Dynasty?
Comets can now begin looking toward three-peat
Posted: Wednesday September 02, 1998 11:30 PM
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Domination: Cooper and the Comets lost only four games all season AP |
HOUSTON (AP) -- Repeat has been a big part of the Houston Comets' second season in the 2-year-old WNBA.
Cynthia Cooper repeated as the league MVP, Van Chancellor repeated as coach of the year and the Comets won their second straight WNBA title. And after coasting with a 27-3 regular season record, they'll probably be favored to win a third in a row.
The Comets got a scare after losing Game 1 of the Finals to Phoenix, but they finished off the Mercury 80-71 Tuesday night in the last game of the best-of-three series.
As usual, they were led by Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson and tiny point guard Kim Perrot, who at 5-foot-5 was scrambling for rebounds in the crucial closing minutes of the clincher.
"I'm just really excited that I had the opportunity to come back and be a part of this wonderful organization," Swoopes said. "I feel like I contributed a lot more this year than I did last year. I want to say thank you Houston and I look forward to doing it again."
The Comets led the WNBA in scoring and defense and their regular season record was by far the best ever in the two-year history of the league but they had to overcome tests from within before claiming their second crown.
Swoopes played only briefly last season after giving birth to her son, Jordan, but she fit nicely into the lineup this season despite early questions about how she and Cooper could coexist.
While not pals off the court, their talents seemed to mesh on it. Though Cooper made headlines when she erupted about a general lack of teamwork on the Comets, they won 15 straight at one point and were the dominant team all season.
Perrot, who gallantly played the championship finals with a sprained right ankle, was Chancellor's favorite after Tuesday's final game.
"The Big Three are going to get all the publicity but poor little ol' Kim, she was right there," Chancellor said. "I asked her to just go get me one rebound and she got there among those giants. Now that's coaching."
Houston had a Finals scare when the Mercury won Game 1 in Phoenix and had the Comets down by 12 points with 7:24 to play in Game 2. The Comets roared back to win in overtime and fought back Tuesday when Phoenix led briefly in the second half and trailed by just 62-61 with 7:40 to play.
Overcoming obstacles made winning the second title more special for Cooper, relishing her star status in her home country after nine years in Europe.
"I didn't think before that this championship would feel as special as the first, but when that buzzer sounded, I felt so many emotions," Cooper said. "It just makes all of it worth it. I would say this one is definitely sweeter.
"There were a lot of expectations throughout the season and no one thought we would pull together and defend our championship, and we did."
Chancellor showed a master's touch in keeping the Comets together throughout the season.
And now?
"Look out golf courses, look out Astros baseball, Ole Miss, Rice and Texas A&M [football] because I'm going to enjoy relaxing," Chancellor said. "I'm so proud we won our second championship in a row. Thank God for great players."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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