Los Angeles Sparks are unfamiliar with this circumstance.
The Sparks’ past two seasons were ruined by a lack of offensive consistency, dubious coaching decisions, and off-court turmoil after they consistently made the postseason from 2012 through 2020. After hiring former Connecticut Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller as their new leader in 2023, they are hoping that will come to an end.
The two sides depended on one another in numerous ways.
In his seven years with the Sun, Miller, a two-time Coach of the Year winner, had brought his teams so near to the goal. Miller’s 2019 Sun team battled a star-studded Las Vegas Aces team during this year’s championships while facing an all-time Washington Mystics offence while finishing 16-17 in the postseason during his stint in Connecticut.
There is a limit to how much emotional baggage a company can carry before it feels the need for a leadership change.
According to The Next Hoops, the Sun and Miller’s split was amicable and eventually mutual. In professional sports, it’s unusual for a head coach to decide to leave a team after they get to the Finals without at least one side (or both) seeing the need for a change.
The Los Angeles Sparks were in desperate need of new coaching direction. After a disappointing stint in Los Angeles, Derek Fisher was dismissed 12 games into the 2022 season. Fred Williams, who took his place but ultimately failed to guide the ship in the proper direction, was unable to do so. The Sparks also weren’t helped by their poor season because they gave up their first-round pick in 2023 in exchange for Chennedy Carter, a former Atlanta Dream guard who only played 16.4 minutes a game in 2022. All-star Liz Cambage’s abrupt departure from the squad in the middle of the season and poor play on the court more than made up for Carter’s limited playing time.
Miller will bring consistency to Los Angeles, something the city hasn’t had since franchise mainstays Chelsea Gray and Candace Parker left the team two years ago. Since the Sparks only have two guaranteed contracts signed through 2023, he will also have room to help assemble a new roster. Miller and the Sparks’ incoming general manager have $996,101 in cap space at their disposal, which could increase if they opt to cut three of their non-guaranteed contracts. With this money, they can create a new club identity.
Miller told the Los Angeles Times, “I love to build.” I consider what many people may consider to be a challenging rebuild. I see it as a fun time in Los Angeles where you can really come up with something unique.
Nneka Ogwumike should serve as the foundation for that “something extraordinary.” Ogwumike’s outstanding 2022 campaign was overlooked throughout the Sparks’ losing season. Her final season statistics of 18.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 1.7 SPG earned her a spot on the All-WNBA second team. Despite being the primary centre of the defense’s game plan against the Sparks last season, Ogwumike averaged 1.002 points per possession in the half court. Given the Sparks’ league-low 32% three-point shooting percentage and the fact that opponents didn’t respect their spacing, that mark is astounding.
Ogwumwike is an unrestricted free agent, although she stated that she wants to contribute to the team’s comeback to winning ways.
I would compare this season to residing in a home that you did not construct, I said on August 14 to the Los Angeles Times. So we can start building our house the next year. I already know the layout for next year.
While the Sparks have significantly changed from the squads that made them contenders in the middle of the 2010s, Miller is still looking for his first WNBA championship. Los Angeles may be redirected to the championship runway it hasn’t touched down on since 2016 thanks to the two parties’ decision to revive their connection. Depending on their actions during the offseason, they may end up there.
