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I watched Guru of Go about 4 months ago and was amazed by Paul Westhead. Even in the WNBA he could run his signature seven seconds or less offense. Which in reference to the name meant "scoring in 7 seconds or less".Westhead was amazing due to his 1980 championship team with the Lakers, and his days in Loyola putting up 135 points a game. Now, I realize there are many of you out there that are going to think that I have nothing else to write about and maybe I was "encouraged" to write a Pro-Mercury/WNBA piece. Not so. I am doing this on my own volition. Some of you may think I'm just being a guy and this is a testosterone filled blog dedicated to Penny Taylor, because I think she looks fine. No, not at all. I mean I do think she is pretty and all, but I'm not writing just because I have a crush on her.I'll be honest and say that Diana Taurasi is my only basketball crush. She plays the game fearlessly, bombs the 3, and finds the open man(STEVE NASH). She was the only reason I watched NCAA Women's Basketball in the 2000's, and kept one eye on the WNBA.Let me state here and now that I am STRAIGHT for the haters. I am a BASKETBALL fan. Now to clear up common misconceptions with this article... "Watching women play is boring." WRONG! The Mercury played fast. They ran and gunned just like the Suns, and of course, played defense in a similar manner. Cappie Pondexter has a motor that never stopped. Her court vision was top notch. Penny Taylor had a game as smooth as Pau Gasol. "I can't relate to female players." Did you know the Mercury had the best record in the Western Conference? If you didn't jumped on the bandwagon, I recommend you try it and see if you like it. This team is athletic, they ran, they scored. The Merc had serious talent and dedicated players who wanted to win. Doesn't that sound like the Suns, Warriors, or the Raptors? "Women's Basketball Skill Cannot Match Men's." http://wnbaoutsiders.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/diana-taurasi.jpg Anyways, back to the 2007 team... PAUL WESTHEAD http://www.wnba.com/media/draft2007/westhead_300_070329.jpg Former NBA coach Paul Westhead became the Mercury's head coach prior to the 2006 season and brought his up-tempo style to Phoenix. Westhead was the first WNBA coach to have won a previous NBA championship (1980 LA Lakers). His offense at Loyola produced 135 points per game in 1989. He is by FAR my favorite coach ever. If I had an NBA team I would run his offense for sure! DIANA TAURASI http://www.wnba.com/media/dee-candace_300_080917.jpg In 2007, Taurasi finally reached the WNBA playoffs. In the first round, the Mercury eliminated the Seattle Storm two games to none. Next, they took down the San Antonio Silver Stars in a hard fought two game series. In a hard-fought series, Taurasi and Pondexter led the Mercury to their first WNBA title. With this victory Taurasi became just the seventh player ever to win an NCAA title, a WNBA title, and an Olympic gold medal. As you can see she is a highly decorated and outstanding player who I liken to Steve Nash. CAPPIE PONDEXTER http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/writers/music_sports/09/27/pondexter.playlist/76735161cap.jpg In 2007, Pondexter played a key role in the Mercury's championship run, and was named 2007 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player after averaging 22 points per game during the hard-fought five-game series. I compare her to Allen Iverson. PENNY TAYLOR http://www.wnba.com/media/mercury/penny_taylor_portrait_300.jpg She was a vital contributor to the Mercury's championship success in 2007, posting a career-high 17.8 points, career-best 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 29.7 minutes per game. The 6-1 forward proved her big-game abilities during the 2007 WNBA Playoffs, where she averaged 19.3 points, a team-best 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists in a team-high 34.6 minutes per game. She to me is like Pau Gasol. 2007 Triumph http://www.nbaloud.com/images/phoenix-mercury-2007-wnba-champions1.jpg In 2007 the Mercury ran away with the Western Conference, posting a 23-11 record. The Mercury set a record by averaging 89.0 points in a season during 2007. In the first round the Mercury made quick work of the Seattle Storm, blowing them out in two games. In the Western Finals, the Mercury swept the San Antonio Silver Stars in a closer series. In the Finals, the Mercury faced the defending 2006 champions Detroit Shock. The two teams split the first two games in Detroit. Coming back home, the Mercury suffered a letdown in Game 3, losing 88-83. Down 2-1, the Mercury had to win Game 4 or lose. Game 4 came down to the final seconds, but the Mercury edged out the Shock 77-76 and forced a Game 5 in Detroit. In Game 5, Phoenix won by a score of 108-92.The Mercury won the championship with a 108-92 Game 5 victory, and gave Paul Westhead an NBA and WNBA title. As you can see please think twice before you criticize the WNBA, I wrote this article for the love of the game,and for Diana Taurasi! :glasses: I still admit I love the NBA more than WNBA, but the gap is closing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRtY6JjdO8k

Cause Rudy Gay and David Lee have helped there team to how many playoff games? Yet we miss the playoffs with: Devin Harris Courtney Lee LeBron James Derrick Favors Brook Lopez

You sound like a genius man, great call.

And he can bench 315 pounds. Strength isn't even the sole issue. Kevin Durant is one of the weakest players in the NBA, yet he would drop 70 points (no joke) on Candace Parker. Honestly, what would Taurasi do against Shannon Brown on a fast break? She would stand there and watch. Brown isn't even garbage time. Let's go DJ Mbenga. What girl can box him out effectively, and pull down a board with him in the vicinity? The fact is, this isn't one-on-one chess. You stick a woman out there, and coaches start planning against her. If Taurasi (who is one of the best players in the WNBA) is out there having to defend someone like, say, Tierre Brown (who would score on her, by the way), a coach would stick a post guard out there instead, and have him dominate until the opposition pulls her. Ever think about some of Perkins' illegal screens? Him and Garnett lay out some of the thickest, strongest guards in the league with them. Would it be just some "known rule" to keep your women players on the bench when you play Boston? It would never, ever, ever work. It's not even something to think about, in my opinion. Yes, there are women that can ball much better than men...but physically, athletically, it's out of the question.

Donovan is such a beast. That's a true American hero right there.

No red on that? [expletive]ing terrible, COME ON PUT IT IN THE GOAL!!!!

That they're both defensive minded and have won championships? ^_^ I was cracking up when I was watching this live. Ron's the man.

Must be weird for Kobe to have his #1 fan as his teammate...

Dude, its a joke, calm the hell down

LMAO that looked like Nets vs Wizards