The Detroit Shock is a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Detroit, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champions. Debuting in 1998, they were one of the league's first expansion franchises. They are also the first WNBA expansion franchise to win a WNBA Championship. The team is the sister team of the Detroit Pistons and is coached by Pistons legend Rick Mahorn.

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Franchise history

The Early Years (1998-2002)

The Shock were one of the first WNBA expansion teams and began play in 1998. The Detroit Shock quickly brought in a blend of rookies and veterans. The Shock's first coach was hall of famer Nancy Lieberman. The Shock would start out their inaugural season 0-4, but would put together an amazing expansion season, and finish 17-13, missing out on the postseason by one game.

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In 1999, the Shock finished 15-17, in a three way tie for the playoffs with the Orlando Miracle and the Charlotte Sting. The Shock and Sting played a one-game playoff, which the Shock would lose 60-54.

In 2000, the Shock would finish with a 14-18 record and would once again end tied for the last seed. This time, the Shock would lose the tiebreaker and not qualify. After the season in the 2001 WNBA Draft, the Shock would draft Deanna Nolan with the #6 pick. She would later develop into the team star. The 2001 Shock would finish the season with a 10-21 record, this time tying three teams for last place in the Eastern Conference.

The 2002 Shock would now finish dead-last in the East with a franchise worst 9-23 record. After the season, Nancy Lieberman was fired and former Detroit Pistons legend Bill Laimbeer was brought in as coach. Laimbeer's ideas influenced the team's front office, who agreed with the new coach's ideas; including bringing over some new players that he felt were necessary for the Shock to become a contender.

The Building of a Dynasty (2003)

After massive changes to the roster, Laimbeer predicted before the 2003 season that the Shock would be league champions, and his prediction would unbelievably come true. The Shock would tear up the East in the regualar season, posting a 25-9 record and winning the #1 seed by 7 games. In the playoffs, the Shock would defeat the Cleveland Rockers 2-1 for their first playoff series win in franchise history. In the Conference Finals, the Shock swept the Connecticut Sun 2-0 to reach the WNBA Finals. Despite the achievements, the Shock were viewed as huge underdogs to the two time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks, who were looking for a three-peat. The Shock would emerge victorious in the series, winning a thrilling Game Three 83-78. That game would draw the largest crowd ever in WNBA history (22,076 came to watch). Detroit, much like the 1991 Minnesota Twins in baseball, became the first team in WNBA history to make it from last place one season to world champions the very next season.

Return to Mediocrity (2004-2005)

The Shock would stumble after their championship season and play mediocre basketball in the 2004 season. The Shock would post a 17-17 record and qualify for the playoffs as the #4 seed. The Shock would take the series against the New York Liberty the full three games, but would fall in the end 2-1.

The 2005 Shock were much like the 2004 Shock, playing mediocre basketball all season, posting a 16-18 record and make the playoffs as the #4 seed. The Shock would make a quick exit, as the Connecticut Sun would sweep the Shock. 2005 would see the addition of former Piston star Rick Mahorn as an assistant coach to Laimbeer.

Back to the Top (2006-2008)

The 2006 Shock came out hungry and poised for a playoff run. The Shock performed well during the regular season, posting a 23-11 record and winning the #2 seed in the playoffs. The Shock went on to make quick work of the Indiana Fever, sweeping them in the first round. In the Conference Finals, the Shock would be matched up against the Suns once again. This time, the Shock emerged victorious from the hard-fought series, winning it 2-1. In the Finals, the Shock faced the defending champion Sacramento Monarchs. The Shock lost game 1, getting handily defeated 95-71 at home. The Shock rallied in game 2 to even up the series 1-1. Going to Sacramento, the Shock were defeated in Game Three 89-69. With their backs against the wall, the Shock dominated the Monarchs in game 4, 72-52, setting up the crucial Game 5 in Detroit. At halftime in game 5, the Shock would find themselves down 44-36. However, in the third quarter, the Shock would outscore the Monarchs 22-9, gaining a 58-53 lead going into the final quarter. The Shock held off the Monarchs in the last quarter and win the game 78-73, and the championship 3 games to 2. They became the first WNBA team to win non-consecutive championships and to win the Finals after being down 2 games to 1. They also were involved in the first WNBA Finals to go 5 games.

