How Good Really Are the Los Angeles Sparks?

Story by L.T. Willis

The Sparks' #3 Candace Parker post moved in the paint
against two New York Liberty players. Photo by Eric
Wade/T.G.Sports.

Candace Parker have shown signs of fatigue setting in the last several games she played, which is understandable after playing in the Olympics. Her numbers are down, yet the Los Angeles Sparks (19-6) after defeating the New York Liberty (9-14) 87-62 are winning games by big margins. You must credit coach Ross and her coaching staff for doing a fine job of keeping the players mentally sharp after the long break from the Olympics.

The Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver  is having a great
season averaging 21 points per game. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Others players on the team including starters Kristi Toliver who has been shooting the lights out, DeLisha Milton-Jones shooting the ball well,  rookie sensation Nneka Ogwumike still energizing her team mates with her hustle play and rebounding, and Alana Beard playing with great confidence, The Sparks are the hottest team in the league.With Ebony Hoffman and Nicky Anosike coming back from injuries along with Jantel Lavender have giving them the big bodies needed to give Candace Parker more rest.

The Sparks' #0 Alana Beard is one of the main reason why they
are doing so well this season. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Even though the Sparks led at halftime 45-38 they were having problems with New York. If not for the shooting of Kristi Toliver 12 points, DeLisha Milton-Jones 10 points, and Nneka Ogwumike 9 points, and the Sparks defense not clicking just yet the score could have easily favor The Liberty at the half. Plenette Pierson  10 points 6 rebounds, Cappie Pondexter 9 points and playing enough defense just to keep them in the game.  Candace Parker had only 2 points in the first half and shot 1 for 8 from the floor.

The New York Liberty's players taking a timeout
on how they can slow down the Sparks' offense
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The major factor for the Sparks going in the third quarter is that the had only 4 turnovers while the New York turn the ball over 16 times which lead to 16 points for the Sparks. Candace Parker seem to have gotten into a better rhythm as she scored 12 points with 5 rebounds, Kristi Toliver 12 points, DeLisha Milton-Jones 12 points and Nneka Ogwumike 10 points the Sparks lead at the end of the third quarter was  by 11 points 65-57. New York's Plenette Pierson 16 points, Cappie Pondexter 15 points was just not enough to keep them in the game.

The Sparks' #30 Nneka Ogwumike is a very
physical player and a great rebounder.
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The fourth quarter wasn't any better  for New York as the Sparks' bench players Jantel Lavender 6 points, Ebony Hoffman, Marissa Coleman 4 points played great minutes and gave the other starters rest as the Sparks begin to pull away from New York. The Los Angeles Sparks defeated The New York Liberty by 25 points 87-25. Kristi Toliver finish the night with 26 points, Candace Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones  both had 12 points, Nneka Ogwumike 10 points 7 rebounds 5 assist and Alana Beard 9 points.

The Sparks' #16 Ebony Hoffman  will give them
more scoring and size off the bench. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

If the Sparks are beating teams badly, and Candace Parker is not yet back in rare form, we can only imagine what the outcome of some of the games they played after the Olympic break what the scores could have been. Jenna O'Hea is back with the team will give the Sparks another shooter that teams will have to worry about if she can find her shooting rhythm with her new team mates, and just in time for a  big road trip. All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.