I disagree a bit with the OP, not to say that Griner has dominated through her pro career, but that domination as a pro is not an easy proposition for any single player. Sylvia Fowles is probably the most dominant center of the last 15 years and she has only had a few really stunning seasons, the same as Griner.
1. Phoenix has had a lot of turn-over including years of DT injury/sitting out. DT sat out the season after they had completely dominated the WNBA and won the championship which caused a significant regression in the team results, for example.
2. Griner has led the league in blocks every year as a pro, twice defensive player of the year and has been first or second team All Defensive Team in all but 1 season (3 each), led the league in scoring twice, 6 time all star, 2 time PEAK performer (scoring assists rebounds.) A resume that stands against any center over the last 7 years and really any player.
3. The WNBA like any pro league is much harder to dominate than college because the pool has shrunk down to a universe of supremely talented players and the difference between the best and worst is significantly reduced. You are no longer competing with a 4 year window of talent either, as the best pros have 10-15+ years to continue their careers so a great college player as a pro is competing with and against only great college and foreign players who have more experience at the beginning of her career, and greater youth and generally greater athleticism as their careers continue. On a very simple level, in any given year in the WNBA (or any pro league) there are 15+/- NCAA players of the year competing and 100+/- NCAA first team All Americans.
4. The WNBA is a team game more so than the NBA just as with WCBB vs. MCBB - and centers in basketball are more dependent on teammates than any other position because they are not expected nor do they initiate offense, and they are also the only players that consistently are the focus of double teams. Guards and forwards can and do dominate the ball, centers rely on being passed the ball in the offense.
5. Shot blockers consistently put themselves in poor position for rebounding and Griner is the most prolific shot blocker in the WNBA. People have always complained (including in her college career) that Griners rebounding numbers were not 'dominant', but between her blocks and challenges of shooters, she and her coaches have placed her out of position for rebounds. This is not surprising. Any team with a great shot blocker has to depend on the rest of the team to control the defensive boards.
No question in my mind that Griner could have been coached to expand her game more in college and that would have helped her pro career. But she is a great players and has had a great pro career so far and is one of the best players in the WNBA and arguably the best center in the game. as a comparison, in terms of college dominant players, C. Paris was a more dominant college center than Griner, and has struggled to have any pro career. Griner has been as advertised, but domination as a pro just isn't in the cards. DT is probably the best ever WNBA player to date, but has she dominated? Maya probably had a chance but her career is on hold. EDD, Aja, Sue, etc. all great but 'dominant'?