In 2007, the Shock sought to defend their title and repeat, something they were not able to do in 2004 after their 2003 Finals victory. The Shock would finish with a WNBA-best 24-10 regular season record, and capture the #1 seed in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In the first round, the Shock were heavily favored against a New York Liberty team that wasn't predicted to make the post season. But in game 1, the Shock came out flat and wer defeated 73-51. In game 2, the Shock trailed most of the game, but a late charge and missed free throws by the Liberty gave the Shock a 76-73 victory and forced a game 3. Game 3 was a battle, as the game went into overtime. In the end, the Shock would emerge the victors 71-70 (OT). In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Shock would face the Indiana Fever, whom the Shock were bitter rivals with. Much like the Liberty series, the Shock were blown out in Game 1 75-65. Once again, the Shock rallied to win games 2 & 3 by the scores of 77-63 and 81-65. In the 2007 WNBA Finals, the Shock faced the Phoenix Mercury, who had dominated the Western Conference all year long. The Shock won Game One 108-100 at home. The Mercury evened the series up in game 2, defeating the Shock 98-70. The series shifted to Phoenix for games 3 & 4. The Shock won a rough Game Three 88-83. With a chance to win the Finals in game 4, the Shock and Mercury battled back and forth all game. When the dust cleared, the Mercury had won 77-76, forcing a final Game 5 in Detroit. But in game 5 at home, the Shock were simply dominated, as they lost the game 108-92. With the loss, the Shock lost the series and became the first team to lose the final game of the Finals at home.

Entering the 2008 post season, the Shock posted a 22-12 regular season record, the best record in the East. In the first round against the Indiana Fever, Detroit handled Indiana in 3 games. In the east finals against the New York Liberty, the Shock would face another 3 games series, but Detroit earned the series victory, moving on to the WNBA Finals against the league best San Antonio Silver Stars. Although the Silver Stars had the best record in the league in 2008, Detroit managed to sweep San Antonio, capturing their 3rd championship in franchise history.

Rough Road for the Shock (2009-present)

Three games into the 2009 season, seven year head coach and general manager Bill Laimbeer resigned from his position. Assistant coach Rick Mahorn was promoted to head coach as the Shock continued to stumble. Plagued by injuries, age, and a suspension, the Shock surprised the league; by the 2009 All-Star break, the Shock were in last place in the Eastern Conference.

Uniforms

White with the team's logo of the stylized Detroit Shock name, in black and blue, over a WNBA basketball at home. Blue with the word "Detroit" across the front for the road jersey.

Season-by-season records

Season	Team	Conference		Regular season			Playoff Results
				W	L	PCT
Detroit Shock
1998	1998	East	4th	17	13	.567
1999	1999	East	2nd	15	17	.469	Lost Conference Semifinals (Charlotte, 0-1)
2000	2000	East	5th	14	18	.438
2001	2001	East	7th	10	22	.313
2002	2002	East	8th	9	23	.281
2003	2003	East	1st	25	9	.735	Won Conference Semifinals (Cleveland, 2-1) Won Conference Finals (Connecticut, 2-0) Won WNBA Finals (Los Angeles, 2-1)
2004	2004	East	3rd	17	17	.500	Lost Conference Semifinals (New York, 1-2)
2005	2005	East	4th	16	18	.471	Lost Conference Semifinals (Connecticut, 0-2)
2006	2006	East	2nd	23	11	.676	Won Conference Semifinals (Indiana, 2–0) Won Conference Finals (Connecticut, 2–1) Won WNBA Finals (Sacramento, 3-2)
2007	2007	East	1st	24	10	.706	Won Conference Semifinals (New York, 2–1) Won Conference Finals (Indiana, 2–1) Lost WNBA Finals (Phoenix, 2-3)
2008	2008	East	1st	22	12	.647	Won Conference Semifinals (Indiana, 2–1) Won Conference Finals (New York, 2–1) Won WNBA Finals (San Antonio, 3-0)
2009	2009	East	6th	11	14	.440	TBD
Regular season				192	170	.530	4 Conference Championships
Playoffs				27	17	.614	3 WNBA Championships

Players

Current Roster

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Hall of Famers

• Lynette Woodard

Retired numbers

None

Former players

• Jennifer Azzi
• Carla Boyd
• Sandy Brondello, now an assistant coach for the San Antonio Silver Stars
• Dominique Canty, now a member of the Chicago Sky
• Swin Cash, now a member of the Seattle Storm
• Tasha Humphrey
• Shannon Johnson, now a member of the Seattle Storm
• Ivory Latta, now a member of the Atlanta Dream
• Astou Ndiaye-Diatta
• Wendy Palmer
• Elaine Powell
• Ruth Riley, now a member of the San Antonio Silver Stars
• Sheri Sam

Coaches and others

Head Coaches :

• Nancy Lieberman (1998-2000), also served as General Manager (Hall of Famer)
• Greg Williams (2001-2002)
• Bill Laimbeer (2002-2009)
• Rick Mahorn (2009-present)

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

Radio and Television

The Shock's flagship radio station is WDTW 1310 AM. Fox Sports Detroit is the exclusive local home of the Shock. Matt Shepard is the voice of the team on both stations. ^[1]

Some games are carried nationally by ABC, ESPN2, or NBA TV.