Griner's status in doubt as Mercury look to complete sweep in Chicago
PHOENIX -- With three official shots available and only one victory separating the Mercury from a glorious third WNBA title, the game plan remains steady.
And with steady as our buzzword, let's gather some insight regarding Phoenix's general approach from forward Candice Dupree.
"I think we're going to go to Chicago with the same mindset we had for the first two games here," Dupree said before the Mercury left to re-engage the Sky in the Windy City for Game 3 on Friday.
For Sunday's Game 4 to become reality, Chicago coach Pokey Chatman offered a fairly broad range of necessary improvement.
"You have to be clicking on both sides of the ball to give yourself and opportunity," Chatman, whose Eastern Conference champions were bulldozed into this 0-2 pit by a team that has been overpowering in all phases of basketball.
If there's one glimmer of hope for the Sky, it's that a major part of that bulldozing could be on the sidelines for Game 3.
Center Brittney Griner was poked in the eye during a Game 2 scrum, and the Mercury announced Thursday that she underwent an outpatient procedure in Phoenix to "correct a retinal injury." She will be re-evaluated Friday morning before rejoining the team in Chicago, and her participation in Game 3 is being described as a game-time decision.
If her words on Tuesday night are to be believed, it sounds as if there will be no holding her out: "If I lose an eye, I'll play with one. It's the Finals."
It remains to be seen if that thinking is altered, given the comfortable cushion the Mercury have built and the dominance they've demonstrated in Games 1 and 2. From a numbers standpoint, let's review:
Chicago has made 35 percent of its field-goal attempts; Phoenix has converted at a 57 percent clip. There has been no inordinate disparity in free throws, offensive rebounds or turnovers, so our takeaway is a breeze -- a superior team is executing at a high level all over the floor.
But why has Phoenix been so difficult to conquer in 2014?
Well, it's been established that first-year coach Sandy Brondello is relentless in preparation and attention to detail. That seems pretty similar to how Russ Pennell, who finished up last season as Phoenix's interim coach, went about the business of directing the Mercury from early disappointment and into the Western Conference finals.
Unlike Pennell and predecessor Corey Gaines (who has a WNBA title on his Mercury resume), Brondello has been blessed with a healthy roster.
A look at the top seven in Phoenix's rotation reminds us Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor each missed one of the team's 34 regular-season games. And that's it.
The list of healthy participants includes Brittney Griner, who -- in addition to having the spring back in her knees -- began an impressive arc of improvement working with trainer she took with her to China and has continued this rise over the summer here.
Great players, great healthy and a coach with superior chops in seemingly every facet required by the profession have brought the Mercury to the doorstep of a championship.
Although the conference finals series with the defending champion Minnesota Lynx was no sorority mixer, the Mercury's overall playoff run thus far seems pretty remarkable.
The more this question of why is broached, the more we hear the word "chemistry."
Here's additional testimony from Dupree:
"It's the best year I've had playing basketball," said the four-time WNBA All-Star. "I'm playing with some of the best players in the world. Team chemistry has been great."
Taurasi, the ringleader for this and many other elite teams during her career, provides the echo.
"I've never been on a team like this my whole career," she said. "It might be the most unselfish and talented team I've ever been on. I don't mean talented in how good GB (Griner) is, how good DB (DeWanna Bonner) is.
"I mean the willingness to do it for the next person."
When talented players truly get it, the game can be pretty simple. Move the ball and yourself on offense; anticipate, communicate and play hard on defense.
By the way, there is another variable to register.
WNBA FINALS
Game 1: Mercury 83, Sky 62
Game 2: Mercury 97, Sky 68
Game 3: Phoenix at Chicago, 5 p.m. Friday (ESPN2)
Game 4: Phoenix at Chicago, 2:30 p.m. Sunday (ESPN2)*
Game 5: Chicago at Phoenix, 6 p.m. Sept. 17 (ESPN2)*
* -- if necessary
Our roster review reminds us that -- when healthy -- Phoenix had the same starting lineup last season.
But another overlooked variable we see during this season's roll call is an entirely new cast of reserves.
Every player called upon from the Phoenix bench now played elsewhere last season. While their statistical contributions may be limited, Erin Phillips, Mistie Bass, Shay Murphy, Ewelina Kobryn, Anete Jekabsone-Zogota and Tiffany Bias contribute in myriad ways.
There reportedly is little negativity regarding playing time, even though everyone on the roster wants to play as much as possible. That's obvious; you don't become a professional athlete by not wanting to compete. It also should be noted that working behind five star players while winning at a crazy rate helps in the task of keeping roles defined and embraced.
But being prepared when your number is called is important.
With Taurasi owning two quick fouls in Game 2 and Griner regrouping on the bench after a couple of swats to her face, Phillips and Kobryn came in and did their jobs.
How well role players perform on the road often defines a team's success.
So with a well-earned swagger, respect for the opposition and an uncanny knack for staying in the moment on their tray tables, the Mercury flew to Chicago in an attempt to complete the franchise's third championship.
"It's a business trip," Dupree said. "But we're looking to have fun on the court and, hopefully, celebrate Friday night."
