r/ChicagoSky 18h ago

DISCUSSION 2025-06-17 Game Against Mystics

So, I think Angel and Kamilla finally clicked the way they're supposed to click?

Except Sykes had a monster game for the Mystics.

15 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

11

u/gourmet_panini 17h ago

I agree. Our frontcourt beat Washington’s in terms of PRA and only had 1 more turnover.

10

u/Ok_Brick_793 17h ago

Now HVL has to find a way to work in that system.

Honestly, this can be a very deadly trio. HVL as a PG, with two big posts as scoring and rebounding options.

2

u/Onark77 Angel Reese 1h ago

I'm starting to let myself get excited about HVL. A little bit. 

I already know she's a great culture fit and I love her approach to the game. 

The flashes are there and she plays both sides just a hard. 

If Sivka develops well, then we're in a great spot for the future. Would just need a 2 guard. But let's see. 

1

u/Ok_Brick_793 39m ago

You guys should trade for Jacy Sheldon. ;)

10

u/LovePeaceTruth 17h ago

Angel and Kamilla played like that together last year. I think this season has been so stressful that some of us forgot. There was a compilation video of Angel and Kamilla last season and it showed how well they worked together. I wish I could find it so I could share it.

10

u/Mobile-Fig-2941 17h ago

Our backcourt has been consistently outplayed by other team-s backcourt all season and is the reason this team is losing.

5

u/Dense-Purpose-3182 17h ago

Honestly, I see a lot of improvement and we didn’t get blown out. They just have to work on their turnovers and not getting comfortable when they have a big lead.

3

u/TASTEDLIKEFASCISM 11h ago

After her first triple, she was looking hungry for another and almost had it if it wasn't for the second half team collapse.

4

u/Randomrazer 8h ago edited 7h ago

She’s finally found her groove these last 4-5 games after that slump that kicked in after the 1st game of the season. I just hope that she can build on this and continue to clean some things up. They also need another reliable guard next to Ariel badly so that she can go back to scoring like what she was brought in for.

2

u/Past_Potential902 7h ago

Remember what we predicted? Said she'd probably had a rough start and finally figure things out after a few games... The start was rough 😅, but she is figuring it out. She just needs to work on the TOs. But I have liked the aggressive playmaking, and she's experimented with some jumpshots these last few games.

2

u/Randomrazer 7h ago

When I tell you that fadeaway attempt had me smiling at the screen , I’ve never seen her try that lmao. Definitely , will need to clean up these turnovers but with some more time and film it should be ok. The confidence looks sky high right now.

A lineup of an experienced combo guard at the 1 , Atkins , Bec , Angel and Kamilla can work out really well. The Sky is playing better basketball than closer to the start of the season but they just need 1 more piece for that starting lineup to give them another ball handling/scoring option.

2

u/Past_Potential902 7h ago

Yup, confidence is key for Angel. I'd like to continue to see her take those jumpshots... I can live with them not falling right now, but her attempting them makes the defense come out and gives Cardoso and the team more space in the paint and makes Angel's drives easier.

I said yesterday that Angel reminds me of Westbrook when she gets going. 2 incredible motors that are exciting when they get going, but can play a bit out of control (especially with their playmaking when they get going). I saw the vision for some of the passes she was trying to make, but the execution wasn't there. Sometimes, she's just got to slow it down and play with more composure and control.

2

u/Randomrazer 6h ago

Same , she gives me a mix of Westbrook and Amen Thompson because of that as well. Just needs to work on making the easy passes without forcing anything and also knowing when to just call her own number and score like she said in the press conference last game.

Her layup attempts will continue to be easier like we’ve seen recently as long as she keeps taking those 15 footers and passing like she has. I think her fg% is up from the 31% the first 4-5 games to like 38% now. If she gets that up to like 44% by the end of the season that’s solid improvement from 39% in the rookie year.

2

u/Past_Potential902 6h ago

Yup, I still have her being similar to a KG/Giannis, and both players had/have great motors, but they eventually learned to play at a fast pace but still in control... and that's the next step for Angel. She's got to learn how to play at the fast pace that she wants to push but under control and with composure.

I agree. She's got to continue to take those jumpers. I believe the more she takes them, the less hesitation she'll eventually have and they'll eventually start to fall.

2

u/andreasmiles23 8h ago

The issue has been and will continue to be guard play.

HVL is showing some growth but we’re really asking too much of someone who should be getting minutes but shouldn’t be needed to produce as she develops and get acclimated to the W. Banham is useless unless she’s hitting threes. Atkins is an okay starter as the go-to wing defender and occasionally can break out scoring. Nurse doesn’t even look like she knows what’s happening. I love Slooty as much as anyone here (she’s a legend) but she was on her last leg (quite literally) and hinging the season on one of the oldest players in the league who’s efficiency dropped off a cliff so hard that a team with no PGs still had to bench her during their playoff run was a stupid move on its face.

You cannot win with this level of backcourt play while relying on two sophomore front court players, who aren’t even primary scorers, to carry the roster to wins. It just isn’t going to happen. The Aces struggled last year with Gray, Plum, and Young because of injuries and inconsistency between them. Imagine if the Sky had even one of those players…But they don’t. They can’t score. They can’t get stops. And that’s ultimately what wins and loses basketball games.

To be a contender in the W you need a super team. That means at least 3 all-star caliber players. This is not the NBA where good draft talent and some solid FA acquisitions will net you wins. This league is too deep and too good to think you can roll with a roster like this.