How The WNBA’s Most LEGENDARY Team Fell Apart

In 1996, amid a surge of interest in women’s basketball in the U.S., the NBA approved the creation of a sister league: the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), which would quickly cement itself as the preeminent women’s professional basketball league.

Little did everyone know, however, that one of the WNBA’s original franchises, the Houston Comets, would go on to become one of the most transcendent dynasties in the history of professional sports. Propelled by future Hall-of-Famers Sheryl Swooper, Cynthia Cooper, and Tina Thompson — the Big Three, as they came to be known — the Comets were an unstoppable force in the WNBA’s early years, capturing a whopping four straight championships and positioning themselves to be the league’s model franchise for decades to come.

That is, until the Comets — the most successful franchise in league history — burned out.

#wnba #houstoncomets

[PhilTheBronxite]

The Comets were the first dynasty in the W. It’s a shame that this franchise went away along with their history. Those teams were special and they should be celebrated more.

[gregwright]

Houston was noooo joke in the beginning of the W.

[SwaggerLikeUz]

Cynthia Cooper was the Jordan of the WNBA. When it was crunch time Cooper always delivered. The chemistry between Tina, Swoopes, Cooper, Kim, Arcane, Coach Chancellor etc. Unreal

[TMK]

Nah they need to bring back the Houston Comets along with their history.

[johnr.]

So sad that Kim Perrot died that young. RIP

[BeaMode]

If there is ANY WNBA team that deserves a rebirth? It's them.

[RADRICK]

As a Houstonian I have to say these were the best times of my life. I was in my 20s, my son was young.. The Rockets won back2back 94-95, then the Comets picked up where they left off. We celebrated 6 championships in such a short time. Great memories! ❤

[CharlesHolloman-mjhy]

The league had more buzz and hype in the early years then it has had in recent years.NBC knew how to push the NBA/WNBA.

[willyjakkz]

Cynthia Cooper is so underrated in these women's GOAT conversations! She was a beast!

[KIDTV-qedm]

After a refreshing Chicago Bulls championship season, the Houston Comets were fun to watch. Cooper, Thompson and Swoopes were amazing.

[conduitofthegospeldarrellb]

Cynthia Coper is the GOAT.
The WNBA has had many missteps since their “golden era”…

[andresgirardo]

Cooper was Jordan, not Swoopes. The WNBA couldn't have asked for a better start.

[chrisnunn]

If Cynthia Cooper could have played in the WNBA when she was fresh outta college, she would have all the major records. She was the truth

[knephsabir]

Cynthia Cooper is the Michael Jordan of the wnba.

[tinaamariee]

Had the pleasure of Tina Thompson being a close family friend when I was a kid. Everybody thought it was adorable to have big Tina & little Tina hang out. Luckily this was right in the middle of the 4-peat. Some of my best memories are her taking me to comet events, getting me from the stands & taking me in to the locker room after games. All the ladies were so sweet to me (especially Lisa & Cynthia). But, Kim was my favorite she always took the time to play with me when I was around. She was the biggest goofball! Her passing is one of the first deaths I remember hitting close to home. The comets will always have a special place in my heart

[DJJUICEBOX]

Broooo we need more WNBA docs! Please drop more stories on the league's history!!

[stebo]

They are the reason why so many star women ballers come out of Houston. They changed the culture

[KWCline]

The Comets were to the WNBA what the Chicago Bulls were to the NBA in the 90's. The Comets are the greatest dynasty in WNBA history. At that time, the 90's were the haydays for Houston. The Rockets won back-to-back titles, the Comets four-peated, the Astros were in the playoffs in three straight years after missing out the last decade. We even had two movies made in our city (Reality Bites & Apollo 13). The one downside was the Oilers leaving, but we knew we would be getting an NFL team back.

[Charnelle]

That Houston Comets team was otherworldly 😮‍💨

[jameelpitner]

Tina Thompson doesn't get the credit she deserves, one of if not the greatest WNBA player of all times! what couldn't she do on the court.