Looks like Diana Taurasi has some company for part of the season, as it was announced that LA Sparks superstar Candace Parker will miss the start of the 2015 season to rest.
In last week’s press release, the Sparks revealed that the 2x MVP will miss an unspecified amount of games at the beginning of the season to rest and get her body back to 100%. Candace, who played with her Russian team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, this past weekend in the Euroleague Final Four, was honest about not being physically ready for the season opener, and also made it clear that her Russian club is NOT paying her to rest. According to Sparks GM Penny Toler:
“Candace told me this is not a financial decision,” Toler said. “She told me she’s not getting paid at all [by her Russian club]. She feels she would like to play 100% healthy and be the best she could be to have an opportunity to win a championship.”
Toler remains optimistic, however, and sees the benefit of having a well-rested Candace down the line:
“This was a decision Candace made that she felt was in the best interest of her health and in the best interest of the team,” said Penny Toler. “Our goal has always been to win another championship, and having a healthy and rested Candace Parker will undoubtedly help us down the stretch. We are confident in our returning core leaders, WNBA champions and international stars that will lead the Sparks. When Candace is ready, she will return to the court healthy and rested to help the Sparks in our quest to win the 2015 title.”
The ladies of the WNBA who also play overseas have VERY little down time in between seasons, and that time gets cut down even smaller if they are part of a championship contending team. For seasoned vets like Candace, it’s not a far fetched move, but definitely one that raises concern. We’ll watch this closely.
(Original Story: LA Times)
