Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The New York Liberty 2001 featured a balanced attack led by Tari Phillips and Crystal Robinson as its primary scorers, while Teresa Weatherspoon orchestrated the offense with her playmaking and defensive intensity. Vickie Johnson added reliable scoring and versatility from the perimeter, giving the lineup multiple contributors. The statistics reflect a disciplined veteran team that thrived through balanced scoring, strong rebounding, active defense, and efficient ball distribution rather than individual dominance.
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) | 32.8 | High (1.2) | 15.3 | 8.0 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 69.70 | A physical interior anchor, Phillips gave New York a dependable low-post presence with strong rebounding instincts and active hands. Her role expanded into a featured frontcourt option as the Liberty leaned on her finishing, toughness, and defensive activity around the basket. | WNBA All-Star; All-WNBA Second Team |
| Teresa Weatherspoon | Starter/Star (1.1) | 30.4 | High (1.2) | 6.5 | 3.7 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 48.31 | The veteran floor general remained the organizer of New York’s offense, controlling tempo and creating advantages through pressure defense and pick-and-roll reads. Writers frequently highlighted her leadership, communication, and ability to influence games beyond scoring. | WNBA All-Star; All-WNBA First Team; All-Defensive First Team |
| Vickie Johnson | Starter/Star (1.1) | 29.3 | High (1.2) | 11.0 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 42.04 | Johnson operated as a versatile wing scorer who could space the floor, attack closeouts, and defend multiple perimeter assignments. Her steady two-way contributions made her a trusted piece of New York’s rotation. | WNBA All-Star |
| Crystal Robinson | Starter/Star (1.1) | 30.6 | High (1.2) | 10.7 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 40.43 | Robinson provided the Liberty with perimeter shooting and defensive versatility, often stretching defenses with her three-point range while taking difficult wing matchups. Her all-around role helped balance New York’s veteran lineup. | WNBA All-Star |
| Becky Hammon | Key Contributor (1.05) | 19.3 | Medium (1.1) | 8.2 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 26.84 | Hammon was used as an energetic scoring guard off the bench, bringing quick decision-making and shot creation to second units. Her confidence attacking gaps and taking perimeter shots stood out during her early professional development. | — |
| Sue Wicks | Key Contributor (1.05) | 20.1 | Low (1.0) | 5.2 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 26.40 | Wicks remained a defensive-minded frontcourt presence, using positioning, rebounding, and rim protection to impact possessions without needing offensive touches. Her experience gave New York stability in reserve minutes. | — |
| Tamika Whitmore | Key Contributor (1.05) | 23.5 | Medium (1.1) | 7.1 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 24.15 | Whitmore brought athleticism and interior scoring as a developing forward, attacking the paint and competing physically against bigger frontcourt players. Her minutes reflected growing trust in her offensive potential. | WNBA All-Rookie Team |
| Camille Cooper | Bench (1.0) | 12.8 | Medium (1.1) | 6.5 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 22.22 | Cooper provided efficient short-stint production as a young reserve, using her size around the rim and finishing ability to make an impact in limited opportunities. | — |
| Katarina Lazic | Bench (1.0) | 6.9 | Low (1.0) | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 7.40 | Lazic played a limited reserve role, mainly providing depth minutes while adjusting to the pace and physicality of the WNBA game. | — |
| Grace Daley | Bench (1.0) | 4.4 | Low (1.0) | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 7.00 | Daley saw occasional opportunities as a reserve guard, contributing quickness and defensive activity in short stretches. | — |
| Andrea Nagy | Bench (1.0) | 9.3 | Low (1.0) | 1.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 6.20 | Nagy served as a depth guard, providing ball-handling support and keeping the offense organized when called upon. | — |
| Stacey Ford | Bench (1.0) | 3.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.00 | Ford appeared in a limited reserve role, with her production coming during brief game action rather than a regular rotation assignment. | — |
| Hajdana Radunovic | Bench (1.0) | 2.3 | Low (1.0) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 4.60 | Radunovic received spot minutes as frontcourt depth, contributing limited rebounding and interior activity in a small sample. | — |
| Rebecca Lobo | Bench (1.0) | 5.3 | Low (1.0) | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 4.40 | Lobo’s season was limited by reduced availability, but her veteran presence and size remained valuable within the Liberty’s frontcourt structure. | Olympic Gold Medalist (1996); WNBA All-Star |
