Mercedes Russell said the calm part aloud during the Sparks“ Introduction press conference for herself and her colleagues signatures as a free WNBA agent Emma Cannon And Sims Odyssey Tuesday afternoon.
“Obviously, the history of basketball in Los Angeles is deep … We are going to want to hang a banner,” said Russell. “We are going to want to win a championship.”
It is an ambitious mentality for a team that comes out of the worst season of the history of the franchise, but it is the one that triggers the GM Raegan Pebley cultivated by remodeling the list This offseason to complete its young core of Cameron Brink And Rickea Jackson, in particular with the addition of two of two -notb champion and triple All -Star Kelsey Plum. On paper at least, sparks seem to be started for a return to relevance in 2025.
“One of the things we really wanted to make sure that we targeted during our off -season was to continue adding to our culture,” said Pebley by video, “and assuring us that we bring songs that were going to improve our area rear and very intentional pieces that we would add with our veteran leadership that we must have.
Russell and Cannon Bring Championship Experience at Russell won two WNBA titles with the Seattle Storm while Cannon won five titles abroad in Israel and Germany. Another thing they share in common? They both have a story with Plum.
Find out more: Kelsey Plum, stars and WNBA champion, hosts the challenge of reinstateing sparks
Plum and Russell shared the court for the first time as high school students 12 years ago during the McDonald’s 2013 game.
“I have been great friends with her, and knowledge of the field is really special. Because, I mean, on the ground, look at what she did, “said Russell. “Her distinctions and mentality and how her game has developed since she was in the league was incredible. So, I mean, during this process, I obviously thought I was teammates with her, and I also think of 2013 like, Dang, I haven’t played with her for so long. Like, it’s going to be cool just to be back on the field together and put this work together. »»
Cannon finds his former teammate from Las Vegas Aces, Plum and Dererica Hamby, who led the Sparks by scoring and sets a franchise record for rebounds in a single season last year.
Sims, on the other hand, brings a level of familiarity to the sparks, both in its original passage from 2017-2018 and when it arrived last August on a seven-day contract. She saw the sparks at their highest level and their lowest, and it is delighted to be part of this new chapter in the history of the franchise.
“I know that in recent years, has just gotten up and down, trying to find lists, rebuild,” said Sims. “I know, especially to lose Nneka (Ogwumike), which was a large part of the culture of Los Angeles. Just from what was built with Candace (Parker), with Chelsea (Gray), Alana Beard, some of the grown -ups who crossed. So I think I am part of it now, makes it more special because we are going to be something special, but at the same time, return to this winning culture that everyone knows that Los Angeles. This is what we offer.
Cannon knows what is the wait within the team and fans, but she also recognized that work must be put first.
“This does not happen overnight,” said Cannon. “I mean, if you want to hunt something, you want something, you have to work on every day. So each time we go to the gymnasium, each time we get on the field, we must have this championship mentality. Everyone must have the same goal. »»
Sims accepted.
“We have a lot of work to do. As I said, we are going to have our difficult days, we have our moments in the creak, but I am delighted to be part of this and to be surrounded by these great players with whom I have the chance to play with . “”
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
