In the wake of Diana Taurasi announcing that she would not play the 2015 WNBA season, well-respected WNBA analyst and former player Rebecca Lobo tweeted something we were already thinking: that, even without Diana, the Mercury’s coach, core, free agent acquisitions and commitment to winning would absolutely keep Phoenix a contender:

More good free agent signings by the @PhoenixMercury today. Even without Taurasi, they're going to be contenders.

— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) February 5, 2015

Her tweet led to the exclusive interview below with PhoenixMercury.com.

PhoenixMercury.com: Rebecca, thanks so much for taking the time to talk about the Mercury’s upcoming season.

Rebecca Lobo: My pleasure. Your fans are clearly passionate… to say the least.

PhoenixMercury.com: With Taurasi not playing during the 2015 WNBA season, coupled with the recent free agent signings that were announced this week, how would you describe the 2015 Mercury? Do you foresee their style changing at all?

Rebecca Lobo: I think the Mercury will play a very similar style to the one they played last year. Defensively, I imagine the schemes will be the same. If anything, the Mercury will be quicker on the perimeter defensively.

On the offensive end, they will obviously miss Taurasi. Dupree will miss having Dee as part of the pick and roll game — because they were outstanding running it together. But there is still a TON of offensive firepower on the team and I expect they will run a lot of the same stuff.

PhoenixMercury.com: Who will need to make the biggest jump for the team this season to keep the team at or near the top of a difficult Western Conference?

Rebecca Lobo: I’m eager to see how DeWanna Bonner’s game evolves. She fit into her role nicely last year as the 4th or 5th option on the offensive end. But she proved a few seasons ago that she can carry the load offensively for the team.

How quickly she figures out her role this coming season will be important for Phoenix.

PhoenixMercury.com: How do you think Sandy will utilize the new players?

Rebecca Lobo: It is still too early to tell. The Mercury obviously felt a need to sign veteran guards with size in [Monique] Currie and [Noelle] Quinn. I think Sandy Brondello is one of the finest coaches in the league. I’m eager to see her plan unfold throughout the course of the season.

Rebecca Lobo: Which of the free agent signings do you feel is the biggest acquisition for Phoenix?

Rebecca Lobo: Leilani Mitchell. I watched Australia play a few games during last fall’s World Championships and was really impressed with Mitchell. She is much-improved since her days with the Liberty. I would have been very surprised if she didn’t play in the league this year. I remember thinking last fall that LA should try to sign her — that she would complement their stars quite nicely. Now that we know Diana is taking the summer off, it’s a great signing for Phoenix.

For what it’s worth, I understand Diana’s desire to take the summer off. She gave the team adequate notice so they could plan and make the appropriate moves during free agency. I will miss watching her play this summer, but I still believe Phoenix will be a contender.

History has shown that in the short WNBA season, the teams that win the championship usually are the ones who have dealt with the fewest injuries. Health is vitally important to success in the W. I think Diana is doing what is best for her, but also what she thinks is best for the organization in the long term.