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2018 WNBA preview in three quotes: Chicago Sky edition

By Howard Megdal

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Stefanie Dolson #31 and Gabby Williams #15 of the Chicago Sky pose for portraits during WNBA Media Day 2018 on May 9, 2018 at the Sachs Recreation Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 9: Stefanie Dolson #31 and Gabby Williams #15 of the Chicago Sky pose for portraits during WNBA Media Day 2018 on May 9, 2018 at the Sachs Recreation Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Defining what the Chicago Sky need to go right in 2018, through their own words.

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The 2018 WNBA season is upon us, and every team faces some key questions that will define its season. We spoke to key stakeholders in Chicago, where Amber Stocks has supplemented her trio of stars from last season — Stefanie Dolson, Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot — with a pair of high draft picks in Gabby Williams and Diamond DeShields, along with the debut of Alaina Coates, last season’s second overall pick. Here are three quotes that illustrate what has to go right for the Sky to return to the WNBA playoffs.

“So right now, it’s a lot of trial and error. We’re playing different lineups. We’re playing with each other. And honestly, we have a lot of new players this season, too, so we’ve just got to build that chemistry. But overall, I think individually, I’ve seen a lot of improvement in the players that have returned from last year. And Jay just got back the other day, so I’m looking forward to kind of getting everyone back and then seeing where we are.” – Stefanie Dolson

A year ago, much of what the Sky had and how it all fit together was an unknown. They don’t face nearly so much uncertainty now. Allie Quigley is a defined star at starting two guard, making a seamless transition from sixth woman. And Dolson’s ability to take her game to another level, dominating through two-person sets with Courtney Vandersloot, is a given from the start.

Really, the improvements will come from places like Jamierra Faulkner, who was devastatingly effective off the bench in 2016, but missed all of 2017 with a knee injury. And then there’s Coates, who can be the transition center when the Sky want to run more. Most of all, there’s Williams and DeShields. If the pair are the two-way wings Stocks envisions right away, the Sky’s starting five can match up with anyone in the league.

“I think she is trying to figure some things out. And, I mean, everyone goes through a little transition period when it comes to going from college to the league. And we’re trying to play her in little different positions, so I just told her to just kind of take a breath, and just do what she’s good at, and not try to do too much. I think that’s when players get in trouble is when they try to do things outside of their normal. And then they either turn the ball over or things just don’t go well.” – Stef Dolson on Gabby Williams

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 9: Gabby Williams #15 of the Chicago Sky poses for a portrait during WNBA Media Day 2018 on May 9, 2018 at the Sachs Recreation Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 9: Gabby Williams #15 of the Chicago Sky poses for a portrait during WNBA Media Day 2018 on May 9, 2018 at the Sachs Recreation Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Here’s what you need to keep in mind about Gabby Williams: Connecticut played her out of position her final two seasons. Talk to Williams, and she’ll tell you she’s a perimeter defender at heart, yet Geno Auriemma, out of necessity, had her guarding fours and fives endlessly. Even so, she managed to top three percent in steal rate each season, per HerHoopStats, and imagining how many easy baskets she’s going to create in transition after turnovers is appealing, especially considering what a gifted passer she is (28.8 assist percentage playing mostly high post!). The Sky finished at the very bottom of the league in forcing turnovers last season. Expect that to change, and Williams is a big reason why (so is DeShields, frankly).

“The offense efficiency, finishing in the top four of offense efficiency rating and then the top four in defense efficiency rating, those are two very specific goals that we have in mind, and then increasing in our free throw attempts.” – Amber Stocks

She’s right, that’s how you become a contender, and here’s how it’ll happen. Last year, due to overseas commitments and injury, Courtney Vandersloot and Jamierra Faulkner played 27 of a combined 68 games, Vandersloot accounting for all of them. That’s a lot of missing passes, missing organization, missing dribble penetration that leads to free throws. Beyond the defensive pressure leading to more fast break points, the gap between how the Sky finished in transition (second in the WNBA in points per possession, per Synergy) and the halfcourt sets (ninth) should narrow.

Will it be enough to turn 12-22 into a playoff-worthy record? It’s certainly easy to see how that happens.

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