This is Part 1 of a two-part series preview which will conclude with part 2 on Wednesday. The first part will encompass general background information for both teams, team season summaries, and the regular season recap. Part 2 will feature the keys for each team to succeed, head-to-head match-ups, and series predictions.

Part 1 - Background, Season Summaries, Regular Season Series Recap

Background
Whenever you hear the words 'Phoenix' and 'San Antonio' in the same sentence in regards to professional basketball, one can't help but feel immediate pain (if you're from Phoenix) or immense joy (if you're from San Antonio). There is simply too much history between the two cities, from a basketball standpoint, that it becomes difficult to ignore the rivalry and implications even from a WNBA perspective.

And that's what makes the 1st round match-up so very compelling, and one that that should inspire hope if you're a Mercury fan.

Season Summary - Silver Stars
After beating the Sparks in the Western Conference Finals last season, many picked the Silver Stars to either repeat as champions or have an equally impressive season. Unfortunately for San Antonio, the 2009 campaign was more up and down than they would've liked.

Posting just 15-19 record, the Silver Stars struggled to get effective production outside of Becky Hammon and Sophia Young. However, when they do receive a solid contribution from the Ruth Riley's, Belinda Snell's etc. they are certainly a difficult team to contend with.

The problem is, that hasn't been the case for the majority of the season and coach Dan Hughes has struggled to find the right combination off the bench to combat some of the more physical and explosive teams this season - like the Mercury.

Becky Hammon and Sophia Young have been phenomenal as usual. Becky caps the season averaging 19.5 ppg, 5.0 apg - which are good for 2nd and 3rd in the league respectively. When Becky starts to feel it, she's continually shown she is nearly unstoppable as evidenced by her 38 point outburst against the Monarchs in July. She also does a fantastic job of getting her teammates involved averaging 5.0 apg, good for 3rd in the league. Sophia Young has been just as deadly for the Silver Stars this season averaging 18.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg and tallying 29 points or more 4 different times throughout the year.

All in all, in spite of their sub-par record, the Silver Stars are certainly a team the Mercury should not overlook.

Season Summary - Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury, on the other hand, surpassed any and all expectations thus far - but they aren't satisfied yet. 

After a disappointing 2008 campaign, the Mercury stormed back in 2009 with a league-best record of 23-11. Led by MVP candidates Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter, Phoenix once again showed the league what an amazing duo they are.

Taurasi captured the scoring championship (again) while shooting 46% from the floor. Cappie had her best all-around season with 19 ppg, 4 rpg, and 5 apg. Perhaps the greatest surprise of the season is the emergence of Rookie of the Year candidate DeWanna Bonner. DB provides so much to this Mercury team that cannot be quantified. She is an imposing presence down low, can score without having plays drawn for her, and is active on the glass - something the Mercury will need to see more from her.

In addition, the acquisitions of Temeka Johnson and Nicole Ohlde have solidified the Mercury as one of the deepest, most effective teams in the league. Penny Taylor is quickly regaining her 2007 form, Ketia Swanier is a huge energy boost off the bench, and Tangela Smith and Le'coe Willingham provide the Mercury with consistency and a solid foundation in the paint (and outside - Tangela led the league in 3 pt%).

Phoenix has not only proven to be an almost unbeatable force offensively, but also has bolstered their defensive presence and have an increased focus on rebounding. They also have proven to the rest of the league that they have multiple ways of beating opponents; no longer is it simply the Diana and Cappie show.

The Regular Season Match-up
It's been the tale of the home teams for the Mercury and Silver Stars this season, as each team beat the other twice at home.

In the 1st game, the Mercury went on a shooting burst in the 2nd half to take control of the game. Diana had 25, Cappie had 23, and rookie DeWanna Bonner had a fantastic career start with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Becky Hammon paced the Silver Stars with 20 points and 8 assists.

In their 2nd game, the Mercury never really got rolling offensively and made too many mistakes down the stretch in a 91-87 loss. I actually traveled with the team that road trip, and you can read my recap of the game here.

Game 3 was almost a carbon copy of their first game with the Mercury scoring 95 holding the Silver Stars to just 83. Taurasi erupted for 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists to lead the Mercury while the defense kept Becky Hammon from both scoring and getting her teammates involved. Sophia Young did have 29 points, but the next closest scorer was Ann Wauters with just 12.

Game 4 was a blowout for the Silver Stars, 106-89, in a game that featured the prowess and power of Becky Hammon and Sophia Young when they are darn near unbeatable. Hammon had 21 points and 6 assists while Young had 30 points and 8 rebounds.

It's certainly ironic that each team played so well at home to get the wins. However, come playoff time, it's anyone's game.

Check back Wednesday for Part 2 of the Mercury-Silver Stars preview as we'll talk about the keys for each team, head-to-head match-ups, series predictions, and player quotes!