The Phoenix Mercury's 2005 Season: A Tale of Two Stars and Team Success
The Phoenix Mercury were on a roll in 2004, and they were about to get even better. They added two new stars to their lineup: Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi. Taylor, an established WNBA player, had already made an impact with the Cleveland Rockers, averaging 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals. Taurasi, a college star, was fresh off her third championship, averaging 16.2 points, 4.9 assists, four rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
In their first season together, the Mercury finished with a 17-17 record. But in 2005, they kept that momentum going, with Taurasi and Taylor leading the way.
Taurasi was the team's best facilitator, dishing out 150 assists. She had a standout game against the San Antonio Silver Stars, with eight assists, helping the Mercury secure their fourth win of the season. By then, they had 11 losses, but Taurasi's playmaking kept the team competitive.
Taylor was second in assists, with 94 during the regular season. In a game against the Silver Stars, she had a double-double with 21 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and a block, showcasing her all-around talent. That game also marked the season high in assists for the 2004 Rookie of the Year.
Beyond the stars, Anna DeForge was the next-best facilitator, with 80 assists. She had a strong game against the Connecticut Sun, with nine assists, 20 points, four rebounds, and two steals. The Mercury dropped to 1-3 after that loss, but DeForge's playmaking kept the team competitive.
Kamila Vodichkova and Ashley Robinson followed DeForge, with 63 and 31 assists, respectively. What made this season unique was that every player who suited up had at least one assist. The Mercury's stars continued to shine, and their teammates reaped the benefits, with a strong team performance throughout the season.
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