A Championship Legacy and a Lingering Mystery: The Phoenix Mercury's Unmet Playoff Rivalry with the Atlanta Dream!
It's fascinating how sports rivalries can develop, often built on intense playoff battles and memorable matchups. The Phoenix Mercury, a team with a rich history boasting 19 playoff appearances, has certainly had its share of dramatic postseason encounters. They've faced formidable opponents like the Minnesota Lynx, the Seattle Storm, the Las Vegas Aces, and the Los Angeles Sparks numerous times. For instance, their playoff saga with the Lynx began in 2011, a series the Lynx ultimately won 2-0, paving the way for their first WNBA championship. The Mercury's history also includes a significant playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces, culminating in a Finals clash last year where the Aces secured their third championship.
But here's where it gets truly intriguing: amidst all these playoff battles and storied rivalries, there's one significant team the Phoenix Mercury has never met in the postseason – the Atlanta Dream.
Think about it: both franchises have enjoyed considerable success and multiple playoff berths. The Atlanta Dream, for example, made their playoff debut in 2009, marking a remarkable turnaround from their inaugural season. They finished that year with a respectable 18-16 record, a stark contrast to their 4-30 record in their very first season. This dramatic improvement was so impressive that their coach, Marynell Meadors, was awarded Coach of the Year, receiving 30 points and beating out other notable coaches like Lin Dunn and Corey Gaines.
Meanwhile, Phoenix's playoff journey in 2009 was a triumphant one. They kicked off their postseason by defeating the San Antonio Silver Stars 2-1, followed by victories over the Sparks and ultimately the Indiana Fever in the Finals to clinch a championship. The Mercury continued to build on this success, securing their third championship in 2014. The Dream also experienced significant playoff success, making consecutive appearances until 2015 and reaching the WNBA Finals in 2010, 2011, and 2013.
And this is the part most people miss: despite these overlapping periods of success and multiple Finals appearances for the Dream (against teams like the Storm in 2010 and the Lynx in 2011 and 2013), they have never once faced the Mercury in the playoffs. It's a curious anomaly in the WNBA landscape.
Could this be a missed opportunity for an epic rivalry? Or is the anticipation of such a matchup what makes it so compelling? It certainly leaves one wondering what a playoff series between these two talented teams would look like. If they were to meet in the future, it would undoubtedly be an electrifying contest.
What are your thoughts? Do you think this is a missed historical matchup, or does the anticipation make it more exciting? Let us know in the comments below!
