Tulsa Shock

Last updated
Tulsa Shock
Tulsa Shock logo.svg
Conference Western
Leagues WNBA
Founded1998
History Detroit Shock
(1998–2009)
Tulsa Shock
(2010–2015)
Dallas Wings
(2016–present)
Arena BOK Center
Location Tulsa, Oklahoma
Team colorsGold, black, white, blood red
    
Main sponsorOsage Casino
General managerSteve Swetoha
Head coach Fred Williams
Assistant(s)Ed Baldwin
Bridget Pettis
OwnershipTulsa Pro Hoops LLC
Championships3 (2003, 2006, 2008)
Conference titles4 (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Website shock.wnba.com

The Tulsa Shock were a professional basketball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded in Detroit, Michigan before the 1998 WNBA season began; the team moved to Tulsa before the 2010 season. The team was owned by Tulsa Pro Hoops LLC, which is led by Bill Cameron and David Box. On July 20, 2015, Cameron announced that the franchise would move to Arlington, Texas [1] for the 2016 WNBA season, rebranding as the Dallas Wings.

Contents

The Shock qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in their final year in Tulsa in 2015. The franchise has been home to players such as shooting guard Deanna Nolan, women's professional basketball all-time leading scorer Katie Smith, NBA Hall of Fame forward Karl Malone's daughter Cheryl Ford, and Australian center Liz Cambage. In 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008 (as Detroit in the Eastern Conference), the Shock went to the WNBA Finals; they won in 2003, 2006 and 2008, beating Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Antonio, respectively. They lost in 2007 to Phoenix.

Franchise history

The Detroit Shock (1998–2009)

The early years (1998–2002)

The Shock were one of the first WNBA expansion teams and began play in 1998. The Shock quickly brought in a blend of rookies and veterans. The team only qualified for the postseason once in its first five years of existence. The Shock went through two coaches (hall of famer Nancy Lieberman and Greg Williams) before hiring former Detroit Pistons legend Bill Laimbeer. There were rumors the Shock would fold after the team's awful 2002 season. Laimbeer convinced the owners to keep the team for another year, certain that he could turn things around.

The Bill Laimbeer era (2003–2008)

Bill Laimbeer Bill Laimbeer.jpg
Bill Laimbeer

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 finished with a 25–9 record and winning the number one seed by seven games. In the playoffs, the Shock defeated the Cleveland Rockers and the Connecticut Sun to reach the WNBA Finals. Despite the achievements, the Shock were viewed as huge underdogs to the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks. The Shock emerged victorious in the series, winning a thrilling game three (in 2003, the Finals were a best-of-three series), which drew the largest crowd in WNBA history (22,076). Detroit became the first team in league history to go from last place one season to WNBA champions the very next season.

After coming up short in 2004 and 2005, the 2006 Shock finished 23–11 record and finished number two in the Eastern Conference. The Shock defeated the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun to advance to the Finals again, where they faced the defending champion Sacramento Monarchs. The Shock won the series 3–2, and claimed their second WNBA title.

In 2007, the Shock again advanced to the Finals but were defeated by the Phoenix Mercury in five games. The 2008 Shock posted a 22–12 regular season record, the best record in the East yet again. In the Finals, the Shock faced the San Antonio Silver Stars, who had not lost to an Eastern Conference team all season. Surprisingly, Detroit swept San Antonio, capturing their third championship in franchise history.

The final Detroit Shock season (2009)

The Shock were named favorites for 2009, but they had a rough road getting there. Bill Laimbeer resigned as head coach early in the season, and they even found themselves in the bottom of the standings. However, interim coach Rick Mahorn and the Shock bounced back in the second half of 2009 and eventually placed themselves in the playoffs for the seventh straight year at 18–16. The Shock lost in the second round to the Indiana Fever, failing to reach the Finals for the first time since 2005.

The Tulsa Shock (2010–2015)

Relocation (2010)

Tulsa had been mentioned as a possible future city for WNBA expansion, but efforts did not come together until the middle of 2009. An organizing committee with Tulsa businesspeople and politicians began the effort to attract an expansion team. The group was originally given a September 1 deadline. WNBA President Donna Orender extended that deadline to sometime in October. The investment group hired former University of Arkansas head coach Nolan Richardson as the potential franchise general manager and head coach. Richardson was a local favorite; before his successful 18-year stint at Arkansas, he had spent five years as head coach at the University of Tulsa, leading them to the NIT title in his first year. This move was viewed as strange by some, considering that Tulsa had not even secured a franchise before hiring a coach. The investors claimed it was to show the league they were serious about wanting a team. On October 15, 2009, the group made its official request to join the league.

