NFL
By: Zach Draves
In the absence of some of their core talent, the Chicago Sky managed to stay competitive in their loss against the Atlanta Dream 90-83.
(Courtesy: Youtube)
Some of the key highlights were:
With a late three-pointer, Courtney Vandersloot surpassed Allie Quigley for the most career points in Chicago Sky team history with 3,002 points.
(Courtesy: FiveThirtyEight)
Rookie Shyla Heal scored her first career points in the second quarter, going 2-2 from the free-throw line to cut the Sky’s first-half deficit to 21-18. She finished the night with two points and shot 0-3 from the field.
Kahleah Copper led the way for the Sky and notched 21 points on 6-11 shooting from the field. It’s her second consecutive game with double-digit points and the third time in four games when she’s scored more than 10 points.
Diamond DeShields finished with the second-most points for the Sky and tallied 17 points along with nine rebounds.
Sky players combined to shoot 40.3% from the field, 35.3% from beyond the arc, and an impressive 96.4% from the free-throw line.
Rookie Stephanie Watts recorded her first career field goal with a layup in the 3rd quarter. She finished the game with two points on 1-4 shooting and pulled in four rebounds.
The loss of superstars Candace Parker and Allie Quigley due to injury and Stefanie Dolson due to her competing for a spot on the 3 on 3 Olympic team was a major achilles heel for the Windy City whose season is predicated on high expectations.
Furthermore, 21 turnovers, a lack of rebounds, and Atlanta’s defense halted Chicago’s fast-paced game.
Diamond DeShields spoke about what she believed was a major takeaway from this game as they prepare for their next home contest on Friday, May 28th against the LA Sparks.
(Courtesy: NBC Chicago)
“A few things. Rebounds did hurt us and that is something that we need to work on” she said.
In addition, she also expressed hope at the return of Candace, Allie, and Stefanie but remained vigilant in the teams’ ability to pull through.
“We still believe we got what it takes to win and it will be a great day when those three come back.”
Beyond the game, the players took the time beforehand to honor the one-year commemoration of the murder of George Floyd with a moment of silence and reaffirmed their commitment to social justice that has been evident over the league’s twenty-five-year history.
It was also significant that on this day the WNBAPA joined forces with other player’s unions in supporting the passage George Floyd Justice in Policing Act that if signed into law would be one of the most transformative racial justice policies in history.
The bill has already passed the House and is currently stalled in the Senate.
Unfortunately, there was an incident that occurred during the game that reminds us once again of how much farther we have to go when it comes to race.
Sky Coach James Wade and the team filed a complaint with the league after a white official referred to Coach Wade, a black man, as “boy” a derogatory term that has historically been used to demonize and emasculate black men.
(Courtesy: Chicago Tribune)
Players heard the official use of that term and witnessed the exchange.
During the post-game conference, Coach Wade spoke about the incident within the context of the Dream being allowed to get away with fouls.
He said to us:
“I don’t speak on that. Just watch the game. If you saw the game, then you’ll see it,” Wade said. “I’m gonna tell you what. I’m a grown man and I like being — I have a family and I have a responsibility. I have a team, I have a responsibility and so when someone tells one of my players to, hey, ‘Explain to your boy,’ I take that personal. But that’s what I’ve been dealing with. That’s how people see me. Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m fine.”
James Wade is everything you want in a coach.
He is dedicated and committed to his craft, his players, and society and more coaches should learn from his example.
Any action taken by the WNBA remains unknown.
The Sky (2-2) continues its home-stand with the first of two games against the Los Angeles Sparks (0-2) on Friday, May 28. The game will be televised locally on WCIU and nationally on CBS Sports Network.
