With Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi Failing, What?s Next for 3x WNBA Champion Team After Horrendous Season?

The Phoenix Mercury is a shadow of its former self as the franchise misses out on the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Despite boasting the likes of Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi the team has failed to reach its potential as they succumbed to their worst ever record in the WNBA. Currently holding a streak of 8 straight losses, the Mercury team just cannot seem to catch a break. The team has a miserable record of 9-28 with the team winning only 2 games in the Western Conference. A juggernaut in its initial years Phoenix Mercury was the number 1 seed during the inaugural season of the WNBA in 1997.

Despite their early success, the team was never able to scrape through the playoff rounds with them having to wait 10 years for their first WNBA crown. Although successful during the 2010s the team seems to have lost its direction as they find themselves degrading year by year, now failing to qualify for the playoffs. One can’t help but wonder – what’s next?

The rise, fall and rise of the Phoenix Mercury?

The Phoenix Mercury has seen better days in its long history with the WNBA. Although at the bottom of the table today, the franchise was once a revered institution with its rise beginning with the drafting of Diana Taurasi. Selected as the 1st overall pick of the 2004 WNBA draft Taurasi became an integral part of the Mercury as they began to dominate the league with “Paul Ball.”

This infamous technique mastered by former NBA coach Paul Westhead came into fruition when the former Lakers coach joined the Mercury in 2006. A seasoned winner, the former NBA champion helped the team reach the promise land in 2007 as his side dominated the WNBA with a 23-11 record.

While the 2008 season saw them miss the playoffs completely the team stayed together and came back stronger in 2009 to win their second ever title under the stewardship of Corey Gaines. The next few years were disappointing to say the least as the Mercury failed to make it out of the playoffs, but this all changed in 2013 as the franchise drafted Brittney Griner who was the most revered collegiate talent at the time.

Griner alongside Taurasi formed a formidable partnership as they won the 2014 WNBA title. This was also the pinnacle of their success as they haven’t been able to replicate it since then.

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With Diana Taurasi opting to sit out the 2015 season to play overseas and Brittney Griner being imprisoned in Russia, the Mercury core has been dealt with severe problems since their 2014 title win.

Current struggles and future promises

Despite reaching the playoffs in every season since then the team hasn’t been the same. Taurasi is well into her 40s now and Griner isn’t getting any younger. With both women being the franchise’s top performers this year it shows that the Mercury’s line up is too dependent on its stars.

Brittney Griner was Phoenix’s highest scorer this year averaging 17.8 PPG while Diana was the one who dished out the most assists. Despite their individual performances it is evident that the two need more help as without it the Phoenix Mercury will be bound to the bottom of the Western Conference once more.

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Players such as Moriah Jefferson and Sophie Cunningham have contributed to the team but need to do more if the Mercury are to be contenders next season. Youngsters such as Ashely Joens and Madi Williams will be an integral part of the team as well with Joens needing to do more considering Taurasi isn’t getting any younger too.

With the Mercury in line for a first overall pick in the coming year’s WNBA draft is it time to move on from their old core? Or does the team have what it takes to win another title? Let us know in the comments below!