After a long and dreadful season in 2002 then Shock finished last in the WNBA. With a record of 9-23, this did not qualify them for a championship. The Shock fired former head coach Greg Williams during the worst start of the season in WNBA history. With a record of 0-10 to start the Shock needed a change so Bill Laimbeer was announced as interim coach. Leading the team to 9 wins was a difference for the Shock, so they hired him as head coach. Laimbeer knew this team needed to become bigger and start to win. Yet no one thought this team could be a huge contender. Next season the Detroit Shock shocked the world.
Regular Season Play
For the regular season, a new change was the addition of new players on the roster. One addition, Cheryl Ford, drafted 3rd overall in the WNBA Draft in 2003 to the Shock. Ford is the daughter of a well-known NBA player, Karl Malone, so basketball for sure runs in her DNA. The new additions from the draft, trade, and free-agency along with returners, such as start Swin Cash sought to create a winning reputation for the team. With only 9 wins on their record, this new season was a fresh start for the Shock.
The first game for the Shock was close but resulted in a loss to the Charlotte Sting with a score of 70-67. After a tough loss, the Shock wanted to look forward and bring success to Detroit. From that point on the Shock went on to win 8 games in a row, a huge deal for the Shock since they had only won 9 games last season. The Shock were now 8-2 after losing to Phoenix Mercury in a close game with a score of 68-65. They defeated the San Antonio Stars after their loss to the Mercury and then lost two games in a row. The Shock had several winning streaks and was tremendously more successful than last season. This team finishes the regular season with 4 wins in a row.
Regular Season Results
This Detroit Shock team went from being 9-23 and not qualifying for the playoffs to have a record of 25-9. This record is the almost complete opposite of the past season. Not only did they had a winning season, but they were also first in the WNBA. This team went from worst to first in a matter of one season. But this team could not have done it without the help of key players such as Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Ruth Riley, and many more. This was a huge shock for WNBA fans, but no one expected what was coming.
Playoff Time
From going to the worst to being one of the best teams in the league was a huge improvement for the Detroit Shock. This team did not qualify for the playoffs the past season, but this season they were a high seed. The first team that they were set to play in the Eastern Conference playoffs was the Cleveland Rockers. The Shock defeated them in the first game by a score of 76-74, one of only two wins they would need to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. The second game was another close game that resulted in a loss by a score of 66-59. This final game was the key to determining who would advance to the Eastern Conference finals for a chance to play in the championship. This game was a close call for the Detroit Shock once again, but they closed it out with a win by a score of 76-74.
Although this team had made it farther than anyone could have imagined, this team wanted to make it to the championship games. The Detroit Shock were set to face the Connecticut Sun for a chance to play in the championship game. The Sun was no match for the determined Shock. The Shock beat the Connecticut Sun two games in a row by a score of 73-63 and 79-73. The Shock had done it once again, they were continuing to shock the world one game at a time. Now it is time to play for the championship.
Championship Play
The Detroit Shock were set to play Western Conference champions, the Los Angeles Sparks, in a best of three-game series. The Los Angeles Sparks beat the Sacramento Monarchs in the Western finals by winning two out of three games. This Sparks team was filled with talent and experience such as players like Lisa Leslie. This would be the Spark’s third straight finals. This was going to be an exciting matchup between two deserving teams.
In-Game One, the LA Sparks defeated the Shock by a score of 75-63. This did not slow the Shock down, they knew they could come back and win two games in a row and was not going to go down without a fight. Two days after the first game, the Shock and the Sparks tipped off once again for the second game in the series. Both teams fought to the end, if the Sparks won this game they would be crowned WNBA Champions. The Shock was ready to fight and fighting is what they did. The Shock pulled off a one-point win against the Sparks by a score of 62-61. Now it was time for the real battle… the final game.
Championship Mindset
The Detroit Shock were preparing to tip off in the Palace, a home-court advantage for the Shock. The Shock knew they could win this, they just had to prove it on the court and that is what they did. The Palace had a large attendance, with 22,076 fans in the stands. The Shock had their fans on their side, now it was time to win. The Sparks trailed by a large amount at half-time, but that did not keep them down. This Sparks team came back and now it was a close game.
Final Shot for the Detroit Shock
Deanna Nolan shot and made a three-point goal that solidified the lead for the hock. Lisa Leslie on the other end for the Sparks missed a jump shot and fouled out with six fouls. This gave the Shock even more confidence that they could pull off this win. After a short amount of gameplay left, the Shock closed out the Sparks with a score of 83-78. The Shock did it, the won the championship and shocked the world. This team went from the worst team last season to being the best in the league. The Shock could not have done it without Nolan’s 17 points, Cash’s 13 points, 12 rebound and 9 assists, and Ford’s 10 points and 12 rebounds. Ruth Riley was also a huge asset for this team, she was announced as the Finals MVP. Later Bill Laimbeer was announced as Coach of the Year and Cheryl Ford was announced as Rookie of the Year.
This team shocked the world and 2003. No one expected it, but Laimbeer and this Shock team knew they could do it. This team had no doubt and they did it. The Detroit Shock were WNBA Champions, the first franchise team in the history of the WNBA.
Make sure to follow my Twitter @aislynjowers for more of my content and follow @WNBAbellyup for more WNBA content. Check out my previous article Atlanta Dream’s Renee Montgomery Opts out of 2020 WNBA Season and keep a lookout for my next article. Be sure to check out WNBA Belly Up for more articles on the WNBA.
