The WNBA Finals are approaching, and the favorites to win the championship and repeat are the Las Vegas Aces. The cast of MVP Finalist A’ja Wilson, and all-stars Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum led behind coach Becky Hammon pose a threat to be a dynasty for the next couple years. But as of now, the most successful WNBA dynasty of all time lies here in Texas with the Houston Comets.
Before being disbanded in 2008, the Comets were the winningest team in Houston sports. From the year 97’-2000’, the Comets filled the Compaq Center with men and women alike as they won 4 consecutive WNBA Titles while the league was still in its youth.
When the WNBA was formed in 1996, it consisted of only 8 teams. One of those being the Comets. Teams were assigned players through a 2-draft process. The first was the WNBA elite draft that allowed women past the collegiate level to be drafted, and the later draft would be one for college players awaiting to be signed. The 1st pick of the inaugural WNBA Draft was Tina Thompson, to the Houston Comets.
Tina was not alone; she would join Cynthia Cooper and Sheryll Swoopes to form what would eventually be the infamous big 3. During their 4 years of dominance, Cooper, Swoopes and Tina racked up MVPs (most valuable player), DPOYs (defensive player of the year) and scoring titles.
Every championship is of equal importance, but the most memorable one has to be the 1999 season. Just before the playoffs began, the heart of the team Kim Perrot had passed due to cancer. This was devastating news. Though Perrot was not of the big 3, at just 5’5 she was able to carve a role by playing tenacious defense and energizing the team. The passing of Kim Perrot fueled the Comets to claw through the New York Liberty on their way to a 3rd championship. Kim was then honored as the first player in league history to have a jersey retired.
Although today there are rumors of expansion in the WNBA, there has not been a team in Houston since 2008. But when there was, the Comets were a force to reckon with.
