Katie Smith clutch for the Detroit Shock, sweep San Antonio in WNBA Finals
WNBA Stars Katie Smith proved to be too much for the San Antonio Silver Stars.

The Detroit Shock swept the Silver Stars in the best of five series to win their second WNBA title in three years (2006), and their third title in six years (2003).

With shooting guard Deanna Nolan struggling to find her stroke, Katie Smith averaged 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists and was named MVP of the finals. Katie also was efficient from the field, shooting a 52.3% from the field, and 57% from three (8-14) in the three games.  “There’s no more deserving MVP; that was a no brainer,” said Shock pivot Taj McWilliams-Franklin. “If I look at all three games and had to choose a MVP, I would say Katie Smith, Katie Smith, Katie Smith. There was no contest.”

It’s been quite a year for Katie Smith, this is her fourth championship, two with the Shock and two with Columbus Quest of the defunct ABL, in addition to adding her third Olympic Gold Medal at this year’s 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  Katie is the all time leading scorer in women’s professional basketball history, having scored over 6000 points in both her ABL and WNBA career.  She is currently the third all-time leading scorer in WNBA history with 5077 points, trailing Lisa Leslie (5909) and Tina Thompson (5424).

Taj McWilliams Franklin gets her first Ring
Even with Katie’s exceptional play, the Shock couldn’t have done it without 12-year veteran (WNBA and ABL) Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who finally captured her first title after being obtained by Detroit midseason.  She came in to help shore up a frontline that saw the loss of Cheryl Ford and Plenette Pierson.  McWilliams-Franklin held down the middle and complimented Smith’s play by putting up 15.3 points, 7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks per game, and shooting 52.6% from the field.

Taj had played in two WNBA finals previously with Connecticut, but came up short both time. “Whatever is supposed to happen, happens,” said McWilliams-Franklin, “I don’t sweat about championships; I’m just playing. Just like I didn’t decide to get traded. You know, it just turned out great for me, a fabulous ending to this year. Being traded here and being part of this, it’s just amazing.”

Rollercoaster Year for the Shock
It was a up and down year for the Detroit Shock.  The year started out without Swin Cash, whom was traded because of constant fighting with coach Bill Laimbeer.  Still they started out the season 7-1.

Key player Cheryl Ford, and Karl Malone’s daughter, suffered a torn ACL trying to restrain teammate Plenette Pierson when a brawl broke out in a 84-81 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.  The brawl resulted in suspensions for Pierson (4 games) and Rick Mahorn (2). Then there was a three-week break for the Olympics, and finally forced to play out their season in Ypsilanti, Michigan after being displaced by Disney on Ice.  Thats right.

Breakthrough Year for San Antonio
The Silver Stars recorded the best record in the WNBA during the 2008 campaign with a 24-10 record, but were overwhelmed in their first WNBA Finals appearance. And San Antonio would not be where they are without Becky Hammon and Sophia Young, the Silver Stars’ In game two, with San Antonio down 0-1, Sophia Young hit a buzzer-beating, game-winning bankshot that gave her team a 67-66 win. That was followed by Becky Hammon scoring an amazing 35 points, including four straight free throws in the last 36 seconds, in the game three clincher of the Western Conference Finals. The 35 point performance was the second most in WNBA Playoff history..

With Becky Hammon shut down, and Sophia Young inconsistent, Ann Wauters of Belgium stepped up for the Silver Stars during their Finals run, leading the team in scoring, rebounds and blocked shots by putting up per game averages of 16 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks (and 1.3 steals).

After not playing in the WNBA the last couple seasons, the 6-4 center not only had her best season statitically, but enjoyed her time putting up career highs, “(San Antonio) has been the place where I’ve been enjoying (the WNBA) the most,” Wauters said. “Everything, of course, starts on the court. I’ve been able to adapt quickly with this team, and I have great teammates. And the whole coaching staff has been wonderful.”

Last Word on Detroit Shock’s run to Title No. 3
Detroit was able to withstand a subpar performance from 2006 Finals MVP Deanna Nolan, whom shot just 28.9% from the field (13-45), and just 11.4 points a game, well under her regular season average. Tweety was still able to find other ways to help her team, leading the team with 4.6 assists and 2.6 steals a game, and grabbing 5.3 rebounds. Detroit also had 6-6 third-year player Kara Braxton step up and put in solid minutes inside with 10.3 points and 5.7 rebounds.

Links and Resources: Despite odds, injuries, Shock win third WNBA title (ESPN), Shock honored after third title in six years (USA Today), Detroit Shock is champs third time in 6 years (SI.com), Silver Stars stay alive on Young’s buzzer-beater (MySA.com), Sparks get Knocked out of Playoffs behind Hammon’s 35 points (LA Times), Season and San Antonio already a win-win for Wauters (ESPN), The Home Of Your New WNBA Champions: Ypsilanti! (Dead Spin)