On October 20, 2009, WNBA President Donna Orender, lead investors Bill Cameron and David Box, Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor, Oklahoma governor Brad Henry, and head coach Nolan Richardson were present for a press conference announcing that the Detroit Shock would relocate to Tulsa. On January 23, 2010, the franchise announced that the team will remain as the Shock. The colors are now black, red, and gold. [2]

Tough times (2010–2014)

The Shock team that moved to Tulsa was much different than what investors thought they were purchasing. Detroit's four best players did not make the move to Tulsa. Cheryl Ford decided to sit out due to lingering injuries and eventually left the WNBA to play overseas. Taj McWilliams-Franklin signed a free agent contract with New York. Deanna Nolan, like Ford, left the WNBA to play in Russia. Katie Smith, who was believed to be contracted with the Shock (which only turned out to be a verbal agreement), signed with Washington. Along with all the absences, new head coach and general manager Nolan Richardson had his own ideas about what he wanted the roster to look like and by the middle of the 2010 season, there were no Detroit players left on the team.

Richardson's first draft pick, Amanda Thompson, was a bust; she only played seven games (no starts) and was waived only a month into the season. Another key signing, fallen Olympic track star Marion Jones, turned out to be less than hoped for as well; she hadn't played a meaningful basketball game since her days at North Carolina 13 years earlier.

A lack of continuity plagued the team; at times it seemed Richardson made roster moves on a game-to-game basis. The players also found it difficult to adjust to Richardson's frenetic "40 minutes of hell" style. [3] The Shock finished with an awful 6–28 record, dead last in the league. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002 in Detroit. Losing valuable players and getting off to a bad start meant the Shock qualified for the draft lottery, and they were awarded the number two pick in the 2011 Draft.

The Shock selected 19-year-old Australian center Liz Cambage with hopes to build a successful team around her. The team also signed veteran and one of the original WNBA players, Sheryl Swoopes. The roster changes were not enough, however, and after the team started the season with a dreadful 1-10 record, head coach Richardson stepped down. Assistant coach Teresa Edwards took his place on an interim basis. Jones was waived a few days later. Things did not improve for the Shock, who entered the All-Star break with a 1–14 record. Later in the season, the Shock set a new mark for futility when they embarked on a 20-game losing streak, the longest losing streak in the history of the WNBA.

In 2012, the misery continued as the team began the season 1–11, going on to finish 9–25. [4] The team would finish with slightly better records of 11-23 in 2013 and 12-22 in 2014.

Success, final season in Tulsa (2015)

The 2015 Shock started off well, with the team starting 10–7, including a 6–1 record at the BOK Center. However, in June, point guard Skylar Diggins suffered a knee injury and missed the rest of the season. On July 20, 2015, majority owner Bill Cameron shocked not just fans in Tulsa, but the WNBA itself as he announced he will move the team to Dallas. The following day, minority owner Stuart Price filed suit against Cameron in a failed attempt to keep the team in Tulsa. [5]

On July 23, 2015, WNBA League owners unanimously approved Tulsa Shock's relocation to Dallas-Fort Worth. The last regular season home game for the Shock in Tulsa was September 13 against Phoenix. While the Shock did make the playoffs, they were still young and were swept in 2 straight by the same Phoenix squad. The new home arena for the Shock in DFW is the College Park Center at UT Arlington, also home to the UT Arlington Mavericks. [6]

On November 2, 2015 the team name was officially changed to the Dallas Wings. The name stems from the famous Mobil Oil Co. "Flying Horse" atop of a historic downtown Dallas building. Also it is a similar mascot to its local NBA team the Dallas Mavericks.

