The Mercury are going to win it all.

This is a blog and that is my opinion, my personal prediction and not the official representation of the Phoenix Mercury organization. I can see Corey Gaines and his team squirming at the thought of one of their web guys proclaiming another title before they have even gotten to the Finals. Sorry Coach, just calling it as I see it.

This team has essentially the same core of All-Star caliber players as the 2007 Championship club. First Team All-WNBA members Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter, Tangela Smith and Penny Taylor comprise four of the five starters from that team, even though Taylor has come off the bench since returning to Arizona in midseason. Temeka Johnson and Ketia Swanier have done a formidable job at the point guard spot manned by Kelly Miller two seasons ago, with Pondexter still taking control at key moments in games. And veteran Le’coe Willingham has been solid in her second season in Phoenix.

With Taylor, WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year and WNBA All-Rookie Team member DeWanna Bonner and Nicole Ohlde, the Mercury are among the deepest teams in the league. And given the opportunity, sharpshooter Kelly Mazzante, a major threat off the bench during the title run, is always one made three-pointer from going on a hot streak.

Gaines has picked up right where his predecessor and mentor left off after Paul Westhead left for the NBA following the 2007 title run. He has kept the same staff of assistants he was a member of from the first time around. When he is not chiding the referees or yelling “Run! Run! Run!” he is calm cool and collected, allowing his players a voice, as well. Off the court, he is one of the gang, taking an active interest in his players’ lives, joking around with them, keeping things loose. While waiting for the luggage after the return trip to Phoenix on Thursday, there was a very distinct odor hovering around the baggage carousel. The head coach went around and sniffed each of players personally in an attempt to ascertain its origin. (The source of the foul smell was never discovered.)

There is no question this team has the talent to win a WNBA Championship. They’ve already done it with arguably less talent, top to bottom. The schedule finally is in their favor after starting on the road for the first two rounds, despite finishing with the league’s best record. No matter what happens, they will be home for a little while. If they were to advance past the Sparks, the Finals would begin with the first two games in the Valley before the middle two games of the best-of-five series take them back on the road, to either Indiana or Detroit.

Even more than the talent and the experience of the previous championship run, or perhaps as a result, this team has the air of a champion. They know what it takes, how much work and effort will go into reaching the top again. They come in with the chip on their shoulders of missing out on the postseason all together last season, and the chemistry, cohesiveness and drive of the year before.

The Mercury is four wins away from a second WNBA Championship. And personally, I think they are going to get them.