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2017 WNBA Preview: New legacy for Los Angeles Sparks, defending WNBA crown

By Mike Peden

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: The Los Angeles Sparks pose for a photo with NBA Legend, Magic Johnson after the WNBA Finals Game 5 against the Minnesota Lynx on October 20, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: The Los Angeles Sparks pose for a photo with NBA Legend, Magic Johnson after the WNBA Finals Game 5 against the Minnesota Lynx on October 20, 2016 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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KEY LOSSES

Finding guards who can make an instant impact was imperative for the Sparks because of who they lost: Kristi Toliver. After seven seasons in Los Angeles, Toliver darted to Washington as a free agent. Relocating after winning a title is not unprecedented, but there is a degree of peculiarity. The nucleus of the Sparks was in no danger of dissipating, and Toliver’s role as a starter was virtually guaranteed. However, professional basketball is always a business, and Toliver’s decision is no exception.

The Sparks will move on, discovering new ways to compete, but folks like Ogwumike will miss her presence.

“It isn’t ever easy saying goodbye to someone you’ve shared so much time with in anything in life. Kristi is still my teammate and will always be a vet and friend that helped shape my career and my experiences as a professional. We could say that it’s unfortunate that I’m no longer playing with her, but let’s not forget to savor that fact that I won a championship with her! No one can steal that,” she said.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 20: Kristi Toliver
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 20: Kristi Toliver /

Indeed, no one can take away what Toliver did for Los Angeles, but her patented perimeter stroke is no longer an option. During her career, the 30-year-old guard has shot above 42 percent from three-point range. In each of the last six years, Toliver has ranked 10th or higher in the league for three-point makes and three-point field goal percentage.

Toliver turned up her marksmanship last year. Of all her field goal attempts, 57.4 percent of them came from three-point range, the highest ratio of her career. Lining up behind the arc paid off, as Toliver knocked down a career-high 81 triples.

Sims and Williams could compensate somewhat from the perimeter, and Wiese carries over solid credentials from her college performance. Among returning players, Chelsea Gray could elevate her skills from distance. She converted only 30.4 percent of her three-point attempts in the regular season, but bumped that figure to 39.1 percent in the playoffs.

A less-discussed but still crucial element in Toliver’s game is her ball distribution. She averaged 3.7 assists per game in 2016, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.7. The search for a replacement there should be brief; Parker finished third in the league with 4.9 assists per game, and Sims placed 10th. Wiese dropped dimes at a respectable rate for Oregon State, and could do so with the Sparks over time, but she knows where they operate best.

“Try to make sure we get Candace, we get Nneka those touches in order to help the newbies like myself get a little more comfortable,” Wiese told The Summitt.

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