2009 W NBA season
2009 W NBA season | |
---|---|
League | Women's National Basketball Association |
Sport | Basketball |
Duration | June 6 – October 9, 2009 |
Number of games | 34 |
Number of teams | 13 |
Total attendance | 1,776,536 |
Average attendance | 8,039 |
TV partner(s) | ABC,ESPN,NBA TV |
2009 W NBA Draft | |
Top draft pick | Angel McCoughtry |
Picked by | Atlanta Dream |
Regular season | |
Season MVP | Diana Taurasi(Phoenix) |
Playoffs | |
Easternchampions | Indiana Fever |
Eastern runners-up | Detroit Shock |
Westernchampions | Phoenix Mercury |
Western runners-up | Los Angeles Sparks |
Finals | |
Champions | Phoenix Mercury |
Runners-up | Indiana Fever |
FinalsMVP | Diana Taurasi |
The2009 W NBA Seasonwas the 13th season of theWomen's National Basketball Association.It is the first W NBA season without aHoustonfranchise, theCometshaving folded in December 2008. The season ended with thePhoenix Mercurywinning their second championship in three years.
The regular season began with a televised (ABC) meeting between the defending championDetroit Shockand theLos Angeles SparksinLos Angeleson June 6. TheConnecticut Sunhosted the9th Annual All-Star Gamewhich was broadcast live onABC(HD) on July 25.
2008/2009 W NBA offseason
[edit]- The new television deal withESPNwill begin during the 2009 season. For the first time ever, teams will be paid rights fees as part of this deal.
- As of the 2009 season, the maximum roster size per team is reduced from 13 to 11. Any team that falls below nine players able to play due to injury, pregnancy or any other factor outside of the control of the team will, upon request, be granted a roster hardship exception allowing the team to sign an additional player or players so that the team will have nine players able to play in an upcoming game or games. As soon as the injured (or otherwise sidelined) player(s) is able to play, the roster hardship player(s) -- not any other player on the roster—must be waived.
- On October 23, 2008, Angela Taylor was named general manager of theWashington Mystics.
- On November 6, 2008,Julie Plankwas named head coach of theWashington Mystics.
- On November 20, 2008,Bill Laimbeerwas signed to a two-year contract extension as the head coach and general manager of theDetroit Shock.
- On December 1, 2008, theHouston Cometsceased basketball operations.
- On January 5, 2009, thefree agentsigning period began.
- On February 3, 2009, presidentDonna Orenderannounced that the2009 W NBA All-Star Gameis in Connecticut, hosted by theSun.
- On April 28, 2009,Anne Donovanwas named assistant coach of theNew York Liberty.
- The W NBA announced the addition of theW NBA LiveAccesssystem on May 13, 2009. This new feature on W NBA will provide fans with free access to more than 200 live game webcasts – the league's most comprehensive offering – throughout the 2009 W NBA season. For the first time, fans around the world will be able to access live game webcasts on individual team web sites. All of the W NBA LiveAccess games will then be archived for on-demand viewing.
- On June 1, 2009,Donna OrenderandDavid Sternannounced that thePhoenix Mercuryhad signed a corporate deal withLifeLock.This would allow the LifeLock name to be on the team uniforms and the court, among other things. This was the first deal of the type in W NBA orNBAhistory.
- On June 3, 2009,Minnesota Lynxhead coachDon Zierdenresigned to take an assistant job withFlip Saundersand theWashington Wizards.Assistant coachJennifer Gillomwas promoted to head coach of the Lynx.
- On June 5, 2009, theLos Angeles Sparkssigned a corporate deal withFarmers Insurance.This would allow the Farmers Insurance name to be on the team uniforms and the court, among other things. This was the second deal of the type in W NBA orNBAhistory (after the Mercury).
Houston Comets dispersal draft
[edit]On December 8, 2008, theHouston Cometsdispersal draftwas held. Five former Comets players,Latasha Byears,Mwadi Mabika,Hamchetou Maiga-Ba,Michelle SnowandTina Thompsonwere free agents and therefore not eligible for this draft. Teams selected based inversely on their 2008 regular season records.
The top picks were:
Six of the thirteen teams making selections waived their picks.
2009 W NBA draft
[edit]The W NBA Draft lottery was held on December 9, 2008. TheAtlanta Dreamreceived the first overall selection. TheWashington Mysticsreceived the number two selection. TheChicago Skycame up with the third overall selection, followed by theMinnesota Lynxat four and thePhoenix Mercuryat number five. For the first time in W NBA history, the lottery balls were chosen exactly according to odds.
The 2009 W NBA Draft was held on April 9 inSecaucus, New Jersey.Coverage of the first round was shown onESPN2(inHDfor the first time ever) at 3:00pm. Second and third round coverage was shown onESPNUandNBA TVat 4:00pm.
