Quick Analysis: Chicago Sky Sign Unrestricted Free Agent Ticha Penicheiro

by Nate Parham on Feb 22, 2012 10:39 AM EST in WNBA

With nothing more to prove as one of the most efficient distributors of all time, Ticha Penicheiro had the best shooting efficiency of her 14-year career in 2011. Most of us only dream of aging this well. Photo by Craig Bennett/112575 Media.

It shouldn't be too hard for even casual women's basketball fans to figure out what the Chicago Sky gain from signing unrestricted free agent Ticha Penicheiro.

Penicheiro was named one of the Top 15 WNBA Players of All Time last season, the 14th of her WNBA career. While fans questioned how long she can continue to perform - she's 37-years-old now - she had the highest true shooting percentage of her career (59.8%), and the second-highest pure point rating in the league behind a MVP candidate who directed a dynamic offense to the 2011 WNBA title. She's arguably the best creator in the game today and stats aren't really necessary to make even more grandiose claims about her ability.

The list of active players who would be a better mentor for second-year point guard Courtney Vandersloot - another player who would classify as a "pure point guard" for many people - is short and elite.

But enough about Penicheiro; I could go on for days - and have in the past - about her. She's among the greatest ever, whether she starts or not she likely won't be relied upon for big minutes in Chicago, and this is a great addition for a Sky team that is expected to bring back their 6'6" franchise center to finally get to the playoffs.

Yet the more significant issue here might be what this means for the Los Angeles Sparks, who Penicheiro played for the last two years: the Sparks are now left with two ball handlers who haven't started a full season of games at point guard between them (although Kristi Toliver played well at the beginning of the 2011 season). And there isn't another point guard of Penicheiro's caliber on the free agent market.

This isn't a total disaster for the Sparks, but it's certainly something they have to get creative to work out if they want to make it to the playoffs again.

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Comments

For LA, Candace Parker will be handling the ball and running plays too, because of her positional versatility, so I don't think they don't need a "pure point guard" given that Toliver and Beard will handle the ball too.

As for Chicago, I could see Courtney and Ticha starting at both guard spots perhaps. Courtney guards the shorter guard, Ticha guards the taller one.

by thewiz06 on Feb 22, 2012 11:06 AM EST reply actions

But we just talked about the benefit of Beard not handling! :)

Toliver can handle fine, but she’s also great off the ball next to a bigger guard…like Penicheiro and Noelle Quinn, both of whom are elsewhere now.

I doubt Vandersloot & Penicheiro will be starting because of the presence of Epiphanny Prince… but I think you’re right that this gives the Sky some options in the backcourt…and still have a draft pick to add talent. They’re in really good shape this season.

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Feb 22, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

Well, Beard still can handle the ball when it's needed, but it's shared between three players (CP, KT, and AB - AB is third)

but Alana really shouldn’t have to handle too much at the end of the day

by thewiz06 on Feb 22, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

The Sky roster got RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME this offseason

I’m daydreaming about them already and they’re not even “my team”. Wow. Wow. Really good offseason moves. The first patented Ticha Penichero pass to Sylvia Fowles may make me faint dead away. And then they have Swin in there, too. I think my brain might explode. I need to sit down now. Wait…I already am sitting down. It’s like that. Buy your season tickets now, and see if you can purchase your playoff tickets in advance.

L.A., on the other hand, is in a world of hurt. I thought that L.A. needed to pick up a point guard this season even assuming Ticha would be back, and I think that need is even greater now. Yeah, yeah, yeah, they have lots of “ballhandlers”, but that means nothing without an organizer, and that’s what point guards do—they organize. They direct traffic. They lead. They’re the project managers of basketball. And L.A. was a team that looked directionless for large stretches of last year when Ticha was on the bench. Yes, I think the coaching change will help, but the coach is not out there running the plays—someone still needs to be that player on the floor. Tolliver is not the answer—she’s talented, but things like her meltdown against Phoenix last year don’t leave me inspired about her judgement and leadership abilities at this level at this time. Beard will add a lot in that department, but I was really hoping for Alana to be able to have a season where she could get her feet under her (literally) and not have to be all-everything right out of the gate. Sure, Beard can handle the ball and run an offense capably. OK, so can Seimone Augustus, but that doesn’t mean that’s the best use of her as a player. L.A. needs to find their Whalen to bring all that talent on that roster together, and I’m not sure the draft this year has their answer.

"I'm just playing [a center] on TV" ~Taj McWilliams-Franklin

by Shannon Cotterell on Feb 22, 2012 1:10 PM EST reply actions

And really, I don't even think they have lots of ball handlers.

They traded Quinn as well, leaving them currently with only Lacy and Toliver with any real WNBA pg experience (and like you, I was hoping Beard wouldn’t be handling in LA for reasons described here).

And there is no way they can spend that #1 pick on a point guard, though they could certainly use it to trade down a few spots…

They’re in a tough spot… but we’ll see what further moves they make.

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Feb 22, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

OH ... and yes, the Sky just got awesome

The only thing I’d wonder about is the three point shooting thing – in the past, they’ve played well when they’ve spread the court for Fowles with threes… but part of that was because they didn’t have the person out there to direct traffic the way a Penicheiro (or improved Vandersloot?) can.

So Cash, Willingham, Sloot, and a draft pick might be enough in that department….though I still think a big time threat would help.

Twitter: @NateP_SBN.

by Nate Parham on Feb 22, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions