As the Mercury face a pivotal game 4 in Indy tomorrow night, I’ve taken some time to look back on the 2009 season and how much it has impacted and influenced me for the better. As I’m writing this, I fully realize it probably goes against all unwritten (or written) rules of the so-called ‘media’, but to be frank, I don’t really care. Many of you know that I write for a few different outlets (DIME Magazine, Fanster, etc.) and I’d like to preface that the rule of “objective journalism” most definitely does not apply in the following paragraphs.

Quite simply, I love the Mercury.

Not that it’s a new revelation by any means. I’ve covered basketball (namely the NBA) for a while and have always been a fan and supporter of the WNBA. In fact, one of my best friends growing up was former Mercury player Ann Strother whom I frequently lost to when we played basketball together (and by ‘frequently’ I mean ‘every single time’). Not just because I was a foot shorter than her (and still am) but because she was (and still is) a much better basketball player than me. I had absolutely no shame or embarrassment in admitting it then, and still don’t to this day. It was never a gender issue in the least and I certainly never felt emasculated – she was damn good for crying out loud! The amount of respect I have for the women’s game has, and will continue to be, immeasurable. However, it still bothers me that society tends to make a big deal out of something like this. It shouldn’t matter if a player is a man or woman; if they’re better than you at the game just be thankful you had the opportunity to play with or against them as it undeniably made you better.

On that topic, I’ve never understood the immediate dismissal of the WNBA by men. If I’m honest, I think it deals with some deeper personal issues for many guys out there rather than the typical sentiment of “they’re not as fun to watch” as the NBA. I’ve also spent time calling out the guys who have ignored or downplayed the significance of the WNBA and as a result have been called every negative adjective you’ve ever heard. From time to time, I see articles defending the WNBA and defining various reasons why it should be recognized. While I have done the same, it also saddens me that those articles even have to be written in the first place. In the year 2009, I believe as a culture we should be past the point where selling out a WNBA game is a major event – it should already be that way due to how amazing these ladies are. I stand firm to the belief, and will happily defend it to anyone, that if you dismiss the WNBA you’re not a true fan of the game of basketball. There is nothing to dislike about the WNBA. Not a single thing.

Thus, when I started covering the Mercury this year in much greater depth than ever before, I quickly became immersed in the culture – perhaps more so than the NBA, and this is coming from a guy who has the Phoenix Suns logo tattooed on my forearm (FYI - I still love the Suns). Those who have followed the league just as closely for a long period of time know exactly what I’m talking about. There is a sort of “magical” aura that surrounds the WNBA (and the Phoenix Mercury) and there really aren’t any words describing it that would do it justice.

I was fortunate enough to truly devote the vast majority of my time this summer to this Mercury team, a group of individuals who are not only phenomenal basketball players but even better human beings. To see firsthand the dedication and devotion they have to the sport was eye-opening and inspiring to me both as a basketball player and as a person. I’ve had the privileged opportunity to get to know a few players beyond the superficial and it has been a humbling and moving experience. The amount of class, character, and integrity every lady has on this team is second to none. Whether it be spending a few extra minutes talking to the media answering the same question 5 times in a row, discussing their faith and how it’s impacted them, or just smiling and saying ‘hi’ it’s been a refreshing experience for me compared to other professional teams and/or athletes that I’ve covered or had experience with. It’s amazing how far a little kindness goes, and this Mercury team is overflowing with it.

Now, I’ve certainly had my share of negative experiences with professional athletes. About 11 or 12 years ago I worked maintenance at a high-profile golf course in Colorado. I was the guy you see on the riding mower or cutting weeds in the rough, making far too much noise when you’re trying to concentrate on your next golf shot. Anyway, a plethora of professional athletes would golf there and while I won’t name them personally, I was very much looked down on and dismissed as a second-class citizen. Not that this unfortunate occurrence is unique to the sports world, but as a die-hard sports and basketball fan and player my whole life, needless to say, my perspective on professional athletes changed. It became a bit jaded and my view of the “perfect world of sports” was not what I thought it was. This feeling fluctuated in subsequent years but never truly went away.

Nevertheless, that spirit was completely rejuvenated over this past summer much to my delight. Seeing the genuineness of these Mercury players brought that feeling back in full force that there are, in fact, decent human beings in this business. They spend countless hours out in the community making things better, set extraordinary examples for young women to follow, and deserve the recognition that other professional athletes get.

That’s why, quite frankly, I’m not ready for this to end – and certainly not tomorrow. Like you, I’ve enjoyed this season far too much to have it be over already, especially after the magical season the Mercury has had thus far. If there is anything I’ve learned about this Mercury team, it’s that they have zero quit in them; it’s not in their vocabulary. I’ve stated many times that they are the most resilient team in the WNBA and I have the utmost faith that we’ll see that from them on Wednesday. With the amount of adversity they’ve faced this year, and how they’ve bounced back strongly every time, I’m excited to see their collective response tomorrow evening – it will be one for the books.

While this article may be over-the-top for some people and perhaps too personal, I’m okay with that because I can assure you it’s the honest truth. And while we gear up to support the Mighty Mercury tomorrow, lets also be thankful for what they have already done and why we invest so much of ourselves in them.

Now, what do you say we get that game 4 win and bring it home on Friday in front of the X-Factor – you know I’ll be there.