The top draft picks were as follows:
- Angel McCoughtry,Atlanta Dream
- Marissa Coleman,Washington Mystics
- Kristi Toliver,Chicago Sky
- Renee Montgomery,Minnesota Lynx
- DeWanna Bonner,Phoenix Mercury
Regular season
[edit]Standings
[edit]Eastern Conference | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Conf. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indiana Feverx | 22 | 12 | .647 | – | 14–3 | 8–9 | 17–5 |
Atlanta Dreamx | 18 | 16 | .529 | 4.0 | 12–5 | 6–11 | 10–12 |
Detroit Shockx | 18 | 16 | .529 | 4.0 | 11–6 | 7–10 | 11–11 |
Washington Mysticsx | 16 | 18 | .471 | 6.0 | 11–6 | 5–12 | 10–12 |
Chicago Skyo | 16 | 18 | .471 | 6.0 | 12–5 | 4–13 | 10–12 |
Connecticut Suno | 16 | 18 | .471 | 6.0 | 12–5 | 4–13 | 9–12 |
New York Libertyo | 13 | 21 | .382 | 9.0 | 8–9 | 5–12 | 8–13 |
Western Conference | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Conf. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phoenix Mercuryx | 23 | 11 | .676 | – | 12–5 | 11–6 | 13–7 |
Seattle Stormx | 20 | 14 | .588 | 3.0 | 13–4 | 7–10 | 13–7 |
Los Angeles Sparksx | 18 | 16 | .529 | 5.0 | 11–6 | 7–10 | 11–9 |
San Antonio Silver Starsx | 15 | 19 | .441 | 8.0 | 10–7 | 5–12 | 10–10 |
Minnesota Lynxo | 14 | 20 | .412 | 9.0 | 9–8 | 5–12 | 7–13 |
Sacramento Monarchso | 12 | 22 | .353 | 11.0 | 7–10 | 5–12 | 6–14 |
All-Star Game
[edit]The 2009 W NBA All-Star Game was hosted by theConnecticut Sunon July 25 atMohegan Sun Arena.Coverage of the game began at 3:30pm onABC.This marked the second time the Sun had hosted the annual event.
July 25
3:30 p.m. |
Western Conference130,Eastern Conference118 | ||
Scoring by quarter:25-27, 38-33, 36-33, 31-25 | ||
Pts:Swin Cash(22) Rebs:Cappie Pondexter(9) Asts:Sue Bird(10) |
Pts:Sylvia Fowles(17) Rebs:Érika de Souza(9) Asts:Asjha Jones(6) |
Mohegan Sun Arena,Uncasville, Connecticut
Attendance:9,518 Referees:
|
Statistic leaders
[edit]The following shows the leaders for each statistic during the 2009 regular season.
Category | Player | Team | Statistic |
---|---|---|---|
Points per game | Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury | 20.4 |
Rebounds per game | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks | 9.8 |
Assists per game | Sue Bird | Seattle Storm | 5.8 |
Steals per game | Tamika Catchings | Indiana Fever | 2.91 |
Blocks per game | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks | 2.12 |
Field goal percentage | Sylvia Fowles | Chicago Sky | .599 (103–172) |
Three point FG percentage | Tangela Smith | Phoenix Mercury | .452 (42–93) |
Free throw percentage | Nicole Powell | Sacramento Monarchs | .979 (94–96) |
Points per game | Team Stat | Phoenix Mercury | 92.82 |
Least points allowed | Team Stat | Seattle Storm | 72.82 |
Field goal percentage | Team Stat | Phoenix Mercury | .460 |
Least FG% allowed | Team Stat | Los Angeles Sparks | .399 |
Schedule
[edit]Playoffs and Finals
[edit]Conference Semi-Finals Best-of-3 | Conference Finals Best-of-3 | W NBA Finals Best-of-5 | ||||||||||||
E1 | Indiana | 2 | ||||||||||||
E4 | Washington | 0 | ||||||||||||
E1 | Indiana | 2 | ||||||||||||
Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||||
E3 | Detroit | 1 | ||||||||||||
E2 | Atlanta | 0 | ||||||||||||
E3 | Detroit | 2 | ||||||||||||
E1 | Indiana | 2 | ||||||||||||
W1 | Phoenix | 3 | ||||||||||||
W1 | Phoenix | 2 | ||||||||||||
W4 | San Antonio | 1 | ||||||||||||
W1 | Phoenix | 2 | ||||||||||||
Western Conference | ||||||||||||||
W3 | Los Angeles | 1 | ||||||||||||
W2 | Seattle | 1 | ||||||||||||
W3 | Los Angeles | 2 |
2009 W NBA season summary
[edit]Season highlights
[edit]- On June 15, 2009, only three games into theDetroit Shockseason, seven-year head coach and general managerBill Laimbeerannounced his resignation.Rick Mahornwas promoted to head coach, and Cheryl Reeve took over GM duties.
