As
the WNBA gears up to celebrate its tenth anniversary, we asked players to share
some of their all-time favorite WNBA memories. From 1997 through 2005, many stood
out. For some it was their championship(s) while others shared in the glory of
others. Nykesha Sales, Connecticut Sun
"I
remember being in college and watching the league just starting out. Everyone
was so excited to see women’s basketball on a whole new level. I remember
watching the early Phoenix Mercury with Michele Timms taking on Kim Perrot and
the Houston Comets and having some battles. Those are some of my favorite moments
as a fan and just seeing how good all the women were."
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Cooper, Swoopes and the Comets won the first four WNBA titles. Todd Warshaw/NBAE/Getty Images |
Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm
"Winning a championship in 2004 was my favorite
memory. That was amazing. It was just one of those moments. There's a lot more
memories I think we're going to make (in the future) in Seattle, but definitely
winning the championship."
Lisa Leslie,
Los Angeles Sparks
"Winning two championships obviously has been the
most exciting -- when you have that confetti coming down on you and holding up
the trophy. Nothing is better than that."
Deanna Nolan, Detroit Shock
"I hadn’t gotten to the league yet, but
Houston winning four (championships) in a row. Then also us winning from worst
to first. Then, I think maybe my first All-Star appearance."
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Nolan hit the winning shot in Game 3 of the 2003 Finals. Allen Einstein/NBAE/Getty Images |
Kara Lawson, Sacramento Monarchs
“Hmmm.
I wonder… Well, winning the championship last season was great. You always
think about what you will do when you win and what it will feel like or what you
will remember about that night or that moment. And I’ll be honest. It doesn’t
feel as good a month after as I thought it would. You know why? Because I want
another one already. The best moment for me was when the buzzer went off and that
moment you realize you have accomplished this great goal. You have a quiet moment
to yourself out there amid all the craziness and it might only be five seconds
to think about it. Then you have a few minutes to celebrate with your teammates
and even though you are running around in the mayhem, it is really such a special
moment among and between the 11 players. That’s what is intoxicating and
addictive and that is what I want to get back to again. I want those few minutes
all over again."
Sue Bird, Seattle Storm
“Before
I got to the WNBA, I remember a shot like Teresa Weatherspoon’s long three-pointer
at the buzzer in the Finals to tie the series with Houston. How can anyone forget
Nikki Teasley’s shot to win the championship. Obviously, for me, my championship
was pretty special and it will always be one of the great moments in my life.
There have really been some great moments, a lot of great players and it just
keeps getting better.”
Diana Taurasi, Phoenix
Mercury
“There are a lot of great moments. Obviously Weatherspoon
hitting the half-court shot in the Finals was big, Cynthia Cooper going off in
the Finals… there are a lot of moments that stand out for me.”
Nicole Powell, Sacramento Monarchs
"I remember going to the first game in
Phoenix in 1997. It was for my 14th birthday, and I couldn’t tell you who
won the game, but just being there in the stands, I’ll never forget that
excitement. People were cheering and supporting it and it made an impact on me
even back then. These were women playing professional basketball. It was awesome."