The Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA are happy to be back home inside the Staples Center.
They are 15-5, and the Sparks have wobn all 10 games at Staples.
They look like the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
Smiles on their faces, they are starting to dominate teams.
“Regardless of what you do,” said Coach Brian Agler.
“It’s nice to see our players not only having success but showing how much they enjoy playing with each other. That builds chemistry.”
Developing chemistry is crucial because the Sparks have six new players.
- 6-6 center Maimouna Diarra,
- 6-2 forward Ify Ibekwe,
- 6-3 forward Tiffany Jackson-Jones,
- 5-8 guard Odyssey Sims,
- 6-foot guard Sydney Wiese and
- 5-7 guard Riquna Williams.
“It feels good to see everything we work on come together,” said veteran guard Alana Beard.
“I have been waiting for our new players to come together. They have so much talent. They are unbelievable.”
Beard said the newcomers “are getting comfortable in our system. That does great things for us.”
The blend of old and new players obviously is clicking.
“I love everything about this team,” said Beard. “The people, their character and I the skill level of our players. “
Another Sparks veteran player, Jantel Lavender, last year’s WNBA Sixth Man of the Year, likes the new players.
The Staples Center crowd is creating a home court advantage.
“Our bench is starting to come along,” said Lavender. “Our starters are getting comfortable with the offense.”
After noting the rarity of an unbeaten home record, Lavender said the Sparks “enjoy protecting our home court. We play well when we push the tempo and the crowd gets behind us.”
The Sparks next two home games are Tuesday against Seattle team at 7:30 and against Dallas on Sunday, July 30 at 2.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com