How Phoenix's New Star Joined Taurasi and Taylor: A Tale of Assist Mastery
The Phoenix Mercury were on a mission to return to the playoffs, and they knew they needed some star power to get there. So, they drafted Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi, two legendary players who had already made their mark in the WNBA. But they weren't done yet. Before the start of the 2006 season, they added a high-scoring guard from Rutgers, Cappie Pondexter, who was ready to make her own name in the league.
Pondexter had already established herself as a force to be reckoned with at Rutgers, averaging 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.8 steals in her four years there. The Mercury knew they had found a gem, and they were eager to see what she could do on the court.
And Pondexter wasted no time in making her mark. During that season, the Mercury had a total of 619 assists, and Pondexter was right behind Taurasi in the assist category, with 98 assists to her name. The only player who topped her was Taurasi, with 139 assists.
Taurasi's best game as a facilitator was against the Houston Comets, where she had nine assists and a career-high 47 points. The Mercury and the Comets had a classic game, and Taurasi helped her team win in triple overtime. It was a memorable game, and the star guard did everything she could to get the win.
Pondexter's best performance came against the Connecticut Sun, where she had six assists and 15 points, and was one of four players to score in double figures. Taurasi had a big night, with 35 points, while Kamila Vodichkova and Jennifer Lacy both had 13 points.
Pondexter was off to a great start, and outside of her and Taurasi, the Mercury had some other great facilitators. Kelly Miller was third in assists, with 94 during the season, and had seven assists against the Chicago Sky, helping the Mercury win their fifth game of the season.
Kristen Rasmussen and Jennifer Derevjanik rounded out the top five, with 72 and 68 assists, respectively. Rasmussen had six assists against the San Antonio Silver Stars, and Derevjanik had five assists against the same team. The Mercury finished that season with a record of 18-16, and while they didn't make the playoffs, they were getting closer to their goal.
So, how did the Phoenix Mercury's new star join Taurasi and Taylor? By bringing her own brand of assist mastery to the team, and helping them take a step closer to their goal of returning to the playoffs. And that's a story worth reading more about. Follow us on X to find out more about the 2006 Phoenix Mercury and how they played their way to success.
