Sparks' Players Have No Gas Left In The Tank During 4th Quarters

Story By L.T.Willis



Sparks' Natasha Lacy should be playing more minutes during the
run for a playoff spot.Photo by Eric Wade/
GEMS Images.



The Sparks' are losing close games at home and on the road because when it comes down to the 4th quarter they are just to tired. Sparks' head coach Joe Bryant has gone to a shorter rotation in games and by doing this the older veterans are burnt out because they have no legs at the end. Teams have been dictating the tempo against the Sparks' defense and offense. When i look at a game i break it down by each position and time played. At the point guard Natasha Lacy has been solid and has deliver for the Sparks' several times in big games and why she is not getting minutes is a mystery to me. She is a better defender and more of a threat on offense than Ticha Penicheiro. Penicheiro played 34:25 and only produce 3 points while the Phoenix Mercury's guards Taurasi scored 24 points and Johnson 8 points defeated the Sparks' 93-77. These minutes are really hurting the Sparks' in the 4th quarters because they are getting out rebounded,out hustle and out played.

                                                                




Ebony Hoffman Photo by
Eric Wade/EW GEMS
Images.





Jenna O'Hea Photo by Eric Wade/
EW GEMS Images.







 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

The legs of Tina Thompson, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Tisha Penicheiro are gone during 4th quarters is because they are playing to many minutes. Kristi Toliver seems to  be getting her shooting touch back as she scored 23 points playing 35:06, but during the 4th

quarters you could tell that she was tired because of the minutes. Tina has been playing a lot of minutes but her points have gone down compare to when she is getting rest her point totals are much higher. Ebony Hoffman has proving when even she has a off night that she can still give that physical presence in the paint and  give Tina Thompson more

rest time who played 32:19 and had only 4 points. With younger players in the league it

is hard for even the great one to compete for so many minutes during a game.



Will Sparks' Head Coach Joe Bryant make changes in his rotations of
players to give starters more rest so they can be fresher in 4th

quarters.Photo by Eric Wade/EW GEMS Images.



Jenna O'Hea has not played in a while since Kristi Tolilver has moved back into the starting lineup, yet she is a threat on offense and has been a defender who can frustrate

other guards and is a good rebounder a area in which the Sparks' are getting beat badly

in games. The reason being again no fresh legs for the starters to box out are go after lose balls. Even Toliver have aloud players to get by her because she has ran out of gas and have committed stupid fouls because she is tired and can't move her feet. The Sparks' were out rebounded by the Phoenix Mercury 46-27 and were leaving players open because the rotation on defense was to slow getting to Mercury players. The Sparks' still have a slim chance to get in the playoffs, but if won't matter if your players can't finish games because they are tired, not moving their feet, and play smarter in the closing minutes of 4th quarters. It's not about having veteran players on the team, it has come down to trusting and believing in players who have proving to us all season long, Natasha Lacy, Jenna O'Hea, Ebony Hoffman and Jantel Lavender off the bench have came thru for their coach and team mates.