• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Sparks-Mercury Preview

May 14, 2010 - 7:37 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (0-0) at Phoenix (0-0), 2:00 p.m. EDT

The Phoenix Mercury feel that even with the departure of Cappie Pondexter, they're still a threat to repeat as WNBA champions with Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor coming back.

The only immediate problem is Taylor might not be available for the season opener.

With or without Taylor, the Mercury, known for their high-paced style of play, look to get off to a fast start when they open Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks in a rematch of last season's Western Conference finals.

Taylor was a major factor in Phoenix's 3-2 series victory over Indiana in last year's WNBA finals, averaging 15.6 points - 4.7 better than her regular-season average. The 6-foot-1 Australian could miss the ring presentation before the season opener, though, because as of Thursday, she had yet to return to the United States after playing professionally in Turkey.

While Taylor was a key part of the championship run, Taurasi was the driving force.

Taurasi joined Cynthia Cooper as the only WNBA players to win the scoring title, most valuable player award and league championship in the same season. Taurasi averaged 20.4 points during the regular season and 24.7 against the Sparks in the West finals.

Pondexter also was instrumental to the Mercury's title, but she has since left. The All-Star guard, who averaged 19.1 points last season and was the team's biggest fast-break threat, got her wish to be traded. She was sent to New York in a three-team deal that brought Candice Dupree to Phoenix from Chicago.

Despite the loss of a prolific scorer from a team that averaged a league-best 92.8 points, second-year coach Corey Gaines believes the Mercury will be just as potent this season.

"I think we've been working on that where we'll be able to get more shot attempts because of our defense, easier shots," Gaines said. "The more you shoot, the more you make."

Gaines credits Dupree, who averaged 15.7 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Sky last year, with this improved defense.

"Dupree is a big-time defensive player," he said. "Her footwork, the way she helps, the way she talks and then the way she goes and gets the rebound."

Dupree didn't have much luck against Los Angeles last season, though, scoring 15 points on 6-of-26 shooting in two games.

Like the Mercury, the Sparks also open this season without one of their most familiar faces.

Lisa Leslie retired after playing the final season of her 12-year career in 2009. She won four Olympic gold medals, and leaves as the WNBA's all-time leader in points (6,263) and rebounds (3,307).

It's now up to Candace Parker to lead Los Angeles to its first championship to 2002.

Parker led the league in rebounding (9.8 per game) and averaged 13.1 points after missing the first eight games last season to give birth to her first child, Lailaa.

Joining Parker is point guard Ticha Penicheiro, the WNBA's all-time assist leader (2,178). Penicheiro signed as a free agent after Sacramento folded.

New coach Jennifer Gillom, who replaces Michael Cooper, believes the new-look Sparks can win the title.

"I think the chemistry is there," Gillom said. "When you have this good mixture of talent and such a well-balanced team, this is the type of team you need to win a championship."