Lisa Leslie wins 2006 MVP Award
First of all, I must congratulate myself ;) because I was 3 for 3 in predicting the awards this year! (refer to an earlier blog: WNBA AWARD PRECDITIONS) On August 19th, the league announced the first two player awards: Erin Buescher won the Most Improved Player Award and Seimone Augustus took home the Rookie of the Year Award,(at this point, I was 2 for 2). Then, the long awaited MVP was finally announced by the league on Sunday, September 3rd. The 10-year league veteran, Lisa Leslie, was named the 2006 Most Valuable Player. (bam, I was 3 for 3!.. and wow, if I could only carry over this percentage to the court.)
Lisa Leslie now joins Sheryl Swoopes as the only players in league history to win the MVP award 3-times in there career. Leslie received the most votes from a panel of national sportswriters and broadcasters. She received 40 first place votes and her total of 508 points more than doubled that of her nearest contender, Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, who received 211 points.
"We are extremely proud of Lisa's performance," said WNBA President Donna Orender, "particularly in a year in which so many players gave outstanding efforts and so many records were set. Established superstars like Lisa, Lauren Jackson and Tamika Catchings had perhaps the best year of their respective careers and young stars like Diana Taurasi and Cheryl Ford emerged as superstars. Players like Katie Douglas and Alana Beard posted breakthrough seasons and four rookies from an outstanding draft class were selected to the All-Star Game. All of that makes Lisa's effort that much more outstanding."
While leading the Sparks to the best record in the Western Conference, she also led the league in double-doubles (17) and defensive rebounds (240); ranked second in total rebounds (323) and blocks (57); third in points (680), free throws (158) and field goals made (257), and sixth in field-goal percentage (51.1 percent). Leslie who was selected to the League's All-Decade Team in June, posted career-high figures for points and assists per game (20.0 and 3.2) and also logged the best field-goal shooting percentage of her career (51.1).
Leslie will receive $15,000 from the league for winning the award.
Lisa Leslie now joins Sheryl Swoopes as the only players in league history to win the MVP award 3-times in there career. Leslie received the most votes from a panel of national sportswriters and broadcasters. She received 40 first place votes and her total of 508 points more than doubled that of her nearest contender, Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury, who received 211 points.
"We are extremely proud of Lisa's performance," said WNBA President Donna Orender, "particularly in a year in which so many players gave outstanding efforts and so many records were set. Established superstars like Lisa, Lauren Jackson and Tamika Catchings had perhaps the best year of their respective careers and young stars like Diana Taurasi and Cheryl Ford emerged as superstars. Players like Katie Douglas and Alana Beard posted breakthrough seasons and four rookies from an outstanding draft class were selected to the All-Star Game. All of that makes Lisa's effort that much more outstanding."
While leading the Sparks to the best record in the Western Conference, she also led the league in double-doubles (17) and defensive rebounds (240); ranked second in total rebounds (323) and blocks (57); third in points (680), free throws (158) and field goals made (257), and sixth in field-goal percentage (51.1 percent). Leslie who was selected to the League's All-Decade Team in June, posted career-high figures for points and assists per game (20.0 and 3.2) and also logged the best field-goal shooting percentage of her career (51.1).
Leslie will receive $15,000 from the league for winning the award.
posted by Michelle Maslowski at 11:52 PM
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