There is a sure stage of delusional optimism one must spin 2024 as a step in the fitting path for the Los Angeles Sparks; I haven’t got it.
Murphy’s Legislation was in full impact in Los Angeles. The Sparks had a franchise-low eight victories. The harm bug not solely took out Cameron Brink, the No. 2 choose within the draft, with a torn ACL, but additionally compelled Lexie Brown to overlook many of the yr as a result of Crohn’s illness. Layshia Clarendon stopped taking part in as a result of psychological well being causes and introduced their retirement upon the season’s conclusion.
In press conferences, Sparks head coach Curt Miller not often had his ft held to the fireplace for the crew’s performances, and it appeared like nobody had a difficulty with the present state of the Sparks. Properly, the entrance workplace had a special perspective. Shortly after the season ended, it was introduced that the group and Miller had mutually parted methods.
The information appeared to return as a shock, or on the very least a disappointment, to the gamers, as All-Star Dearica Hamby shared a heartfelt remark about Miller on social media.
Slightly misplaced for phrases truthfully…. that is laborious for me as a giant a part of my transition success and help to LA has been Curt. I hope there’s grace on this course of for a confirmed, wonderful coach. The whole lot shouldn’t fall on his shoulders and there’s a lot extra that goes into…
— Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) September 25, 2024
Now, the Sparks are getting into an offseason by which they haven’t any coach and missed the playoffs for a franchise-record fourth-straight season. The one glimmer of hope they’ve is a giant one: They’ve the very best odds of profitable the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery and incomes the fitting to draft first and take UConn’s Paige Bueckers. However extra on that later.
For now, here is the little that went proper, a lot of what went improper and what’s subsequent for the Sparks:
What went proper in Los Angeles?
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The Sparks’ core proved to be good. Rookie Rickea Jackson, chosen No. 4 total, improved by the minute and averaged 13.4 factors, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists on the season. Even in a rookie class that includes generational abilities just like the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, Jackson made noise and demonstrated why she is among the greatest younger gamers within the WNBA.
Hamby was an All-Star, averaging 17.3 factors, 9.2 rebounds and three.5 assists, all career-high numbers for the 10-year veteran. She was a reputable candidate for Most Improved Participant; Hamby acquired the second-most votes behind the winner, the Connecticut Solar’s DiJonai Carrington.
With Hamby on board, Jackson rising and Brink returning, the Sparks have a pleasant nucleus to construct on heading into 2025.
What went improper in Los Angeles?
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It wasn’t simply accidents that plagued the Sparks; they flat-out did not have the expertise or execution to win video games. Repeatedly, the offense would utterly stall as opponents went on enormous runs within the second halves of video games to safe the consequence.
Sparks’ guards struggled to make entry passes to Hamby. Too usually, they didn’t feed her the ball, turned it over or, as an alternative of getting the ball to her the place she needed it when she had her opponent sealed, did not get her possession till she was out of place and off steadiness.
Miller was sincere in regards to the play on the courtroom, and to his credit score, he took possession of the crew’s poor efficiency.
As a coach, should you personal 13-conference titles in 13-years, 2-WNBA Coy, the very best document within the W over a 6-season stretch, & 2-final appearances.. you higher personal when you find yourself having a poor yr. I personal it, have to be higher for our younger crew. #Sparkswillrise #grind
— Curt Miller (@CurtMillerWBB) August 26, 2024
That stated, whereas the accidents do not justify each defeat, they supply context for why issues acquired so unhealthy.
Brink was wonderful to begin the yr, and it appeared like she already was top-of-the-line defenders and rim protectors within the league. Sadly, an ACL tear reduce her rookie marketing campaign brief and robbed her of her Olympic debut with Crew USA in 3×3 play. With so many guards out, the Sparks needed to signal Odyssey Sims and Crystal Dangerfield to hardship offers. Each ended up taking part in out the remainder of the season with crew, however had little probability to apply or get acclimated with their teammates.
2024 turned a yr about what might have been and what can be, quite than what was.
What’s subsequent for the Sparks?
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Photograph by Dylan Goodman/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
The largest day for the Sparks in 2024 hasn’t occurred but. It’ll happen someday in December, when the league holds its 2025 draft lottery and we discover out who will get the No. 1 choose. Los Angeles has the very best odds and desperately must win to allow them to draft Bueckers and actually start on course.
A head teaching search additionally should start instantly. Maybe somebody like Teresa Weatherspoon, who was simply let go by the Chicago Sky, might come to Los Angeles and alter the tradition.
Whoever they choose, they need to get it proper. The Sparks are taking part in in one of many greatest markets, and with the WNBA booming, the product they have been placing out throughout many of the 2020s is unacceptable. The time is now to get this prepare on the tracks and begin heading in direction of title competition.
