The Los Angeles Sparks finished 12-20 last season, despite having one of the best defenses in the WNBA. Los Angeles gave up just 77.1 points per game and had a defensive rating of 99.3. The problem was the Spraks’ offense; they scored just 72.8 points per and had an offensive rating of 93.7, both last in the WNBA.
Needing more offense, the Sparks made a lot of moves this offseason. Los Angeles signed Liz Cambage, Jordin Canada, and Lexie Brown. The Sparks also traded for Chennedy Carter and Katie Lou Samuelson. Los Angeles hopes these moves improve their shooting and offensive flow.
Sparks Draft
Rae Burrell G/F
Olivia Nelson-Ododa C
Amy Atwell G
All three rookies made the Sparks opening day roster; the only draftee not to make it was Kianna Smith. Rae Burrell averaged 10.3 points per game at Tennessee while shooting 40.2% from the field and 34.1% from three-point land. Burrell is athletic and has the length to help the Sparks on defense.
Olivia Nelson-Ododa brings size off the bench; she defends and rebounds well. But, if she can develop a more potent offensive game, Nelson-Ododa could be a steal for the Sparks. Amy Atwell shot 38.4 as a senior at Hawaii; her shooting could help the Sparks space the floor.
Potential Starting Five
C-Liz Cambage
PF-Nneka Ogwumike
SF-Katie Lou Samuelson
SG-Brittney Sykes
PG-Chennedy Carter
With Cambage and Nneka Ogwumike in the paint, the Sparks should have an advantage every night. The Sparks should run their offense through Cambage and Ogwumike. Samuelson’s job in the starting lineup is to space the floor and knock down open shots.
We all know Brittney Sykes is an All-WNBA defender and can get to the basket with the best of them, but she must improve her three-point shot to help the Sparks because she will have a lot of open looks. Carter, at the point, will be fun to watch; she can drive to the basket and finish in the paint. Her ability to drive and kick will help the Sparks offense a lot this season.
Key Bench Players
Chiney Ogwumike F
Jordin Canada PG
Kristi Tolliver G
Lexie Brown G
Los Angeles has some excellent depth coming off the bench; Chiney Ogwumike will bring toughness and rebounding off the bench, and she will be able to do the little things to help Los Angeles win. Canada is not much of a scoring point guard, but she can push the pace and defend. She will be able to keep the offense going when Carter comes out of the game.
Kristi Toliver will join the Sparks once the Dallas Mavericks are done with the NBA Playoffs. We all know what she can bring to the team with her veteran leadership and shooting. Brown, like Samuelson, is three to space the floor and knock down open shots. Los Angles also has Jasmine Walker, who can be a stretch four to help the Sparks space the floor as well.
2022 Outlook
Los Angeles has all the pieces to win on paper; its a lot of change on the roster, so they must learn to play together. However, the Sparks will be a solid defensive team again, with coach Latricia Trammell leading the defensive charge.
It will come down to what offense Los Angeles head coach Derek Fisher runs and how he uses his player rotations. Last season Fisher never settled on a consistent rotation. The sparks should look to run, and when in half-court, play inside out. With Cambage and Oguwmike, they have a strong post presence.
With the Sparks roster the Sparks have, this has to be a playoff team; if not, it’s a complete failure of a season, and Fisher will have many questions to answer.
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Enjoyed the in-depth analysis but I am so tired of digs being taken against Fisher without acknowledging that his three top players last season spent significant time out of games due to injury (obviously affecting available line-ups).