WNBA Playoff Mania
Goody takes us through games 3, 4, and 5 as the Phoenix Mercury take home the trophy
By Adrienne Goodson
Game 3 Recap: Detroit 88-83
Yes my good friends, we’ve already concluded that the playoffs are on fire and the WNBA is holding it down in the media war. Major League Baseball is going on, the NFL just recently kicked off, soccer is on the rise and then there’s the WNBA. As the NFL tries to figure out how to clean up player images, the WNBA continues to be a light for many to see.
The games have been good because of the pace and the battling. The run-n-gun style of play is back and I love it. I was real surprised to see how many people have doubted Detroit (2-1) throughout the playoffs. Some forgot about how fast they are. Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith, Swin Cash, and Plennette Pierson are pretty quick. They are equally as quick when they transition into defense. Coach Laimbeer was constantly screaming for them to get back after a shot because the Mercury are skillful at pushing the tempo on offense. Detroit can run n gun with the best of them on any given day.
The series has been crazy. Some players were hot on one night and cold on the next, leaving the door open for reserve players like Shannon “ Pee Wee” Johnson and Kelly Mazzante to step up for their teams and make big plays. Veteran players are valuable for various reasons but most of all, for their knowledge of the game. Pee Wee knew that Detroit needed to penetrate the zone defense and she did it well. She was dropping dimes to Cheryl Ford down low, hit key threes, found the open shooters, dove on the floor for loose balls, etc, etc…. I’d call it the perfect example of what to do with your minutes.
Phoenix on the other hand, created a lot of the scenarios that led to a bad-shooting night. First of all, they took quick shots in crucial situations. Not only were they quick, but short, rushed, and fading away. A three will always be more than a two but you must mix it up. Tangela Smith is having a monster playoff but the Mercury will have to come up with some in the paint points from somewhere. You can live and die by the jumper or you can go to the cup when it’s not falling. The best way to get a rhythm is to make a nice move to the basket. Cappie Pondexter and Diana Taurasi can get to the cup at will. Secondly, the Mercury should have taken advantage of being in the bonus. Every foul committed by the Shock put them on the line so a simple pick and roll between Cappie and Diana would have kept them shooting free throws. I’d really like to see Diana posting up on the block a little more.
Although they struggled from the floor, the Mercury still battled. They shot 34.7% overall, 16.1% from the arc, and still managed to only lose 88–83. Penny Taylor and Tangela Smith each finished up with a double-double. Penny had 16 points and 14 rebounds while Tangela had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Taurasi scored 22 hard points. Pondexter went 5 for 15 from the floor. When she doesn’t score the Mercury have a hard time getting a win. To be honest, when one of the trio goes, Phoenix has problems. The Mercury are one player away from a dynasty.
Detroit did a good job of finding the shooters in transition. They locked it down on defense and lit it up on offense. Katie Smith stepped up for 22 points, 5 assists and 3 steals while Deanna Nolan had 20 points, 11 boards, and 6 assists. The “Dynamic Duo” put a lot of non-believers to bed, the bench contributed 31 points and 13 rebounds, the team is going back to Detroit, and home court surely awaits.
There will be one more game in the southwest tonight at 8:30 on ESPN 2 and it will be good for the Mercury to draw another 12,040 fans into the US Airways Center. General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale is showing Cheryl Miller like ability to pack the house and that’s so hot.
The fat lady really does like singing in Detroit. I hear they put out hits. Stay tuned…
Game 4 Recap: Phoenix 77-76“The Cappie Pondexter Show” featuring Cappie and friends. Nothing left to be said. Well, if I could say anything I would say, “move over bacon here’s something meatier”.
Game 5 Recap: Phoenix 108-92
Phoenix came out ready to play from the door. The first quarter was a reminder of what Cappie had done to Detroit in Game 4. An aerial attack of threes, the back door cuts, and unorthodox play of Penny Taylor had Detroit shook: It seemed as though they had no clue on defense and the Mercury were on fire. They shot 73% from the floor.
Detroit had no swagger. That gangsta swagger they usually possess was nowhere to be found. A few players needed to catch up with Pee Wee Johnson. She came to play for 40 minutes and looked hungry for the title. In order for them to win everyone had to contribute. Cheryl Ford was not 100% because of her knee, therefore Feenstra, Pierson, and Braxton needed to command the boards. They collectively finished with 13, which equals one less rebound than Cheryl had in Game 4.
To be quite honest, I was real pleased to see Geno Auriemma refrain from making a comment on the “Swin Cash Episodes” in Detroit. The media planted a seed. Rebecca Lobo questioning Swin about her lack of playing time on national television was crucial. Swin took the bait and the rest is history. Team Rule # 1: Never speak about family issues to the media. The commentators ran with it the whole series and the Shock was a different team after that.
