The Chicago Sky’s off-season moves meant one thing– new campaign, new offense. Shooting and multi-dimensional play were all Tyler Marsh could emphasize after their unimpressive showcase last year. But for all of Courtney Vandersloot’s ‘Olympian in her prime,’ Ariel Atkins’ perimeter excellence, and Kamilla Cardoso being the key to offense, the franchise has fallen miserably on the front. This has not only raised questions about Windy City’s brand of basketball but also exposed gaps in the dynamic that the Sky are heavily banking on.

When Jeff Pagliocca traded those first-round picks for experienced players, he was clear about building a culture in Chicago, one that would draw players in the upcoming free agency. “You’re thinking about creating a winning culture so free agents look at you and say, ‘I want to go play there,” Vandersloot had conveyed. But the Sky have been far from it. Not only did their offensive lapses glaringly stand out in a 20-point loss to the Indiana Fever, but analyst Rosalina Lee was left questioning Angel Reese and Cardoso’s synergy.

“I don’t know, it’s very hard to see Angel Reese and Kimy Cardoso together because I think that they could be better versions of themselves playing for different teams,” she remarked on her latest review of Sky vs Fever. 

Angel Reese has been a one-dimensional player throughout her WNBA career, dominating the boards while being just about adequate in other metrics. As a player in the paint, she averaged 13.6 points per game last year, which has dropped to 9.1 points per game this year. Kamilla is a similar player, dominating the boards while being an above-average scorer.  Both have their height and physicality as their advantage and occupy similar areas on the court. Plus, they rely heavily on finishing around the rim. 

Their range beyond the post is essentially negative. Reese has not made a mid-range shot this season, and Cardoso has scored just 1.6% of her points from the midrange. Moreover, the South Carolina alumna has not made a 3-point shot, while Reese has averaged 0.4 3-pointers per game. Playing on the same side minimises their strengths while accentuating their weaknesses. They will be excellent role players on any other team with better creators and outside shooters.  

But for Tyler Marsh, they are the “cornerstones” of the franchise. He had planned to run his team’s offense through Cardoso this season while Reese had declared they weren’t letting a rebound slip between them. So the head coach has been confident in banking the Sky’s hopes on them. “They both have the ability to be multidimensional,” he had said, entering the season. “We want them to be effective in different phases of the game whilst also still highlighting the strengths of what they do.” 

So sure, things aren’t working out for the players or the Windy City franchise, but the potential is visible and the plan is in place. All they need is a little time and support. In the meantime, what can the Sky do to curb their ill run? Lee has a suggestion.

“I really do like Becca Allen. I think that she has a lot of potential. I think they really need to utilize her more or figure out like a way to utilize her,” she added. 

The Sky brought in Allen from the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Lindsay Allen and the rights to Nikolina Milić in the offseason. Throughout the season, Allen has posted 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. On the defensive end, she has averaged 0.2 blocks and 0.5 steals per game. However, she can do better. The young guard has played just 18.3 minutes per game, which is less than all of her last four years while posting more points in about the same duration. Her effectiveness from the field and beyond the arc has been better, too.

With Coach Tyler Marsh already struggling to generate consistent offense, he needs to prioritize giving her more scoring opportunities. Despite being the second most efficient player on the court, she has not taken as many shots as some of her teammates. Maximizing her involvement could be a key step in turning the team’s offensive struggles around. But don’t count the Chi-Town Barbie out yet. 

Angel Reese still defiant after a blow-out loss

The Chicago Sky suffered a tough 79-52 loss to the Indiana Fever, dropping to 2-5 on the season. But before the action even tipped off, it was Angel Reese who stole the spotlight, though not for anything she did on the court. Arriving in a bold pregame ensemble featuring thigh-high leather boots and a matching coat, Reese confidently turned heads. The striking outfit was more than just a fashion statement. Even after one of her worst performances of the season, Reese posted a bold message on social media. 

“I AM EXACTLY WHO I THINK I AM,” she declared in all caps. The Bayou Barbie managed just 4 points and 2 assists in another disappointing performance as the Sky struggled on both ends of the floor. Despite the tough outing, Reese seems determined to push through the growing pains of her sophomore season and prove that she belongs on this stage.

She had a record-breaking rookie season in 2024, averaging 13.1 rebounds per game, the highest ever in a single WNBA season. She also recorded 26 double-doubles, the second most in league history for a single season. Adding to her accolades, Reese became the first Sky rookie since 2013 to be selected for the WNBA All-Star Game. This shows that she can turn this around.

For that to happen, Chicago may have to address the positional overlap between Reese and Cardoso. With the team struggling early, head coach Marsh faces mounting pressure, and resolving these issues could be key to both the team’s success and his future on the sidelines.