Detroit Shock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Detroit Shock
Conference	Eastern
Leagues	WNBA
Founded	1998
History	Detroit Shock (1998–2009) Tulsa Shock (2010–2015) Dallas Wings (2016–present)
Arena	The Palace of Auburn Hills
Location	Auburn Hills, Michigan
Team colors	Blue, dark blue, red, silver, white
Championships	3 (2003, 2006, 2008)
Conference titles	4 (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Uniforms
Home Away

The Detroit Shock was a professional basketball team. They played in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Their home was in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Shock were champions three times. They won in 2003, 2006, and 2008.

The team started in 1998. They were one of the first new teams in the WNBA. The Shock was the first expansion team to win a WNBA Championship. They were like a sister team to the Detroit Pistons. From 2002 to 2009, Bill Laimbeer, a Pistons legend, coached them.

In October 2009, the team moved. They went to Tulsa, Oklahoma. They played in the new BOK Center arena. The team kept its history and name. But their colors changed to black, red, and gold. Today, this team is known as the Dallas Wings.

Team History: The Shock's Journey

Starting Out (1998–2002)

The Detroit Shock joined the WNBA in 1998. They were one of the first new teams. The team had both new and experienced players. Their first coach was Nancy Lieberman, a Hall of Famer. The Shock started 0–4 in their first season. But they finished strong with 17 wins and 13 losses. They just missed the playoffs.

In 1999, the Shock finished 15–17. They tied for a playoff spot. They lost a special playoff game to the Charlotte Sting. In 2000, they had a 14–18 record. They did not make the playoffs that year. Nancy Lieberman was replaced by Greg Williams.

In the 2001 WNBA Draft, the Shock picked Deanna Nolan. She became a big star for the team. The 2001 season ended with a 10–22 record. They were tied for last place in their conference.

The 2002 season started tough. The Shock lost their first 10 games. Greg Williams was then replaced by Bill Laimbeer. Laimbeer was a famous player for the Detroit Pistons. The team finished 9–23. Laimbeer had ideas for new players. The team's leaders agreed with him.

From Last Place to Champions (2003)

After many player changes, Bill Laimbeer made a big promise. He said the Shock would be champions in 2003. The team played great that season. They had 25 wins and 9 losses. They were the top team in the East.

In the playoffs, the Shock beat the Cleveland Rockers. This was their first playoff series win ever. Then, they swept the Connecticut Sun. This sent them to the WNBA Finals. Many people thought the Los Angeles Sparks would win. The Sparks had won the last two championships. But the Shock won a thrilling Game 3. They beat the Sparks 83–78. This game had the biggest crowd in WNBA history. Ruth Riley was named the Finals MVP. The Shock made history. They went from the worst team to champions in just one year!

A Couple of Average Seasons (2004–2005)

After their big win, the Shock had average seasons. In 2004, they finished 17–17. They made the playoffs as the third seed. They lost to the New York Liberty in three games.

In the next season, Rick Mahorn joined as an assistant coach. He was also a former Pistons star. The Shock had a 16–18 record. They made the playoffs as the fourth seed. But they were swept by the Connecticut Sun.

Back to the Top (2006–2008)

The Shock played very well in 2006. They had 23 wins and 11 losses. They were the second seed in the playoffs. They easily beat the Indiana Fever in the first round. In the Conference Finals, they faced the Connecticut Sun again. The Shock won this tough series 2–1.

In the WNBA Finals, they played the Sacramento Monarchs. The Monarchs were the champions from the year before. The Shock lost Game 1 at home. But they won Game 2 to tie the series. In Sacramento, they lost Game 3. With their season on the line, the Shock won Game 4. This set up a deciding Game 5 in Detroit. Due to another event, Game 5 was played at Joe Louis Arena. The Shock were behind at halftime. But they played amazing in the third quarter. They took the lead and won the game 80–75. They won their second championship! Deanna Nolan was named the Finals MVP.

In 2007, the Shock wanted to win again. They had the best record in the WNBA. They won 24 games and lost 10. They were the top seed in the playoffs. In the first round, they faced the New York Liberty. The Shock lost Game 1. But they won Game 2 to force a Game 3. Game 3 went into overtime. The Shock won a very close game, 71–70.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, they played their rivals, the Indiana Fever. The Shock lost Game 1. But they won Games 2 and 3. This sent them to the WNBA Finals. They played the Phoenix Mercury. The Shock won Game 1 at home. The Mercury won Game 2. The series moved to Phoenix. The Shock won a tough Game 3. With a chance to win the championship in Game 4, the Shock lost by one point. This forced a Game 5 in Detroit. The Shock lost Game 5 at home. They were the first team to lose the WNBA championship at home.

The next season, 2008, the Shock had 22 wins and 12 losses. This was the best record in the East. They beat the Indiana Fever in the first round. Because of other events, the Shock played their home games at Eastern Michigan University's George Gervin GameAbove Center. In the Conference Finals, they beat the New York Liberty. This sent them to the WNBA Finals. They played the San Antonio Silver Stars. The Silver Stars had the best record in the league. But the Shock swept them! They won their third championship. Katie Smith was named the Finals MVP.

