Candace Parker is probably one of the most decorated and most recognizable faces in the WNBA. But when it comes to getting the respect from her peers Candace Parker has more work to do.
Known for her versatility Parker is sometimes often credited as being the blueprint for positionless basketball in The WNBA. With the ability to play 1-5 positions Parker ushered in a new era of basketball and revolutionized the game.
In most athletes’ careers, they’re maybe subbed or disrespected one, two, or maybe three times but with Candace Parker, disrespect is always glaring at its head.
USA Basketball
In 2015 after playing an amazing European tour with USA Basketball; netting a triple-double Candace Parker along with Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings, and Elena Delle Donne set out on a press tour to promote USA Basketball. Basketball fans from around the world were ready to see these four ladies headline The 2016 USA Women’s Basketball National Team.
As the roster for the 2016 Olympic Team was released; fans flocked to see who all were heading to Rio to represent The USA. But one name that was missing left fans flabbergasted and confused Candace Parker was not a part of The Olympic Team. Parker has gone on record to say, ” She will no longer play for USA Basketball”.
Many theories have been floated around about the way Parker was left off the team. But whatever the reason is Parker was seen as not good enough to be a part of the team.
This is for Pat
In Candace Parker like fashion, she put all her energy into winning her first championship. Parker helped the Sparks secure the second seed and a double-bye into the semifinals. Parker finished the 2016 season averaging 15.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 4.9 APG. After a dueling five-game series Parker won her first championship. And was named Finals MVP. Parker dedicated the season to her mentor and college coach Pat Summitt.
Even as Parker collected her very first Championship the disrespect continued as Parker was not selected to either first or second All WNBA Teams.
Overrated?
Even as Parker collected her very first Championship the disrespect continued as Parker was not selected to either first or second All WNBA Teams.
Fast forward to 2019 an injury-plagued Parker; posted career lows in all statistical categories while dealing with a nagging hamstring and ankle injury. In a poll taken by The Athletic, Parker was voted the most overrated player in the WNBA by more than half of the players who participated in the poll.
This time it wasn’t media members or coaches disrespecting Parker it was her very own league members.
Why Would You Do This?
In the 2019 playoffs, Los Angeles was ultimately swept out of the semifinals by The Connecticut Sun. However, it was the third game that stood out the most; Candace Parker a two-time MVP, WNBA Champion, and two-time Gold Medalist was benched by her coach Derek Fisher after only playing 11 minutes in an elimination game.
Once again Parker was dealt a blow of disrespect this time by her own coach. Fisher was criticized by many members of the media for the benching calling the move “odd,” “bizarre” and “disrespectful “. Parker could be seen asking her coach during the game, “Why would you do this”, “Why Would You Do This Now”.
Redemption or not
As the 2020 season came around we saw a rejuvenated Candace Parker not only on the offensive end but as well on defense.
As the season moved on it was clear Candace Parker was looking to make a statement as a player who can play both sides of the ball; Parker continued to flourish on the defensive side of the floor as the season continued.
Leading the league in rebounding and defensive rebounds; Candace Parker started making her case for the 2020 Defensive Player of The Year award.
Candace would finish the season leading the league in defensive rebounds, third in defensive win shares, ninth in blocks. And fourth in defensive ratings, and fifth in total blocks during the season with 27.
At the end of the year, season awards were announced it was official that Candace Parker was The 2020 WNBA Defensive Player of The Year. When talking about winning the award Parker who has been more known for her offense: said that the award was more special to her than her MVP or Rookie of The Year Awards.
Parker also gave credit to the her late great mentor Pat Summitt by saying:
“The first coach that really challenged me that I could be Defensive Player of the Year was Pat Summitt, and I can hear her line, ‘Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, rebounding wins championships”.
Candace Parker received 16 of the 47 media votes beating out Seattle’s Alysha Clark and Connecticut Alyssa Thomas. But once again fans were left stunned and shocked as The WNBA All-Defensive Teams were announced. And the 2020 DPOY was not on either team.
Fans were left scratching their heads trying to figure out how a player could win defense play of the year. But not be included on the all-defensive teams. The answer is media voted for defensive player of the year and coaches vote for all team selections.
Parker who had ranked Top Ten in all defensive categories except one was once again dealt a card of disrespect. She was told once again you’re not good enough. This was the first time in the history of the NBA or WNBA; that The defensive player of the year was not selected to either first or second all-defensive team.
Motivation
In her 13 years in the WNBA Candace Parker has been dealt a lot of unfair criticism and a lot of disrespect. But each time she bounces back and takes and uses it as motivation. If it’s one thing we all know about Candace Parker is that next year she’s coming back to prove everyone wrong once again.
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