Summary of โขthe Article: Phoenix โMercury‘s Success โคwith “Young veterans”
This article details how the Phoenix Mercury successfully built a competitive roster by strategically recruitingโข players who had been overlooked by other WNBA teams,โ often those who had been invited to training camps but not made the finalโค cut, and where developing their skills playing overseas.
Hear are the key takeaways:
The Challenge: Many talented players struggle to makeโฃ WNBA rosters initially, often due to limited โrosterโ spots and a preference for immediate impact โrookies. Players who settle into overseas careers can be challenging โto convince to try out again.
Phoenix’s Approach (3 Key Factors):
1. Personal Investment: โ The Mercury organization (especially Tibbettsโค and Vidas) made aโค significant effort to build relationships with these players through overseas visits and โensuring a cozy experience once in Phoenix.
2. Understanding & Realistic Roles: the coachingโ staff (Fawcett) demonstrated a deep understandingโฃ of theโ players’ skills and envisioned specific,โ valuableโ roles โขfor themโ within the team. They didn’t justโค see them as โ”bodies” for scrimmages.3. Opportunity: โโ Phoenix had โnumerous rosterโข spots open, providing a genuine โคchance for these players to competeโค andโข earnโฃ a place on the team. Benefits for โฃthe โขMercury:
Cost-Controlled Contracts: Theseโฃ players are typically on moreโข affordable contracts.
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Experienced & Developed Players: They are more polishedโ and prepared โfor โคthe WNBA thanโ straight-from-college โคrookies.
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Strong โculture: They bring a professionalโ attitude and resilience, โคearning theโ respect ofโ veteran players.
WNBA Trend: โThe โฃarticle suggests this approach is โbecoming more common as the โขWNBA attracts more internationalโค talent and teams recognize the โคvalueโข of developing players before โข bringing them into the league. The New Yorkโ Liberty are cited as a “gold standard” in this area.
Future Outlook: Phoenix believes there are still many capable WNBA players overseas waiting for โขan opportunity, โand their success provides a โคmodel forโ other โteams.
In essence, the Mercury found success by โคrecognizing untapped potential, investing in โplayers others overlooked, and providingโ a โsupportive habitat for them โขto thrive.โค This strategy is contributing to their pursuit of a playoffโ berth andโฃ a return to postseason success.