The Prime Voice
TRENDING
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Dallas Wings
  • Indiana Fever
  • Los Angeles Sparks
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Dallas Wings
  • Indiana Fever
  • Los Angeles Sparks
No Result
View All Result
The Prime Voice
No Result
View All Result
Home Los Angeles Sparks

Sparks’ Curt Miller remains focused on ‘unintended consequences’ 

by John Maxner
5 July 2024
in Los Angeles Sparks
0
Sparks' Curt Miller remains focused on 'unintended consequences' 

Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Washington Mystics, Coach Miller told reporters: “The unintended consequences of injuries and illness is what I’m always going to stick to — it’s what my career has been defined by as a head coach.”  


Get 24/7 soccer coverage with The Equalizer

The Next is partnering with The Equalizer to bring more women’s sports stories to your inbox. Subscribers to The Next receive 50% off their subscription to The Equalizer for 24/7 coverage of women’s soccer.


While Miller says that this season is one of the toughest he’s ever had as a coach — particularly when it comes to the record column — he’s embracing the adversity, creating learning opportunities for his young team. He says the Sparks are “sticking together through thick and thin” with the mantra that “we’ve got to go through it.”

One unintended consequence of the Sparks’ rough season that’s been clear, while it may not be showing up in the win-loss column yet, is bench production. In fact “bench production” may no longer be an accurate descriptor on a team that has had nine players start at least two games this year. 

With veteran Azurá Stevens still out with an injury, and Brink now out for the season, only one post player — All-Star Dearica Hamby — has started all 19 games this year. In the guard spot, only Kia Nurse has started every game. The Sparks lead the WNBA in bench point production, averaging 25.8 points per game, accounting for 33% of the team’s total points per game. 

Also Read:   What is powering Dearica Hamby to her strongest start yet

Young players like guard Zia Cooke have had flashes of energy in the absence of core guard players. After scoring 25 points total through the first 12 games of the season, Cooke had back-to-back 13- and 14-point games in June’s losses to the New York Liberty. When it comes to being ready “when her number gets called,” as Miller likes to say, she credits her “running back mentality.” 

She’s not the only one. Wing Rae Burrell has seen the impact of unintended consequences, with huge increases in production in her 11 minutes per game. While she averages only 4.1 points per game, her efficiency is notable — that’s an average of 15 points per 40 minutes. 

Guard Aari McDonald is averaging seven assists per 40 minutes of play, and has established herself as an essential floor general and key piece for the Sparks. Like her teammates, she’s balancing the positives of adversity and the a desire to win, telling reporters “We’re tired of the moral victories. We are growing each game, but we’ve got to play and put it all together for 40 minutes and I think we’ll be alright.” 

As the Sparks move into the month of July, there’s one echoing sentiment: they want to start closing out some games. But there’s also a (perhaps unexpected) hum of positivity. They have two Olympians: Kia Nurse will play for Team Canada and Dearica Hamby will fill Cameron Brink’s spot on the Team USA 3×3 team. Hamby was just named to her third WNBA All-Star Game. Rookie Rickea Jackson is playing with more consistency, and players like Stephanie Talbot and Li Yueru are finding their strides on a new team. Perhaps most importantly, “this group is tight,” as Miller says. It shows on the court: they have an assisted shot rate of 72%, putting them at fourth in the league. 

Also Read:   Odyssey Sims brings energy to Sparks during hardship contract

Want even more women’s sports in your inbox?

Subscribe now to our sister publication The IX and receive our independent women’s sports newsletter six days a week. Learn more about your favorite athletes and teams around the world competing in soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, hockey and gymnastics from our incredible team of writers.

Readers of The Next now save 50% on their subscription to The IX.


Miller appreciates the challenges that come with developing a team of young players, a contrast from the Connecticut Sun roster that he previously coached.

“This is why I left the team [that] I knew could win 30 games a year. I thrive in building. I thrive in the process of building and teaching … I’m teaching again. It’s not easy.” 

When asked about their recent skid, Miller says, “I’m not silly. There [have been] 17 coaches in 27 years here. The stopwatch doesn’t stop. It’s going to tick on me, just [as it did] before me. But I’m really enjoying this group. Learning and teaching and we know great days are ahead.” 

Related Posts

Locked On WBB: Checking in on the 2024 WNBA draft class
Los Angeles Sparks

Locked On WBB: Checking in on the 2024 WNBA draft class

31 May 2025
Sarah Ashlee Barker is Not Playing Like a Rookie for the Los Angeles Sparks
Los Angeles Sparks

Sarah Ashlee Barker is Not Playing Like a Rookie for the Los Angeles Sparks

31 May 2025
How Azurá Stevens has flourished in the Sparks' new system
Los Angeles Sparks

How Azurá Stevens has flourished in the Sparks’ new system

30 May 2025
FIBA World Cup shift is a game changer for the WNBA
Los Angeles Sparks

FIBA World Cup shift is a game changer for the WNBA

28 May 2025
WNBA Notes: Sonia Citron debuts, Kelsey Plum is the offense
Los Angeles Sparks

WNBA Notes: Sonia Citron debuts, Kelsey Plum is the offense

25 May 2025
Sarah Ashlee Barker's expedited adjustment to the WNBA
Los Angeles Sparks

Sarah Ashlee Barker’s expedited adjustment to the WNBA

24 May 2025
Next Post
Connecticut midseason check-in: Sun have plenty to celebrate

Connecticut midseason check-in: Sun have plenty to celebrate

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • 309 Followers

Recommended

Locked On WBB: Which WNBA rookies will make an impact fast?

Locked On WBB: Which WNBA rookies will make an impact fast?

17 June 2024
2025 WNBA season preview: Atlanta Dream

2025 WNBA season preview: Atlanta Dream

10 May 2025
Locked On WBB: Kelly Krauskopf back with Indiana Fever

Locked On WBB: Kelly Krauskopf back with Indiana Fever

13 November 2024
Thoughts on the Candace Parker signing with the Chicago Sky – Women's Basketball News and Opinions

Thoughts on the Candace Parker signing with the Chicago Sky – Women’s Basketball News and Opinions

12 June 2024
Indiana Fever lose key transition player in Temi Fagbenle

Indiana Fever lose key transition player in Temi Fagbenle

9 December 2024
Monique Billings is putting up career numbers with Dallas Wings

Monique Billings is putting up career numbers with Dallas Wings

12 June 2024

About Us

At ThePrime Voice, we are passionate about bringing you the latest and most exciting developments in the world of technology. Our mission is to simplify the complex, making tech news accessible to everyone, whether you’re a seasoned tech enthusiast or just starting your journey into the digital realm.

Categories

  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Dallas Wings
  • Indiana Fever
  • Las Vegas Aces
  • Los Angeles Sparks
  • New York Liberty
  • Seattle Storm
Locked On WBB: Checking in on the 2024 WNBA draft class

Locked On WBB: Checking in on the 2024 WNBA draft class

31 May 2025
Jewell Loyd, Aces still adjusting as WNBA season kicks off

Jewell Loyd, Aces still adjusting as WNBA season kicks off

31 May 2025
Sarah Ashlee Barker is Not Playing Like a Rookie for the Los Angeles Sparks

Sarah Ashlee Barker is Not Playing Like a Rookie for the Los Angeles Sparks

31 May 2025
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Copyright © 2024 - The Prime Voice. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Dallas Wings
  • Indiana Fever
  • Los Angeles Sparks

Copyright © 2024 - The Prime Voice. All Rights Reserved.