NFL
By: Nick Andre
The WNBA season is underway and what a great time of the year it is. There’s a lot to dive into as training camp has officially begun. Questions that surround the W include how will Candace Parker flourish with the Las Vegas Aces or will the New York Liberty shock the world as title contenders. However, one of the biggest news heading into the 2023 season is the return of Brittney Griner and how she will impact the Phoenix Mercury.
In February 2022, Griner was detained in Russia due to carrying a vape pen at an airport. Her detainment forced her to be sentenced to nine years in prison. However, she was thankfully brought home to the United States after spending nearly 10 months in a Russian Cell. While many expected Griner to take time to herself due to a traumatic experience, her spirit has been higher than ever and she’s excited to return to the court this season.
Griner may have arguably had her best season in 2021 for the Mercury. It was a year where all of the distractions were behind her and she was the driving force behind her team’s turnaround during the regular season. Standing at 6 ‘8 and weighing 205 lbs, Griner has continued to be a matchup nightmare for interior defenders with her ability to score in multiple ways. Due to Griner’s MVP-caliber season, the Mercury finished the year with a 19-13 record.
During their deep playoff run, the Mercury faced the Las Vegas Aces for a spot in the Finals. Due to the magnificent season the Aces were having, the odds were in their favor. They were led by A’ja Wilson with a great supporting cast of Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and others. During this series, Griner was primarily defended by Liz Cambage and Kiah Stokes on the block. Showing her versatility on offense, Griner was able to steal the show to come out on top.
Griner averaged 21.6 points to go with 8.4 rebounds on 54 percent shooting during the five-game series. It was a beauty to watch her and Diana Taurasi turn back the clock and dominate as a duo once again. In the series-clinching game five, Griner delivered 28 points and 11 rebounds while making clutch baskets down the stretch. Also, let’s acknowledge her defensive presence as well while getting a huge block on Wilson late in the contest. With the Mercury’s All-Star center leading the way, they were able to clinch a Finals spot against the Chicago Sky.
It was unfortunate that Griner’s magnificent season didn’t result in another WNBA championship. The combination of Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper, and others. Despite Griner’s continued dominance, the Sky won the series in four games and clinched their first WNBA championship. Despite the loss, it was a wonderful turnaround season for the Mercury, they began the season with a 9-10 record and went undefeated in August, which changed the momentum of their season as they finished at 19-13.
Griner’s absence from the 2022 WNBA season was felt across the league. Her play on the court along with her personality was missed and it affected the Mercury in the worst way. Although they finished the season as the eighth seed in the playoffs, there was tension within the team that prevented them from reaching their full potential. Many can blame that due to Griner’s situation in Russia, which was one that was bigger than basketball.
Since Griner’s return to the United States, she stated that she would return to the WNBA at the beginning of the season. She has continued to train and prepare for another spectacular year. Basketball is a form of therapy and an escape way for many people who play with a passion. With Griner having that passion stripped from her last year, there’s no question she’s ready to compete with her teammates.
It was beautiful to witness the women’s basketball community come together and support Brittney Griner through the course of the season. During the second half of the All-Star game, players on both teams came out of the locker room wearing number 42 in honor of her. While the players are known for competing once they step out on the floor, it’s still a sisterhood in the end. Griner returning to the WNBA is good for basketball. After missing an entire season, she’s ecstatic for opening night on May 19.
