When the alarm clocks squealed and the wake-up calls shattered predawn slumber Monday morning, Sky personnel did not toss off their hotel bed covers collectively to reveal a changed franchise. The 5:45 a.m. shuttle ride to LaGuardia Airport was no coronation processional.
On Sunday, the second season for Chicago’s WNBA club began much the same way the first season transpired. The Sky shoots poorly overall, the Sky has defensive lapses, the Sky loses, this time 83-71 to the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden.
The 2007 season opener was the 30th loss in 35 total regular-season games played by the team. But it included a 12-point third-quarter lead for the Sky. It featured a generally coherent basketball plan and evidence of better individual talent.
It was, at least, an organized loss. And if that reeks of faint praise, well, the team was 5-29 last year. A whisper in a jumbo jet hangar isn’t more faint than that.
“The culture is very positive,” Sky guard Stacey Dales said. “We have really good, young, energized minds. We have leadership this year, and we have belief in ourselves. That’s the difference.”
For two quarters Sunday, there was reason to believe. After a three-pointer by Dales, the Sky had a 49-37 lead two minutes after halftime. Then the offense imploded, most notably in one 12-minute stretch that produced all of two field goals.
Meanwhile, Liberty shooters were forgotten. Three-pointers comprised all of New York’s points in a decisive 15-4 run to start the fourth quarter. The Liberty hit 13 of 20 threes overall, with Erin Thorn draining seven en route to her 28 points.
“We were a lot more organized in the first half,” said Sky forward Candice Dupree, who scored 12 points. “We were executing on offense and boxing out and looked like a great basketball team. In the second half, when you’re not talking to each other, you’re not boxing out, and nobody’s getting back in transition, it looks like one big mess.”
Perhaps some of that is unsurprising for a team with six rotation players — including three starters — who weren’t even on the roster a year ago.
The most notable newcomers were revelations only in flashes.
Monique Currie scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds but forced her offense late and shot just 5 of 19.
First-round pick Armintie Price played with energy, collecting five assists and four rebounds, but shot 2 of 8.
Dominique Canty shot 1 of 5.
“As time goes by,” Currie said, “I think there will be less mistakes and better outcomes.”
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bchamilton@tribune.com
