To argue that the Chicago Sky have had an up-and-down campaign would be an understatement. They began with high hopes; the arrival of proven winner Candace Parker had them eyeing the hardware with optimism before a game had even been played. And then bad luck set in; the former Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year awardee was injured in the opener, and her absence in the next eight contests had them reeling. When she returned, however, they looked every bit ready and able to meet expectations, reeling off seven straight matches. Still, a swoon at the end of the regular season had pundits fretting about their playoff chances.
Considering how the Sky managed to stay upbeat despite the ebbs and flows, it鈥檚 no surprise that they鈥檙e in the Finals against the odds. Parker鈥檚 numbers haven鈥檛 been spectacular, but they remain solid and, more importantly, complementary of those around her. And if there鈥檚 anything she brings that don鈥檛 show up in her stat lines, it鈥檚 the confidence to perform under pressure. Even as they have been tested throughout their postseason run, she has proven to be a rock on which her teammates, and head coach James Wade, all too gladly lean.
That said, it鈥檚 clear that Parker continues to shine when needed. In Game Four of the semifinals, she put up an outstanding effort on both ends of the court, securing for the Sky a Finals slot and, in the process, eliminating the top-seed Connecticut Sun, starring reigning MVP awardee Jonquel Jones. Wade鈥檚 prognosis upon her hiring 鈥 that she brings with her invaluable experience 鈥 was spot on. As Courtney Vandersloot, one of the WNBA鈥檚 best point guards, noted, 鈥淲e were missing one piece, and it was Candace Parker.鈥
Up next for the Sky are the equally resilient Phoenix Mercury, featuring all-time great Diana Taurasi. Under the circumstances, it鈥檚 but fitting that they鈥檒l be doing a reprise of the Finals in 2014, when they last did battle for the crown 鈥 and when they likewise did so with a sub-.500 record. There鈥檚 at least one difference 鈥 and make that a significant one. This time around, they have Parker, and they feel it鈥檚 their time as a result.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