Uniforms

In 2013, The Tulsa Shock and Osage Casino entered into a multi-year marquee partnership. [7] The Osage Casino logo appeared on the Shock home and away jerseys. [8]

Season-by-season records

SeasonTeamConferenceRegular season Playoff Results Head coach
WLPCT
Detroit Shock
1998 1998 East 4th1713.567Did not qualify Nancy Lieberman
1999 1999 East 2nd1517.469Lost Conference Semifinals (Charlotte, 0–1) Nancy Lieberman
2000 2000 East 5th1418.438Did not qualify Nancy Lieberman
2001 2001 East 7th1022.313Did not qualify Greg Williams
2002 2002 East 8th923.281Did not qualify G. Williams (0–10)
B. Laimbeer (9–13)
2003 2003 East 1st259.735Won Conference Semifinals (Cleveland, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (Connecticut, 2–0)
Won WNBA Finals (Los Angeles, 2–1)
Bill Laimbeer
2004 2004 East 3rd1717.500Lost Conference Semifinals (New York, 1–2) Bill Laimbeer
2005 2005 East 4th1618.471Lost Conference Semifinals (Connecticut, 0–2) Bill Laimbeer
2006 2006 East 2nd2311.676Won Conference Semifinals (Indiana, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Connecticut, 2–1)
Won WNBA Finals (Sacramento, 3–2)
Bill Laimbeer
2007 2007 East 1st2410.706Won Conference Semifinals (New York, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (Indiana, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Phoenix, 2–3)
Bill Laimbeer
2008 2008 East 1st2212.647Won Conference Semifinals (Indiana, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (New York, 2–1)
Won WNBA Finals (San Antonio, 3–0)
Bill Laimbeer
2009 2009 East 3rd1816.529Won Conference Semifinals (Atlanta, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Indiana, 1–2)
B. Laimbeer (1–3)
R. Mahorn (17–13)
Tulsa Shock
2010 2010 West 6th628.176Did not qualify Nolan Richardson
2011 2011 West 6th331.088Did not qualify N. Richardson (1–10)
T. Edwards (2–21)
2012 2012 West 5th925.265Did not qualify Gary Kloppenburg
2013 2013 West 6th1123.324Did not qualify Gary Kloppenburg
2014 2014 West 5th1222.353Did not qualify Fred Williams
2015 2015 West 3rd1816.529Lost Conference Semifinals (Phoenix, 0–2) Fred Williams
Regular season269331.4484 Conference Championships
Playoffs3021.5883 WNBA Championships

Players

Final roster

Tulsa Shock roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 24 Flag of the United States.svg Baugh, Vicki 6' 4" (1.93m)190 lb (86kg)05-21-1989 Tennessee 1
G/F 13 Flag of the United States.svg Christmas, Karima 6' 0" (1.83m)180 lb (82kg)09-11-1989 Duke 4
G 4 Flag of the United States.svg Diggins, Skylar   Cruz Roja.svg 5' 9" (1.75m)145 lb (66kg)08-02-1990 Notre Dame 2
F 35 Flag of the United States.svg Hooper, Jordan 6' 2" (1.88m)185 lb (84kg)02-20-1992 Nebraska 1
G 12 Flag of the United States.svg Hrynko, Brittany 5' 8" (1.73m)152 lb (69kg)04-24-1993 DePaul R
F 33 Flag of the United States.svg Jackson-Jones, Tiffany 6' 3" (1.91m)185 lb (84kg)04-26-1985 Texas 7
F 25 Flag of the United States.svg Johnson, Glory 6' 3" (1.91m)170 lb (77kg)07-27-1990 Tennessee 3
G 1 Flag of the United States.svg Kiesel, Brianna 5' 7" (1.7m)125 lb (57kg)07-08-1993 Pittsburgh R
C 3 Flag of the United States.svg Paris, Courtney 6' 4" (1.93m)250 lb (113kg)09-21-1987 Oklahoma 5
F/C 22 Flag of the United States.svg Pierson, Plenette 6' 2" (1.88m)178 lb (81kg)08-31-1981 Texas Tech 12
F 55 Flag of the United States.svg Plaisance, Theresa 6' 5" (1.96m)200 lb (91kg)05-18-1992 LSU 1
G 0 Flag of the United States.svg Sims, Odyssey 5' 8" (1.73m)160 lb (73kg)07-13-1992 Baylor 1
G 2 Flag of the United States.svg Williams, Riquna 5' 7" (1.7m)165 lb (75kg)05-28-1990 Miami (FL) 3
C 32 Flag of Sweden.svg Zahui B., Amanda 6' 5" (1.96m)250 lb (113kg)09-08-1993 Minnesota R
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Fred Williams (Boise State)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Bridget Pettis (Florida)
Flag of the United States.svg Ed Baldwin (North Carolina Central)
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Allison Russell (Tulsa)



Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Former players

Coaches and staff

Owners

Head coaches

Detroit Shock Coaches
NameStartEndSeasonsRegular seasonPlayoffs
WLPCTGWLPCTG
Nancy Lieberman January 12, 1998August 28, 200034648.4899401.0001
Greg Williams September 20, 2000June 19, 200221032.2384200.0000
Bill Laimbeer June 19, 2002July 15, 2009813793.5962302716.62843
Rick Mahorn July 15, 2009end of 2009 11713.5673032.6005
Tulsa Shock Coaches
Nolan Richardson September 29, 2009July 8, 20112738.1564500.0000
Teresa Edwards July 8, 2011January 3, 20121221.0872300.0000
Gary Kloppenburg January 3, 2012October 15, 201322048.2946800.0000
Fred Williams January 23, 2014Current23038.4416802.0002

General managers

Assistant coaches

Hall of Famers

Statistics

Tulsa Shock statistics
1990s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
1998 S. Brondello (14.2) C. Brown (10.0) S. Brondello (3.3)69.6 vs 69.335.9 vs 31.6.411 vs .411
1999 S. Brondello (13.3) V. Whiting-Raymond (6.7) J. Azzi (3.8)70.0 vs 72.031.1 vs 32.2.401 vs .437
2000s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2000 W. Palmer (13.8) W. Palmer (6.8) D. Canty (2.9)72.8 vs 75.830.8 vs 30.3.438 vs .460
2001 A. Ndiaye-Diatta (11.8) W. Palmer (7.0) E. Brown (2.7)65.7 vs 70.929.5 vs 30.7.404 vs .462
2002 S. Cash (14.8) S. Cash (6.9) D. Canty (3.0)66.1 vs 70.833.7 vs 30.7.399 vs .417
2003 S. Cash (16.6) C. Ford (10.4) E. Powell (3.9)75.1 vs 70.436.2 vs 31.3.450 vs .399
2004 S. Cash (16.4) C. Ford (9.6) E. Powell (4.5)69.6 vs 70.034.4 vs 31.0.417 vs .410
2005 D. Nolan (15.9) C. Ford (9.8) D. Nolan (3.7)66.1 vs 67.335.7 vs 29.9.403 vs .403
2006 C. Ford (13.8) C. Ford (11.3) D. Nolan (3.6)74.3 vs 70.137.8 vs 31.9.414 vs .388
2007 D. Nolan (16.3) S. Cash (6.1) D. Nolan (3.9)79.3 vs 74.738.6 vs 32.0.430 vs .396
2008 D. Nolan (15.8) C. Ford (8.7) D. Nolan (4.4)78.6 vs 74.236.7 vs 31.9.424 vs .405
2009 D. Nolan (16.9) C. Ford (7.4) D. Nolan (3.5)78.0 vs 77.836.1 vs 32.4.430 vs .410
2010s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2010 I. Latta (12.4) C. Black (6.5) I. Latta (3.9)78.0 vs 89.831.6 vs 37.5.424 vs .470
2011 T. Jackson (12.4) T. Jackson (8.4) I. Latta (3.2)69.2 vs 82.130.7 vs 32.6.396 vs .484
2012 I. Latta (14.3) G. Johnson (6.8) T. Johnson (4.7)77.2 vs 84.229.5 vs 37.1.405 vs .477
2013 L. Cambage (16.3) G. Johnson (8.9) S. Diggins (3.8)77.0 vs 79.232.8 vs 35.7.405 vs .451
2014 S. Diggins (20.1) C. Paris (10.2) S. Diggins (5.0)81.3 vs 83.334.6 vs 33.8.428 vs .468
2015 S. Diggins (17.8) C. Paris (9.3) S. Diggins (5.0)77.7 vs 77.135.6 vs 33.6.395 vs .445

Media coverage

Some Shock games were broadcast on The Cox Channel (COX), which is a local television station for certain areas of the state of Oklahoma. More often than not, NBA TV picked up the feed from the local broadcast, which was shown nationally. The broadcasters for the Shock games were Mike Wolfe and Shanna Crossley.

