"Reflection" The Sparks 2012 Season

Story by L.T.Willis

The Los Angeles Sparks' CEO Paula Williams Madison
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Now that time has gone by and i have had time to gather my thoughts, now that the Sparks' season now is over after a one point loss in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Lynx at The Staple Center. It's time for me to share my thoughts about the 2012 Sparks' season as i do after every season. It started for us months ago after last season when Sparks' President  Mike Levy took time to have a one on one interview with Eric Wade and myself about up coming 2012 season. Mike Levy is one of the nicest guys who you will every meet, and the respect that we have for him and the Sparks' organization, there were questions that were ask  and answer that didn't put anyone on the spot.

Los Angeles Sparks' president Mike Levy talking with fans at the 2012 Sparks'
Draft Party. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

 The one thing about being in the media, where there has been a trust that has been establish, and is base upon honor and integrity, that we have with the Sparks' organization and their players, the interview that Eric and myself had with Mike Levy, as always was a lots of fun, knowing that we have a true passion for sports and to give the Sparks the best coverage that can be giving. Reflection is about  the 2012 Sparks season, and all the positive things that has happen this season, watching a team growing up right in front of your eyes, talking with coach Ross and listening to words that come out of her mouth, the passion she has for coaching, and the direction she wants to take the Sparks. From training camp to the Sparks' Draft Party, from Lisa Leslie being a investor and team consultant, there were plenty of good things to reflect on.

The Los Angeles Sparks drafted forward Nneka Ogwumike from Stanford. Photo
by Eric Wade/ T.G.Sports.

The season started off at the 2012 Sparks' Draft Party when general manager Penny Toler selected forward Nneka Ogwumike from Stanford. T.G.Sports have follow this young lady for the last four years including watching her play in the Pac 12 Womens' Basketball Tournament the last two years, had everyone buzzing about the up coming season. The Sparks this year having Nneka Ogwumike as a starter help improve the the Sparks' roster in the front court, and gave Candace Parker plenty of help on the defensive side of the court, and rebounding this season average 14 points and 7 rebounds and won the WNBA Rookie of The Year Award.. The Sparks address another concern at the guard position by picking up Alana Beard, a eight year veteran out of Duke who had a major impact on this team.

Alana Beard average 11.4 points and 3
assist per game. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Kristi Toliver average 17.5 points
and 5 assist per game. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Alana Beard moving to the point guard position who average 11.4 points and 3.3 assist allow Kristi Toliver to really shine at the shooting guard position averaging 17.5 points and 5 assist per game, helped her win the Most Improve Player of The Year Award, and was one of the best back court tandem in the WNBA, and was one of the main reason why the Sparks offense really improve this season. Because they both can hit the jump shots, it help open the lanes for Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike to slash to the basket, and gave DeLisha-Milton Jones more open looks by spreading the floor with great ball movement, teams just couldn't sit in a zone anymore. Now the biggest questions of the year was will Candace Parker be healthy for the whole season, and what kind of team would the Sparks be this year.

Los Angeles Sparks' #3 Candace Parker was amazing in the regular
season averaging 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds, but was spectacular
in the post season averaging 28.8 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Photo by Eric Wade/ T.G.Sports.

Candace Parker and her team mates were very happy this season that she was healthy at the end of the season, and she would be the major factor for them too go far in the playoffs. Candace Parker were just shy of a few points from becoming the league MVP. The one thing that stay on my mind was what kind of shape would she be in after the Olympic break. The reason being playing in the Olympics was like playing two seasons back to back, and keep in mind this being her first full seasons in years, would the wear and tear catch up with her, what kind of mind set would she be in after coming back. You could tell when Candace got back that the snap crackle was back, but the pop hadn't arrive just yet. 

Los Angeles Sparks first year head coach Carol Ross and her
coaching staff guided the team to one of their best season with
a record of 24-10. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

When the pop return in Candace Parker, she finish the regular season averaging 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, but was on a mission in the post season averaging a whopping 28.8 and 11 rebounds, and in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals her numbers were 33 points and 15 rebounds in a heart breaking one point lost to the Minnesota Lynx 80-79. The second question was what kind of team would the Sparks be this year with a new coach Carol Ross at the helm, and a roster of new players that have never played together.This team had Carol Ross stamped on them by the way they played defense this season, which helped them to the record they had 24-10, one of the best records in team franchise history.

The 2012 Los Angeles Sparks. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

What Carol Ross did in her first season is she went back to basics, that you win games by playing defense. She has been a straight shooter from day one, and has turn a franchise around in one season with brand new players and a new system. The players are a close group of young ladies, and it was really express at the Sparks Media Day. After media day the team help celebrate Alana Beard's birthday with a cake an laughter, in which i might add was real good. You could see the how they were bonding as a team. This team has nothing to be a shame of this season. Yes you want to win the championship, but there is one thing that CEO Paula Williams Madison can't do, General Manager Penny Toler can't do or coach Carol Ross can't do, and that's play the game for you. The little small things between losing and winning, playing smart in the final minutes of the games.

2012 WNBA Rookie of The Year Nneka
Ogwumike. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

2012 WNBA Most Improve Player of The Year
Kristi Toliver. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

                                                     

       

What the Sparks did this season was showed their fans that they are just a game or two away from being in the WNBA Finals. This team battle back in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi Finals down by ten points against the San Antonio Silver Star, with Candace Parker sitting on the bench for most of the third quarter. Coach Ross doesn't bench players just to sit them down, she is helping them learn and understand how to become champions. Basketball is mental, and will always be mental. The one point loss to Minnesota was the best thing that could have happen to this young team, they have taste what it feels like to be in the heat of battle in the playoffs.They will have to lick their wounds this off season, and learn from this as a team,  and get ready to strap up those sneakers and get back into the heat of the playoffs again, You are asking players who have been in the WNBA, some with three to four years experience to lead them to the finals, a group of players who have never played together before till this season, give them time and this team will get there.

2012 WNBA Coach of The Year Carol Ross. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

The championships are coming. just allow this team time to grow. Let them have the off season to do some soul searching and challenge themselves to come back next season to be on a mission. With just a little more production from the bench,  this team is good enough to make it to the finals once they really understand how important playing smart and paying attention to small details makes players become champions. Coach Ross and her staff have done a wonderful job this year and hard work has paid off. To produce a Rookie of The Year in Nneka Ogwumike, have The Most Improve Player of The Year in Kristi Toliver and have Carol Ross as The Coach Of The Year in one season, what a heck of a season.

Los Angeles Sparks' #3 Candace Parker and Minnesota Lynx's #23 Maya Moore
are superstars in the WNBA. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Game 2 of the Western Finals between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx on national television was the best thing that could have happen for the league. A one point victory for Minnesota over Los Angeles has set the stage for more great battles between Candace Parker and Maya Moore, should be a great marketing tool to get more cable or television exposure for the WNBA. The league should look into changing the format from the best of 2 out of 3, to the best 3 out of 5 for Semi Finals would do wonders for the league and giving fans a better connection with the WNBA. From Eric Wade, Nick Hamilton and myself  we would like to thank  The Los Angeles Sparks for allowing T.G.Sports to be part of the Sparks' family this season.