Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The New York Liberty 2000 relied on Crystal Robinson and Tari Phillips as its primary scoring options, while Teresa Weatherspoon remained the team’s driving force as a playmaker and defensive leader. Vickie Johnson provided additional scoring and perimeter stability, giving the lineup balanced production across multiple positions. The statistics indicate a veteran team built on unselfish ball movement, consistent rebounding, and active defense rather than high-volume individual scoring.

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
Tari Phillips Starter/Star [1.1] 31.5 High [1.2] 13.8 8.0 0.9 2.6 67.06 Interior anchor who gave New York a powerful rebounding presence and dependable scoring option. Phillips brought physicality to the frontcourt, attacking the glass and providing the toughness that allowed the Liberty to play through contact inside. WNBA Most Improved Player (2000)
Vickie Johnson Starter/Star [1.1] 33.0 High [1.2] 12.3 4.4 2.5 0.9 52.27 Two-way wing who continued developing into a complete offensive threat, Johnson combined efficient shooting with defensive versatility. Her ability to guard multiple positions and create offense without dominating possessions made her an ideal fit alongside New York’s veteran leaders. WNBA All-Star (2000)
Becky Hammon Key Contributor [1.05] 26.1 Medium [1.1] 11.0 2.0 1.8 0.9 39.93 Dynamic scoring guard who earned a larger role through shot-making and confidence. Hammon’s quick release and ability to attack defenders off the bounce gave New York a different offensive dimension from the perimeter. —
Teresa Weatherspoon Starter/Star [1.1] 33.7 Medium [1.1] 6.4 3.4 6.4 2.2 39.60 Veteran floor general who remained the heartbeat of New York’s system, controlling tempo with elite passing and defensive pressure. Weatherspoon’s leadership and ability to create turnovers continued to define the Liberty’s identity. WNBA All-Star (2000)
Crystal Robinson Key Contributor [1.05] 26.7 Medium [1.1] 8.8 2.5 1.8 1.3 32.34 Versatile forward who provided spacing and secondary scoring through perimeter shooting and smart off-ball movement. Robinson’s ability to stretch defenses helped open driving lanes for New York’s guards. —
Tamika Whitmore Key Contributor [1.05] 21.5 Medium [1.1] 8.7 3.3 0.6 1.0 28.88 Athletic forward who supplied energy, physical defense, and interior scoring in a growing role. Whitmore’s aggressive style gave the Liberty another player capable of attacking the basket and battling bigger opponents. —
Sue Wicks Key Contributor [1.05] 21.3 Low [1.0] 4.9 4.7 0.7 2.0 25.83 Defensive-minded veteran forward who remained valuable through rebounding and shot-blocking. Wicks’ presence allowed New York to maintain a rugged defensive approach even as her offensive role declined. —
Shea Mahoney Bench [1.0] 10.5 Low [1.0] 1.8 2.0 0.3 0.2 8.60 Young reserve forward who received limited opportunities in a veteran rotation. Mahoney’s minutes were mainly focused on development and providing frontcourt depth. —
Venus Lacy Bench [1.0] 9.0 Low [1.0] 3.0 2.5 0.0 0.0 11.00 Veteran frontcourt reserve used sparingly, Lacy provided size and experience during short appearances. Her role was primarily situational within a deep roster. —
Marina Ferragut Bench [1.0] 6.7 Low [1.0] 2.2 0.7 0.2 0.1 6.40 Rotation depth guard who contributed limited minutes while giving New York additional perimeter coverage. Ferragut’s role centered on maintaining lineup stability rather than offensive creation. —
Olga Firsova Bench [1.0] 2.1 Low [1.0] 1.3 0.4 0.1 0.1 3.80 End-of-rotation player who appeared in limited situations. Firsova provided brief minutes of frontcourt depth during the regular season. —
Jessica Bibby Bench [1.0] 4.1 Low [1.0] 1.1 0.3 0.6 0.2 4.40 Young guard receiving limited opportunities, Bibby’s role was primarily developmental while learning within an experienced backcourt. —
