But in Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts’ new, often-discussed “system,” Stevens’ usage is up, and so are her percentages. When Roberts took the helm of the Sparks, she repeatedly told reporters she wanted to focus on her players taking high-value shots, which relies heavily on pushing pace, playing aggressively and “playing in space,” as star guard Kelsey Plum told reporters on Sparks media day.
Fortunately for the Sparks, pretty much any shot Stevens is taking right now is a high-value shot. The eighth-year player is averaging her highest field goal percentage, three-point percentage (by 12 percentage points), and free throw percentage through the first six games, as well as more minutes, points, and rebounds than she’s ever had in her career.
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When asked about her offensive production, Stevens told The Next, “[Roberts’] system is really complementary to my game. It’s a lot of cutting. It’s a lot of spacing and just spreading the floor. When we have great spacing, it’s hard to guard five out.”
Stevens is averaging 15.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game (the latter is eighth in the league), thriving in the positionless system so well suited to a center with her length, quickness, and range. Notably, she’s making 1.7 threes per game on 47.6% shooting, notably going 4-for-7 from deep in the Sparks’ loss to the Minnesota Lynx earlier this month. She’s already broken 20 points three times (something she only did once last year, and has only done six times in her career prior to this season).
Having Stevens exploit her length and spread the floor doesn’t just mean allowing her to get open shots when other teams’ centers don’t extend beyond the key to guard her, but it also means that players like Dearica Hamby, and Cameron Brink upon her return later this season, are going to get more ability to cut to the basket without both defensive and offensive bodies clogging up the paint. Hamby, who had a career season last year with 17.3 points per game, is averaging 18.7 points per game this year, with many of them coming off of cuts and dives to the hoop, made possible, in large part, by Stevens’ spacing as well as the addition of Plum.
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When asked about Plum’s impact on the offensive end, Stevens told The Next, “Obviously, she’s a great scorer, but … we’ve been connecting a lot on just cutting and dimes that way and then she’ll drive in and pull the defense and kick it out.”
With injuries to long guards like Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell to start the season, and with the absence of Brink, Stevens’ increased production couldn’t come at a better time – and it’s not just happening on the offensive end. Stevens is also averaging a career high 1.5 steals per game, with her length disrupting opponents’ passing lanes and challenging non-ball handlers to make tough choices.
After Stevens’ 23-point, 17-rebound performance against the Phoenix Mercury, Roberts told reporters, “I do want to say Azurá was unbelievable tonight. … She’s been so consistent and steady for us, and I’m really proud of her, she’s figuring it out.” She went on to add, “This is a system that’s able to play to Z’s strengths. She’s able to cut, she has great timing, she understands when and where to cut. … And she’s a great shooter, so with the space, I think it’s a great system for her. She can also put the ball on the floor. And then defensively, her length, I think she’s a better defender than people give her credit for.”