The Last Season in Detroit (2009)

President Obama with the Detroit Shock at the White House in July 2009

Three games into the 2009 season, Bill Laimbeer stepped down as coach. Rick Mahorn took over. The Shock had a tough start. But they played much better later in the season. They finished with 18 wins and 16 losses. This meant they made the playoffs for the seventh year in a row.

In the first round, the Shock swept the Atlanta Dream. They reached their fourth straight Eastern Conference Finals. They played the Indiana Fever again. This time, the Shock lost the series in three games. They missed the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2005.

The Detroit Era Ends

On October 19, 2009, news came out. The Shock team would move to Tulsa. The next day, it was officially announced.

Team Look: Logo and Uniforms

From 2002 to 2009, the Shock's home uniforms were white. They had the team name "Shock" in red on the front. Their away uniforms were blue. They had "Detroit" written in red and white on the front. From 1998 to 2001, the team used different colors. These were teal, yellow, and red.

Season-by-Season Records

Here's how the Detroit Shock performed each season:

Players of the Detroit Shock

Last Team Roster

Here are the players who were on the Detroit Shock's final team:

Detroit Shock roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Height Weight DOB From C 45 Braxton, Kara 6' 6" (1.98m) 190 lb (86kg) Georgia PF 35 Ford, Cheryl 6' 3" (1.91m) 195 lb (88kg) Louisiana Tech SG 22 Hornbuckle, Alexis 5' 11" (1.8m) 155 lb (70kg) Tennessee F 42 Kelly, Crystal 6' 2" (1.88m) 190 lb (86kg) Western Kentucky C 44 McWilliams, Taj 6' 2" (1.88m) 184 lb (83kg) St. Edward's University SG 14 Nolan, Deanna 5' 11" (1.8m) 147 lb (67kg) Georgia SF 23 Pierson, Plenette 6' 2" (1.88m) 178 lb (81kg) Texas Tech C 24 Sanni, Olayinka 6' 2" (1.88m) 205 lb (93kg) West Virginia G/F 30 Smith, Katie 5' 11" (1.8m) 175 lb (79kg) Ohio State G 6 Teasley, Nikki 6' 0" (1.83m) 169 lb (77kg) North Carolina G 1 Zellous, Shavonte 5' 10" (1.78m) 155 lb (70kg) Pittsburgh	Head coach Rick Mahorn (Hampton*) Assistant coaches Earl Cureton (Detroit) Cheryl Reeve (La Salle) Athletic trainer Laura Ramus (Wayne State) Strength and conditioning coach Laura Ramus (Wayne State) Legend (C) Team captain (FA) Free agent (IN) Inactive (S) Suspended Injured

Basketball Hall of Fame Players

Some Detroit Shock players are in the Basketball Hall of Fame:

Notes:

• ¹ Lieberman played for seven days in 2008.

FIBA Hall of Fame Players

One Detroit Shock player is in the FIBA Hall of Fame (International Basketball Federation):

Other Famous Players

Here are some other notable players who played for the Detroit Shock:

• Jennifer Azzi
• Carla Boyd
• Kara Braxton
• Sandy Brondello
• Cindy Brown
• Dominique Canty
• Swin Cash
• Barbara Farris
• Cheryl Ford
• Korie Hlede
• Kedra Holland-Corn
• Alexis Hornbuckle
• Tasha Humphrey
• Shannon Johnson
• Ivory Latta
• Nancy Lieberman
• Taj McWilliams-Franklin
• Razija Mujanović
• Astou Ndiaye-Diatta
• Deanna Nolan
• Wendy Palmer
• Plenette Pierson
• Elaine Powell
• Ruth Riley
• Sheri Sam
• Katie Smith
• Nikki Teasley
• Lynette Woodard

Coaches and Team Staff

Detroit Shock coaching staff in 2007

Head coaches:

• Nancy Lieberman (1998–2000)
• Greg Williams (2001–2002)
• Bill Laimbeer (2002–2009)
• Rick Mahorn (2009)

General managers:

• Nancy Lieberman (1998–2000)
• Greg Williams (2001–2002)
• Bill Laimbeer (2002–2009)
• Cheryl Reeve (2009)

Assistant coaches

• Laurie Byrd (2003–2005)
• Earl Cureton (2009)
• Korie Hlede (2003–2004)
• Rick Mahorn (2005–2009)
• Cheryl Reeve (2006–2009)

Awards and Records

Individual Awards

Here are some of the awards won by Detroit Shock players and coaches:

WNBA All-Star Game

All-Stars

• 1999: Sandy Brondello
• 2000: Wendy Palmer
• 2001: None
• 2002: None
• 2003: Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan
• 2004: Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan
• 2005: Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Ruth Riley
• 2006: Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Katie Smith
• 2007: Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan, Kara Braxton
• 2008: No All-Star Game
• 2009: Katie Smith

Head coach

• Bill Laimbeer – 2004, 2007

WNBA All-Star Game MVP

• Cheryl Ford – 2007