On the Beat With the Atlanta Dream 06/22/2021

The Atlanta Dream held a media session featuring Head Coach Mike Petersen and players Cheyenne Parker and Chennedy Carter. As always on off days, the media session was more focused on general topics.

Coach Petersen started by discussing the loss of Tiffany Hayes. Losing a player like Hayes causing adjustments, but the team has made adjustments all season. One of those adjustments involves the play of Odyssey Sims. With the revolving door of players arriving late from playing in other countries and leaving for tryouts elsewhere, all teams are adjusting on the fly. Fortunately, the WNBA will take a league-wide break for the upcoming Olympics.

Next up was Parker, one of my long-time favorites from the Chicago Sky. I started by thanking her for her time here. She was always a class player, willing to give solid interviews. I love the current Sky team, but losing a player like Parker is always sad.

Parker talked about adjusting to her new team. Going from the blues to the reds was odd, but she is adapting and loves her place on the team. She talked about the whole process of joining her new team. Parker also gave a quick update on how she is doing.

Lastly, Carter took the media seat. She started by discussing what things she learned last season that she brought into this season. Her injury update was quick, but to the point. She finished with discussing Atlanta.

The Dream currently sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-7. Despite that, they are only three games out of first place. The league is pretty balanced, with only four teams above even. Unfortunately for the Dream, they have lost five of their last six games, after a four game winning streak.

The Dream return to action on Wednesday, when they host the Minnesota Lynx. After that, they have two home games against the New York Liberty. A three game sweep would put the Dream over the .500 mark and probably into the top half of the Conference. It's too early to call these “must win” games, but they are big games and games the Dream could win.

You can find the interview session at On the Beat With the Atlanta Dream 06/22/2021. Also check back here for my recurring coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 09/14/20

The Chicago Sky finished the WNBA regular season with a 95-88 win over the Dallas Wings. The Sky finished in first place In the Eastern Conference.

The Sky had lost four consecutive games and six of their last seven. During that skid, guard Diamond DeShields (personal reasons) and forward Azura Stevens (knee injury) left the team. The Sky also acquired forward Stephanie Mavunga from the Indiana Fever for center Jantel Lavender.

Despite their Eastern Conference first place finish, the Sky is seeded sixth for the WNBA playoffs, as conference standings do not figure into the equation. At 12-10, the Sky are ranked ahead of the Connecticut Sun (10-12) and the Washington Mystics (9-13). This sets up the first round single-elimination games tonight featuring the Sky facing the Sun and the Mystics battling the Phoenix Mercury (13-9).

In the media session on Monday, Coach James Wade, forward Cheyenne Parker and guars Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley were upbeat and stressed the team simply had to play to their capabilities. While that is expected talk for a playoff team, it isn't merely lip service. Prior to their late season slide, the Sky was riding high at 11-4. They were battling for the top spot in the WNBA and were considered to be a real threat to the championship.

The Sky outscored the Sun 1,908 to 1,768. The Sky shot better from the field (49.1%-42.7%) and from 3 point territory (35.1%-31.2%). The Sun had an edge in steals (12.9-10.3) and rebounds (49.4-46.3), while the Sky led in assists (29.6-25.2). Overall. The Sky head into the game as 3.5 point favorites. I am predicting a Sky win 82-79.

Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league and the playoffs. Check back here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 08/31/20

The Chicago Sky have had an eventful week. They finished August losing two of their last three games, while adding a couple players to replace a couple others.
Guard Diamond DeShields and forward Azura Stevens left the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Sidelined with a knee injury, Stevens is heading to a cartilage specialist and is out for the rest of the season. Also done for the year is DeShields, who left for personal reasons.
In other roster moves, the Sky traded center Jantel Lavender and two 2021 draft picks to Indiana for forward Stephanie Mavunga. The 14th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft, was averaging career highs in points, rebounds and minutes per game, before a facial injury sidelined her on August 7. She is cleared to play now, but must wait through her quarantine period before playing for the Sky.
The Sky also signed free agent Alisa Jenkins to a seven day contract. The forward, who played for Indiana earlier in the season, made her first appearance for the Sky yesterday, playing one minute without any stats.
In the off day media session, guard Sydney Colson and forward Cheyenne Parker discussed the recent changes and events, while stressing the team unity and focus. With the loss of DeShields and Stevens, others will have to step up.
I asked Parker if Coach James Wade was working on any new wrinkles to be unveiled in the playoffs. Parker did not reveal any secrets, but stated that Coach wade was creative and would have a great plan. While not spilling any inside info, Parker's slight grin gave away the answer more than her words.
Especially with the recent changes, Coach Wade has been forced to be flexible with his team and the plans. It's a guaranteed Coach Wade will debut a new play or two when the playoffs begin.
Last Thursday's game with the Indiana Fever was played yesterday and won by the Sky to snap their two game skid. The postponement was the result of the players taking a stand for social justice.
On Monday, the Sky beat the Fever handily 100-77. The Sky sits in 1st place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-6 with six games remaining. Wednesday night, they face the Minnesota Lynx, who at 10-5 are in 4th place in the Western Conference.
The Sky have a comfortable three game lead in the Eastern Conference. While winning is still the focus over the remaining games, team chemistry is very important, too. A lot has changed in a week, but the Sky are still on top and plan to stay there.
Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league. Check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for recurring coverage.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 08/06-08/20

Last week, I attended media sessions featuring players Gabby Williams, Azura Stevens, Stella Johnson, Cheyenne Parker and Diamond DeShields. It was a bit of a mixed bag of fun, frustration and regular talk.

