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What does success look like for the Chicago Sky in the 2023 WNBA Season?

By Lukas Petridis

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 15: Kahleah Copper #2 of the Chicago Sky reacts during the first half of the game against the Washington Mystics at Entertainment & Sports Arena on May 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 15: Kahleah Copper #2 of the Chicago Sky reacts during the first half of the game against the Washington Mystics at Entertainment & Sports Arena on May 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Everything has changed for the Chicago Sky this offseason. Entering with a new roster and a new mindset, how do they define success this WNBA season?

Since their last game, the Chicago Sky lost Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Emma Meeseman, Allie Quigley,  Julie Allemand and Azurá Stevens, leaving only Kahleah Copper from their starting lineup. Of the 7,275 regular season minutes played in 2022, 4,848 are gone with those six departures as well as 62.4 of their 86.3 points per game.

It’s a new day for the Sky with a lot of roster movement. Perhaps Chicago’s biggest moves saw the additions of Marina Mabrey and Courtney Williams. With the retention of Copper and Rebekah Gardner, this appears, stylistically, as if they have put all of their eggs in one basket. Now their four richest scorers from a season ago are listed as guards (or G-F, and I’m not talkin’ gluten-free in Copper’s case) on Basketball-Reference.

Diversifying your portfolio may seem like the way to go when retooling your roster so much but it feels as though the Sky’s hand was played for them, so some understanding will need to be practiced in favor of them.

Intensity and competitiveness won’t be a problem for the Chicago Sky

As for the people on this roster; Courtney Williams is one of the biggest competitors women’s basketball has to offer, Kahleah Copper might be the biggest competitor the world has to offer. Their tie-up with 4:53 left in Game 1 of last year’s semis may embody what this team is this season; authentic toughness and grit.

Mabrey brings a toughness of her own, although it’s a little less “in your face” but don’t be surprised when she turns to her opponent’s bench after linking together made 3s. This team has every motivation going their way and players who don’t need any extra motivation to kick your ass, they’ll be bringing it every night.

All of these players know that toughness isn’t about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit. They know they have nothing to prove, they aren’t insecure, it’s just genuine toughness and it’s looking like it’s going to lead the Chicago Sky this season. It’s a toughness that’s common among Aussie WNBA players and it should bring out the best in Anneli Maley and Alanna Smith as they embark on their journey for minutes in this rotation.

That journey for minutes won’t end there, either. Any frontcourt player has a role on this team as a supplementary piece for such a high-octane backcourt. If you can defend, rebound, make the right plays and limit your mistakes, you’ll be good; if you can go out there and be ready for war, you’ll be great.

This team shouldn’t be gunning for a certain number of wins, that’s too traditional, and it doesn’t fit their makeup. This team will rally around each other, the chemistry won’t be an issue, in fact, it’s something that should be harnessed as a strength. James Wade needs to be a step ahead of this and prepare for a team that will gel in the locker room and have something to strive for.

As for success for the Chicago Sky in 2023? I don’t want to mince my words.

Kahleah Copper for MVP.

Make that the priority, everything else will sort itself out.

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