The Chicago Sky will head into 2021 looking to put its injury-bitten season behind them as they seek to bring the franchise’s first championship home to Chicago. After making the biggest signing in WNBA Free Agency history and bringing back a familiar face. The Chicago Sky will seek to bring that all together to claim the ultimate prize; here is the Chicago Sky 2021 Preview.
Free Agency Signings
After 13 years with the Los Angeles Sparks, Candace Parker signed with the Sky returning to her hometown. Parker, who will be 35 when the season starts comes with tons of experience and accolades in her 14 year WNBA career; including a WNBA championship in 2016, and two WNBA awards (2008,2013).
In her last season with Los Angeles, Parker averaged 14.7ppg, 9.7rpg, and 3.7ast.
Candace would also win the 2020 Defensive Player of The Year Award along with the league’s rebounding title. Parker’s ability to play inside and out along with her guard-like skills will allow Chicago to use her in numerous ways and at various positions.
Chicago is a team that had been right on the cusp of winning a championship; they just needed a leader to teach them how to win. No disrespect to Courtney Vandersloot but Parker will be the player that Chicago will depend on to take them to the promised land.
Astou Ndour returns to Chicago after a brief stint in Dallas last year. Ndour who signed for a max deal with Dallas was waived after an underperforming 2020 campaign; where she averaged just 3.5 ppg, and 2.9 apg in just 11 minutes. Ndour’s return to Chicago helps them solidify their frontcourt while also bringing another defensive presence. Astou will probably miss some time because of overseas and national team commitments. But when she returns, she will make an instant impact on Chicago.
Draft Picks
Heading into the draft Head Coach and GM James Wade had to address two things: a back point guard and defense. Chicago believes they did just that with first-round pick Shyla Heal and second-round pick Natasha Mack. Heal who hails from Australia has been pro since the age of 14; will give Chicago a definite bench boost to give Vandersloot some rest and command the second unit. Heal who comes with pro experience has already gone against some of the WNBA’s best, like Liz Cambage and Ezi Magbegor. With her ability to hit the 3 at a high rate and finishing around the rim; Heal will fit just fine in coach Wade’s offense.
When you think of Mack or as some would call her the Mack Attack you think defense, defense, and defense, and that’s what she hopes to bring to the Sky. We have to say hope because Mack will be 1 of 20 players looking to grab a roster spot in Chicago. While attending OSU her 3.6 bpg saw Mack finish third nationally in block shots. While her 96 block shots rank first on the school’s single-season list. Having Mack on their roster would do nothing more than solidify Chicago’s frontcourt; just think about having to deal with Mack and Parker at the same time; and if Mack makes Chicago’s roster, a dream could turn into a nightmare for many teams in the WNBA.
Notable Signings
Lexie Brown comes to Chicago looking to fight for a roster spot. Minnesota waived the 5’9 guard after a concussion cut her 2020 season short. In the 17 games that Brown played in for Minnesota; her defensive tenacity was on full display as she averaged almost 2 steals per game. Brown not only showcases skills on the defensive side of the floor but the offensive side as well. In her breakout season in 2019 Brown was an efficient 40% from the floor and 38.5% from 3 while only playing 18 minutes per game.
2021 Chicago Sky OutLook
Coming into the season Chicago could very accurately be some fans’ favorites to win it all. They have size, depth, and versatility, but Chicago needs most of all is health. If players like Diamond DeShields and Azurá Stevens can produce for Chicago they can go very far this summer.
The backcourt of Vandersloot and Allie Quigley will always be a dangerous duo. But adding healthy DeShields and Stevens on the wing will make it much more lethal.
Having a vet and leader like Parker to round out this starting 5 (yes starting 5) can take Chicago to its greatest heights.
Not only will Chicago’s potential starting 5 be a great combination, but their bench could very well be another team’s starting 5. Having a starting-caliber Kahleah Copper, along with Stefanie Dolson, Ruthy Hebard, and Gabby Williams with a sharpshooter like Heal; at one point coming off the bench could make Chicago’s second unit be the best in the league.
With a roster, this deep and talented coach like Wade is the person you would want to handle this team; and if everything goes right, the Chicago roster could very well be unstoppable.
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