Dissecting the Phoenix Mercury's 2004 WNBA draft

Sunday 18 April 2004

Lots of things happened for the Mercury on draft day. Let's take a look at what happened.

The Jones/Wright trade

Yes, people have been whining about Detroit got another potential All-Star but I don't think this is a bad move for the Mercury's point of view. Jones is the better scorer but Wright is the better defender and more solid all-round. Wright is going to have to adjust to 2 guard and work on shooting more from the outside but I think she's got good potential and may not be a drop-off from Jones in the long run. The Mercury also picked up two young point guards they can have a look at in training camp. Erika Valek is the more traditional of the two - a solid floor leader with a nice outside shot. There are questions about whether she can keep up at the next level but her floor leadership impressed many at the pre-draft camp and caused her stock to increase. Sheila Lambert comes from the Pee Wee school of point guards. She's aggressive off the dribble and possesses good athleticism and quickness which benefits her on both ends of the court. Some say she has a bit of an attitude and is the next Tamicha Jackson but at least she's willing to take it to the hole unlike Tamicha "My habit of jacking up outside low-percentage jumpers is creating opportunities for my team-mates - offensive rebound opportunities" Jackson. And in a new team environment, Lambert might flourish (same goes for TJ - best luck to her in Washington).

So yes, I think this trade is an ok one. It gives the Mercury some different options to look at.

Ashley Robinson

I am not particularly impressed by this move though. Robinson is Shaq-like in her free throw shooting - and his polar opposite in almost every other department. She's a body that can fill the lane and block shots but is soft, soft, soft and erratic on the offensive end. She's a big project and there were better posts on the board at #14. Like Kaayla Chones who was picked by Washington with the #15 pick. Chones would have fit the Mercury's needs better - a build more suited towards the rigours of WNBA paint play, a willingness to bang and solid skills on both ends of the court.

A-Rob might stick but I really can't see her developing into anything more than a bench post unless she suddenly puts on a lot of muscle and has an on-court personality transplant.

Lindsay Taylor/Maria Villarroel trade

Well I was puzzled why the Merc drafted Villarroel - they didn't really need a 2 guard who likes to enter the paint but will get clobbered doing so in the WNBA. Trading Villarroel for Taylor makes sense - the Merc need size and Taylor has that for sure (6'8"). Like Robinson, Taylor will be a project as she's going to have to get stronger and adjust to the much more physical WNBA game (as opposed to facing 5'11" posts in the Big West). What I said about Ashley Robinson also applies to Lindsay Taylor. Phoenix are still looking for that elusive tough 4/5 who can effectively compete with the LLs/LJs/Fords/Miltons of the WNBA.

If Robinson and/or Taylor stick (one of them will, possibly both because the Merc are just lacking in centres), they may spend their offseasons in post clinic with Mark West. West has worked wonders with Adrian Williams who went from raw bench player to pretty decent (WNBA All-Star even though she did go to sleep in the second half of the 2003 season).