Why Timms' Rookie Season Helped Phoenix Make The Playoffs

Michele Timms was one of the Phoenix Mercury's first players. The WNBA had an allocation round in 1997, and Timms was the second player Phoenix received. The first player was Jennifer Gillom. After receiving those two players, the Mercury continued to build their roster, and in the end, Phoenix's first roster made the playoffs. The Mercury made the playoffs after finishing the season with a record of 16-12. The Mercury had a good year, and Timms was one of their top players. She averaged 12.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 steals. The future All-Star was second in the league in steals, as Teresa Weatherspoon averaged three. The New York Liberty guard was named the Defensive Player of the Year later that season, and she won it the following year as well. Timms' season led to her getting recognition from the league. While Weatherspoon won Defensive Player of the Year, Phoenix's guard was second in the race. New York's defensive specialist earned 22 points out of a possible 37. Timms was tied for sec