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Comprehensive WNBA Scouting Report
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The Los Angeles Sparks
Note: The scouting report has been modtified slightly for use on the internet.
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~ OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW ~
- Experience team that sees floor and plays off each other well. Set lineup and substitute sparingly.
- Transition is major component of their offensive attack. They look to run out hard and push the ball on
every possession off of deep outlet and inbounds passes. Leslie and Milton will throw full court baseball pass.
They will pull up and shoot jumpers or 3 point shots on break. Good wing spacing.
- Transitions will flow directly into a Post Iso early offense. Usually will feed low post but perimeter players
will occasionally drive.
- Used offensive sets in cycles, 3-4 possessions at a time. Basically, ran out of a zipper set (box with shooters
low with point dribbling to either wing). Executed sets very effectively to either side but slightly favored right side.
Use dribble entries to initiate all their sets.
- Strong on the offensive boards (Leslie, Milton, Byear) LA shot well 48% so offensive rebounds were limited in
this game.
- Against full court pressure, if the defenders face guard receivers, inbounder will make a over the top pass.
~ SPARKS' PLAYBOOK ~
Most Commonly Used Plays and Out of Bounds Plays
LA Play Frequencies
| Most Used Sets - First Half |
Most Used Sets - Second Half |
| Set/Call |
Frequency |
Set/Call |
Frequency |
| Double Curl (Overhead Wave) |
//// |
Double Curl (Overhead Wave) |
- - |
| Mid Screen (1 Up) |
// |
Mid Screen (1 Up) |
- - |
| Diagonal Screen (Low Wave) |
//// |
Diagonal Screen (Low Wave) |
// |
| Base Cross (4 Up) |
- - |
Base Cross (4 Up) |
// |
| Hawk S/R (2 Up) |
- - |
Hawk S/R (2 Up) |
///// |
| Pin Down (Pin) |
- - |
Pin Down (Pin) |
/ |
| Post Iso (LA) |
- - |
Post Iso (LA) |
/ |
| Transition |
|
|
|
| Push |
///// ///// /// |
Push |
///// ///// / |
| Early Offense |
///// // |
Early Offense |
// |
~ DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW ~
- Started in man but quickly went to a 2-3 packed in zone.
Played 2-3 Zone lion share of game. Really packed it against Seattle's lack of outside shooting. "Show & Recover" on ball reversal to
weakside wing.
- Played very aggressively behind or ¾ denial on post ups. Were able to capitalize on Seattle's non-outside
shooters (Henning & Randall).
- Dominated defensive boards. Only allowed 4 offensive rebounds (all in the second half - Randall 3, none by the
inside players).
- Run out of the zone trigger by strong defensive rebounding and deep outlet passes.
- Play solid man defense relying on athleticism advantage. On ball played off and protected against dribble penetration and also did not challenge guard to wing
passes. Leslie, Milton & Byears played aggressive 3/4 denial post defense.
- Zoned Out of Bounds Situations.
~ PLAYER PERSONNEL ~
Depth Chart:
| Point Guard |
#5 Figgs |
McCrimmon |
Willits |
| Shooting Guard |
#21 Dixon |
Fonseca |
Levandusky |
| Small Forward |
#4 Mabika |
Leslie |
|
| Power Forward |
#9 Leslie |
Mapp |
|
| Center |
#8 Milton |
Byears |
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Starters
| 1st Half: |
#5 Figgs |
#21 Dixon |
#4 Mabika |
#9 Leslie |
#8 Milton |
| 2nd Half: |
Same |
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|
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| First Sub First Half: 10:20 Byears for Milton |
First Sub Second Half: 11:15 Mapp for Leslie |
Most Used Lineups:
| 1. |
Figgs |
Dixon |
Mabika |
Leslie |
Milton |
| 2. |
McCrimmon |
Dixon |
Mapp |
Leslie |
Byears |
| 3. |
Figgs |
Dixon |
Mabika |
Mapp |
Milton |
SPARKS STARTERS
#5 FIGGS, UKARI: 5'9" 142# Point Guard
Quick with good handles ...pushes the ball up the floor ...keeps head up and sees the floor ...will kick the ball
ahead on break ...will turn ball over under pressure ...gets careless and too fancy at times ...decent shooter with
three point range ...quick defender ...pressures the ball well on defense ...good player.
How to play: Find and deny primary outlet pass in transition ...force wide and deny dribble penetration to middle
...get a hand up on shots ...take a charge
#21 DIXON, TAMECKA: 5'9" 148# Off Guard
Good quickness and court savvy ...offensive skilled player ...runs out well in transition and can handle the ball on
break ...will take ball to basket or shoot a pull up jumper ...does not look to shoot 3 point shots ...one-on-one creator
...solid defensive player.
How to play: Limit her touches and contest all shots ...find in transition ...get through the screens.
