Los Angeles Sparks

From Hoopedia

The Los Angeles Sparks are in their 12th season in the Women’s National Basketball Association. The Sparks are one of the eight original teams in the WNBA. In December 2006, the Sparks were purchased by Gemini Basketball, LLC and they are one of seven WNBA teams owned and operated independent of NBA teams. For the first time in franchise history, the Sparks won the top pick for the 2008 WNBA Draft and selected college basketball player of the year Candace Parker from the University of Tennessee. The Sparks were led to back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2001 & 2002 by head coach Michael Cooper. The team’s roster of star athletes is led by three-time league MVP Lisa Leslie and includes All-Star forward DeLisha Milton-Jones, 2005 WNBA Rookie of the Year Temeka Johnson, stand-out 2007 rookie Sidney Spencer and Parker. The Sparks play their home games at STAPLES Center in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Contents 1 2008 In Review 2 Looking Ahead To 2009 3 Key Stats 4 2008 Leaders 4.1 Season-by-Season 5 History 6 Home Courts 7 External Links [edit] 2008 In Review The Los Angeles Sparks bounced back from a disappointing year in 2007 to move up three spots and finish in third place in the Western Conference. Behind the strong play of the Sparks three Olympians, Leslie, Milton-Jones and Parker, the Sparks were able to dominate the inside of most games and doubled their number of wins from the previous year. The Sparks finished the season at 20-14 and made it back to the playoffs. The Sparks ended the regular season on a strong note going 6-4 in the final 10 games behind 2008 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Lisa Leslie and Peak Performer in rebounding Candace Parker. The Sparks made it to the Western Conference Final after dismantling the Seattle Storm before losing in game three to the San Antonio Silver Stars.

2008 Record 20-14 Conference Western Conference Founded 1997 Arena STAPLES Center City Los Angeles, California Team Colors Purple, gold, & Teal Owner Katherine E. Goodman and Carla Christofferson General Manager Penny Toler Head Coach Michael Cooper WNBA Championships 2 (2001, 2002) Conference Titles 3 (2001, 2002, 2003)

Team captain Lisa Leslie was more than just a simple Spark. After sitting out in 2007 to give birth to her first child, Lisa came back determined to lead the Sparks back to greatness. Leslie had another dominating year averaging a near double-double at 15.1 ppg and 9.0 rpg. On her side was rookie sensation Candace Parker who came in and lead all rookies in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and minutes per game on her way to winning the Rookie of the Year award. Parker was not done there, after she threw down the WNBA's second and third dunks in history,she also took home the MVP award. She is the only player in the 12 year history of the WNBA to accomplish this feat.

This was not just a two-woman team though, DeLisha Milton-Jones was the other Sparks player in double figures at 13.9 ppg and she also pulled down 6.3 rpg. Milton-Jones set a career high in points with 38 against the Phoenix Mercury. The Sparks also received contributions from rookie point guard Shannon Bobbitt who led the Sparks and all rookies in assists at 3.5 apg. Marie Ferdinand-Harris in her first year with the Sparks came off the bench and gave the Sparks a dominant slasher off the bench.

Looking Ahead To 2009

The Sparks bounced back this year with the return of Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton-Jones and the addition of 2008 WNBA MVP Candace Parker. In 2009, the team has one goal in mind, bringing a WNBA Championship back to the city of Los Angeles. The Sparks look to strengthen themselves in every position, grow as a team and come back more focused than ever. Candace Parker lived up to all of the hype surrounding her in 2008, it begs the question: what will she do next?

Parker will leave rookie status behind and start taking strides to becoming a veteran in this league. Milton-Jones will continue to be the emotional leader of this Sparks team and lead by example; she can also throw in another 38 point game any time she pleases. Lisa Leslie will be playing her 12th season in the WNBA after sitting out in 2007. After accomplishing just about everything she can in the world of basketball, there is no doubt that this new mother, author and MVP will want to add another WNBA Championship to her list of things she wants to do before she leaves the court behind.

Key Stats

2008 Leaders

Player	Points	Player	Rebounds	Player	Assists
Candace Parker	18.5	Candace Parker	9.5	Shannon Bobbitt	3.5
Lisa Leslie	15.1	Lisa Leslie	8.9	Candace Parker	3.4
DeLisha Milton-Jones	13.9	DeLisha Milton-Jones	6.3	Temeka Johnson	3.1

Season-by-Season

Season	Wins	Losses	Pct.
2008	20	14	0.700
2007	10	24	0.416
2006	25	9	0.735
2005	17	17	0.500
2004	25	9	0.735
2003	24	10	0.706
2002	25	7	0.781
2001	28	4	0.875
2000	28	4	0.875
1999	20	12	0.625
1998	12	18	0.400
1997	14	14	0.500

History

The Los Angeles Sparks won the inaugural WNBA game when they defeated the New York Liberty on June 21, 1997. The team has made the playoffs in nine of 12 seasons in the WNBA and have won two WNBA titles. The Los Angeles Sparks franchise was founded in 1997 as one of the original WNBA teams. They are located in Los Angeles, California and currently play at STAPLES center. For their first four seasons, the Sparks played their home games at the Great Western Forum. The Sparks are one of seven teams owned and operated independently from the NBA.

Home Courts

External Links

• Sparks Homepage

Arena	Years	Notes
STAPLES Center	2001 - Present

Women's National Basketball Association
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Dream | Chicago Sky | Connecticut Sun | Indiana Fever | New York Liberty | Washington Mystics
Western Conference
Los Angeles Sparks | Minnesota Lynx | Phoenix Mercury | San Antonio Silver Stars | Seattle Storm | Tulsa Shock