CincyLadyVol
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Candice has injuries to deal with this year, probably contributing to her sometimes weaker performance than normal from her....As an aside, Candice is one of the best unintentional promoters of the UT Women's BB program thru her honor of Pat Summit.For those who follow the WNBA, especially Candace and the Sparks, what are your overall thoughts on her season?
I am reading at various sights that she was benched for some of the playoffs and may be having issues with her coach. Is that correct or just a bunch of bull? Thoughts?
For those who follow the WNBA, especially Candace and the Sparks, what are your overall thoughts on her season?
I am reading at various sights that she was benched for some of the playoffs and may be having issues with her coach. Is that correct or just a bunch of bull? Thoughts?
There is a lot of press about her being surprised and unhappy at being benched of the 3rd quarter of an elimination game (what star player would not be). Candace had a decent first game but was not effective in game 2 or 3 but the whole team was flat during the series. Odds are Fischer won't be back next season; the Sparks underachieved.
Unfortunately, I do think we are seeing Candace reaching the twilight of her career. Time marches on.....
I watched a bit on Sunday. I was disappointed. She looked bad. Bad passes and not hustling. It was bad!
PERSONAL OPINION ONLY: Candace was, to my eyes, obviously in a low-energy, diminished-focus funk. But she is determined to not make any excuses for herself and so the true story of this series may never be known. Are there yet-undiscovered health issues? Are there team chemistry issues? Are there coaching staff/trust issues?
Candace didn’t play overseas last year.. she was a commentator for NBA... the injuries had nothing to do with her being benched.. her being benched had a lot to do with the GMShe’s dealt with multiple severe injuries over her career and also played international ball. I wouldn’t be surprised if she retired next season. I didn’t watch the sparks much this year, but when I did, Parker looked a step slower than usual, even after missing half the season, and she also looked like she was playing to avoid potential injury situations. She has lost weight, but it didn’t seem to help much.
She’s not retiring no time soon.. a lot of the drama was happening from the GM..I would not be surprised if she retires sooner than later. She is moving into broadcasting, a single mom, etc. She may not have the focus and passion, particularly now that she is having to play through injuries and an aging body. If she was totally dedicated to b-ball, I think she still can be a very elite player but it is not clear that she is. This season, she would have one good game in three, suggesting that 1) she is not able to manage the grind of the compacted WNBA season; 2) she has games where she is just not mentally ready; or 3) some combination of 1 and 2.
From a longer term career standpoint, broadcasting looks like her ticket. She has a face made for television and seems quite knowledgeable and comfortable in front of the camera.
Candice Parker is still an elite world class player, and a true force to be reckoned with. All too often we keep hearing that certain athletes are getting old, their losing a step, or father time says it time to to sit down, this might be true for many, but not Candice Parker. Like her and our beloved Coach, Pat Summitt, Candice is a what Michael Jordan's performance coach calls a "Cleaner". An ultra elite high performance personality with a mental make up and pedigree the most people can hardly comprehend. They simply don't think, work, or preform to be good or better, they think, they work and preform to dominate, and they do it obsessively. As for her season and playoffs, no, it was not the best of Candice, but I don't think she is done. All elite athletes and teams have these stretches of sub-par performances. Adversity is the key that opens the door of opportunity. If such performances become her norm, then the "slowing down or retirement" conversation can begin. Just my opinion: The Sparks needs consistency at coaching, upgrade their defense, and Candice may need to take some things off her plate, and focus on becoming the most dominant player she has ever been