Mercury begins life without Taurasi - Mohave Valley News
Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello considers Taurasi the best player in the world, and that’s hard to argue, given her track record. The seven-time All-Star has been a top player in the WNBA for more than a decade. “While disappointing, I think it’s the right thing for Diana Taurasi as a basketball player and it’ll definitely extend her career,” Brondello said. Taurasi is still under contract with the Mercury and has said she expects to return in 2016. But for the 2015 squad, the question still remains: Who will lead this team. Forward Candice Dupree, a three-time All-Star, said she is ready to step into a larger leadership role to maintain the team’s success. “I do think we’ve got a target on our back considering we won the championship last year,” she said. “I think teams are going to look to try and beat us because we are missing players. Forward DeWanna Bonner said she hopes teams let their guard down against the Mercury, viewing them as a weakened team rather than as the defending champions. Brondello has already told Dupree and Bonner that they will need to become stronger leaders for the Mercury. She said the two players are viewing it as a challenge, and she could see them already stepping forward in training camp. Source: www.mohavedailynews.com