Phoenix on the other hand, never gave up throughout the playoffs. It didn’t matter whether they shot badly, they kept on shooting. It didn’t matter when they didn’t get the calls, they kept on playing. Penny Taylor had a horrible shooting night in Game 4 but came back and torched Detroit for 30 points. Cappie pulled a flip mode on ‘em and went back and forth from shooter to play maker: Dropping dimes like a snitch in cell block H. Kelly Mazzante was hitting three’s from another planet (4-5). She’s got so much range and a quick release that as a defender you wonder if you should get a hand up, but by the time you react she dun shot it in your face. Taurasi didn’t have a monster game but played hard from the tip finishing up with 17. Once again it was Cappie’s World. She had a double-double (26 points and 10 assists) and took the MVP award right along with it. Detroit simply didn’t have it for various reasons. Their body language and approach to the game was suspect. They lost 108 – 92 on their own court in a packed house of 20,000 fans. Deanna Nolan finished with 27, Katie Smith dropped 18 and Shannon Johnson added 13 in their effort to win back-to-back titles.
Congratulations to the Phoenix Mercury and General Manager Ann Meyers Drysdale on an awesome season and their passion for excellence. God has a way of making things right. Rutgers took an unnecessary low blow and Cappie Pondexter was raised up so the next time you think about retaliation remember “Vengeance is mine” thus saith the Lord. You need not worry. The watcher is near.
And finally, a video:
27 Responses to “WNBA Playoff Mania”
Sep.17 at 3:31 pm
white hot eboy says:
I think I was the only male SLAM reader who actually enjoyed every game of this series. My Detroit and Karl Malone hate carried over too, and I was glad Phoenix punished them in Game 5.
Sep.17 at 3:36 pm
Ben Osborne says:
To say I enjoyed every game would be a lie since I only saw 4 and 5, but those were pretty good. Thanks, Goody, for watching them all and sharing your thoughts.
Sep.17 at 3:37 pm
jbn74sb says:
No comment, eboy.
Sep.17 at 3:51 pm
PG27 says:
We come from Phoneix, ballin!
Sep.17 at 3:59 pm
white hot eboy says:
I love you Bodie.
Sep.17 at 4:17 pm
Jason says:
I didn’t enjoy every game (game 2 was boring) but the series was the best in league history. The Shot by T-Spoon in the ‘99 finals was huge and is still the greatest single moment in league history, but for the most part, that series wasn’t all that entertaining. Cappie was a monster. Any basketball fan could have appreciated her individual performance. She emerged as a superstar. I’ve loved watching Diana since UConn. Anyone that has the gall to take pull up 30 foot jumpers on the break and hit them 70% of the time is alright with me. The fluidity of Phoenix’s offense was a welcome addition to the league. I hope other teams adopt the creativity and allow players to showcase their individual games as opposed to micromanaging as they would a college team. I still think Penny Taylor walks on almost every possession but as Geno would say, I guess those are international rules. He made listening to this series so much easier. Doris Burke has entered the land of Bill Walton and Terry Gannon was so busy “agreeing” with her it was laughable. Having coached half the players on both rosters, I thought Geno did a good job of staying objective. Too bad he won’t do all the games during the regular season and playoffs. The players are great, the coaching is getting better, but the commentators and the refs suck. I love Carolyn Peck to death but “you can’t trade 3’s for 2’s if you expect to win” is not profound insight.
Sep.17 at 5:11 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Goody is awesome
Sep.17 at 6:57 pm
Butch says:
I agree, 100%, Detroit came out flat and no
swagger at all. Why? Why not, when you playing
your biggest game with your best rebounder
and inside force hurt. The difference bet. this
game was mainly one thing, Chery Ford.
With her at 100%, I think Detroit wins.
Congrats to Phoenix and to C.Pondexter the MVP
Great game.
Sep.17 at 8:17 pm
Goody says:
I just wanna say thanks to all of my men who support me and the WNBA. That’s what real men do, support their women universally. Jason you are so right about Geno. He did a great job and I wish there were more commentators who keep it real and not just go along with their collegues. The fans see right thru it. Talk about the game at hand and not college memories. For the love of God! Talk about pro things but that’s another subject.
Sep.17 at 9:41 pm
Krys says:
Cappie is the truth. She wanted to win so she did what all great players should do in the finals. Commentators gotta give her all the props for bringing the Title to Phoenix. She went into Detroit and took the championship from them like candy from a baby. Like my man Martin Lawrence says “You Go Girl”
Sep.17 at 11:19 pm
Justin Adler says:
Been a pretty big Merc fan for a while, Cappie Pondexter is the truth. Any girl who gets a WNBA logo tatted on their arm in high school has my respect. I’m just excited for Phoenix to get a championship
Sep.18 at 1:15 am
Lang Whitaker says:
Great stuff, Goody. Thanks!
