The 2004 season marked a turning point for Phoenix sports, but not for the reasons you might think. While the Phoenix Suns were making waves in the NBA playoffs, it was the Phoenix Mercury's quiet rebuild that laid the foundation for future glory. Let's dive into why this seemingly unremarkable year was actually a game-changer for the WNBA franchise.
The Phoenix Mercury had endured a tough 2003 season, but 2004 brought a glimmer of hope in the form of two new stars: Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor. Their arrival wasn't just about talent; it signaled a shift in the team's trajectory. Taylor, acquired through a dispersal draft after her previous team folded, and Taurasi, the coveted first pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, instantly became the faces of a potential Mercury resurgence.
Both players hit the ground running. Taurasi averaged a solid 17.0 points per game, while Taylor chipped in with 13.2. These weren't just numbers; they were a promise of things to come. The season opener against the Sacramento Monarchs, despite a 72-66 loss, showcased their potential. Taurasi's 22 points, coupled with Taylor's 21, hinted at the dynamic duo they were destined to become.
The Mercury followed that loss with three consecutive wins against the Connecticut Sun, Seattle Storm, and Houston Comets. Taurasi's 26-point outburst against Connecticut, a performance that included five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block, was a glimpse of her future All-Star caliber.
While the Mercury finished the season with a .500 record (17-17) and missed the playoffs, the seeds of success had been sown. And this is the part most people miss: This wasn't about immediate results; it was about building a foundation. The addition of Cappie Pondexter two years later, and the championship that followed in her second season, wouldn't have been possible without the groundwork laid in 2004.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns were enjoying a different kind of success. Their 62-20 record topped the Western Conference, leading to a playoff run that ended in the Conference Finals against the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. While the Suns' success was more immediate, the Mercury's patient rebuild proved to be just as significant in the long run.
The 2004 season was a tale of two Phoenix teams: one basking in the spotlight, the other quietly building for the future. Which approach do you think is more sustainable in professional sports? Let us know in the comments below! For more insights into Phoenix's 2004 season and the stories behind the stats, be sure to follow us on X: https://x.com/MercuryOnSI.
