Chicago Sky

2010 Finish

14-20, 6th in the Eastern Conference.

Needs

Overview

Chicago Sky coach and general manager Pokey Chatman has a clean slate to work with in 2011. Coming on board this past offseason, Chatman inherits a team that posted a 14-20 record in the Eastern Conference in 2010, causing the franchise to miss the postseason for the fifth time since its 2006 inception. Simple math (or a knowledgeable WNBA fan) would lead to the staunch realization that Chicago has never reached the postseason. Clearly, that is something Chatman looks to change this year.

�That�s what I�m working towards,� she said confidently via a phone call with WNBA.com from Russia. �Not hoping, but we�re going to work towards. That�s the key word.�

Chatman has spent a good amount of time during the offseason doing just that � working. While analyzing videos from 2010, she noticed the Sky was involved in a number of close games but was ultimately unable to close them out. It�s a responsibility she is prepared to handle, and one she hopes will resonate with her players.

Drafting third overall undoubtedly gives the Sky plenty of options. With only two players going ahead of them, prime talent is still at a premium from where Chatman stands. In later stages of the draft, general managers often talk about selecting either the best player available or the one that best fits their needs. For the Sky, they have a solid chance of finding both of those qualities in a single pick.

�I would say the good thing about [last season] is that we know we can improve in every area,� said Chatman. �Obviously, we could shore up our front court and we could [get some] help in the backcourt but we also need some people who can help on defense. So for us there�s several players in the area we need to improve.�

Chatman has plenty of weapons to work with when you consider the All-Star season Sylvia Fowles had in 2010, the promising future for second-year guard Epiphanny Prince and the healthy return of Shameka Christon. An existing relationship with two of the three aforementioned players can go a long way as well.

Both Chatman and Prince are currently working together overseas in Spartak, Russia � Chatman the teacher, and Prince the student. It�s a prime opportunity for the two to get to know one another, both on and off the court. In two years prior, Chatman had a similar scenario when she also coached Fowles, who this season opted to play in Turkey with Galatasaray.

But Prince is also receiving additional guidance from her teammates, mainly that of last year�s championship-winning point guard, the Seattle Storm�s Sue Bird.

�It�s one thing for a coach who played the position to coach people and give them some feedback, but when you have an opportunity to play alongside Sue Bird or mix with the experience of Taj McWilliams-Franklin, you�re learning things that you can get from players in the locker room and the weight room and I think it�s going to benefit just tremendously next year.�

Christon�s return will no doubt add a little more firepower to the Sky as well. After suffering a broken orbital bone on June 11 against Washington, Christon missed the remainder of the season and fell victim to a player�s worst enemy when it comes to recovery: time. As teams in the Eastern Conference continued to compete and jockey for playoff position, Christon was forced to sit on the sidelines and watch as her team slipped further from the postseason picture. Now, playing and recovering overseas in Orenburg, Russia, the Sky can expect more from Christon in 2011.

With Fowles coming off a monster season in 2010, Prince coming into her own after one year in the league, Christon coming back into the fold and a number of options awaiting at the No. 3 spot in the draft, this could ultimately stand as the year it all comes together for the Sky.

-- Frank Della Femina, WNBA.com

(Follow Frank's Twitter Updates on Draft Day)

2011 Selections

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