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Photo via Chicago Sky Twitter
The Sky had been on the wrong side of classic memories and disappointing losses in the playoffs before last year. Coach James Wade and the players felt they were a player away. That player? Candace Parker. A perfect mix of players with experience, heart, hunger, and just flat out tired of losing. They have a great chance to repeat.
Wade knew after winning the championship he had some tough decisions to make. He wouldn’t be able to keep everyone due to the salary cap. They lost Stefanie Dolson and Diamond DeShields, who both helped build the culture and contributed to the championship victory. However, he was able to re-sign Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, Allie Quigley, and Courtney Vandersloot to continue playing with Parker.
He didn’t stop there; he made some shocking moves to revamp the team. They traded the Fever for Julie Allemand and signed 2019 Finals MVP Emma Meesseman. Both play for the Belgian National Team and are extremely skilled on the offensive end. A team that was already dynamic on that side of the ball got even better and more versatile.
One challenge for Wade is to find time for all of these players, like Azurá Stevens, Dana Evans, and Ruthy Hebard, who also contributed last season. Now, if there happen to be injuries like last year, they are in a great spot with the depth they have.
The rise of Kahleah Copper has just begun. Her first All-Star appearance and her Finals MVP trophy aren’t the only things she’s accomplished this year. She also won the Euroleague MVP during overseas play. Will she be in the conversation for MVP this season?
There may be questions about fit given the new talent around them, but I don’t think there will be much adjustment needed at all. The playmaking abilities of Parker and Vandersloot opens everything up for everyone, whether it be in halfcourt or transition. Allemand is a pass-first point guard, and Meesseman isn’t a ball-dominant post player. I think the new pieces just give them a lot more options on the offensive end, which is scary. In my mind, the Sky should be the favorites heading into the season and, barring injury, should hold one of the top seeds.
Before I forget, I must mention Candace Parker finally gets the chance to play her old team in LA, where she played for 13 seasons. Tune in on opening night, May 6th. She returns to LA on June 23rd and July 14th.
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