A Healthy LA Sparks Team Is A Dangerous Team

By Pablo Jacobo | Jul 5, 2015

The Los Angeles Sparks are riding a two game win streak heading into Sunday’s contest against the Phoenix Mercury. LA is virtually tied for fourth in the Western Conference with Phoenix with a strong possibility to make it three victories in a row. The Mercury are currently a .500 team and are 1-4 on the road this season.

The Sparks are getting healthier as the season progresses and wil be a force to be reckoned with when fully healthy. The Sparks started the season 0-7 but were without three of their top scorers Nneka Ogwumike, Kristi Tolliver and two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker.

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Leading scorer Jantel Lavender did what she could to keep LA competitive but scoring was a problem for the team in general. Lavender is averaging 15 points and 9 rebounds in nine games. A supremely skilled player in the post with an array of moves has been on display.

Lavender’s skills are showcased even more with the return of Tolliver and Ogwumike to the lineup. The post has opened up for both forwards to work down on the block. In five games, Ogwumike is posting 16 points and 9 rebounds. Their inside presence has been a problem for the opposition. Both can pass the basketball, work the post and have the range to score outside the paint.

The biggest impact has been Tolliver who has been on a scoring binge since returning from overseas. In three games she’s leading the team with 29 PPG shooting a blistering 61-percent from the field and 55-percent from behind the arc. Tolliver dropped a whopping 43 points against the Tulsa Shockers while breaking Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie’s previous record of 41 points.

Sep 21, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker (3) dribbles the ball up the court in the game against the Phoenix Mercury at US Airways Center. The Sparks defeated the Mercury 82-73. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

In the three games when the trio of Lavender, Tolliver and Ogwumike have suited up, the Sparks are scoring 85 PPG as opposed to the other six games when LA was only scoring 65 points a contest. That’s a +20 in scoring average for a team that can contend for a playoff spot. The top four in each conference advance – LA can take sole possession of 4^th with a W.

Just think how much better LA will be when Parker makes her return to the Staples Center. Parker decided to sit out the first part of the season to rest and recover from her various ailments. On top of the WNBA season, Parker also played ball in the Russian league. When CP3 eventually returns, the Sparks will welcome her 17 PPG and 9 rebound career averages. The Sparks are going to be scary when she rejoins the team.

LA is also missing Alana Beard’s 15 PPG. Unfortunately she went down after two games. She started off on fire for the Sparks with instant offense. Erin Phillips missed a few games as well. Phillips led the WNBA in three-point percentage last season. Temeka Johnson has filled in admirably averaging a team-leading six assists.

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The pieces are in place for the Sparks to make a serious run at the title. Health will be key for Los Angeles. Defense also is a major concern and needs to improve quickly. Their scoring has gone up but so has their points allowed. It seems that teams are having a layup party at the Sparks expense. The interior defense needs to shore up asap. It needs to start with their guard pressure.

Sparks fans should be excited because despite their 0-7 start to the season, their team is still within reach to make some noise. It’s very early in the season and they have 25 games to fix their issues. I’m confident the team will figure it out and return the city of Los Angeles to prominence again.

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