Brittany Griner was the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Since joining the league, she has been a 10-time All-Star, an 8-time leader in blocks, and a WNBA Champion, among other achievements. I was surprised to see Griner sign a one-year deal with the Atlanta Dream, marking the end of her 11-year tenure with the Phoenix Mercury.
In 2024, the Phoenix Mercury hired former Orlando Magic assistant coach Nate Tibbetts. After finishing the previous season with a record of 9-31, Tibbetts led the Mercury to a more competitive 19-21 season. However, Brittney Griner faced challenges as the team transitioned to a five-out offensive system, which relied on having shooters positioned around the perimeter. Griner is an old-school back-to-the-basket player, and the majority of her points come from inside the paint. Throughout her entire WNBA career, she has made less than 50 three-pointers, so the shift in coach Tibbetts’ system presented difficulties for her.
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