The Daily Swish: Phoenix is one game closer to the Finals

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone. Here's the scoop.

Western Conference Finals, Game 1

Tyler Killian of azcentral sports reports that Diana Taurasi said after the Mercury's Game 1 win that it "was probably the best stretch we've had on both sides of the ball this year." Hard to argue with that.

Jeff Lockridge writing for the Star Tribune notes that the Mercury have not lost two games in a row all season, but Seimone Augustus isn't worried about that: "We’re not ever going to say we can’t beat a team twice in a row," Augustus said. "Why not? We have no choice but to beat them twice in a row if we want to advance to the finals."

Fun side note: Shamus Clancy of Philly.com reports that Little League World Series star and WNBA hopeful Mo'ne Davis has been given an all-expenses paid trip to Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals in Minneapolis tomorrow.

WNBA Awards News and links

Skylar Diggins wins 2014 WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year award - Link to our post.

Here's more on Diggins' MIP award - Diggins said "I felt I had something to prove to myself. I put in a lot of hard work in the offeseason to make sure I came back and did my part for the team because I didn’t feel like I did my part last year" to Mike Brown of the Tulsa World.

Chiney Ogwumike wins 2014 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, headlines the All-Rookie Team - Here's a link to our post.

Louisville fans aren't pleased at all about Atlanta Dream guard Shoni Schimmel being left off the All-Rookie team - Link to Cardinal Sports Zone

NDN Sports also noted Schimmel's omission - Read more about it here

Other WNBA links

Elena Delle Donne Outscores Entire Other Team In 4th-Quarter Comeback - Here's Deadspin's take on Delle Donne's dominant performance on Tuesday.

WNBA median attendance figures for 2013 and 2014 - Here's James' look at the numbers each team had during the last two seasons. It even included which days of the weeks and times have the most attendance.

Mystics Marvel Superheroes 8/27/14 - Kia Vaughn and the Mystics talk about Marvel Comics superheroes. It's part of a promotion for the Marvel Universe Live Tour which will be at Verizon Center from September 4-7 and at George Mason University's Patriot Center form Sept. 12-14 and 19-21.

Shoni Schimmel will hold a basketball camp in the Allegany Community center near Salamanca, New York this weekend - In addition, her sister, Louisville senior guard Jude Schimmel, will also lead the camp.

WNBA.com: Veteran Political Strategist and Author Donna Brazile to Receive 2014 WNBA Inspiration Award - Brazile will receive her award on Thursday, September 5 in New York City. Release from the league.

Really good article from Al-Jazeera America here on the WNBA's growing pains - We mentioned this quote on Facebook, so we're wondering your thoughts on this:

WNBA vice president Hilary Shaev declared that the league would focus outreach efforts on what it saw as its three core groups: African-Americans, lesbians and youths — then quickly added that she still wanted to reach "that mainstream American sports fan who knows everything about sports."

How can the WNBA continue to make more progress toward reaching that mainstream sports fan?

Newly engaged Brittney Griner takes control of her life - Here's a USA Today article from earlier this week where Griner says that "When you have your personal life in check, it makes everything else better." Needless to say, Griner's had a great postseason so far.

L.A. Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike is considering quitting her Russian team because of a ban on American products - link to TMZ. Yes, that TMZ.

We show how little talent the Mystics have based on the number of draft lottery picks on their roster against others - I believe the Mystics have to tank, though I'm leaving the door slightly open for divine intervention in the form of a lopsided trade. But yeah, the future is bright, primarily because Mike Thibault knows how to coach a team. Not because he has a player who can get this team over the top. This situation needs to be resolved soon.

And even more links

Swin Cash to be part of CBS Sports Network's All-female sports show - The show is called "WE NEED TO TALK." Yes the capitals are stylized. Link to the Liberty's website.

NFL implements domestic violence penalties - The NFL has made a change in its domestic violence policies within its personal conduct code. A first time offender will be suspended for his first offense and face a lifetime ban for the second. This change came after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for a domestic incident for two games, which was harshly criticized.

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