2007 WNBA Season: Phoenix Mercury Claim the Championship
The 2007 season marked the 11th year of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), a period characterized by significant roster shifts and a thrilling conclusion. Spanning from May 19 to September 16, the season featured 13 teams competing across 34 games each, drawing a total attendance of 1,727,939 fans to arenas across the league.
Key Facts
- Champions: Phoenix Mercury
- Regular Season MVP: Lauren Jackson (Seattle Storm)
- Finals MVP: Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury)
- Total Attendance: 1,727,939
- Top Draft Pick: Lindsey Harding
Pre-Season Changes and the 2007 Draft
The lead-up to the season saw a notable change in league composition when the Charlotte Sting folded on January 3, 2007. Attention then shifted to the annual draft held on April 4 in Cleveland, Ohio, where the next generation of talent entered the league.
Lindsey Harding, a standout point guard from Duke University, was selected as the number one overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury. However, she was later traded to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Tangela Smith. Similarly, the San Antonio Silver Stars selected center Jessica Davenport from Ohio State University, who was subsequently traded to the New York Liberty for Becky Hammon.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Regular Season Highlights
The action tipped off on May 19 with a high-stakes rematch of the 2006 WNBA Finals. The Detroit Shock emerged victorious over the Sacramento Monarchs with a score of 75-68.
As the season progressed, the Detroit Shock established themselves as the top seed. However, individual brilliance was most evident in Seattle, where Lauren Jackson dominated the league, earning both the Season MVP and the title of top scorer.
The 2007 All-Star Game
On July 15, the league paused for the All-Star Game at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. The Eastern All Stars secured a 103-99 victory over the Western All Stars. The game's MVP was Cheryl Ford of the Detroit Shock, who contributed 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists in 27 minutes of play.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Post-Season Awards and the Finals
The regular season concluded on August 19, leading to the announcement of the league's top honors. Alongside Lauren Jackson's MVP award, Dan Hughes of the San Antonio Silver Stars was named Coach of the Year, and Armintie Price of the Chicago Sky took home the Rookie of the Year award.
The season reached its climax in the WNBA Finals, where the Phoenix Mercury faced off against the Detroit Shock. In a tightly contested series, the Mercury defeated the Shock 3 games to 2 to claim the championship. Guard Cappie Pondexter was named the Finals MVP for her pivotal role in the victory.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]2007 WNBA Season Summary
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | May 19 – September 16, 2007 |
| Number of Teams | 13 |
| Average Attendance | 7,819 |
| TV Partners | ABC, ESPN, NBA TV |
| Regular Season Top Seed | Detroit Shock |
| Finals Champion | Phoenix Mercury |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2007 WNBA Championship?
The Phoenix Mercury won the championship by defeating the Detroit Shock 3 games to 2 in the Finals.
Who was the MVP of the 2007 regular season?
Lauren Jackson of the Seattle Storm was named the league MVP and was also the top scorer of the season.
Which team folded before the 2007 season began?
The Charlotte Sting folded on January 3, 2007.
Who was the first overall pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft?
Lindsey Harding from Duke University was the top pick, selected by the Phoenix Mercury before being traded to the Minnesota Lynx.
Who was the MVP of the 2007 All-Star Game?
Cheryl Ford of the Detroit Shock won the All-Star Game MVP after recording 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists.