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The Phoenix Mercury finished the 2004 season with a record of 17-17, and it was the beginning of a turnaround.
That season was the first time the Mercury were .500 or better since 2000. They finished the 2000 season with a record of 20-12, and they reached the playoffs for the third time. They lost to the Los Angeles Sparks in the first round, as the Sparks beat them 2-0.
After that season, the Mercury struggled and missed the playoffs multiple times. Phoenix’s 2003 season was its worst at that point, as the team finished 8-26.
/ Brian Munoz-USA TODAY NETWORK
Phoenix’s challenging season led to the franchise getting the first pick of the 2004 WNBA Draft. The Mercury needed a spark, and they found it through that pick. They selected Diana Taurasi, and she became the franchise’s top player.
On top of adding Taurasi, the Mercury also had Penny Taylor. They drafted her with the first pick of a dispersal draft. So, the Mercury had to build around, and the preseason was a chance for these new additions to get acclimated.
The Mercury played three preseason games, and they faced the Seattle Storm and the Sacramento Monarchs. Phoenix won the first game against Seattle. Then, the Mercury beat the Monarchs in the second, and when it came to the final game, the Storm beat them 82-72.
Phoenix went 2-1 in that period, and those wins helped set the tone for Taurasi’s rookie season.
The Mercury rookie averaged 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals. She continued to flourish, and by the end of her career, she won three championship. She had 11 All-Star appearances, she won Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2009 and she remains the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer.
As far as Taylor, she averaged 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals.
These two players, and others such as Anna DeForge and Plenette Pierson, helped the Mercury improve that year. Then, as they added players like Cappie Pondexter and Kelly Miller later on, the Mercury would make history.
The Mercury started the 2004 season with a loss to the Monarchs, but they won the next three. They beat the Connecticut Sun, the Storm and the Houston Comets. Phoenix was headed in the right direction, and Taurasi and Taylor were leading the way.
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