As we all know, the WNBA’s 2018 schedule has been released and fans of all 12 teams are greatly anticipating when their favorite teams and players return to the court for what should be another season of unforgettable basketball.
When the Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker saw said schedule, she was none too pleased.
The Sparks will open the season on May 20, the day of the W’s “WNBA All Day” campaign which will feature all 12 teams in action. LA’s opponent that May day – the defending Minnesota Lynx, who the Sparks fell to in five games in last year’s WNBA Finals.
“Los Lynx” may be returning to the Target Center which will host the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, but Parker took to social media to express her frustrations.
Can’t imagine @NBA EVER making Lebron watch Steph get his ring. Even if you do stay in the lockeroom….. SMDH https://t.co/1fF9uU1tyR
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) February 8, 2018
A tad disappointed that the longest standing women’s sports league (WNBA) takes the lead ahead of other major sports leagues (NFL NBA MLB NHL) in doing something none of them would ever do….. make the runner up team watch a ring ceremony that could of been theirs.
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) February 8, 2018
When the Sparks won their third ever WNBA championship in 2016, they opened the season at home against the Seattle Storm. LA did not even face Minnesota until early July that season.
While one can understand Parker’s frustrations as a competitor who wants to win, one can also see the WNBA’s side of it. Hyping up the budding rivalry between the W’s two marquee franchises at the moment (and having the game televised on ESPN 2) can be a way to continue to draw interest from day one of the season, especially if we get another Sparks-Lynx Finals to close out the 2018 campaign in September.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
