LA Sparks win WNBA Title

It's been a heck of a season for the LA Sparks. They finished with a 26-8 record to end up second behind their opponent they played in the Finals, the Minnesota Lynx (28-6). They have had a unique set of players who got them to the Finals. Side note, it also helps to have NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson to be part of the organization and very involved.

Nneka Ogwumike, forward for the Spark was named the MVP for the WNBA season. She averaged 19.7 points per game along with 9.1 rebounds and shot 66.5% from the field, which was an WNBA best. She had a lot of help though. You can't talk about the Sparks without mentioning Candace Parker.

Parker, a star at Tennessee came into the league having high expectations to perform at a high level like she did with Pat Summit. She hasn't disappointed. She has also won MVP awards in 2008 and 2013 and most recently received MVP award at this Finals. Parker personally has been one of my favorites to watch. It was fun to see her go head to head with Minnesota's Maya Moore. She worked hard to get the Sparks back in the Finals. The last time they won the title was back in 2002 with Lisa Leslie.

It doesn't happen to often where a basketball player wins the NCAA championship as well as a professional championship. I am glad to see that she that achieved that. Their was a heartfelt hugs shared with teammates as well as with Magic Johnson. Talking to reporters at the end of the game she fought back tears saying, "This is for Pat." Month's prior to these Finals taking place in June Tennessee legendary coach Pat Summit passed away. She also said after winning the championship that she could hear Pat's voice in her mind telling her to keep going. And during that game she kept going and moved forward.

A lot of credit goes to Brian Agler, head coach of the Sparks. He became the Sparks coach last year and how extraordinary to think a year later he would lead this team to the Finals and a win against a very good Minnesota Lynx team led by Cheryl Reeve (head coach of the Lynx).

The Sparks also had a lot of help defensively from Alanna Beard, who hit the game winner in game 1 against the Lynx. They have also had consistent help from Kristy Toliver from the 3point range.

It's tough to have to win on the road. But the Sparks came through in Minnesota and had a spectacular game winning shot by Ogwumike. Some are saying this last game was the best WNBA game ever. It's hard to argue with that. Both teams battled to the end and it all came down to one more shot being put in the basket.

As far as on the Lynx side they are used to winning. Coach Reeve has won 3 of the past 5 championships in the WNBA. She has had superstars that have consistently performed at high levels. Maya Moore has been one of those key players that has performed well both defensively and offensively.

Moore, from high school onto to UCONN and playing for Lynx rarely has lost. It's a pretty incredible thing to do that. She has been that type of competitor for her team. She also has been one of those players like Parker that won the championship level as well as the professional. She has also been another athlete that has been fun to watch. Both Moore and Parker have always played their hearts respectively for their teams. In this case, it wasn't enough for Moore and her teammates in trying to win back to back titles.

Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, along with Lindsay Whalen all gave key contributions whether it was scoring offensively or defensively. I was most impressed with the defense with the Lynx even though they couldn't win the title. They played the best they could in the games played but that last shot luckily went in for Ogwumike and the Sparks.