| Mactabene Amachree | Bench (1.0) | 1.5 | Low (1.0) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 3.00 | Amachree appeared briefly as a reserve option, with limited opportunities to establish a larger role in the rotation. | — |
| Totals | — | 221.3 | — | 92.9 | 31.4 | 19.6 | 13.8 | 339.39 | New York Liberty roster totals represented a veteran-heavy group built around interior defense, perimeter versatility, and Teresa Weatherspoon’s leadership at point guard. | WNBA Finals appearance |
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) | 36.3 | High (1.2) | 14.8 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 2.5 | 57.42 | Johnson became one of New York’s primary two-way engines during the playoffs, handling major perimeter responsibilities while attacking off the dribble and creating offense. Her 4.7 assists per game reflected a larger playmaking burden, and reporters often pointed to her toughness guarding elite wings while providing steady leadership. | WNBA All-Star (2002); WNBA Finals appearance |
| Tari Phillips | Starter/Star (1.1) | 33.7 | High (1.2) | 11.3 | 8.2 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 52.80 | Phillips anchored the Liberty’s interior game with relentless rebounding, physical post defense, and activity around the rim. During the postseason run, her ability to battle larger frontcourt players and generate second-chance opportunities was viewed as a key part of New York’s defensive identity. | WNBA All-Star (2002); WNBA Finals appearance |
| Crystal Robinson | Starter/Star (1.1) | 37.2 | High (1.2) | 11.5 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 42.24 | Robinson filled the classic veteran wing role, spacing the floor with three-point shooting while taking difficult defensive assignments. Her playoff value came from versatility, as she could punish help defenders with perimeter shots and provide experience in late-game situations. | WNBA All-Star (2002); WNBA Finals appearance |
| Teresa Weatherspoon | Starter/Star (1.1) | 33.0 | Medium (1.1) | 3.8 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 1.2 | 33.88 | Weatherspoon’s scoring declined, but her impact remained tied to directing the offense, pressuring the ball, and organizing possessions under playoff pressure. Her veteran presence and defensive instincts continued to shape the Liberty’s identity even without a large scoring role. | WNBA All-Star (1999, 2000, 2002); All-WNBA First Team (1997, 1998); All-Defensive First Team (1997, 1998); WNBA Finals appearance |
| Tamika Whitmore | Key Contributor (1.05) | 25.3 | Medium (1.1) | 7.0 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 27.90 | Whitmore provided athletic frontcourt energy off the wing and forward spots, attacking the basket and competing defensively against bigger opponents. Her playoff minutes showed the coaching staff trusted her physical tools and developing offensive aggression. | WNBA All-Rookie Team (2000); WNBA Finals appearance |
| Sue Wicks | Key Contributor (1.05) | 19.7 | Low (1.0) | 4.7 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 20.90 | Wicks remained a defensive specialist who influenced games through positioning, shot blocking, and veteran awareness. Even without starting, her ability to protect the paint and make smart rotations gave New York a reliable interior option in postseason minutes. | WNBA All-Star (1999); WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (1999); WNBA Finals appearance |
| Becky Hammon | Bench (1.0) | 8.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 7.00 | Hammon saw limited playoff action as a young reserve guard, mainly providing depth minutes and a glimpse of the scoring confidence that would define her later career. Her role was still developmental within a veteran-heavy rotation. | WNBA Finals appearance |
| Andrea Nagy | Bench (1.0) | 7.5 | Low (1.0) | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 8.20 | Nagy contributed brief reserve minutes as a steady ball-handler, helping maintain structure when the primary guards rested. Her opportunities were limited because New York relied heavily on its veteran core. | WNBA Finals appearance |
| Camille Cooper | Bench (1.0) | 2.7 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.60 | Cooper appeared only briefly during the playoff rotation, with limited chances to influence the game. She provided additional frontcourt depth behind New York’s established interior players. | WNBA Finals appearance |
| Katarina Lazic | Bench (1.0) | 1.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.00 | Lazic received minimal postseason minutes as a reserve option, mainly serving as depth during a rotation dominated by established veterans. | WNBA Finals appearance |
| Grace Daley | Bench (1.0) | 1.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.00 | Daley appeared briefly in the playoffs and had little statistical impact, functioning primarily as an emergency depth option. | WNBA Finals appearance |
| Totals | — | 205.4 | — | 68.6 | 31.8 | 14.3 | 13.0 | 252.00 | The New York Liberty’s playoff rotation relied on veteran versatility, with Johnson, Phillips, Robinson, and Weatherspoon carrying the largest responsibilities across scoring, defense, and decision-making. | WNBA Finals appearance |