WNBA Preview 2008:
Detroit Shock
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After grabbing the crown in 2006, Detroit entered the 2007 season as the frontrunner for the title. Despite playing much of the year without Cheryl Ford, who battled various injuries, the savvy Shock lived up to the hype throughout the regular season, starting 7-0 and finishing with the best record in the league at 24-10.
The playoffs were less of a breeze for Detroit, but the team still managed to make it back to the WNBA Finals for a matchup with the Phoenix Mercury. But the Shock were ultimately unable to keep up with Phoenix’s run-and-gun style in a series that went the distance. Detroit dropped the final two games of the five-game set, including the deciding game on its home court, and thus failed to complete the back-to-back bid.
WHAT WENT RIGHT
 Nolan |
With Ford often sidelined, Deanna Nolan was forced to step her game up and did so, using her athleticism and offensive prowess to average team-bests of 16.3 points and 3.9 assists in the regular season. Backcourt mate Katie Smith complimented Nolan nicely, averaging 13.2 points. While Nolan and Smith were lethal from the perimeter, Detroit also got help from its post players. Plenette Pierson, Swin Cash, Kara Braxton, Katie Feenstra and Ford (when healthy) all played pivotal roles in the Shock’s bruising offensive game-plan. The Shock averaged 79.3 points in the regular season -- good for third-best in the league.
Although the Shock were a force on offense, their calling card remained their tenacious defense. Detroit held teams to an average of 74.7 points per game and led the league in rebounding (38.6 rpg). In Ford’s 15 games, she averaged 11.2 boards.
On top of all that, the team had unparalleled depth. Pierson especially had a breakout season and garnered Sixth Woman of the Year honors for her efforts. She averaged 11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game off the bench.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Despite still winning in her absence during the regular season, the Shock felt the effects of playing without a healthy Ford in the playoffs. Inconsistent play from Braxton and Feenstra at the center spot didn’t help matters and Shock coach Bill Laimbeer found himself shuffling his frontcourt lineup during the regular season and all the way through to the end of the Finals.
Adding to Laimbeer’s frustrations were turnovers. His team averaged 16.2 turnovers per game – fifth most in the WNBA. Such instances of sloppy play led to uncharacteristic lapses in focus during some of the most pivotal points of the playoffs. In Round 1 of the playoffs they fell 73-51 at New York and they were blown out by Phoenix in Game 2 of the Finals, 98-70.
LOOKING AHEAD
 Sam |
Detroit’s offseason saw the end of an era, as Cash, a member of the two Detroit championship teams (2003, ‘06), was shipped off to Seattle in return for the No. 4 overall pick in April’s draft.
On top of Cash, the team also saw the depatures of Feenstra, Ivory Latta and Shannon Johnson. Feenstra was taken in the Atlanta expansion draft, Johnson signed on with Houston and Latta was traded to Atlanta in exchange for former No. 1 overall pick LaToya Thomas and the 18th pick in the draft (Olayinka Sanni).
But armed with a pair of first-round picks in April's draft, the Shock got a much-needed infusion of youth by selecting Tennessee guard Alexis Hornbuckle and Georgia forward Tasha Humphrey, who figure to help off the bench right away. The team also signed veteran Sheri Sam, who along with Thomas will help fill the void left by Cash.
And the Shock's talented veteran core is intact and healthy, entering '08 with a chip on its shoulder. Add it all up and Detroit is still the team to beat in the East in 2008.
