Tangela Smith Comes To Phoenix, Brings Energy And Consistency

The Phoenix Mercury were inching closer to the playoffs. They missed the playoffs from 2001 to 2006, but they added stars during that time. Players like Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter put them on the right path, and the Mercury made the playoffs in 2007. On top of those players, the Mercury added a veteran in a draft-day trade. Phoenix had the first pick of that year's draft, and the franchise selected Lindsey Harding. However, Harding's time was cut short, as the Mercury traded her to the Minnesota Lynx. Phoenix received Tangela Smith, and the start of her career dates back to 1998. She was a second-round pick in that year's draft, and in her first season, she averaged 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and an assist. She played 28 games, and she started in 10 of them. She missed two games that year, but overall, she played well. In her second season, Smith played 31 games, and she started in three of them. She missed one game, but she helped the Sacramento Monarchs have a successful season. Smith's 2