Sky’s the limit for revamped team
Candace Parker, and revamped team have sights set on a title
Chicago Sky make their home debut Sunday with Candace Parker in what could be landmark season.
The Sky limped into the offseason but have emerged as front-runners.
Thanks to savvy offseason moves, improved health and consistent veterans, the Sky are predicted to be a potential WNBA championship team.
With Naperville native Candace Parker in the fold — picked up as a free agent in February — attention on the Sky never will be higher. They finished sixth in a shortened 2020 season with a 12-10 record, struggling with a depleted roster and defensive weaknesses.
The Sky make their home debut Sunday at Wintrust Arena against the New York Liberty (noon, ESPN).
Here’s what you should know about the Sky heading into what could be a landmark season.
1. What does Candace Parker bring to the Sky?
The two-time league MVP was acquired from the Los Angeles Sparks in one of the WNBA’s biggest offseason moves.
In her Sky debut — a 70-56 win against the Washington Mystics — she scored 16 points with eight rebounds and four assists while shooting 50%.
But her defense will be essential to boosting the Sky.
The Sky finished eighth or worse in defensive rating in each of the last five seasons, giving up 36.6 points in the paint per game last season.
Parker, a 6-foot-4 forward/center, has versatility and a strong inside presence. The 2020 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year should make a significant difference.
Besides a boost on the court, Parker should provide a surge of popularity for the Sky — a team always craving attention in Chicago’s crowded sports market.
Parker, who is in her 14th season, was sidelined for Thursday’s win over the Atlanta Dream with a minor ankle injury. Her health is imperative to the Sky’s success.
2. Is it only the Parker show now?
It can’t
be.
For the Sky to make it to their first WNBA Finals since 2014 or win the franchise’s first championship, Parker will need her skilled teammates to continue raising their standards too.
Parker will be the main target for point guard Courtney Vandersloot’s distribution. Vandersloot is coming off a season in which she set a WNBA record with 10 assists per game. She also notched a career high by averaging 13.6 points.
Diamond DeShields, in her fourth season with the Sky, looks to bounce back from season-low marks after struggling with an undisclosed injury that forced her to leave the WNBA bubble early last season.
Kahleah Copper’s progress will be intriguing after a breakout season. In her first full season starting, she averaged career highs of 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists. She looked ready to play a pivotal role in scoring 23 points in the win against the Dream.
Allie Quigley, who also sat out against the Dream with a hamstring injury, shot 34.6% on 3-pointers last season and will be key on the perimeter.
Azurá Stevens is expected to be healthy this season. She averaged 14 points and seven assists in the first five games last season.
Stefanie Dolson, like Parker, is one of the best passing bigs in the league.
The Sky need many of these pieces to reach a championship goal.
3. Who will be the Sky’s biggest competition this season?
The WNBA has multiple contenders in its 25th season, but some stand out as possible roadblocks in the Sky’s quest to win a title.
Even after a season-opening loss to the Seattle Storm, the Las Vegas Aces look like the favorite.
In their third season, the Aces made the WNBA Finals in 2020 and have an even stronger roster in 2021. Along with defending league MVP A’ja Wilson, the Aces welcomed back Liz Cambage, who opted out last season, and Kelsey Plum, who was injured last season. Last season’s Sixth Woman of the Year, Dearica Hamby, is also back. The Aces also picked up Chelsea Gray and Riquna Williams from the Sparks.
But how does one bet against the Storm and Breanna Stewart?
The defending WNBA champions also have All-Stars Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd in the starting rotation. Despite some roster changes, they appear to be serious contenders again.
The Mystics are also in the mix. They want to put last season’s 9-13 record and playoff miss behind them, which came just a year after a 2019 championship season.
Two stars are back on their roster: Elena Delle Donne, the 2019 MVP, sat out for COVID-19 precautionary reasons in 2020, and Natasha Cloud missed the season to focus on social justice work.
4. What is the Sky’s biggest obstacle?
Thursday’s game against the Dream showed some sloppiness without Parker and Quigley. Take it as a positive the Sky won, but letting a team back into the game after a 23-point lead and making 24 turnovers can’t become a habit.
Maintaining a healthy roster — a downfall last season — will be essential.
But one of the most pressing issues for all WNBA teams will be sustaining momentum after the long Olympic break (July 15-Aug. 11). Roster fluidity will be highlighted as Dolson and Astou Ndour leave at different times during the season for national team responsibilities.