Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The New York Liberty 2005 featured a balanced offense led by Becky Hammon’s scoring and playmaking, while Ann Wauters provided efficient interior scoring and rebounding. Vickie Johnson added steady perimeter production, and Elena Baranova contributed as a versatile frontcourt scorer and floor spacer. Despite playing at a deliberate pace, the Liberty combined efficient shooting, strong three-point accuracy, and disciplined ball movement to produce one of the league’s more effective offenses.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Becky Hammon Starter/Star (1.1) 34.3 High (1.2) 13.9 3.4 4.3 1.9 62.26 Hammon was the Liberty’s offensive engine, creating shots through pick-and-roll actions while providing aggressive perimeter scoring. Her 34.3 minutes per game reflected the trust placed in her as a primary ball-handler responsible for late-clock decisions and controlling tempo. WNBA All-Star (2005)
Ann Wauters Starter/Star (1.1) 31.4 High (1.2) 13.7 6.6 1.5 1.4 61.10 Wauters gave New York a skilled interior scorer who could operate from the post while also making smart reads as a passer. Her efficient finishing and rebounding made her a central piece of the Liberty’s frontcourt attack. WNBA All-Star (2005); EuroLeague MVP (2001)
Elena Baranova Starter/Star (1.1) 28.9 Medium (1.1) 8.7 6.9 1.8 2.2 43.12 Baranova continued to provide a rare combination of spacing and defensive versatility, stretching defenses with perimeter shooting while protecting the rim. Her rebounding and shot-blocking allowed New York to use more flexible frontcourt combinations. Olympic Bronze Medalist (2004); EuroLeague Champion (2003)
Vickie Johnson Starter/Star (1.1) 30.1 Medium (1.1) 10.4 3.5 2.7 0.8 38.28 Johnson served as a dependable two-way wing, attacking efficiently inside the arc and providing steady perimeter defense. Her role was less about volume scoring and more about keeping the offense balanced around Hammon and Wauters. WNBA All-Star (2003, 2005)
Shameka Christon Key Contributor (1.05) 23.8 Medium (1.1) 9.1 2.7 1.2 1.6 32.13 Christon provided athletic wing scoring and defensive energy, often bringing a change of pace with her ability to attack and defend multiple positions. Her increased minutes showed the Liberty valued her versatility alongside the veteran core. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2004)
Crystal Robinson Key Contributor (1.05) 30.3 Medium (1.1) 7.3 3.1 1.8 0.9 28.53 Robinson remained a veteran stabilizer, using experience and perimeter skills to fill gaps within the rotation. Even with reduced offensive usage, her ability to space the floor and defend wings remained valuable. WNBA All-Star (2003)
La’Keshia Frett Bench (1.0) 10.9 Low (1.0) 3.0 1.2 0.5 0.5 10.40 Frett provided reserve frontcourt minutes, relying on physical play and efficient interior scoring. Her role was mainly to bring energy and maintain the team’s defensive intensity in short stretches. —
Cathrine Kraayeveld Bench (1.0) 11.5 Low (1.0) 4.1 1.6 0.3 0.7 13.40 Kraayeveld contributed as a young reserve forward with shooting range and defensive activity. Her ability to stretch the floor gave New York another option in bench lineups. —
Erin Thorn Bench (1.0) 9.7 Low (1.0) 2.7 0.7 0.6 0.2 8.40 Thorn provided perimeter depth, offering occasional shooting and ball movement while adjusting to a limited rotation role. —
Loree Moore Bench (1.0) 8.2 Low (1.0) 0.9 1.1 0.8 0.4 6.40 Moore played reserve guard minutes, contributing defensive effort and ball-handling support rather than scoring volume. —
Tamara Moore Bench (1.0) 6.9 Low (1.0) 1.6 1.0 0.9 0.0 7.00 Tamara Moore saw limited opportunities as a depth guard, mainly providing short bursts of perimeter playmaking. —
DeTrina White Bench (1.0) 6.9 Low (1.0) 1.2 1.7 0.0 0.5 6.80 White contributed limited frontcourt minutes, using rebounding effort and physical defense when called upon. —
Edwige Lawson-Wade Bench (1.0) 6.0 Low (1.0) 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 4.00 Lawson-Wade appeared briefly as a reserve guard, with limited opportunities to impact the rotation. —
Amisha Carter Bench (1.0) 4.3 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 1.40 Carter played a small reserve role, mainly providing additional frontcourt depth. —
Jennifer Smith Bench (1.0) 3.5 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Smith received minimal playing time as a depth option late in the rotation. —
Totals — 246.5 — 87.6 34.0 15.5 10.7 365.72 The New York Liberty’s regular season was built around Hammon’s perimeter creation, Wauters’ skilled interior scoring, and Baranova’s two-way versatility, with veteran wings providing stability around the core. —

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Vickie Johnson Starter/Star (1.1) 36.5 High (1.2) 13.0 3.0 3.5 0.5 44.88 Johnson carried a major two-way responsibility in the postseason, creating offense from the wing while defending top perimeter threats. Her ability to attack inside and make secondary plays helped keep New York competitive despite limited offensive possessions. WNBA All-Star (2003, 2005)
Becky Hammon Starter/Star (1.1) 38.0 High (1.2) 11.5 3.5 2.0 0.0 37.40 Hammon handled heavy offensive duties as the primary guard creator, but opposing defenses pressured her into difficult decisions. Her high minutes reflected the Liberty’s reliance on her ball-handling and shot creation during the playoff series. WNBA All-Star (2005)
Elena Baranova Starter/Star (1.1) 29.5 Medium (1.1) 4.5 4.0 1.0 2.5 26.40 Baranova influenced games through defensive versatility, using her length for rebounding and rim protection while also spacing the floor. Even with limited scoring, her ability to affect possessions without the ball remained valuable. Olympic Bronze Medalist (2004); EuroLeague Champion (2003)
La’Keshia Frett Key Contributor (1.05) 23.5 Medium (1.1) 7.5 2.0 0.5 0.0 21.00 Frett provided interior scoring and physicality off the bench, attacking the basket and drawing contact. Her playoff role focused on supplying energy and toughness when New York needed frontcourt production. —
Shameka Christon Key Contributor (1.05) 23.5 Low (1.0) 5.5 2.5 0.5 0.5 18.90 Christon brought athletic wing play in limited playoff minutes, using perimeter shooting and defensive activity to provide a spark. Her development as a versatile young player gave New York additional lineup flexibility. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2004)
Crystal Robinson Starter/Star (1.1) 25.0 Medium (1.1) 3.5 4.0 2.0 1.0 15.95 Robinson’s playoff impact came more from veteran decision-making and defense than scoring. She continued to space the floor and provide leadership while taking difficult perimeter assignments. WNBA All-Star (2003)
Cathrine Kraayeveld Bench (1.0) 18.5 Low (1.0) 4.0 3.5 0.0 0.0 15.00 Kraayeveld provided reserve frontcourt minutes, showing value as a stretch option and rebounder. Her ability to hit perimeter shots added another dimension to bench lineups. —
Erin Thorn Bench (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.00 Thorn saw brief postseason action as a perimeter reserve, with limited opportunities to influence the series. —
Loree Moore Bench (1.0) 1.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Moore appeared briefly as a reserve guard option during the playoff rotation. —
Totals — 200.5 — 50.5 22.5 9.5 4.5 181.53 The New York Liberty’s playoff rotation depended heavily on Johnson and Hammon handling creation duties, while Baranova and Frett supplied frontcourt versatility and defensive toughness around them. —