All-time notes

Regular season attendance

Regular season all-time attendance
Detroit Shock
YearAverageHighLowSelloutsTotal for yearWNBA game average
199810,229 (6th)16,2467,1020153,43410,869
19998,485 (9th)12,3786,7710135,75310,207
20006,716 (13th)10,1474,4800107,4499,074
20016,834 (14th)13,3784,0130109,3489,105
20025,886 (16th)10,8933,315094,1719,228
20037,862 (9th)12,4143,5320133,6478,826
20049,462 (4th)14,4356,5420160,8608,589
20059,374 (3rd)14,9325,6350159,3568,172
20069,643 (1st)12,9856,9320163,9247,476
20079,749 (1st)14,1097,4210165,7387,819
20089,569 (1st)15,2106,8420162,6697,948
20098,011 (5th)14,4395,2390136,1848,029
Tulsa Shock
YearAverageHighLowSelloutsTotal for yearWNBA game average
20104,812 (11th)7,8063,333081,8117,834
20114,828 (12th)7,5093,435082,0697,954
20125,203 (12th)7,5094,102088,4537,452
20135,474 (12th)7,3814,107093,0557,531
20145,566 (12th)7,2564,107094,6267,578
20155,168 (11th)7,2564,145087,8547,184

Draft picks

Trades

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: Kara Braxton, Cheryl Ford, Deanna Nolan
  • 2008: No All-Star Game
  • 2009: Katie Smith
  • 2010: None
  • 2011: Liz Cambage
  • 2012: No All-Star Game
  • 2013: Glory Johnson
  • 2014: Skylar Diggins, Glory Johnson
  • 2015: Skylar Diggins, Plenette Pierson, Riquna Williams
  • 2016: No All-Star Game

Olympians

  • 2004: Swin Cash, Ruth Riley
  • 2008: Katie Smith
  • 2012: Liz Cambage (AUS)

Honors and awards

  • 1998All-WNBA Second Team: Cindy Brown
  • 2003Finals MVP: Ruth Riley
  • 2003Rookie of the Year: Cheryl Ford
  • 2003Coach of the Year: Bill Laimbeer
  • 2003All-WNBA Second Team: Swin Cash
  • 2003All-WNBA Second Team: Cheryl Ford
  • 2003All-WNBA Second Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2004All-WNBA Second Team: Swin Cash
  • 2005All-Defensive Second Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2006Finals MVP: Deanna Nolan
  • 2006All-WNBA Second Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2006All-Defensive Second Team: Cheryl Ford
  • 2006All-Defensive Second Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2007All-Star Game MVP: Cheryl Ford
  • 2007Sixth Woman of the Year: Plenette Pierson
  • 2007All-Defensive First Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2008Finals MVP: Katie Smith
  • 2008All-WNBA Second Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2008All-Defensive Second Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2008All-Defensive Second Team: Katie Smith
  • 2009All-WNBA Second Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2009All-Defensive Second Team: Deanna Nolan
  • 2009All-Rookie Team: Shavonte Zellous
  • 2011All-Rookie Team: Liz Cambage
  • 2012All-Rookie Team: Glory Johnson
  • 2012All-Rookie Team: Riquna Williams
  • 2013Sixth Woman of the Year: Riquna Williams
  • 2013All-Defensive Second Team: Glory Johnson
  • 2013All-Rookie Team: Skylar Diggins
  • 2014Most Improved Player: Skylar Diggins
  • 2014Peak Performer (Rebounds): Courtney Paris
  • 2014All-WNBA First Team: Skylar Diggins
  • 2014All-Rookie Team: Odyssey Sims
  • 2015Peak Performer (Rebounds): Courtney Paris

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References

  1. "WNBA Approves Relocation of Shock from Tulsa to Dallas-Fort Worth" (Press release). WNBA. July 23, 2015.
  2. "NBA.com". WNBA. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  3. Longman, Jere. "Leaving Detroit for Tulsa, the Shock Lost Their Way". The New York Times , 2011-09-05.
  4. "2012 Regular Season Conference Standings". WNBA. 2012-09-30. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  5. Dillon Hollingsworth; Jarrel Wade (July 21, 2015). "Tulsa Shock announces plans to move to Dallas-Fort Worth; minority owner Stuart Price files suit". Tulsa World.
  6. Evans, Jayda (July 23, 2015). "WNBA owners unanimously approved relocation of Tulsa Shock to Dallas-Fort Worth area". Seattle Times. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  7. "Tulsa Shock, Osage Casino Enter Partnership". Greater Tulsa Reporter. D. Forrest Cameron. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  8. "SHOCK: Osage Casino Partnership". WNBA. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
Sporting positions
Preceded by WNBA Champions
2003 (First title)
Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Eastern Conference Champions
2003 (First title)
Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Champions
2006 (Second title)
Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Champions
2008 (Third title)
Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Eastern Conference Champions
2006 (Second title)
2007 (Third title)
2008 (Fourth title)
Succeeded by