Sparks open with victory over Shock
From his team’s bench, Detroit Shock Coach Bill Laimbeer stormed across the court.
He had just seen Shock forward Plenette Pierson and Sparks forward Tina Thompson fall after tangling for a rebound. While Pierson lay on the court nursing her right shoulder, Laimbeer voiced his displeasure to Sparks Coach Michael Cooper and Thompson.
It conjured up memories of last year’s altercation, in which Pierson’s entanglement with Sparks forward Candace Parker led to the suspension of 10 players and Detroit assistant Rick Mahorn.
Laimbeer said afterward that “Tina did it on purpose.” Cooper wanted to see the replay but noted, “Bill is always going to have a different take on things.” And Thompson said, “I’ve never intentionally hurt or fouled anyone in the game.”
In the Sparks’ 78-58 victory over the Shock at Staples Center, that play with 1:13 left in the first quarter didn’t escalate into a fight.
But Pierson left the game, adding to the Shock’s inactive roster that also includes forward Cheryl Ford (knee injury) and center Kara Braxton (six-game suspension for a drunk-driving charge).
That depleted lineup wilted under the depth of the Sparks (1-0), prompting Cooper to say this year’s team already “has more chemistry and continuity than any team I’ve ever been with” during his seven seasons with the Sparks, which includes two WNBA titles.
“You don’t want anything like last year to happen again,” Cooper said. “I’m glad we just kept our focus. What we were doing was playing good basketball.”
That included Thompson and guard Betty Lennox scoring 18 and 17 points, respectively. Center Vanessa Hayden (12) and DeLisha Milton-Jones (10) also cracked double digits.
“That’s what’s so special about this team,” Lennox said. “Any given night you’re going to have anybody perform well.”
It didn’t matter that the Sparks began their season without Parker, who delivered a daughter named Lailaa on May 13 and said she’s “taking it by ear” before returning to the lineup. In addition to four players cracking double digits, guard Kristi Harrower had seven assists and Noelle Quinn (eight points) and Marie Ferdinand Harris (seven points) provided help off the bench.
It didn’t matter that center Lisa Leslie scored only six points on three-for-11 shooting. While the Shock (0-1) double-teamed her, the Sparks spread out the court with 12 fastbreak points and 30 points in the paint and led by as many as 26. L.A. went on an 11-2 run to take a 51-29 halftime lead.
“That’s the beauty of it,” Leslie said. “Our offense is designed for us to read the defense and take advantage of whatever they give us.”
Meanwhile, the Sparks’ defense held Detroit to 30.6% shooting. Center Taj McWilliams had 15 points and was the only Shock player to shoot 50%.
The Sparks aren’t satisfied, though. Cooper lamented that Detroit won the rebounding battle, 36-34. Thompson wanted the Sparks to sharpen their pick-and-roll defense. And Lennox thought the execution in practice hadn’t carried over.
But as Thompson said, “The fact we’re working, working, working and continuing to get better is a good sign.”
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