The Los Angeles Sparks are winning, smiling and laughing on their way to the best record in the WNBA.
At 16-1, the six new players signed in the off-season have added talent and chemistry to a team that already had some of the best players in the league.
During their 77-67 win over the New York Liberty last Sunday, All-Star forward Candace Parker played defense against her own teammate Kristi Toliver during the last few seconds. Now that is having fun. Winning and chemistry create a fun atmosphere.
“It feels good to see the players smiling and laughing,” said first-year player Essence Carson. “You should love what you do. And do what you love. Everyone is happy right now. What more can you do? We have a lot to be happy about. We also know that the job is just beginning.”
Adding six players dramatically changed the Sparks.
Evgenila Belyakova, Chelsea Gray, Carson, Ann Walters, Jelena Dubljevic and Whitney Wright bring high level intensity to practices and games.
General Manager Penny Toler and Coach Brian Agler are in charge of signing new players.
“Penny gets things done,” said Agler. “She has done a great job of putting this team together. She has given me an opportunity to travel to Europe and evaluate talent. Penny and I talk daily about how we can make the team better.”
Parker knows there is room for improvement. “We have to get better in a lot of areas,” she said. We need to be better at offensive rebounding. We can’t give up so many offensive rebounds. We have so many good shooters we feel like the ball is going to go in so we don’t focus on offensive rebounds.”
Jantel Lavender, coming off the bench after being a starter last year, thinks this team is special. “We all love each other,” she said. “No one is worried about who is getting the credit. We are just happy to be a part of such a wonderful group of people.”
The Sparks’ next home game is Sunday at 4 against Washington at the Staples Center, their last home game until the day before Labor Day. On Sunday, Sept. 4, they play Indiana. The WNBA is taking a month off for the Summer Olympics.
They start a five-game road trip in Chicago next Wednesday.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
