Phoenix Mercury 2010 featured one of the WNBA’s most explosive offenses, built around Diana Taurasi’s elite scoring and playmaking, with Candice Dupree providing highly efficient interior production and rebounding. Penny Taylor added versatile scoring and primary ball-handling, while Tangela Smith stretched the floor from the frontcourt. The Mercury played at a fast pace and scored efficiently, but their defensive numbers lagged behind, making high-scoring games a defining characteristic of the season.
Phoenix again relied on Taurasi to dictate every half-court possession, but opposing defenses were more willing to crowd her after the title run. Independent coverage still praised her ability to manufacture offense late in games despite constant defensive attention.
WNBA All-Star (2010); All-WNBA First Team (2010)
Penny Taylor
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.0
High (1.2)
15.9
4.4
5.0
1.8
71.28
Taylor became the Mercury’s secondary playmaker, often initiating offense to relieve pressure from Taurasi. Writers frequently pointed to her versatility, noting she could seamlessly shift between facilitating, defending wings and scoring when needed.
WNBA All-Star (2010)
Candice Dupree
Starter/Star (1.1)
29.8
High (1.2)
15.7
7.6
1.3
1.8
69.17
Dupree immediately transformed Phoenix’s interior attack with remarkably efficient finishing around the rim. Season coverage regularly highlighted how her reliable post scoring gave the Mercury a dimension they had previously lacked.
WNBA All-Star (2010)
DeWanna Bonner
Key Contributor (1.05)
25.4
Medium (1.1)
12.0
6.1
1.3
1.9
49.20
Bonner expanded beyond an energy role, using her length to rebound, defend multiple positions and attack in transition. Analysts viewed her growing versatility as one of Phoenix’s biggest positives despite the team’s uneven season.
Tangela Smith
Starter/Star (1.1)
29.2
Medium (1.1)
9.2
5.2
0.9
1.6
40.56
Smith continued spacing the floor from the frontcourt while handling difficult defensive assignments. Her willingness to pull opposing centers away from the basket remained an important part of Phoenix’s offensive identity.
Temeka Johnson
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.3
Medium (1.1)
9.2
3.2
4.7
1.1
43.08
Johnson’s value came from organization rather than volume scoring. Coaches trusted her to keep Phoenix’s pace high while making quick reads that allowed the team’s scorers to operate with space.
Kara Braxton
Key Contributor (1.05)
17.2
Medium (1.1)
11.1
4.8
1.2
1.0
41.12
Braxton supplied physical interior scoring and size off the bench after joining the club midseason. Independent reporting emphasized how her low-post presence balanced a roster built primarily around perimeter play.
Nicole Ohlde
Bench (1.0)
11.1
Low (1.0)
3.0
1.9
0.5
0.6
12.00
Ohlde filled a reserve frontcourt role and gave Phoenix experienced depth when extra size was required. Independent season coverage of her individual play was limited because of her situational minutes.
Ketia Swanier
Bench (1.0)
10.1
Low (1.0)
3.0
1.2
1.7
0.3
12.40
Swanier remained an aggressive backup point guard whose defensive pressure occasionally sparked Phoenix’s transition game. Her breakout scoring night against Tulsa demonstrated the confidence coaches had in her when opportunities arose. (WNBA)
Taylor Lilley
Bench (1.0)
10.8
Low (1.0)
3.3
0.9
0.7
0.5
10.80
Lilley was used primarily as a floor-spacing rookie shooter. Contemporary independent coverage was limited, with most discussion focusing on her outside shooting and developmental potential.
Brooke Smith
Bench (1.0)
8.2
Low (1.0)
2.5
1.8
0.3
0.4
10.00
Smith provided dependable frontcourt depth whenever Phoenix needed additional rebounding. Independent reporting on her season was limited due to her small role in the regular rotation.
Sequoia Holmes
Bench (1.0)
7.9
Low (1.0)
1.8
1.3
0.4
0.4
7.80
Holmes appeared in limited reserve minutes on the wing. Contemporary independent coverage was sparse, with most references centering on roster depth rather than a consistent rotation role.
Taurasi remained Phoenix’s primary offensive creator, but Seattle’s disciplined defense forced her into tougher looks throughout the series. Even after difficult shooting stretches, she continued drawing defensive attention that created opportunities for teammates. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2010); All-WNBA First Team (2010)
Penny Taylor
Starter/Star (1.1)
31.8
High (1.2)
14.0
4.8
6.8
2.5
74.45
Taylor did much of the connective work, handling secondary playmaking while defending multiple positions. Her all-around approach was one of the few constants as Phoenix tried to counter Seattle’s physical half-court defense. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2010)
Candice Dupree
Starter/Star (1.1)
32.3
High (1.2)
20.8
8.3
1.3
2.3
85.01
Dupree consistently gave Phoenix efficient interior scoring, finishing through contact and punishing single coverage. Even in the series loss, independent game coverage highlighted her reliability around the basket when perimeter shots stopped falling. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2010)
Temeka Johnson
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.3
Medium (1.1)
9.5
3.8
8.3
1.0
54.72
Johnson’s responsibility shifted toward creating quality looks against Seattle’s pressure. Her passing kept Phoenix organized, although the Storm’s defensive rotations limited many of the transition opportunities the Mercury usually thrived on. (WNBA)
Tangela Smith
Starter/Star (1.1)
32.3
Medium (1.1)
9.3
6.5
2.3
1.8
48.64
Smith stretched Seattle’s frontcourt with her perimeter shooting while still battling on the glass. Her spacing remained valuable, but the Storm largely prevented Phoenix from turning that spacing into its usual high-tempo attack.
DeWanna Bonner
Key Contributor (1.05)
22.8
Medium (1.1)
7.5
3.3
0.5
2.6
32.34
Bonner supplied energy off the bench, using her length to contest shots and finish in transition whenever chances appeared. Her defensive activity remained noticeable despite Phoenix’s shortened postseason run.
Kara Braxton
Key Contributor (1.05)
13.3
Medium (1.1)
9.0
2.5
0.8
0.6
29.57
Braxton brought needed physicality inside and gave Phoenix another low-post option against Seattle’s size. Her minutes were targeted toward adding toughness around the basket rather than fitting the Mercury’s usual up-tempo style.
Brooke Smith
Bench (1.0)
4.5
Low (1.0)
1.0
0.5
0.0
0.0
3.00
Smith appeared only briefly as reserve frontcourt depth. Independent playoff coverage of her role was limited because Phoenix relied heavily on its veteran rotation.
Taylor Lilley
Bench (1.0)
3.0
Low (1.0)
1.0
0.5
0.5
0.0
4.00
Lilley’s postseason opportunities were limited as Phoenix shortened its bench. Contemporary reporting offered little individual analysis beyond her role as an available perimeter shooter.
Ketia Swanier
Bench (1.0)
4.5
Low (1.0)
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.00
Swanier saw only brief backup point guard minutes during the series. Independent coverage was limited, reflecting Phoenix’s reliance on its experienced backcourt.
Sequoia Holmes
Bench (1.0)
1.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Holmes made only a cameo appearance during the playoffs. Contemporary independent reporting on her postseason contribution was unavailable because she did not factor into the regular rotation.
