The year 2002 was a challenging one for the Phoenix Mercury, a team that had already experienced disappointment the previous season. With a record of 13-19 in 2001, they missed the playoffs, and unfortunately, their struggles only intensified in the following year.
The Mercury's performance in 2002 saw them finish with an even worse record of 11-21, placing them near the bottom of the Western Conference. Only the Minnesota Lynx had a poorer record that season, finishing with 10-22.
But here's where it gets interesting: the Mercury's leading scorer, Jennifer Gillom, averaged an impressive 15.3 points per game, along with 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists. However, the team lacked depth in scoring, as no other player averaged double-digit points.
Gordana Grubin, a newcomer to the team, came close with an average of 9.9 points. She also contributed 3.3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Grubin, who started her WNBA career with the Los Angeles Sparks in 1999, joined the Mercury after a stint with the Indiana Fever. Her best performance for the Mercury was a 23-point game against her former team, the Sparks.
The veteran player's impact was felt, but it was not enough to turn the season around. The Mercury started the year with a loss to the Houston Comets, with Grubin leading the scoring. Despite a strong start, winning their next four games, the team's overall performance fell short of expectations.
And this is the part most people miss: while the Mercury struggled, their city's other basketball team, the Phoenix Suns, had a successful season. The Suns finished with a record of 44-38, securing the eighth seed in the Western Conference. They added a talented rookie, Amar'e Stoudemire, straight out of high school, who averaged impressive stats that season.
Stoudemire and the Suns made it to the first round of the playoffs, but were ultimately defeated by the San Antonio Spurs. While the Suns quickly rebounded from their previous season's struggles, the Mercury continued to miss out on the playoffs.
So, why did the Mercury regress in 2002? Was it a lack of depth in scoring, or perhaps other factors at play? What do you think? Let's discuss in the comments and explore the reasons behind this team's challenging season.
