Mechelle's not quiet ready to stop writing about this past W season: Game film is must-see TV: For teaching or reviewing opponents' strengths, film still key for preparation

Gaines had said before that game that he thought the ultimate key to Phoenix's being able to triumph in the series would rest in the Mercury's ability to get players in the right positions to maximize their offense. And in reviewing the video, Gaines thought that slight changes in spacing really would amount to the difference between winning and losing. Apparently, it did.

Studying film goes way back, of course. But in today's world, the process is so refined and specific that players and coaches can quickly find exact instances that illustrate whatever point on which they are focusing.

And in women's basketball, in which success is so often predicated on execution even for teams with outstanding one-on-one players, preparation with video is a major component of winning. On the pro level, it's more for reinforcing principles and schemes plus quickly identifying breakdowns. On the college level, it's also a primary teaching mechanism.