out.

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

Is her heart worth a million? :twisted:

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1137

Does she look terrible in purple and gold?? :evil:

hellcat · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2005 10:27 pm Post subject:

I love Guess Who!

Is it Bill?

:P