How Phoenix's First Player Put The League On Notice

The 1997 season started it all for the Phoenix Mercury. The WNBA was just getting started, and the Mercury played a role in the league's early success. Phoenix built a talented roster, and it started with the allocation period. Michele Timms and Jennifer Gillom went to the Mercury in that phase, and they added others through two different drafts. In the first draft, the Mercury added Bridget Pettis and Nancy Lieberman. Then, players like Toni Foster and Tia Jackson were selected in the next draft. The Mercury had their roster, and they went on to have a successful season. They finished the season with a record of 16-12, which made them first in the Western Conference. Phoenix made the playoffs in its first season, and it faced the New York Liberty. The Liberty beat the Mercury, and they reached the WNBA Finals. Regardless, the Mercury had a good year, and some of their players were involved in award races. It all started with Michele Timms, as she was fifth in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) race. She average