We are back with more WNBA Tuesday fun, taking a look at another historical analysis of (probable) bad media voting for league awards. The Phoenix Mercury won their third title in eight seasons, and each time, they had a different head coach. That’s impressive! However, the Mercury have not won another championship since this season, despite making the playoffs in every year except in 2023. Go figure!

2014 WNBA MVP: Maya Moore, F, Minnesota (original, confirmed)

Probably the best women’s player in modern-day college history—keep dreamin’, Caitlin Clark—Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore won the MVP vote after topping her peers in PER (29.4) and WS (8.3). With a 1.5 WS lead over the next player, she was the only Minnesota player in either Top 10 list for sabermetric dominance and value. Do we even need to consider anyone else? Nope. We confirm, readily.

2014 WNBA ROTY: Chiney Ogwumike, F/C, Connecticut (original, confirmed)

With 4.9 WS, which was 1.8 WS more than the next rookie, Connecticut Sun forward/center Chiney Ogwumike won the ROTY vote. Remember how people thought Clark was “the best ever” with 3.0 WS as a rookie? Uh huh. Anyway, Ogwumike didn’t help the Sun get out of of the Eastern Conference basement, even if the team did only miss the postseason by two wins. Is there anyone else to evaluate here? Nope.

2014 WNBA DPOY: Brittney Griner, C, Phoenix (original); Sancho Lyttle, F, Atlanta (revised)

Two players separated themselves here, including vote winner Brittney Griner (2.9 DWS), the Phoenix Mercury center. The other is our pick for the 2012 trophy, Atlanta Dream F Sancho Lyttle (2.8). So, what was the team situation like? Well, both had a teammate in the Top 10 for DWS; Lyttle actually had two pals on that list. Meanwhile, the Mercury had a 17-win cushion for the postseason, while Atlanta did not.

In fact, despite topping the Eastern Conference, the Dream were just four victories from potentially missing the playoffs entirely. We think that warrants selecting Lyttle again for this award. Prove us wrong.

2014 WNBA FINALS MVP: Diana Taurasi, G, Phoenix (original); Penny Taylor, F, Phoenix (revised)

The Mercury posted a 7-1 playoff record in beating Los Angeles, Minnesota, and Chicago on its way to the title. Four players finished with between 1.4 and 1.7 Win Shares for the postseason run, but at the top with 0.2 WS to spare was F Penny Taylor—who won our nod here back in 2009. At age 33, she was still the most valuable player on a talented roster that featured both Griner and guard Diana Taurasi. Well done, Penny.

For the record, Taurasi (1.5) won the vote, which was clearly just a popularity contest (again). We like her a lot, too, but we do not let emotional irrationality overrule objective rationality here. Nope; never.