Fansided

Each state’s nominee for America’s Team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 50
Next
Sep 12, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (left) and guard Diana Taurasi (right) kiss the WNBA championship trophy after defeating the Chicago Sky 87-82 in game three of the 2014 WNBA Finals at UIC Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (left) and guard Diana Taurasi (right) kiss the WNBA championship trophy after defeating the Chicago Sky 87-82 in game three of the 2014 WNBA Finals at UIC Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona

Phoenix Mercury

There are far more teams to choose from in Arizona, including Phoenix-based clubs in each of the four major sports. There’s even a World Series-winning MLB team – the Arizona Diamondbacks – plus power conference college programs at Arizona and Arizona State, including a Wildcats men’s basketball program that won the 1997 NCAA Tournament and has been to four Final Fours.

Nevertheless, we’re going to go a little bit outside the box for Arizona’s nominee for America’s Team. Though the fact the franchise has won three professional league titles since 2007 and features some of the most well-known athletes in the sport, it shouldn’t be a complete shock the nod goes to the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA.

First coached by Cheryl Miller, Phoenix was an original member of the WNBA, and made it to the playoff semifinals in the league’s first season. The Mercury made it to its first MNBA Finals in 1998, but lost to Houston in three games. After a revolving door of five coaches in six seasons from 2000-05, Paul Westhead took over as coach in 2006, and led the Mercury to a win over Detroit in the 2007 Finals. Corey Gaines took over the following season, and after a lackluster first year on the bench, led Phoenix to its second WNBA title in 2009, followed by back-to-back conference championship appearances in 2010-11.

Gaines and the Mercury plummeted to a franchise-worst 7-27 in 2012, but the timing was right and the team selected Britney Griner No. 1 overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft. The 6-foot-9 center and guard Diana Taurasi helped the Mercury win its most recent championship in 2014 under the direction of Sandy Brondello, who has led the team to the playoffs in each of her three seasons with the team.

Home/College Football