By Ross Forman
The WNBA kicks off its 10th season next week, and Chicago finally is represented.
The Chicago Sky is an expansion team this season, becoming the 14th team in a league that also features the Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, Charlotte Sting, Detroit Shock, New York Liberty and the defending champion Sacramento Monarchs, among others.
'It's going to be very interesting because we have a lot of very young players. We're a young, energetic club that will be aggressive, high-pressure, fast-paced,' said Deanna Jackson, who has four years of WNBA experience. 'This season is a learning process and everyone is eager to learn. Everyone has to be patient because we don't really know truly what to expect.
'This team is more relaxed than my past teams. Our owners often seem to have more energy than we do.'
The Sky is the brainchild of team chairman and owner Michael Alter, and president/CEO Margaret Stender. Dave Cowens, an NBA Hall of Famer, is the general manager and head coach.
Nikki McCray is the most experienced Sky, an eight-year pro. Elaine Powell has been a pro for seven years, while Amanda Lassiter and Brooke Wyckoff each have been playing for five years.
'It's going to be a lot of challenges this season because, hey, we are a new team. But we have a lot of people who are behind us, and that's going to make it that much easier,' Jackson said. 'I have never been a part of any team in which the owners were so friendly. They really interact with the players; that's something really nice. They're always open for suggestions and want to know what we're thinking, what they can do to improve the team. It truly is a two-way street.
'Coach Cowens is a great coach. He is so easy to play for, so relaxed. And as a player, when you see your coach and owners are so relaxed and so enthused abut everything, it really helps.
'I never imagined getting to play for a Basketball Hall of Famer. But so far, so good. He knows the game, really understands the game. It's so easy to play for him; there's no pressure.'
The Sky defeated Los Angeles 78-73 last week at the UIC Pavilion in its preseason debut as Lassiter led the home crew with 14 points. Stacey Lovelace-Tolbert had 12 points and eight rebounds, while Candice Dupree scored 11.
'The whole 90-feet of the court, we'll pressure you; that's our style. And that's going to be fun to watch,' Jackson said. 'It was packed for our home opener and, ya know, we didn't really think that, for a preseason game, it'd be that packed. Everyone really enjoyed the first game.
'We're going to be a fun team to watch, especially when it comes to pressure and turnovers. We are not going to be a slow-down game. Our coach really stresses defense, so those young player's young legs will attribute to an up-tempo, pick-up-style, full-court pressure game.'
Jackson comes to the Sky via Indiana, where she spent the past two seasons. She played for Cleveland her first two years. Her WNBA career has spanned 120 games, and she's averaged 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per games.
'I enjoyed playing in Indiana, but am thrilled to be in Chicago, especially because my family still will be able to come see me,' Jackson said. 'I'm from Alabama, so I was a little nervous about what to expect in Chicago. But, as it turns out, everyone has been so friendly. I already love it here.'
Sky players signed autographs after the preseason win over Los Angeles, which will be a Chicago tradition, as is customary around the league.
'We have a lot of fans, from a lot of different areas ( of the city ) , from a lot of different cultures, not just within the gay and lesbian community. We get young kids, older kids and truly everything. Women truly love our game, that's for sure,' Jackson said. 'The WNBA does not discriminate against anyone. Everyone has an opportunity to play, whether they're gay, lesbian, straight or whatever. And that's one thing I really like about the WNBA; we don't discriminate; we just go out to play ball.'
The Sky home opener is May 23, when the team hosts Sacramento. The game also will air on WTTW. Other games will air locally on WCIU. Plus, the Sky appears on NBA TV and, on May 30 when the team welcomes Los Angeles, the game will air on ESPN2.
The Sky regular-season runs through Aug. 13. Call ( 877 ) 329-9622.
The July 14 Sky home game against Sheryl Swoopes and her Houston team, as well as the July 16 game against D.C., include benefit tickets for the Gay Games. For those tickets call Stacy Jacobs at the Gay Games office, ( 773 ) 433-8001.
