Sparks' Season Not Over Yet

Story by L.T.Willis




Sparks' head coach Joe Bryant has plenty to clap about
as his team keeps their playoffs hopes alive. Photo by
Eric Wade/EW GEMS Images.

The Los Angeles Sparks kept their playoffs hopes alive with a gut check game against the Seattle Storm Tuesday night at the Staple Center. If the Sparks' are to squeak into the playoffs there are 3 things that they must fix and fix now. The turnovers that lead to points,the lack of rebounding especially during free throws and a post game that has been missing must be establish. The Sparks may lead the league in 3 pointers but there is no reason with the size they have on their team why are they not pounding the ball into the paint.

Candace Parker 27 points and 7 rebounds led her team to a must win
victory over the Seattle Storm 68-62. Photo by Eric Wade
EW GEMS Images.

The Sparks could have laid down with how they lost just a few days ago against the Storm in Seattle came out the gates with fire in their eyes. Candace Parker had a swagger about herself after she made her first 3 point shot of the game. The match up between Candace and Lauren Jackson reminded me of Larry Bird and The Boston Celtics vs. Magic Johnson and The Los Angeles Lakers, a duo was about to take place with everything on the line for the Sparks as a playoff spot was within reach with a victory. 9,023 Sparks' fan saw the Sparks' defeat the Seattle Storm 68-62.

Sparks' Candace Parker Photo by Eric Wade/
EW GEMS Images.

The way they beat the Storm was what was amazing as Candace Parker was in her zone on offense as she finish the night with 27 points and 7 rebounds,While team mate Tina Thompson had a solid game finish with 12 points, 7 rebounds and a great block shot with last than a minute left in the game to keep Seattle  from making a come back . The Sparks' defense help Lauren Jackson to just only 14 points and 6 rebounds and Sue Bird finish with 15 points. What kept the game close was the turnovers that the Sparks committed 14 which led to 14 points for the Storm.  Ebony Hoffman finish with 11 points as Sparks head coach Joe Bryant played only 7 players.

Natasha Lacy is one of the Sparks' best defenders and quickest
guards must get playing time for the Sparks' to make it to the
playoffs.Photo by Eric Wade/EW GEMS Images.

As i said earlier i have seem to many times that The Sparks players have had great position in the lanes during free throw shots and didn't box out and the other team came away with another basket or a put back that cost them  two games so far this season.The Sparks' have proving that they can make the outside shots but everyone know that when you have a inside and outside game working for you on offense,most cases you are going to win that game. When your outside game is not working and you haven't polish your post game  in most cases you are going to lose that game. If the Sparks are going to make a run they must really bring the mental game to the court and let their defense really shine and play the best basketball of the season.