This was my second time with Stevens and Parker. You can check previous posts to get more info on their careers.

Stevens talked about recovering from her injury and how she is handling the quick pace of the schedule. Then she told a funny story about a tennis competition with her Sky teammates. Parker continued the fun by sharing a funny story about a surprise birthday for Johnson.

Johnson starred at Rider, before being selected by the Phoenix Mercury in the 3rd round (59th overall) of the 2020 WNBA draft. She did not make the team, but signed with the Sky prior to this season.

Johnson talked about the challenges in transitioning from college to the pro league. She talked about learning from the team veterans and looking forward to getting playing time.

DeShields played her college ball at North Carolina and Tennessee before being selected by the Sky in the 1st round (3rd overall) in the 2018 WNBA draft. In two seasons with the Sky, she has played in 68 games, averaging 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

A second generation pro athlete, DeShields is the daughter of former Major League Baseball star Delino and the brother of current star Delino Jr. Diamond joins a handful of WNBA players with relatives in other pro sports.

DeShields talked about coming from a sports family. Then she got a bit reflective discussing missing her sister as she prepares to enter college.

Williams starred at UConn, leading the team to a stunning record of 148-3 record. She was selected by the Sky in the 1st round (4th overall) in the 2018 WNBA draft. In her two seasons with the Sky, she has played 67 games, averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Williams talked about missing Halle Berry, her cat, not the actress. It was very obvious how much she loves her cat and how much she misses her.

Coach James Ward was also part of one of the sessions, but he was not a happy camper. He was very frustrated with the Sky being on the receiving end of bad calls in Thursday night's game. He said he sent video to the league office and expressed his displeasure. Although a day later, he was still visibly angry and his answers were very short.

After Monday's 89-71 loss to the Seattle Storm, the Sky now stand at 5-3. Still in 1st place, the Sky next face the Phoenix Mercury, who are also 5-3, on Wednesday.
For more info on the league, go to WNBA.com. Check here and GlobalTravelerUSA.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage.

On the Beat With the Chicago Sky 08/03-04/20

After beating the Dallas Wings 82-79 last night, the Chicago Sky stand at 4-1. That's good for 1st place in the Eastern Conference of the WNBA. On Thursday, the Sky play the Phoenix Mercury, who are 3-2.
I sat in on two recent Sky Zoom media sessions this week. Coach James Wade and players Azura Stevens, Kahleah Copper, Sydney Colson and Cheyenne Parker took turns meeting the press.
Coach "Coco" Wade played college ball at Middle Tennessee, Chattanooga State C.C.and Kennesaw State, but went undrafted by the NBA. He played 13 years professionally overseas and started coaching as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs in 2012. He became an assistant with the WNBA Minnesota Lynx in 2017 and was named head coach of the Sky in 2019, leading them to a record of 20-14..
Forward Stevens played at UConn, before being selected by the Dallas Wings in the 1st round (6th overall) in the 2018 WNBA draft. After two seasons with the Wings, the second of which was shortened by foot surgery,, she was traded to the Sky. For her career, she has played 43 games, averaging 8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Forward Parker played college ball at High Point and Middle Tennessee, before being selected in the 1st round (5th overall) of the 2015 WNBA draft. In five seasons with the Sky, she has played 146 games, averaging 6.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Guard Colson played for Texas A&M before being selected by the Connecticut Sun in the 2nd round of the 2011 WNBA draft. She was traded to the New York Liberty before the season. After one season with the Liberty, she did not play in the WNBA until 2015, when she signed with the San Antonio Stars. She played three seasons with the Stars, followed by a season with the Las Vegas Aces and one with the Lynx, before joining the Sky this season. For her career, she has played 148 games, averaging 3.5 points, 2.1 assists and 1 rebound per game.
Guard-forward Copper played for Rutgers, before being selected by the Washington Mystics in the 1st round (7th overall) in the 2016 WNBA draft. She played one season with the Mystics before being traded to the Sky as part of the Elena Delle Donne trade. For her career, in four seasons, she has played 131 games, averaging 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Go to WNBA.com for more info n the league. Also, go to GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for more coverage of the WNBA and all women's sports.

Cheyenne Parker Loves Johngy's Beat

Cheyenne Parker was born in Queens< New York and played basketball at High Point University for 

three seasons before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University for her last season. Parker was selected 5th overall in the 2015 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky and has played with the team since then.

I first met Parker at Media Day last season. I had the pleasure of watching her play up close when covering the team. Last season was her best season yet, as she averaged 10 points per game.

Parker took a few minutes before a recent practice to send a shout out to Johngy's Beat. We really appreciate the support.

In turn, we encourage everyone to check out Sky.WNBA.com for all of the info on Parker and the Sky. The Sky open the season this Saturday in Minnesota against the Lynx.