Sep.18 at 8:40 am
Forzamilan says:
I’ve always been a little disappointed at Taurasi’s WNBA performance. Always thought that she’d dominate ala Lebron. And i was having a lot of doubts since she couldn’t lead them to even the playoffs. I understand now that she’s more about character than skill (although that in itself is formidable, her skill). for the mercury, Diana is the essence, Pontdexter is “the truth” (Justin). Congratulations to them, and good job, writer.
Sep.18 at 11:04 am
Cheryl says:
I am still bitter about how the San Antonio-Phoenix series ended, but due to the lack of effort by Detroit Phoenix won. I was hoping the Shock would win, and slow down the run and gun.
Sep.18 at 11:25 am
Kenny says:
I must say I was truly disappointed in the Shocks game five performance.You are defending your title and securing your legacy and you come out flat? Like Goody said they had 20,000 fans on hand including Rip Hamilton and Karl Malone.I wonder about Swins future with the team. Coach Bill and Cash just don’t see eye to eye and sometimes you have to move on.They could have been declard a dynasty. Not taking anything from Phoenix but Detroit really should have won game four.
Sep.18 at 2:35 pm
Jason says:
Detroit ’should’ have won the series. Game 2 notwithstanding…in Game 1, they played Phoenix’s style and won, game 3 they won and game 4 they should have won. They had Diana in foul trouble 4 of the 5 games, Taylor invisible for 1 and a half and Cappie trying to do too much in two. To not show up at all in Game 5 was surprising. I watched the post game and Deanna and Katie seemed oblivious to losing, like Game 6 was the next day. I’m not saying they were unaffected, but that’s how it seemed. You can blame Ford’s injury, but against a team like Phoenix, Plennette and Swin should have been enough up front. Tangela was taking 3’s all series. It’s not like you needed a banger. Detroit was capable of beating Phoenix at their own game. They’ve got the shooters and the athletes and match up better with them than any other team in the league. Phoenix just wanted it more.
Sep.19 at 10:39 am
Bfears12 says:
ah….i hate the fact that the best player, team, and organization in the W lost in the Finals. I just knew we were going to win, game 5 at the palace? but oh well. we will be back next year…and we will win. cheryl ford healthy? deanna nolan and katie smith mad and looking for revenge? ivory latta with a year of experience? look out!
Sep.19 at 2:56 pm
Ty says:
Womens basketball is terrible!!!
Sep.19 at 4:18 pm
d.Y. says:
ty, i do believe that is the most useless comment made on this board. thanks for setting the bar.
Sep.21 at 1:23 am
Blackberry says:
Ty,
the womens game is based more on fundamentals than the mens game is at present! All the men seem to want to to is dunk and they play more selfishly! Basketball is a team sport and the women seem to remember that!
Now to the subject. Congrats Phoenix on your championship. fantastic job Cappie! I sat through the 2 wins IN Detroit sportin a Cappie jersey, the more the heckled her the more she went to work on them! That Chicago connection done good (Cappie and Tangela when you comin’ home). Will O Scott become the john salley of the W? 2 rings with 2 different teams. I know Indian wants their former players back! LOL (Kelly M, Kelly S, O Scott and a coach in Pettis)!
Sep.21 at 1:24 am
Blackberry says:
Another good Article Goody…was hopin to see you at the game!
Sep.21 at 11:33 pm
Fundamental says:
Blackberry - have you ever seen Shameka Christon on NY and the garbage she throws up during a game? there are just as many nonfundamental players in the WNBA as the NBA… anyone else notice how UConn was all over these playoffs? 6 out of the 8 teams had at least one alum + you had Lobo and Geno on the network, that’s domination Goody, I’m liking the article…looking forward to more
Sep.23 at 3:06 am
Blackberry says:
Fundamental,
NY still played ball as a team! There are not that many WNBA players to make that kind of comparison. LOL. But you are right about UCONN they are everywhere.
Sep.23 at 3:09 pm
Hoopla says:
Fundamentals check this out Marianne Stanley, Anne Donovan, Nancy Lieberman, Adrienne Goodson, Nyree Roberts, Alisa Scott, Ticha Penicheiro, Clarisse Machanguana, and Merry Andrade all at once in the WNBA. OLd Dominion has set the stage. Learn something youngin. Next…
Sep.23 at 3:09 pm
Hoopla says:
Fundamentals check this out Marianne Stanley, Anne Donovan, Nancy Lieberman, Adrienne Goodson, Nyree Roberts, Alisa Scott, Ticha Penicheiro, Clarisse Machanguana, and Merry Andrade all at once in the WNBA. OLd Dominion has set the stage. Learn something youngin. Next…
Sep.24 at 2:27 am
Blackberry says:
Hoopla you are correct on that ODU set it, UCONN is just carrying it on. Got to always give ODU their props for being among the first to dominate!
Dec.28 at 6:45 pm
ak47 says:
Swin Cash is a cutie!!!