Dallas Wings WNBA Profile: Five things you need to know

• Franchise won 3 WNBA championships in six seasons (2003, 2006, 2008)
• Went from worst to first, winning the 2003 title after a 9-23 record in 2002
• Detroit Shock (1998–2009), Tulsa Shock (2010–2015), Dallas Wings (2016 — present)

The Detroit Shock's rise from league bottom-dwellers to perennial contenders revolutionised the WNBA, setting new standards for excellence and competitiveness.

Overview

The Detroit Shock's remarkable transformation and subsequent dynasty in the mid-2000s stands as one of the most impressive runs in WNBA history. Under the leadership of former Detroit Pistons "Bad Boy" Bill Laimbeer, the Shock went from the league's cellar to champions in just one season, kickstarting a period of dominance that would see them claim three titles in six years.

Australians who have played for the Dallas Wings

Liz Cambage: Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Cambage joined the Dallas Wings in 2018. During her tenure, she set a WNBA single-game scoring record with 53 points against the New York Liberty on July 17, 2018. Cambage was named to the All-WNBA First Team and finished second in MVP voting that year. She parted ways with the Wings after the 2018 season.

Erin Phillips: Hailing from Melbourne, Victoria, Phillips played 32 games for the Wings in 2016. She started 12 games, averaged just under 15 minutes per game and 4.7 points per game.

Team History

The Shock were founded in 1998 as one of the WNBA's first expansion teams. After several disappointing seasons, including a league-worst 9-23 record in 2002, the team hired Bill Laimbeer as head coach. Laimbeer's arrival marked a turning point for the franchise.

In his first full season at the helm in 2003, Laimbeer orchestrated one of the most dramatic turnarounds in professional sports history. The Shock improved to a league-best 25-9 record and went on to defeat the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA Finals.

This championship was just the beginning. The Shock would go on to reach the WNBA Finals four times in six years between 2003 and 2008, winning titles in 2006 and 2008 to go along with their 2003 triumph. The Detroit Shock's early 2000s dynasty represents one of the most dominant stretches by any team in WNBA history. Their ability to consistently compete at the highest level, reaching four Finals and winning three championships in such a short span, is a testament to the team's excellence.

What makes their run even more impressive is how it began. The worst-to-first turnaround in 2003 set the tone for a culture of winning that would define the franchise for years to come. This transformation demonstrated the impact that strong leadership and a winning mentality can have on a team's fortunes.

The Shock's success was built on a foundation of star power, team chemistry, and hard-nosed defence – a reflection of their coach's playing style. Players like Deanna Nolan, Swin Cash, and Cheryl Ford formed the core of a team that was both talented and tenacious.

Five Fast Facts

1. The Shock's 2003 championship made them the first team in WNBA history to go from last place to champions in consecutive seasons.
2. Bill Laimbeer's .637 winning percentage as Shock head coach is one of the best in WNBA history.
3. The Shock defeated a different opponent in each of their three championship runs (Los Angeles in 2003, Sacramento in 2006, and San Antonio in 2008).
4. Detroit's 2008 championship sweep of the San Antonio Silver Stars was the first Finals sweep in WNBA history.
5. The Shock's rivalry with the Indiana Fever during this era produced some of the most intense and physical basketball in WNBA history.

Team Highlights Timeline

2002: Bill Laimbeer takes over as head coach late in the season with the team struggling at 0-10.

2003: The Shock complete their worst-to-first turnaround, winning their first WNBA championship.

2004: Detroit returns to the playoffs but falls in the first round.

2005: Another playoff appearance ends in a first-round exit.

2006: The Shock win their second WNBA title, defeating the Sacramento Monarchs in five games.

2007: Detroit reaches the WNBA Finals for the third time in five years but falls to the Phoenix Mercury in five games.

2008: The Shock claim their third championship in six years, sweeping the San Antonio Silver Stars.

2009: The team's final season in Detroit ends with a loss in the Eastern Conference Finals.

2010: The team moves from Detroit to Tulsa

2016: The team moves from Tulsa to Dallas and changes its name to Dallas Wings

The Detroit Shock's run from 2003 to 2008 stands as one of the greatest team achievements in WNBA history. Their ability to consistently compete at the highest level, coupled with their three championships, cements their legacy as one of the league's all-time great dynasties.

What set the Shock apart was not just their on-court success, but the way they achieved it. Laimbeer instilled a tough, physical style of play that became the team's hallmark. This approach, combined with the talents of Deanna Nolan, Swin Cash, and Cheryl Ford, made the Shock a formidable opponent night in and night out.

The team's success had a lasting impact on the WNBA. Their physical style of play raised the overall level of competition in the league, forcing other teams to adapt and improve. The Shock's rivalry with teams like the Indiana Fever produced some of the most memorable games and series in WNBA history, helping to grow the league's fanbase and reputation.

Moreover, the Shock's worst-to-first turnaround in 2003 remains one of the most remarkable achievements in professional sports. It demonstrated that with the right leadership and personnel changes, a team's fortunes could be dramatically altered in a short period. This narrative of transformation and redemption resonated with fans and added to the team's mystique.

The Shock's dominance during this era was also characterised by their ability to perform in clutch situations. Their 3-1 record in WNBA Finals series speaks to their mental toughness and ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage. The 2008 championship, which saw them sweep the San Antonio Silver Stars, was particularly impressive and historic as the first Finals sweep in WNBA history.

While the franchise would eventually relocate, first to Tulsa and then to Dallas, the legacy of the Detroit Shock's dynasty endures. Their run of success set a standard for excellence that subsequent WNBA teams have strived to match. The Shock's combination of star power, team chemistry, and a distinctive playing style made them not just successful, but memorable and influential.

In the pantheon of great WNBA teams, the Detroit Shock of 2003-2008 stand out not just for their achievements, but for the way they changed the game. Their legacy serves as a reminder of what can be achieved through strong leadership, talented players, and an uncompromising will to win.

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