It’s hard to believe, but the 2015 WNBA season is right around the corner. With so many new faces, we felt it was appropriate to preview this year’s Mercury squad in a fun, unique way.
A: Action. “Next action!” Sandy Brondello says frequently at every Mercury practice. The team may have some new faces, but the crux of the offensive and defensive philosophies remain the same: doing the most aggressive thing.
B: Brondello. Coach of the Year…29 regular season wins…2014 WNBA Champions. Sandy Brondello’s debut season as head coach of the Mercury is nearly impossible to follow. In 2015, though, Brondello embraces the challenge with a smile on her face.
C: Cayla. The X-Factor likely hasn’t had much of a chance to see what new addition Cayla Francis can do on the basketball court, but that’s about to change. Francis gives the Mercury a Tangela-Smith-esque look on the floor with her range.
D: Defense. No matter what, as long as Sandy Brondello is the head coach of the Mercury, defense will be the team’s first priority.
E: Effort. “Playing hard goes without saying,” Candice Dupree said. “We’ll have a different look this year but one thing is for certain, we’re going to give it our all.”
F: Fast. John Wooden used to tell his teams to be quick, but don’t hurry. That same philosophy is preached by Sandy Brondello and her staff. The Mercury want to continue playing at an up-tempo pace, but also controlled.
G: Griner. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Brittney Griner, will miss the first several games. Look for the Mercury to play more team defense while emphasizing increased weak side help and rotations since Phoenix will (temporarily) not be able to funnel the defense towards the shot-blocking phenom.
H: Home. US Airways Center is home to the best fans in the WNBA: the X-Factor. Phoenix won an astounding 21 of a possible 22 games in front of their fans in 2014, and they’ll need the X-Factor to be even louder this season.
I: Isabelle. When all is said and done, the Mercury could end up with the steal of the 2014 WNBA Draft. With the No. 12 overall pick, Phoenix selected Isabelle Harrison out of Tennessee. The 6-foot-3 Harrison tore her ACL in February, but should be ready for training camp in 2016. Better yet, prior to her injury, experts predicted Harrison to be at least a top-five pick. Get to know Isabelle in our interview below.
J: Jazzy J. Speaking of injuries, Jasmine James returned to Mercury Training Camp this season after a turbulent couple of years. Although she was waived last week, her story is no less inspiring.
K: Key. Pardon the repetition, but the key to the Mercury’s season depends on the, well, key. Rather, how they perform in the paint on both ends of the floor – an area they were dominant in last season.
L: Legendary. If you missed the fellas at The Legendary Shots making some of the most amazing trick shots you’ll ever see, watch below.
M: Mistie. Mistie Bass was a huge part of the Mercury’s success in 2014 in large part due to her tenacious defense and championship mentality. Bass is currently rehabbing from an injury she sustained overseas, and is chomping at the bit to be back on the court in front of the X-Factor very soon (maybe even the home opener).
N: None. As is there are no excuses. The Mercury’s goal is to repeat as WNBA Champions in 2015. Simple as that.
O: Offense. Without Diana Taurasi in 2015, there’s no denying the Mercury’s offense will miss her firepower. Still, the additions of Monique Currie, Noelle Quinn and Leilani Mitchell in free agency should help, and they’ll all have the green light to shoot and create.
P: Penny. A three-time WNBA champion, Penny Taylor is one of the two most important players in Mercury franchise history. “There’s a reason why every time we’ve won a championship it’s Penny that’s driving the ship,” Diana Taurasi brilliantly stated at the 2014 Championship Rally.
Though Penny does not intend to play the 2015 season, GM Jim Pitman and head coach Sandy Brondello have told fans that whenever Penny wants to come back — this year, next year, or beyond — she’ll be welcomed with open arms.
Q: Quinn. Noelle Quinn will be utilized in varying ways for the Mercury in 2015. Look for the Mercury to have Quinn handle the ball at times to give Phoenix a bigger lineup when needed.
R: Rings. The Mercury will officially receive their 2014 WNBA Championship rings on June 5 in their season opener against the Stars at US Airways Center. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, as the first 10,000 Mercury fans in attendance will receive finger lights to help illuminate the arena during the ceremony, similar to what has been used in past Super Bowl halftime shows. In addition, Fry’s Food Stores will present the first 3,000 fans with individual replica championship rings and the first 10,000 fans will receive a commemorative Mercury t-shirt.
S: Shay. Shay Murphy tore her ACL overseas, and is out for the entirety of the 2015 season. However, Shay will be here on June 5 to receive her 2014 WNBA Championship ring! Follow Shay on Twitter for updates during her recovery, and be sure to send her a “get well” message.
T: Threes. The Mercury will continue their inside-out game in 2015, with the hopes of having even better shooters along the perimeter. Leilani Mitchell, Monique Currie, Noelle Quinn and Shameka Christon have each previously averaged 38 percent or greater multiple times in their career from the three-point line.
U: Undervalued. The 2015 season is an opportunity for several players to step up into new roles they may not have counted on. That feeling of having something to prove can light a fire within a team.
V: Veterans. The Mercury will rely on DeWanna Bonner and Candice Dupree in 2015 more than ever. But they are certainly prepared and ready for their increased roles. “We know that we need to step up this season,” Bonner said. “We’re going to do our best to help this team win as many games as possible.”
X: Xargay. The Mercury signed free agent point guard Marta Xargay in the offseason. Xargay, 24, is a 5-foot-11 member of the Spanish women’s national team that won the Silver Medal at the 2014 FIBA World Championships for Women in Turkey. She’ll be joining the team once her commitments with the Spanish National Team are completed. Xargay is young, athletic and the organization is excited about being able to sign her to make her WNBA debut.
Y: Youth. At Phoenix Mercury Training Camp, there were 11 players with six years of experience or less. Indeed, the 2015 Mercury have a distinctive mix of veterans and youth, and that narrative should continue throughout the year.
Z: Zealous. New faces, new mentality, same goal – win. To say the Mercury are “zealous” about getting the season started is a vast understatement. Also, I couldn’t think of another relevant word that started with “z”….