LA Sparks: Alana Beard named AP defensive player of the year

One of LA Sparks starters has earned recognition for her role on defense.

Alana Beard of the LA Sparks has been named the AP defensive player of the year in the WNBA. She is one of the multiple players that have sparked their winning streak just in time for the playoffs.

I say multiple players because not just one individual did this all on their own. These women played as a team the entire regular season.

They look to continue this team play all the way to the WNBA Finals. Additionally, they will rely on Beard to lead the defense as she is a scrappy lockdown defender.

https://twitter.com/LA_Sparks/status/905486820242104321

This is Alana Beards’ 7th time winning Ap defensive player of the year. According to WNBA.com, she won it six other times starting all the way back in 2004.

Her ability to defend the best players on the opposing team, allows her team to focus on doing their job by defending, scoring, and crashing the glass. This season she averaged 6.9 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, and 0.5 blocks per game.

Alana Beard is looking to help the LA Sparks with her defense go on another WNBA Finals run. The play of Beard on the court also improves her teammates as she leads by example. She is always in the hustle plays fighting for the loose ball, even sacrificing her body for her team.

If I were to summarize her play in one brief sentence, it would be is she is one tough player who is selfless and reliable. When the LA Sparks need her to score she provides.

Next: Clippers look to add defensive wizard

It seems that in the playoffs Beard and the LA Sparks take their game to another level. Alana Beard and her LA Sparks teammates will need to focus on defense, if they look to repeat as WNBA Finals Champions.