LOS ANGELES, CA – It didn’t seem realistic that the Los Angeles Sparks would face the best team in the WNBA and have a real shot at winning. The Sparks just have way too much going on: chemistry issues, poor defense, allowing teams to shoot the three at will, and now the upheaval of their coaching staff.
When you add all the issues the Sparks (5-8) are having to another big loss at home, and the question becomes, are they looking at a failed season?
Not exactly.
Even with Saturday’s 89-72 loss to the Las Vegas Aces, there were still some things that Sparks fans should be proud of. Depending on who you ask that is.
Fans in Crypto.com Arena were clamoring for interim head coach Fred Williams to put Liz Cambage in the game every time he pulled her out. Aside from the fact that Cambage still has a lot of conditioning to work on before she doesn’t get winded, playing her for just over 19 minutes was the right call.
Not only did she have more energy every time she was in the game, but she also wasn’t in foul trouble and didn’t have long conversations with the refs. Also, she was simply outplayed by A’ja Wilson and was visibly frustrated by that. A frustrated Cambage isn’t good for anyone.
Making sure Cambage isn’t winded or in foul trouble so she can be an asset late in the game is a hash mark in the win column. Early in the first quarter, the Sparks had two possessions where their ball movement was quick and threw off the Aces’ defense. Two great possessions are not enough to pull out a win against a juggernaut that has an 11-2 record and a Hall Of Fame head coach like Becky Hammond, but it did prove one thing. The changes the Sparks have made in their practices since Coach Williams has taken over are already having an impact.
As promised Williams made a lot of changes in the Sparks lineups and rotated several players in and out. Forward Nneka Ogwumike said there were things she liked about the changes in the lineups.
“I like it when he plays JC and Chennedy together,” said Ogwumike. “It offers a really different perspective considering how quick both of them are.”
Williams fully understands his task as well. He needs to make the necessary changes to help fast-track the team’s success. That includes helping Liz Cambage become a threat on both sides of the ball.
“I was trying to get her posting up offensively a little better,” Williams said.
He went on to say having Saturday’s game on film will help the team see their strengths and their weaknesses as they move forward trying to be more aggressive defensively.
Not to mention there were some other small victories. The Sparks were not drastically beat on the boards, and they turned over the ball less than the Aces. The key now is going to be to step up and play better defensively.
Williams had a smile on his face as he spoke to the media on Saturday evening. It was almost as if you could see the wheels turning in the direction he intends to take the team. He says we can expect to see drastic improvements as early as the Sparks’ next matchup against the Dallas Wings on Sunday, June 19th.
