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Mercury Media Day 2024: Taurasi’s 20th, Copper’s arrival, Tibbetts’ training camp

Eliav Gabay

The Phoenix Mercury is primed for a bounce-back 2024 season.

With new faces everywhere – the roster, coaching staff, and front office – there will be an adjustment period, but the ingredients for a strong season are all there.

“There’s this energy of how far this team can go,” Diana Taurasi said. “How much we can cultivate a new way of playing that we want. Being in the gym for the last week – there’s this thing about this team that can be really special…the only way to do that is get in the gym and to work. That’s one thing this team doesn’t have a problem doing, which is refreshing.”

No storyline is bigger than the league’s all-time scoring leader in Taurasi getting set for her 20th season in the WNBA at 41 years old.

“Just really lucky,” Taurasi said. “To be able to play my whole career here in Phoenix is a dream come true. You only get perspective when you take a step back and you get to really think about the journey here… when I got here in 2004, I had never been to the desert before…I always knew there was something special here.”

Something special might be brewing this year too.

My main reason for saying that is the arrival of All-Star Kahleah Copper from Chicago, who was Finals MVP against Phoenix back in 2021.

“From an organizational standpoint, I have everything,” Copper said. “All I have to worry about is being the best version of myself on the court and that’s all I should worry about. As you pour into your players, you get what you put in. That’s what this organization has done for me. I don’t have to worry about food – that is something I should not have to worry about…for where I am in my career, I’m so grateful to be a part of an organization like this.”

“For me, it’s about being consistent,” Copper said. “I take pride in every year getting better… even if it’s small percentages…I’ve played with greats…being able to come into another situation with some greats I’m excited to be alongside that…I want to win. I’m excited to be a part of greatness where I can also learn from these players. I don’t want to be the best player in the room, I want to be able to look at someone and learn something.”

One of the main cogs in coach Nate Tibbetts’ plans will be none other than Brittney Griner, who feels stronger than ever – mentally and physically.

“I feel great,” Griner said. “I feel like a basketball player. I feel like an athlete. Everything I want to do, I can do it…Shoutout to [strength coach Annalise Pickrel]… keeping me in the weight room. I’ve been known to run…she did an amazing job on me and my body. Feeling strong – mobility, everything.”

“We’re gonna compete defensively,” Tibbetts said. “We’re gonna space the floor offensively. We’re gonna hopefully share it, we’re gonna hopefully attack the rim, and shoot a lot of three’s.”

As far as head coach Nate Tibbetts process throughout the year, associate head coach Kristi Toliver has been and will be a big part of it.

Tibbetts and Phoenix will get another chance to iron out some preseason woes in their final exhibition matchup against the Sparks on Friday at 7 PM.

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