2020 Phoenix Mercury Regular Season Thread

[Ronin]

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[BC867]

DT might be back for the next game, since the MRI was negative.

Brittney Griner and Schuyler Diggins-Smith really have to step up
to lead the Mercury this game. And Hartley's team-leading scoring.

With the rest of the cast doing their usual solid job.

 

[BC867]

The Mercury came from behind to take a 1-point lead
over Dallas at the end of the 1st quarter. 22-21.

'Good to see!

 

[BC867]

After holding a small lead during the 2nd quarter, the Mercury
briefly opened it to 10 points, then it got tighter.

We finished the half with a 44-38 lead. Without Diana.


I see, at halftime, that my girl DeWanna Bonner is making
key plays for Connecticut, leading them to victory.

I wish her well!

 

[BC867]

End of the 3rd quarter -- 68-54. Mercury up by 14.

 

[BC867]

The Mercury win by 12. 91-79.

Suns won earlier today by 27.

The pathetic Diamondbacks in their night game?

I'm not watching! They're not going to ruin my
good feelings after watching these two wins
by the guys and the girls.

 

[thirty-two]

Great win without DT. Skylar played a great game, and even BG looked more aggressive. LOVED seeing Turner up her offensive game today with her double double. Good team win.

 

[BC867]

Without Diana, roles changed. Brittney stepped up with one of her few double-doubles -- 22/13.
Diggin-Smith led in scoring with 26 and assists with 7. Turner with 11 boards to go with her 13
points. And Hartley, coming off injury, with 9 points and 6 assists off the bench. The Mercury
won the game in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

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[Ronin]

It's gameday!

 

[BC867]

6PM vs. Chicago on FSAZ -- Cox 34.

Ah, my favorite local basketball announcing team, Tom Leander and Annie.

What a pleasure compared to Kevin Ray and his going on and on and on,
while paying little attention to the action on the court.

Diana not playing again after injuring her back.

It is tied at 11 at the 5-minute mark of the 1st quarter.

 

[BC867]

The Mercury have been hanging in, but missing shots you'd expect them to make.

At the half, the Sky leads 42-36. My girl Sophie Cunningham has led the offense
for the Mercury.

 

[BC867]

The Mercury are down 64-50 to Chicago at the end of 3 quarters.

This is not surprising without Diana.

Not to pick on Brittney, but she's missed a lot of shots she
should have made.

And, as I've mentioned before, the loss of DeWanna Bonner,
our leading rebounder from the Forward position, has put
new pressure on Griner to be our top rebounder, as well as
at least second top scorer with Diana out.

That is just too much to ask!

Plus Diggins-Smith has not been a factor. The sole role of
playmaker falls on her shoulders as well as the need to score.

And Hartley, who has been our leading scorer with Taurasi
alongside her, has fallen off without her.

 

[BC867]

The Mercury have pulled to within 8 midway through the (10-minute) 4th quarter.

 

[BC867]

The Mercury, having averaged 90 points a game, reached only 71 tonight
and lost by 18. Griner went to the bench before the lead was that much.

 

[thirty-two]

We couldn’t buy a bucket in the first half. Griner, per usual, missed a ton of close shots and lacked any tenacity when rebounding. I’m officially a BG hater... I just can’t stand her play any longer. She says she wants to be the mvp....lol sure, Jan. With DT out, we need her to step up, not continue to play soft.

 

[BC867]

We couldn’t buy a bucket in the first half. Griner, per usual, missed a ton of close shots and lacked any tenacity when rebounding. I’m officially a BG hater... I just can’t stand her play any longer. She says she wants to be the mvp....lol sure, Jan. With DT out, we need her to step up, not continue to play soft.

Have you noticed the similarity between Brittney Griner and Deandre Ayton
at Center and as, supposedly, the 2nd best player on their team?

The difference is that Devin Booker is a young man and Diana Taurasi is
38 years old. Who does that put more pressure on?

I would say BG when DT retires . . . although the Mercury will be rebuilding.

On DA . . . if and when DBook wants out, unless we continue to show
improvement. But, in that case, Ayton will need to step up to playoff level.

 

[BC867]

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[Ronin]

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[BC867]

Diana is out again in this game vs. Atlanta.

But Sandy said she's expected back for Sunday's game.

Brea Hartley, our leading scorer, while coming off the
bench, is clearly the heir apparent to Diana.

As Tom Leander just mentioned, Hartley can score and
facilitate (just as DT). And she can rebound.

Mercury wins the 1st quarter 19-12

 

[thirty-two]

Decent first quarter. BG is playing with more urgency. When she is double teamed, the players are actually trying to get open and are cutting in the lane, which they weren’t doing last game. We are also hitting some shots. Keep it up!

 

[BC867]

Decent first quarter. BG is playing with more urgency. When she is double teamed, the players are actually trying to get open and are cutting in the lane, which they weren’t doing last game. We are also hitting some shots. Keep it up!

'Good to see! The Mercury are playing a crisp offense. They were dragging in the last game. Up 44-34 at the half.

 

[thirty-two]

Mercury up at the half. Everyone is taking part in the scoring. Shatori with a couple big 3s, which is great to see. I’m really liking how we are handling the BG double teams. She’s looking for the open person and we’ve hit some shots off those passes.

 

[thirty-two]

Block party by BG tonight. Gotta give her props for that.

 

[BC867]

The Mercury have opened the lead to 72-51 at the end of 3.

A nice 21-point lead.

 

[BC867]

Tom & Annie have mentioned that Sandy wants to get Diana,
Diggins-Smith and Hartley on the court at the same time.

I am not a fan of 3-Guard lineups in the NBA but, in the WNBA,
I think it would be a killer group. It could extend Diana's career.

But we'd need another dependable scorer off the bench to
replace Hartley.