Griner shines as Phoenix Mercury set new WNBA record

PHOENIX (WNBA) - Brittney Griner has insisted she hasn't been surprised at the phenomenal success of the Phoenix Mercury after wrapping up a landmark WNBA regular season with a stellar double-double display as the Western Conference winners broke historical new ground.

Her side racked up a record-breaking 29-5 record by completing a standout campaign with a 78-65 success against the Seattle Storm, as Griner harvested 18 points and 10 rebounds.

"Throughout the year I could see it," explained Griner as her team surpassed the previous high tide mark recorded by the Los Angeles Sparks who register 28 victories during both the 2000 and 2001 campaigns, as well as the Storm, who collected 28 triumphs four years ago.

"We just kept playing hard. We hate losing and we just kept going every day.

"We grew and got better as the season progressed, so I definitely saw more wins coming our way," added the frontcourt star who is reported to have penned a deal to once again play in the WCBA - although this time with Beijing Great Wall.

The success of the Mercury has certainly been the headline story and a particularly impressive success for play-caller Sandy Brondello.

She has certainly delivered so during her first season pacing the sidelines in Phoenix, utilising the talent of Griner and notably the veteran duo of Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi, who she also coaches at UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia and EuroLeague Women, where she is an assistant coach.

"I never look at wins and losses when I take over a team like that," insisted Brondello.

"It was more about getting the team together. It was team chemistry."

Brondello now takes her team into the Western Conference semi-finals looking to continue this season's domination against the Sparks who they have swept in all five of their meetings so far.

Becky Hammon completed her last-ever WNBA regular season game with four assists and will be hoping for a fairytale finish to her career with the San Antonio Stars. They will be looking to prolong her time on the floor a little longer by overcoming the Maya Moore-led Minnesota Lynx, in the other Western Conference semi-final.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, the table-topping Atlanta Dream will clash with the Chicago Sky, who just edged the crestfallen New York Liberty out of the play-off picture.
 
Finally, 2012 WNBA champions Indiana Fever will tussle with the Washington Mystics.

FIBA