- On July 5, 2009, reigningMVPCandace Parkerreturned to the court for the first time since giving birth just 53 days earlier.
- On July 12, 2009,Sacramento Monarchsgeneral managerJohn Whisenantannounced that head coachJenny Boucekwould be relieved of her duties after a 3–10 start to the season. Whisenant took over the position while maintaining his GM duties.
- On July 31, 2009,New York Libertygeneral managerCarol Blazejowskiannounced thatPat Coylewould be fired as the head coach after a 6–11 start to the season. Assistant coachAnne Donovantook over the job on an interim basis.
- On August 10, 2009,Los Angeles SparkscenterLisa Leslierecorded her 6,000th career point in her team's win against theIndiana Fever.Leslie was the first player in W NBA history to reach the 6,000 point plateau.
- On August 15, 2009,Seattle StormforwardLauren Jacksonrecorded her 5,000th career point in her team's loss against theAtlanta Dream.Jackson was the fourth player to reach the 5,000 point plateau; she was, however, the fastest and the youngest to do so.
- On August 17, theChicago Skyannounced a change of home venue, effective with the 2010 season. The team would abandon their original home ofUIC Pavilionon the campus of theUniversity of Illinois at Chicagoand move toAllstate Arenain suburbanRosemont.
- ThePhoenix Mercuryaveraged a league-best (and highest in W NBA history) 92.8 points per game. Fixed for a 48-minute game (111.4 points per game), the Mercury's average surpassed the highest scoring team in theW NBA.
- ThePhoenix Mercuryshot 85.5% from the free-throw line. This clip is the best team free-throw percentage inW NBAandNBAhistory.
- On September 25, 2009,NBAlegendLarry Birdpurchased about 9,000 balcony tickets to theIndiana Fevervs.Detroit Shockgame three of theEastern ConferenceFinals. The tickets were then distributed at the Fever box office free-of-charge to fans. Bird had the sole intent of filling the arena to support the Fever, who had never advanced to theW NBA Finals.Announced attendance at the game was 18,165 and the Fever beat the Shock.
- On September 28, 2009,Phoenix Sunsgeneral managerSteve Kerrpurchased about 7,000 balcony tickets to thePhoenix Mercuryvs.Indiana Fevergame one of the2009 W NBA Finals.The tickets were then distributed at the Mercury box office free-of-charge to fans. Kerr wanted to follow up Bird's similar action stating that he knows how important a large crowd can be in a Finals series.
End-of-season business report
[edit]- The W NBA 's regular season onESPN2(13 telecasts) concluded with an average of 269,000 viewers, up 8% vs. 2008 season (248,000 viewers). In addition, regular-season games on ESPN2 saw increases in key demographics, including men 18-34 (+9%), men 18-49 (+14%) and men 23-54 (+23%).[1]
- Ratings and viewership for Game 1 of the W NBA Finals on ESPN2 were up 39 percent (.43 rating vs..31 rating for Game 1 of the '08 W NBA Finals) and 59 percent respectively (555,000 viewers vs. 348,000 viewers), making Game 1 the most viewed W NBA game on cable since Game 4 of the '07 W NBA Finals (Shock vs. Mercury) on ESPN2 (669,000).[2]
Retirements
[edit]- On February 5, 2009, centerLisa Leslieof theLos Angeles Sparksannounced that the 2009 season would be her last in the W NBA. Leslie was one of the four remaining players from theW NBA 's inaugural season.
- On May 15, 2009, forwardYolanda Griffithof theIndiana Feverannounced that the 2009 season would be her last in the W NBA. Griffith was injured in the third game of the season but continued to help the Fever as an assistant coach figure.
- On May 31, 2009,San Antonio Silver StarsguardVickie Johnsonannounced that the 2009 season would be her last in the league. Johnson was one of the four remaining players from theW NBA 's inaugural season.
- On September 18, 2009,Seattle StormguardShannon "Pee Wee" Johnsonannounced that she would retire at the end of the 2009 season.
- On September 24, 2009, forwardErin Perperoglouof theSan Antonio Silver Starsannounced that she would not return to the W NBA.
