Sparks show promise despite losing most of their games

Los Angeles Sparks head coach Curt Miller reflected before one of the Sparks recent home games the game. "There's no simple way through it." The Sparks must work through their growing pains as a young team, even as some of their young pieces nurse injuries. In the Sparks have a clear vision and direction, but they struggle to close out games right now.

They can and do compete with the WNBA's best for three and a half quarters but rarely four. When the pressure mounts in the fourth quarter, they show resilience and fight until the end, even if they falter and crumble in the waning moments of games.

"We did a lot of good things in stretches, but that's not going to feel good because of the fourth quarter and ultimately the loss," Miller said after their lost to the Washington Mystics last week. "There's a razor-thin line between winning and losing in this league, and with our youth and injuries, it's even thinner. You watched that thin line evaporate in the fourth quarter, and it's disappointing because we played well enough early to be in control of that game in the fourth quarter."

The Sparks know what is expected of them. Miller teaches them through film, pleads with them to execute in practices, and challenges the team from the sideline during games. Yet, they continue to fold and falter when games wane.

Miller isn't alone in attempting to corral the troops. In every game, newly minted NBA All-Star and Olympian Dearica Hamby corrals, communicates with teammates and tries to steady the rickety ship before it bursts. Thus far, it has yet to work.

"With four minutes left, I told the team to be composed. Don't play like we are down, but run the clock and be smart about that. We just couldn't do it, but we have to move on," Hamby said.

With each blown lead, Miller feels the pressure. He knows the Sparks' coaches' history, and despite that, he remains resolute and resolved in what lies ahead.

"I'm not silly," Miller said. They're 17 coaches in 27 years here. The stopwatch doesn't stop. It will tick on me, just as anyone before me, but I'm really enjoying this group's learning and teaching, and we know brighter days are ahead."

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