The New York Liberty 1999 centered its offense around Crystal Robinson and Kym Hampton, while Teresa Weatherspoon directed the attack as the team’s primary playmaker and defensive catalyst. Vickie Johnson supplied additional scoring and all-around production from the backcourt, complementing a balanced veteran lineup. The statistics reflect a disciplined team that emphasized ball movement, defensive activity, and shared offensive responsibility over dependence on a single dominant scorer.

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
Vickie Johnson Starter/Star [1.1] 33.8 High [1.2] 13.3 4.4 3.3 1.4 58.61 Versatile scoring wing who became one of New York’s main offensive engines, Johnson attacked closeouts, defended multiple positions, and provided secondary playmaking. Her improved perimeter reliability helped the Liberty balance a veteran-led offense. —
Crystal Robinson Key Contributor [1.05] 28.2 High [1.2] 11.7 2.8 1.5 1.7 44.10 Stretch forward who gave New York valuable spacing through high-volume three-point shooting while still defending with length. Robinson’s ability to punish rotations from outside changed how opponents could load up against the Liberty’s interior players. WNBA All-Star (1999)
Sue Wicks Starter/Star [1.1] 29.3 Medium [1.1] 6.8 7.0 1.4 2.6 39.60 Physical frontcourt defender who anchored the second layer of New York’s defense with rebounding and shot-blocking. Wicks’ toughness and willingness to battle inside remained a defining part of the Liberty’s identity. —
Kym Hampton Starter/Star [1.1] 26.8 Medium [1.1] 9.2 5.6 0.7 1.3 37.75 Veteran interior contributor who supplied efficient scoring and dependable rebounding. Hampton’s role focused on protecting the paint, finishing around the rim, and providing stability alongside New York’s perimeter creators. —
Teresa Weatherspoon Starter/Star [1.1] 33.9 Medium [1.1] 7.2 3.3 6.4 2.5 39.20 Floor general who controlled the Liberty’s offense through elite passing, defensive pressure, and leadership. Weatherspoon’s ability to create turnovers and organize possessions remained central to New York’s aggressive style of play. WNBA All-Star (1999)
Tamika Whitmore Key Contributor [1.05] 21.2 Medium [1.1] 7.9 3.6 0.7 0.8 30.03 Young athletic forward who provided energy, rebounding, and interior scoring in a growing role. Whitmore’s physical tools allowed her to attack the basket and defend bigger players despite limited starting opportunities. WNBA All-Rookie Team (1999)
Sophia Witherspoon Key Contributor [1.05] 18.2 Medium [1.1] 8.5 1.5 1.2 1.1 26.68 Scoring guard who transitioned into a reduced role while still providing perimeter shot-making and defensive activity. Witherspoon remained a useful offensive release valve because of her ability to stretch defenses. —
Becky Hammon Bench [1.0] 6.7 Low [1.0] 2.7 0.6 0.6 0.2 8.20 Young reserve guard beginning her professional career, Hammon showed flashes of shooting ability and offensive creativity in limited minutes. Her early role was mainly developmental behind established veterans. —
Venus Lacy Bench [1.0] 6.5 Low [1.0] 1.9 1.2 0.1 0.4 7.20 Veteran reserve forward used for short stretches of frontcourt depth. Lacy provided experience and physical presence when New York needed additional size. —
Coquese Washington Bench [1.0] 4.1 Low [1.0] 0.6 0.4 0.8 0.5 4.60 Reserve guard who mainly handled brief backup minutes, contributing organization and defensive effort rather than scoring volume. —
Michele Van Gorp Bench [1.0] 5.6 Low [1.0] 1.0 0.8 0.3 0.1 4.40 Young frontcourt reserve who received limited opportunities within a deep rotation. Her minutes were focused on development and providing emergency depth. —
Rebecca Lobo Bench [1.0] 1.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.00 Limited to a single appearance due to injury-related circumstances, Lobo’s season impact came primarily through her previous role as an important interior presence rather than this brief statistical sample. WNBA All-Star (1999)
Totals Team — — 71.8 31.9 17.0 12.6 342.38 New York Liberty 1999 regular season rotation impact summary. The roster continued to rely on veteran leadership, defensive versatility, and improved perimeter spacing while integrating younger players like Tamika Whitmore and Becky Hammon. —

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Crystal Robinson Starter/Star [1.1] 34.2 High [1.2] 14.3 3.0 2.2 1.3 55.44 Scoring forward who became New York’s biggest perimeter weapon during the playoffs, Robinson stretched defenses with confident three-point shooting while attacking smaller defenders. Her ability to punish rotations gave the Liberty another option beyond their veteran core. —
Teresa Weatherspoon Starter/Star [1.1] 33.8 High [1.2] 8.5 3.5 7.5 1.0 52.80 Floor leader who controlled every possession through elite passing, defensive pressure, and late-game organization. Weatherspoon’s 7.5 assists per game reflected how much the Liberty depended on her to create offense and dictate tempo in playoff situations. —
Kym Hampton Starter/Star [1.1] 30.2 Medium [1.1] 8.8 7.8 1.8 1.5 43.56 Veteran interior anchor who provided rebounding, physical defense, and reliable scoring around the basket. Hampton’s ability to handle heavy minutes helped New York maintain its defensive identity against stronger playoff competition. —
Vickie Johnson Starter/Star [1.1] 30.8 Medium [1.1] 10.2 3.5 3.0 0.6 40.66 Two-way wing who balanced scoring responsibility with perimeter defense and secondary playmaking. Johnson’s efficient shooting and ability to attack closeouts made her a valuable complement to Robinson and Weatherspoon. —
Sue Wicks Starter/Star [1.1] 29.0 Medium [1.1] 7.0 6.8 1.7 2.0 38.94 Physical frontcourt defender who impacted games through rebounding, shot blocking, and toughness. Wicks’ playoff role was built around controlling the paint and providing the kind of defensive versatility that defined New York’s style. —
Tamika Whitmore Key Contributor [1.05] 19.0 Low [1.0] 5.8 1.7 0.5 1.0 18.90 Athletic young forward who provided energy off the bench with aggressive drives and defensive activity. Whitmore’s role was limited but she offered a glimpse of the physical tools that made her a promising rotation piece. —
Sophia Witherspoon Bench [1.0] 14.3 Low [1.0] 7.5 2.2 0.3 0.7 21.40 Experienced scoring guard used as an offensive spark in reserve minutes. Witherspoon’s ability to create shots and space the floor remained useful even as her role shifted behind New York’s primary perimeter options. —
Becky Hammon Bench [1.0] 8.3 Low [1.0] 2.0 0.2 0.8 0.0 6.00 Young reserve guard who saw limited postseason minutes while learning behind established veterans. Hammon’s early role focused on gaining experience and providing occasional ball-handling support. —
Venus Lacy Bench [1.0] 2.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Limited playoff appearance in the rotation, Lacy provided veteran depth but did not receive enough minutes to have a measurable statistical impact. —
Totals Team — — 64.1 28.7 17.8 8.1 277.70 New York Liberty 1999 playoff rotation impact summary. The postseason formula centered on perimeter shot creation from Robinson, elite orchestration from Weatherspoon, and physical frontcourt defense from Hampton and Wicks. —