#4 MABIKA, MWADI: 5'11" 165# Small Forward
Athletic, triple threat player ...good player over shadowed by Leslie and Milton ...looks to shoot the open three with hair trigger ...good ball handler ...will shoot a pull up jumper
off dribble penetration ...offensive rebounder ...anticipates well on defense.
How to play: Jam three point shots and force her to ball on the floor ...force to baseline and take charge
...limit touches since she wants to score ..box out.
#9 LESLIE, LISA: 6'5" 170# Post/Power Forward/Small Forward
Great all around player with great hands ...triple threat (shoot, drive, pass) ...interchangeable Hi/Lo player with
Milton ...will also play small forward when Mapp and Byears are in game ...prefers right block but will step out and shoot
15 footers ...good three point shooter from corner or trail position ...rebounds at both ends ...makes deep outlet and
inbounds passes to trigger fast breaks ...very active defensive player ...shoot blocker ...tries to intimidate mentally and
physically.
How to play: Tough to defend ...play physical and limit her touches ...may need to take hard foul at times ...front
post ups and get a had up on shots ...box out and pressure her outlet passes ...stay focused and poised.
#8 MILTON, DeLISHA: 6'1" 172# Power Forward/Post
Good inside/out game ...compliments Leslie well ...not a real physical player ...has 3 point range and can
but ball on floor ...anticipates and rebounds well on the offensive end ...will make deep outlets and inbounds passes.
How to play: Play physical and focus ...do not get intimidated by her ...physically box out ...contest her jump shots and make her put ball on the floor ...pressure out
let passes.
SPARKS BENCH
#00 BYEARS, LATASHA: 5'11" 206# Center
Very physical wide body ...power posts up is her game but can put ball on the floor ...active on the
offensive boards ...impact player off bench ...works hard and picks up a lot of garbage ...average defender.
How to play: Box out hard ...front post ups with weakside help or push off the block ...offensively pull her away
from basket and run out against her on transition.
#10 McCRIMMON, NICKY: 5'8" 125# Point Guard
Lanky backup point with good speed ...limited minutes ...looks to score and will force shots ...streaky
three point shooter ...poor free throw shooter ...good hands on defense.
How to play: Pressure ...limit touches ...do not allow her to contribute off the bench ...force her left and
post her up offensively ...protect ball
#51 MAPP, RHONDA: 6'2" 190# Power Forward/Post
Strong, wide body, very physical player ...not quick but works hard ...played power forward in tandem with
Byears which results in a front line with a lot of BEEF ...look for her to drive from short corner and top of
circle ...power rebounder at both ends.
How to play: Push off the block ...box out on rebounds ...run out on her ...offensively pull her away from basket.
#17 FONSECA, VEDRANA: 6'1" 160# Forward
Did not play much in this game (1 min) ...looks to be a versatile player who can play 3, 4 or 5
...aggressive ...runs floor well.
How to play: Contest all shots ...find in transition.
PLAYER RANKINGS
Leading Scorers: Leslie (17), Dixon (12), Mabika (9.6)
Best Three Point Shooters: Mabika, Dixon, Leslie
Best Free Throw Shooters: Mabika, Leslie, Dixon
Foul for Profit: Byears, Milton
Best Post up Players: Leslie, Byears
Best Creative One on One Players: Leslie, Darling, Dixon
Best Offensive Rebounders: Leslie, Milton, Byears
Best Passers: Lieslie, Figgs, Dixon
Best Defensive Players: Leslie, Figgs, Melvin
Weakest Defensive Players: Byears, McCrimmon, Mapp
Best Defensive Rebounders: Leslie, Makiba, Byears
Shot Blockers: Leslie, Milton
Best Hands (Steals): Mabika, Dixon, Milton
~ PLAYING THEM SMART ~
Legitimize playoff intentions by playing hard and together. Control the game tempo by disrupting their running game and making
them play defense. Expect them to play solid man to man defense relying on their athleticism. Since fastbreak baskets fuel their
defense intensity must take care of the ball offensively. Play physically. Do not back down or get intimidated. Play
with poise and persistence for 40 minutes.
On Offense
- Control the tempo of game. Use 20 second offense reversing the ball and attacking weakside readily.
- Run with poise and good decisions. Any early shot must be an easy lay-up or wide open.
- Limit turnovers. Value ball possession. Take care of the ball. Sharp crisp passes.
- Pull Leslie outside away from defensive boards.
- Be prepared to attack their 2-3 zone. They like to run out of this zone.
On Defense
- Play high ENERGY defense.
- Slow their running game. Hard smother on rebounder (missed shot) and inbound passer (on made shots).
Pressure and deny primary outlet (Figgs). Sprint back on defense and find lane runners.
Talk and match up quickly.
- Limit their shot attempts by boxing out physically on all shots with all five players in the paint.
- Contest offensive rebounds and putbacks by slapping at ball.
- Disrupt Hi/Lo offense by 3/4 denial on all passes to high post.
- Disrupt screen and rolls by switching or trapping.
© 2005 Ernie Woods, HoopTactics
 "More Than Just Stats"
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