Another bad news hits the Phoenix Mercury: The head coach of the Phoenix Mercury shed tears as four of his star players made a final decision to terminate their huge contracts.
Phoenix — The Phoenix Mercury, who are now in worst place in the league, announced on Sunday that assistant Nikki Blue will take over as coach for the balance of the season after Vanessa Nygaard was sacked.
The Mercury had a poor start to the season, having lost 10 of their first 12 games, most recently on Saturday night at Seattle, 97-74.
Before having a brilliant coaching career at Windward High, Nygaard excelled at Carlsbad High and Stanford. He took over the team the previous season and went 17–30. Nygaard had a difficult year and a half since star Brittney Griner was imprisoned in Russia for the entirety of the previous season.
In a statement, Mercury general manager Jim Pitman stated, “We have chosen to make a change at head coach.” “We are grateful to Vanessa Nygaard for overcoming and coping with the hardship over the past year and a half.
“With our performance this year, we have fallen short of the lofty expectations set by our company and our supporters for our team. We are confident in Nikki Blue’s ability to lead the team in an acting capacity for the balance of the 2023 campaign.
After missing the previous three games due to a hip ailment, Griner made his court debut on Saturday.
“What’s happening isn’t cutting it,” Griner declared after the team’s fifth defeat in a row. “This is the first record I’ve ever had like this.” It is quite annoying. I’m not sure. I suppose you could demolish it and rebuild it. It truly eludes me.
In the opening half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, Seattle Storm big Breanna Stewart (30) and guard Sue Bird (10) try to contain Indiana Fever guard Destanni Henderson (33). (Photo by Michael Conroy/AP)
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“It’s not progressing as we had hoped. It’s not the basketball we all know from the Phoenix Mercury.
Prior to a five-year WNBA career, Blue excelled at West High in Bakersfield and UCLA. She joined the Mercury coaching team last season and has fifteen years of WNBA and college coaching experience.
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Phoenix — The Phoenix Mercury, who are now in worst place in the league, announced on Sunday that assistant Nikki Blue will take over as coach for the balance of the season after Vanessa Nygaard was sacked.
The Mercury had a poor start to the season, having lost 10 of their first 12 games, most recently on Saturday night at Seattle, 97-74.
Before having a brilliant coaching career at Windward High, Nygaard excelled at Carlsbad High and Stanford. He took over the team the previous season and went 17–30. Nygaard had a difficult year and a half since star Brittney Griner was imprisoned in Russia for the entirety of the previous season.
COMMERCIAL
In a statement, Mercury general manager Jim Pitman stated, “We have chosen to make a change at head coach.” “We are grateful to Vanessa Nygaard for overcoming and coping with the hardship over the past year and a half.
“With our performance this year, we have fallen short of the lofty expectations set by our company and our supporters for our team. We are confident in Nikki Blue’s ability to lead the team in an acting capacity for the balance of the 2023 campaign.
After missing the previous three games due to a hip ailment, Griner made his court debut on Saturday.
“What’s happening isn’t cutting it,” Griner declared after the team’s fifth defeat in a row. “This is the first record I’ve ever had like this.” It is quite annoying. I’m not sure. I suppose you could demolish it and rebuild it. It truly eludes me.
In the opening half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, Seattle Storm big Breanna Stewart (30) and guard Sue Bird (10) try to contain Indiana Fever guard Destanni Henderson (33). (Photo by Michael Conroy/AP)
FRAGMENTS
“All the feels”: The WNBA teams’ and players’ reactions to hardship contracts
June 21, 2023
“It’s not progressing as we had hoped. It’s not the basketball we all know from the Phoenix Mercury.
Prior to a five-year WNBA career, Blue excelled at West High in Bakersfield and UCLA. She joined the Mercury coaching team last season and has fifteen years of WNBA and college coaching experience.
Read More
Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks leads his club against the Suns in the 2021 postseason.
Mike Budenholzer is swiftly appointed head coach of the Phoenix Suns, taking Frank Vogel’s place.
11 May 2024
May 9, 2024: UmaSofia Srivastava and Noelia Voigt, Miss Teen USA, quit over allegations of “workplace toxicity”—days a after Miss USA does the same.
On January 19, 2024, Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer grinned as her team celebrated her 1,202nd collegiate coaching triumph.
On April 9, 2024, Tara VanDerveer, the coach of Stanford basketball, will retire after breaking a record for NCAA wins.
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The Los Angeles Times may occasionally send you promotional material.
Additional Information From the Los Angeles Times
California’s Los Angeles On March 10, 2024, Anthony Davis of the Lakers drives to the hoop.
LAKERS
Three preseason game dates and locations were announced by the Lakers one hour ago.
ARCHIVO: A Picture taken on Monday, February 5, 2024, shows Kansas City Chiefs owner Harrison Butker speaking during a press conference that evening prior to Super Bowl 58. (Charlie Riedel, Archivo/AP Photo)
VIEWS
Granderson: A foolish remark regarding women was made by a football player. Give it up.
two hours prior
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, May 4, 2024: After winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky, trainer Kenny McPeek of Mystik Dan raises the trophy with his family. (Image via Getty Images and Michael Reaves)
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Cincinnati Reds assistant pitching coach Alon Leichman stands for a picture.
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