NFL
By: Stephen Garner
The reigning champions of the WNBA, Chicago Sky, begin their quest to defend the title tonight as they play host to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Behind head coach James Wade, who in returning for his fourth season becomes the second longest tenured coach for the franchise, they also return seven players from last season’s roster.
Of that seven, they see their top-five in minutes played, their starters from the playoffs returning (Vandersloot, Quigley, Copper, Parker, Stevens).
Continuity is an underrated yet vastly important entity that this rendition of the Sky clearly had an emphasis on in terms of its starting lineup.
Behind that, they return guard Dana Evans, and forward Ruthy Hebard. Then, they’ve added:
- G – Rebekah Gardner
- G – Julie Allemand
- F – Emma Meesseman
- F-C – Li Yueru
Of note, often-used frontcourt piece Astou Ndour-Fall opted to sit out this season.
Key Acquisitions
Emma Meesseman, Forward
The key acquisition of the off-season was acquiring 2019 WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman. The well-traveled seven-year veteran brings a level of versatility, playmaking, activity, and experience that this roster hadn’t had behind its starters last season.
Even more, she’ll add to that “steady hand” dynamic of bringing stability and ease to Wade’s rotation, not unlike both Parker and Vandersloot do in their presences.
Li Yueru, Center
The Sky fortified their frontcourt rotation with another acquisition via sign-and-trade, in center Li Yueru.
Her circumstances are unique, as she had bouts being granted permission to come over from the Chinese Basketball Association to play in the WNBA.
Per her agent however, there has been great progress in these efforts, with an optimistic date looking for her to be with the Sky in June.
Other News
The Sky will be without the services of Finals MVP Kahleah “KFC” Copper, as she finishes her season in Spain, expected to return in a few weeks, as well as the aforementioned Li Yueru who’s expected in June, and Julie Allemand who should join the team relatively soon.
A slightly modified version of it’s championship form, the focus by the accounts of both James Wade and Candace Parker is remaining healthy, and being healthy specifically at the key moments in the postseason.
Health will afford them the opportunity to mesh with and have their new pieces appropriately ingratiate into their culture, while forming their identity sooner, rather than later.
Expectations are high for this group. There’s a positively intriguing combination of youth and veteran experience here, and that mix is one that almost always reaps benefits as the season progresses.
Last season, they finished 16-16 (in 6th place) and took the long route to a Finals championship.
A 2-7 start had this team behind the proverbial 8-ball nearly through the seasons finish line last season, as they successful climbed the hill back into the range of contention.
The Sky would then, promptly respond with seven-gamr winstreak, springboarding their 15-9 run through the regular seasons finish line, and the rest was history.
This season, they’re looking to do the hard work earlier in the season.
Good luck to one of my all-time favorites @Candace_Parker in the WNBA opening game! ?❤️✊️#wnba #wnbatwitter pic.twitter.com/vmhAojTeiE
— WomenHooping (@WomenHooping) May 6, 2022
Then, generate success off the work they’ve done at their foundation, as they align their efforts with the overarching goal of doubling down and repeating as WNBA champions.