Desiree Francis Bench [1.0] 2.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Limited to a single appearance and did not have enough playing time to establish a measurable rotation role. —
Totals Team — — 73.3 34.2 15.9 10.3 360.07 New York Liberty 2000 regular season rotation impact summary. The roster blended veteran leadership from Weatherspoon and Wicks with emerging scoring from Phillips, Johnson, and Hammon, creating a balanced team built around defense, toughness, and improved perimeter offense. —

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Tari Phillips Starter/Star [1.1] 31.7 High [1.2] 16.3 7.6 1.1 2.6 75.24 Interior scorer who became New York’s primary offensive option during the playoffs, Phillips attacked the paint with power while controlling the glass. Her efficient finishing and physical rebounding gave the Liberty a dependable half-court presence. —
Tamika Whitmore Starter/Star [1.1] 28.0 High [1.2] 11.6 3.9 0.9 1.7 47.52 Athletic forward who provided downhill scoring and defensive versatility, Whitmore consistently pressured the rim and battled through contact. Her expanded playoff role showed the confidence New York had in her physical tools and energy. —
Vickie Johnson Starter/Star [1.1] 33.9 Medium [1.1] 10.3 5.0 3.4 1.1 43.16 Two-way wing who carried significant minutes while balancing perimeter scoring, rebounding, and secondary playmaking. Johnson’s defensive versatility allowed New York to maintain pressure against opposing wings throughout the postseason. —
Becky Hammon Starter/Star [1.1] 29.4 Medium [1.1] 9.4 1.4 2.1 1.3 36.96 Emerging scoring guard who handled a major playoff workload with shot-making confidence. Hammon’s ability to stretch defenses with perimeter shooting and create offense off the dribble added another dimension to the Liberty attack. —
Teresa Weatherspoon Starter/Star [1.1] 36.1 Medium [1.1] 4.6 2.7 7.0 2.7 36.96 Veteran floor general who remained the engine of New York’s playoff offense, creating advantages through passing and defensive disruption. Her leadership and ability to control possessions were especially important in tight postseason games. —
Crystal Robinson Key Contributor [1.05] 21.4 Low [1.0] 6.6 2.9 0.7 1.4 24.36 Perimeter forward who provided spacing and timely shooting in a reduced role. Robinson’s accurate three-point shooting gave the Liberty a valuable outlet when defenses collapsed on Phillips and the interior players. —
Sue Wicks Key Contributor [1.05] 18.7 Low [1.0] 3.3 3.9 0.4 2.3 20.79 Defensive specialist who contributed through rebounding, physical play, and rim protection. Wicks’ experience remained useful in playoff situations where New York needed toughness and interior resistance. —
Marina Ferragut Bench [1.0] 4.0 Low [1.0] 2.0 1.0 0.3 0.3 7.20 Limited postseason reserve minutes, Ferragut provided brief perimeter depth when called upon. Her opportunities were restricted behind a veteran-heavy rotation. —
Jessica Bibby Bench [1.0] 2.7 Low [1.0] 1.3 0.0 0.7 0.0 4.00 Young reserve guard who saw minimal playoff action. Bibby’s role was primarily developmental while learning within an experienced backcourt. —
Olga Firsova Bench [1.0] 2.0 Low [1.0] 2.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 4.60 Short-minute reserve who converted limited opportunities but did not hold a regular rotation role during the postseason. —
Desiree Francis Bench [1.0] 2.0 Low [1.0] 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 1.00 Reserve frontcourt player who appeared briefly during the playoffs without a significant statistical role. —
Totals Team — — 67.4 29.2 16.6 13.4 302.59 New York Liberty 2000 playoff rotation impact summary. The postseason formula relied on Phillips’ interior scoring, Weatherspoon’s leadership, and a balanced group of versatile perimeter defenders supporting the frontcourt attack. —