Chicago Sky (2-0) Home Opener Sunday

Chicago IL

21 May, 2021

8:05 PM

Description

The WNBA Chicago Sky started their season with road wins against the Washington Mystics (70-56) and the Atlanta Dream (85-77). A road win is always a good thing, but those two opponents are 0-4 on the young season. On Sunday, May 24, the Sky has their home opener against a very tough New York Liberty team, who is 3-0. Last season, the Sky finished in first place in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 12-10. Because the WNBA seeds the playoffs without conferences, the Sky went into the playoffs as the sixth seed. The Sky lost their playoff game against the Connecticut Sun 94-81. The loss to the Sun was disappointing, but there was a positive vibe on this Sky team. GM-Coach James Wade was building a winning program. Coach Wade's .565 winning percentage tops all Sky coaches. Wade also reached 30 wins in only 48 games, the fastest in team history. In the offseason, the Sky signed Chicago area native and future WNBA Hall of Famer Candace Parker. The Sky also drafted guard Shyla Heal from Australia and forward Natasha Mack from Oklahoma, while also acquiring rookie guard Stephanie Watts of North Carolina from the Los Angeles Sparks. Lastly, WNBA veteran Tonya Edwards joined the coaching staff. The Sky did have a couple notable departures. Cheyenne Parker signed with the Dream. Gabby Williams was placed on full season suspension (a technical move since she is training for EuroBasket) and her rights traded to L.A. for Watts. From my first pre-season media session with Coach Wade, there was just a different feel about everything. While last year's champion Storm team and the Las Vegas Aces are probably the favorites to appear again in the Finals, some pundits, inlcuding me, are predicting a title for the Sky. When I asked Coach Wade about this potential added pressure, he chuckled and said I caught him off guard with that question (score one for this reporter). He then gave an answer which revealed a lot about the man. There is pressure, but there are a lot of other things in life that bring a lot more serious pressure. The man has things in perspective. That's not to mean he isn't taking this seriously. The Liberty finished with a league worst 2-20 record. A big part of the disappointing season was losing top draft pick Sabrina Ionescu in the third game of the season. Ionescu is back, healthy and making a difference. Sunday will be a big test for the Sky, but it's a test I predict they will pass. I see a 78-75 Sky win. It should be a great game and I'll be glued o the tv at noon on ESPN.