Sparks Eye Best Record In The WNBA

The Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA are trying to recapture the magic that allowed them to be the best team in the league before the Olympic break last month. After the break they are 3-3 at Press Time.

The Sparks are currently 24-6 and have three important games remaining on their regular season schedule.

Right now the Sparks are a game behind Minnesota for the best record in the league. Whoever has the best record will have home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

"After the Olympic break we had to get back into game situations and that took a few games," said Jantel Lavender of the Sparks. "We need to keep working and we need to put teams into situations they are not comfortable with. We also need to practice a lot of game situations. We have talent and experience on this team so we should be all right."

Sparks head coach Brian Agler said his team had good practices during the month-long Olympic break but he realizes it's going to take time for the Sparks to get back to a high level of play. The problem is they don't have a lot of time.

"It's getting better and we keep improving," said Agler last Sunday. "We have to keep our concentration. To play at a high level in this league you have to have a focus that never leaves you."

Sparks guard Alana Beard, who is playing in her 12th season hopes the veteran leadership on the team will help them in the playoffs.

"This is a veteran team but chemistry and effort is very important," said Beard last week. "No one can take away your heart and effort."

To win a championship the Sparks will need consistent play from their bench and guard Ana Dabovic appears to be ready to help the team move in the right direction. Last month she helped her Serbia team win the Bronze Medal in the Olympics and that created a different mindset when she returned to the team.

"The Olympics were amazing but now I have to understand what I do best to help the Sparks win games," said Dabovic. "I want to bring energy to the team and have fun."