Sacramento Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were an American women 's basketball team in the Women's National Basketball Association based in Sacramento, California.
In their last season in the WNBA, the Monarchs wore their home games at ARCO Arena and were one of eight teams that participated in the inaugural season of the WNBA. The Monarchs were able to win in 2005 for the first and only time the WNBA Championship.
- 2.1 Sporting achievements
- 2.2 season statistics
- 4.1 Locked jersey numbers
History
Creation and start in the WNBA (1997 to 2002)
The Sacramento Monarchs were one of eight teams that participated in 1997 at the first WNBA season and although the Monarchs were a very successful team, they were in the Western Conference, usually in the shadow of the Los Angeles Sparks. The Monarchs were in the initial phase of the WNBA not the strongest teams, but could slowly build a balanced squad with good talent on the WNBA Draft. In the 1999 draft, the Monarchs for Yolanda Griffith decided. Griffith was already in their first season to lead the Monarchs player and under her leadership managed the Monarchs in the 1999 season for the first time made it into the playoffs. This season it was for the Monarchs steadily uphill and they reached in subsequent seasons regularly make the playoffs, but they remained winning the championship for the time being denied.
Reconstruction and winning the championship (2003 to 2006)
After the Monarchs in the 2003 season, missed the playoffs for the first time in four years, they succeeded in the 2004 season for the third time to jump in the Conference Finals, but where they did again. Then, a large part of the squad have been changed. Ruthie Bolton, who played since the start of the Monarchs, no new contract was offered. The Treaty of the popular in Sacramento player Edna Campbell was not renewed. On 3 March 2005 Tangela Smith was transferred together with a second-round pick in the Draft 2006 on the Charlotte Sting for Nicole Powell and Erin Buescher. Furthermore, the Monarchs took Miao Lijie and Sui Feifei with two Chinese under contract, while Chantelle Anderson was transferred for a pick in the draft in 2006 to the San Antonio Silver Stars. Shortly before the start of Preseason Bolton was still offered a contract, but on the condition that it creates during the preseason the jump in the squad. Bolton finally made the leap not in the squad of the Monarchs, but she took a job in the Monarchs organization. The big squad changes seemed to pay off, because in the 2005 season, the Monarchs in the regular season 25 of 34 games won, which meant a new franchise record. In the playoffs, they managed to defeat the first time without a place in the WNBA Finals, where they met with the Connecticut Sun, who they defeated 3-1 in games. Thus, the Monarchs were able for the first time in its history to win the WNBA championship. Griffith was named Finals MVP of the series. In the 2006 season the Monarchs managed once again made it into the finals, where they faced the Detroit Shock this time. In a hard fought series, the Monarchs ended up having almost defeated the Shock in games with 2:3.
Moderate successes and resolution (2007 to 2009)
In the 2007 and 2008 season, the Monarchs were indeed in the regular season do not play up front, but managed in two seasons, a place in the playoffs, but where they did both times against the San Antonio Silver Stars. In the 2009 season, the Monarchs missed the playoffs relatively clear and only occupied the last place in the Western Conference. On 20 November 2009 announced the Maloof family that they will continue the game mode is no longer. Then the league tried the franchise in the San Franciso to settle failed, however, these efforts and thus the resolution of the franchise was announced on December 8. On 14 December 2008, a dispersal draft was held for the players of the Monarchs.
Achievements and honors
Sporting successes
The greatest success in the franchise history celebrated the Monarchs in the 2005 season when they won the championship. Here they defeated in the final series, the Connecticut Sun.
Season statistics
Note: GP = Games, W = Wins, L = Losses