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 McCarville |
Prior to the 2007 season, the Liberty made a blockbuster draft day trade, sending superstar Becky Hammon to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for the No. 2 pick and a first round pick in 2008. The trade was another significant step in the youth movement New York began in 2006. While the Liberty quieted some of their critics by jumping out to an impressive 5-0 start, they followed it by showing signs of their youth throughout the season. After suffering through a seven-game losing streak in the middle of the season, New York was able to rebound and secure the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-18.
WHAT WENT RIGHT
 Moore |
The departure of Hammon opened up the door for playing time and scoring opportunities for the Liberty and many players responded with career-best years. Erin Thorn was inserted into the starting lineup and averaged 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists, all career highs. Point guard Loree Moore also had her best year as a pro in 2007 – averaging 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.2 steals and earning a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team. Cathrine Kraayeveld started every game for the Liberty and averaged 10.8 points a night, while leading the team in 3-point shooting percentage.
New York brought in three new post players for 2007, highlighted by Janel McCarville, who came to the Liberty in the Charlotte Sting Dispersal Draft. McCarville, the top pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft, averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds and shot a league-best 54.6 percent from the field on her way to winning the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award. Rookies Tiffany Jackson and Jessica Davenport received a good amount of playing time from coach Pat Coyle and established themselves as solid pieces in her rotation.
In the postseason, the Liberty put a scare into the Detroit Shock with an exciting first-round series, narrowly falling in overtime of Game 3. The playoff experience gained from this series should prove valuable in the future for this young Liberty squad.
WHAT WENT WRONG
When the Liberty made the decision to rebuild the team with a young core, they knew there would be growing pains. It is said that you can’t teach experience and it held true for this team. As the youngest team in the WNBA – the 2007 roster featured five rookies and only one player with more than five years of experience – they were bound to make mistakes.
The team also lacked a go-to player in the clutch. While the Liberty offense featured balance – their top five scorers all averaged between 9.6 and 11.2 points per game – they did not have that one player to take over a game when needed.
LOOKING AHEAD
 Carson |
New York spent its offseason locking up its core players with contract extensions for Shameka Christon (four years), McCarville (three years), Moore (three years) and top reserve Ashley Battle (two years).
The Liberty used their two first round picks in the talent-rich 2008 WNBA Draft to select guard/forward Essence Carson from Rutgers with the No. 7 pick and forward Erlana Larkins from North Carolina with the No. 14 pick. Both are likely to play major roles off the bench in the coming season.
The Liberty also acquired rookie guard Leilani Mitchell from the Phoenix Mercury for New York’s third round pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft. Mitchell – along with guards Lindsay Bowen and Megan Duffy, forward LaToya Davis, and center Tiffani Johnson – are currently fighting for the final roster spots in training camp.
In 2007, New York beat the odds by turning a rebuilding project into a playoff team. Now with another year of experience under their collective belt, they will look to challenge the top teams in the Eastern Conference, not only for a playoff berth, but for a run toward the Finals.
