Los Angeles, CA- Coming out of WNBA All Star the Los Angeles Sparks outlook for the home stretch to move up in the Western Conference. With a record of 7-13 and 11.5 games behind the No 1 Las Vegas Aces at 19-2.
1st year Sparks Coach Curt Miller along with General Manager/CAO Karen Bryant took the time to be transparent with the media and break down how things are and where the team going.
“Excited to get back…I’m really proud of how handle adversity with injury,” said Miller, “Excited to depart today for the second half of the road to Minnesota.”
Miller spoke about he normally breaks down the season in quarters so after completing quarter 1 & 2. The first quarter the team was 6-4 that could have easily been 7-3 if picked off one of the close games they lost down the stretch.
Rookie Zia Cook is the only two players who has played in all 20 games for the Sparks. She has said she wants to be more efficient. Night after night guarding the top guards in the league from Diana Taurasi, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray and more.
You can tell by listening to the tone today its apparent even with the boat load of injuries the Sparks want to win and goal is clear to grow.
“What we continue to focus on is what we can control,” said Bryant, “At the end of the day we want to win basketball games.”
“I wasn’t brought in to tank”, said coach Miller, “If we can make the playoffs, we will be a tough out.”
The 2nd quarter has been rough with 12 different lineups in only 20 games. But there are still some bright spots with one being Nneka Ogwumike being in her 12 season and her stats are really special this season. The Sparks have had Ogwumike shine so bright the league has taken notice.
Ogwumike being on her last year of her current contract the Sparks know that she is a key player they want to keep and build around.
“We are going to do everything that we can to make a run,” said Bryant, “Nneka is really important part of what we doing here.”
Raising the visibility of the Sparks is important, and we know when LA is great the WNBA is great.
“Proud of their commitment to prepare and compete,” coach Miller.
As the teams now starts off this 3rd quarter it will something to see if they can get healthy and build some chemistry on the floor.
“Sustainable Growth” Coach Miller calling card and theme for this coaching journey with the Sparks.
