Unlocking the Game - Week 1

The Chicago Sky are two weeks into the season and Coach Key is ready to hear from loyal fans. Unlock the game with Coach Key as he looks to answer the questions you have all season long right here. He’ll field questions covering the WNBA and the Sky both on and off the court. Below are Coach Key’s responses to real questions from Chicago Sky fans.

Who will be the toughest opponent for the Chicago Sky this season?
-David, New York

Coach Key: Indiana. 1. They are the favorites in the Eastern Conference, having won it last season. 2. We have already lost to them twice. 3. They are probably the most physical defensive team in the Eastern Conference. 4. They are a very big team with a versatile lineup. They can move Tameka Catchings to the 2, 3, 4 spot without altering their lineup.
What process does a WNBA team have to go through in order to pick up a player from waivers?
-Wallace, Milwaukee

CK: Once a player is released, they go on waivers, and that is 48 hours long. Once a player clears the waiver line, then any team can pick up that player with their existing contract. The team then contacts the player’s agent and speaks to the player to gauge their interest to see if the player would want to come. If it’s a go, it goes from there.
No disrespect intended but I think the Sky should have made the playoffs last year had Toliver played more. We fans are well aware of the defensive weakness she had but yet you had a team that had defensive struggles. Toliver is gone now, and now we have another player that is not playing that can certainly contribute in Tamera Young. Two losses but Young sits the bench in both after having a nice preseason. Why is Young not playing? She can be an excellent back up to Christon.
-Thomas, Memphis

CK: She has played 18 minutes a game since those first two games. She didn’t play earlier because I was trying to give my starters time to play together. We only had five days with all the starters playing together. Tamera played well, which is why she made the team, but both teams we played did not have complete rosters. We know Tamera can contribute on the court. She has proven that and we know she will find a way to contribute to our success, just as she has in the last couple of games.
I was at the home opener May 22nd. I am excited about this year, but last night’s game had some issues. The Sky had some problems inbounding the ball, passing the ball, and controlling the ball. I think you saw that too. What can we do to fix these problems? Good luck, I hope we fix them soon.
-Kurt, Chicago

CK: We are aware of our lack of focus at times. It’s definitely a challenge to stay mentally focused during games, including passing the ball in. We know we can do it. We have the capability to do it, but we just have to have a better mental focus to do it on an every day basis. You have to do the little things in order to do it. It’s about focus and discipline.
The top seven players look pretty solid, but the bottom four do not! There are some interesting free agents available that might be able to help us, like Ashley Walker. I am curious to know how you set your current roster. Are there any circumstances that you might take another player?
-Pierre, Myrtle Beach

CK: It wasn’t an easy process. As a GM, it is my job to always keep my eye out for different and better talent that will make us more successful over the season. There are more known talents out there who are just as unproven as players in the WNBA. As we figure out if our players are for long-term, we will keep in mind players who are not signed.
At the game on May 22nd the overtime was exciting. Why is it that you coach during the game while the ball is in play? A ball was stolen when one of your players was focused on your instructions instead of the game. Cathrine Kraayeveld, Sylvia Fowles and Epiphanny Prince are as good as it gets!
-Georgia, Chicago

CK: Sometimes the players need instruction, even while on the court.