Sky’s Teresa Weatherspoon era will be defined by defense

When it comes to dominating the WNBA, two franchises stand out: the back-to-back champion Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty. The Aces made history by winning consecutive titles, a feat not achieved since the 2001-02 Sparks.

The Liberty, on the other hand, lost to the Aces in the Finals but are ready to come back stronger next season with virtually the same roster. Both teams share more than just talented players; they are led by coaches who have transformed them into offensive powerhouses.

So, what are Teresa Weatherspoon’s plans as the new coach of the Chicago Sky? How will she compete in a league where two teams clearly dominate?

“I don’t play catch up to anybody,” declared Weatherspoon during her introductory press conference. “That won’t be our approach.”

The Sky enter the 2024 season with five players on protected contracts, including Finals MVP and All-Star Kahleah Copper. Copper was involved in the search for a new coach and praised Weatherspoon’s energy and dedication to building strong relationships.

In fact, Copper’s energy aligns with Weatherspoon’s vision for the team’s identity. The Sky’s success will rely heavily on Copper’s fiery energy on the court, similar to Weatherspoon’s own passion.

Weatherspoon, a five-time All-Star and former defensive player of the year, plans to focus on defense. She already has players who can fulfill those expectations, including Copper, who aspires to make the all-defensive first team, and Elizabeth Williams and Dana Evans, who have proven their defensive prowess.

For Weatherspoon, energy is a key factor in what her players can achieve. She believes that Copper has the potential to be an MVP candidate and praises Evans for her relentless defensive skills.

However, the Sky still have several questions to address before the season starts. Firstly, they need to hire a new general manager. They also need to find a starting point guard in free agency and complete the rest of their roster with limited cap space.

Weatherspoon assures that she is involved in all conversations regarding the construction of the 2024 roster. As they work towards a better season than their previous first-round sweep, the team will assess their needs and piece together the necessary elements in a thorough and collaborative manner.