Los Angeles, Ca -A new season filled with new faces and a new attitude to spark them to a great 2015 season. These New Los Angeles Sparks will be lead by new head coach Brian Agler who knows a lot about post season play. Agler’s team had been in the Conference Semifinals six of last seven years and winning it all 2010 when team swept the entire post season play.
Equitrust Life Insurance Company has partnered with the Sparks as the marquee sponsor for this 2015 season. “Our partnership with the Sparks will provide EquiTrust with an opportunity to support our communities through service, outreach and innovation,” stated Earvin ” Magic” Johnson.
The Sparks media day was filled with a buzz in air, smiles and a group that had few practices under their belt a sense of team forming. The roster filled with a good balance of new and old was put together by current General Manager Penny Toler. Toler said, “Built team adding shooters to take little pressure of post.” This should allow returning All Star Nneka Ogwumike to have more one on one situations to dominate down low as teams will be forced to double less.
The potential backcourt could have the speedy Temeka Johnson and Erin Phillips at times which are two great additions. Phillips making a business decision by leaving Phoenix to make a move to take her career to the next level. At the very least they will provide veteran leadership along with the other vets on team that will need to mentor the seven rookies fast during training camp. The coach staff was pleased by all the rookies thus far and all showed that they were ready to work hard and learn from their coaches.
This training camp will have Agler and his staff with many combinations to see what’s going to work best for the season and post season play. “I want a team that plays solid full court defense, we must be able to play two speeds (fast transitions ball / post season half court offense). Playoff basketball slows down and don’t have a lot of transition baskets when game slows down and have to play your best offensive and defensive sets. This way of thinking along with a winning track record is why Toler picked Agler to run this roster.
The Sparks will open their regular season on the road at Seattle Storm on June 6th before returning for their Home opener Sunday June 14 at Staples. The scheduling gods always look to a method to their madness with Agler facing his old team for opening tip off.
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