The 2002 WNBA season was a brutal one for the Phoenix Mercury, marking a significant step backward for the franchise. Coming off their worst season ever in 2001, they somehow managed to sink even lower. Finishing with a dismal 11-21 record, they found themselves near the bottom of the Western Conference, second only to the Minnesota Lynx (10-22). This was a far cry from playoff contention, leaving fans wondering what went wrong.
Jennifer Gillom, the team's leading scorer, carried the offensive load with 15.3 points per game, along with 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists. But here's where it gets concerning: no other player consistently stepped up as a secondary scoring threat. Gordana Grubin came close, averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. Grubin, a veteran who had previously played for the Los Angeles Sparks and Indiana Fever, had a standout game against her former team, the Sparks, scoring 23 points along with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block. However, her lone season with the Mercury wasn't enough to turn the tide.
The season started with a loss to the Houston Comets, a 61-56 defeat where Grubin led the team with 17 points. A brief four-game winning streak followed, but it was a fleeting moment of hope. The Mercury's struggles continued, and they once again missed the playoffs, a stark contrast to the success of their city counterparts, the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns, boasting a talented rookie named Amar'e Stoudemire, finished the season with a respectable 44-38 record, securing the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Stoudemire, straight out of high school, averaged an impressive 13.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1 assist per game. While the Suns were eliminated in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs, their future looked bright. The same couldn't be said for the Mercury, who were left searching for answers.
And this is the part most people miss: Was it a lack of talent, coaching, or simply bad luck? The 2002 season raises more questions than it answers. Did the Mercury underestimate the competition? Was there a lack of team chemistry? We want to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below and let's discuss the factors that led to the Mercury's regression. For a deeper dive into the Mercury's 2002 season and their performance during that time, be sure to follow us on X: https://x.com/MercuryOnSI!