Season award winners
[edit]Player of the Week award
[edit]For games played beginning |
Eastern Conference | Western Conference | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Team | Player | Team | |
June 6, 2009 | Candice Dupree | Chicago Sky | Seimone Augustus | Minnesota Lynx |
June 15, 2009 | Alana Beard | Washington Mystics | Lauren Jackson | Seattle Storm |
June 22, 2009 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana Fever | Candice Wiggins | Minnesota Lynx |
June 29, 2009 | Tammy Sutton-Brown | Indiana Fever | Cappie Pondexter | Phoenix Mercury |
July 6, 2009 | Alana Beard | Washington Mystics | Cappie Pondexter | Phoenix Mercury |
July 13, 2009 | Shameka Christon | New York Liberty | Cappie Pondexter | Phoenix Mercury |
July 20, 2009 | Asjha Jones | Connecticut Sun | Sue Bird | Seattle Storm |
July 27, 2009 | Katie Douglas | Indiana Fever | Becky Hammon | San Antonio Silver Stars |
August 3, 2009 | Katie Douglas | Indiana Fever | Becky Hammon | San Antonio Silver Stars |
August 10, 2009 | Sancho Lyttle | Atlanta Dream | Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury |
August 17, 2009 | Sandrine Gruda | Connecticut Sun | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks |
August 24, 2009 | Deanna Nolan | Detroit Shock | Sue Bird | Seattle Storm |
August 31, 2009 | Deanna Nolan | Detroit Shock | Vickie Johnson | San Antonio Silver Stars |
September 7, 2009 | Deanna Nolan | Detroit Shock | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks |
Postseason awards
[edit]Award | Winner | Position | Team | Votes/Statistic | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Most Valuable Player Award | Diana Taurasi | Guard | Phoenix Mercury | 323 out of 966[3] | |
Finals MVP Award | Diana Taurasi | Guard | Phoenix Mercury | N/A | |
Rookie of the Year Award | Angel McCoughtry | Forward | Atlanta Dream | 30 out of 41 | |
Most Improved Player Award | Crystal Langhorne | Forward | Washington Mystics | 19 out of 40 | |
Defensive Player of the Year Award | Tamika Catchings | Forward | Indiana Fever | 34 out of 40 | |
Sixth Woman of the Year Award | DeWanna Bonner | Guard | Phoenix Mercury | 20 out of 38 | |
Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award | Kara Lawson | Guard | Sacramento Monarchs | 8 out of 38 | |
Peak Performer: Points | Diana Taurasi | Guard/Forward | Phoenix Mercury | 20.4 PPG | |
Peak Performer: Rebounds | Candace Parker | Forward | Los Angeles Sparks | 9.8 RPG | |
Peak Performer: Assists | Sue Bird | Guard | Seattle Storm | 5.8 APG | |
Coach of the Year Award | Marynell Meadors | Coach | Atlanta Dream | 30 out of 41 | |
Team | Guard | Guard | Forward | Forward | Center |
All-W NBA First Team | Becky Hammon | Diana Taurasi | Cappie Pondexter | Tamika Catchings | Lauren Jackson |
All-W NBA Second Team | Deanna Nolan | Katie Douglas | Candace Parker | Sophia Young | Lisa Leslie |
All-Defensive First Team | Tully Bevilaqua | Tanisha Wright | Tamika Catchings | Nicky Anosike | Lauren Jackson |
All-Defensive Second Team | Alana Beard/Deanna Nolan | Angel McCoughtry | Candace Parker | Sancho Lyttle | Lisa Leslie |
All-Rookie Team | Renee Montgomery | Shavonte Zellous | Marissa Coleman | Angel McCoughtry | DeWanna Bonner |
Coaches
[edit]Eastern Conference
[edit]- Atlanta Dream:Marynell Meadors
- Chicago Sky:Steven Key
- Connecticut Sun:Mike Thibault
- Detroit Shock:Bill LaimbeerandRick Mahorn
- Indiana Fever:Lin Dunn
- New York Liberty:Pat CoyleandAnne Donovan
- Washington Mystics:Julie Plank
Western Conference
[edit]- Los Angeles Sparks:Michael Cooper
- Minnesota Lynx:Jennifer Gillom
- Phoenix Mercury:Corey Gaines
- Sacramento Monarchs:Jenny BoucekandJohn Whisenant
- San Antonio Silver Stars:Dan Hughes
- Seattle Storm:Brian Agler
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^http://sportsmedianews /09/espn2-to-provide-extensive-coverage-of-wnba-conference-semifinals-conference-finals-and-wnba-finals-coverage-begins-wednesday-sept-16/ESPN2 Coverage of W NBA Finals. Accessed 2009-09-16.Archived2009-09-18.
- ^"Finals Game 1 Ratings".NBA.Archived fromthe originalon October 3, 2009.RetrievedOctober 1,2009.
- ^"Diana Taurasi Named 2009 W NBA Most Valuable Player presented by Kia Motors".W NBA.September 29, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 22,2024.