What Candace Parker’s retirement means for WNBA, Aces

Candace Parker was one of many largest names in basketball for the previous twenty years: a highschool star to a Tennessee Girl Vols legend to a two-time MVP and three-time champion within the WNBA.

When Parker introduced her retirement Sunday, it ended a profession outlined not simply by titles and awards, however by affect.

At 6-foot-4, she might deal with the ball like a guard and will create her personal transition alternatives, and the way in which she performed impacted the following technology, as gamers modeled their sport after her. Two-time MVP A’ja Wilson has credited Parker as one among her major inspirations.

The 2 spent solely a short time on court docket as teammates with the Las Vegas Aces final yr, as Parker missed the second half of the season due to harm. However Wilson talked about what a thrill it was to play alongside an iconic competitor who confirmed simply how versatile and artistic a submit participant could possibly be.

Parker was the important thing to educate Pat Summitt’s final two NCAA titles at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008, and her devotion to Summitt and the Girl Vols stayed robust after she left Knoxville. With the Los Angeles Sparks, Parker gained her first WNBA title in 2016, simply months after Summitt died from the results of Alzheimer’s illness. Parker devoted the championship to her former coach.

In 2021, Parker left the Sparks after 13 seasons to hitch her hometown Chicago Sky and gained one other WNBA title. Final yr, though she was injured through the playoffs, her veteran presence and management nonetheless helped the Aces turn into the primary WNBA franchise in 21 years to repeat as champion.

Parker, who turned 38 earlier this month, hoped to have no less than yet one more season. However accidents proved too massive an impediment. We replicate on one of many nice careers within the sport, and what Parker’s retirement means for the Aces and the WNBA.

Was Parker’s choice a shock?

Voepel: Solely just a bit within the timing, as a result of Parker had made it identified she needed to play this season. However she was in line with what she has stated the previous a number of years: When she felt she could not play on the degree she anticipated of herself, she would retire.

Like nearly anybody who performs a sport so lengthy at a excessive degree, Parker has put her physique by so much to have the ability to compete. Most WNBA followers anticipated final season or this season can be her remaining run within the league. It speaks to her professionalism that she is stepping away now moderately than holding onto a roster spot with the hope of creating it again later within the yr. She has performed all the things there may be to do in basketball, in order that additionally most likely leaves her with a way of peace about retirement.

What’s Parker’s legacy in ladies’s basketball?

Pelton: We ranked Parker the No. 9 participant in WNBA historical past through the league’s twenty fifth season in 2021, and if something, that feels too low now. Regardless of being 35 on the time, Parker subsequently gained two extra championships, main her hometown Chicago Sky to their first title later that yr earlier than profitable in Las Vegas final season.

My championships added metric put Parker second again then, and in my wins above substitute participant metric, she has the third-highest WNBA profession complete, trailing Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi. It doesn’t matter what numbers you employ, Parker is an inner-circle Corridor of Famer.

Voepel: Agree with Kevin: A case can simply be made for Parker within the high 5 in WNBA historical past for her efficiency, expertise and outcomes. As a school participant, she can be one of many all-time greats for her dunks, her big-game moments and the way she elevated not simply Tennessee however the ladies’s sport.

It may be tougher to outline those that have that “it issue” that makes everybody wish to watch them and youthful gamers wish to emulate them, however you understand it while you see it. And Parker had it. Her information of the sport — at the same time as a bit of child, she would watch video games and decide aside technique — and her versatile talent set made her stand out. She was the one rookie to win WNBA MVP after which was a constant star for the rest of her profession. Add in her broadcasting profession, and Parker developed an excellent larger footprint in basketball. That can proceed.

How a lot cap area does Parker’s retirement unlock and the way will the Aces modify?

Pelton: In keeping with HerHoopStats.com, Parker was set to make $100,000 this season. As a result of Parker’s contract was not protected, Las Vegas can wipe it off the books solely, which might give the Aces sufficient cap area to maintain any mixture of 12 gamers in coaching camp on their remaining roster. Las Vegas will nonetheless have further area left over, which could possibly be used so as to add wage in a midseason commerce or to supply a participant purchased out midseason greater than the minimal wage.

Are the two-time defending champion Aces the preseason favourite?

Pelton: Parker’s absence was a key think about my choice to choose the Liberty forward of final yr’s WNBA Finals. Traditionally dominant with Parker within the lineup, Las Vegas was merely elite after her season-ending foot harm.

After the Aces gained Recreation 4 to shut out New York with neither Parker, Chelsea Grey nor Kiah Stokes lively, I am not inclined to choose in opposition to them once more. And Las Vegas has added frontcourt depth with Megan Gustafson, who averaged 18.8 factors and 9.2 rebounds per 36 minutes backing up Brittney Griner final season in Phoenix.

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Candace Parker’s greatest moments of the 2023 WNBA season

Try a few of Candace Parker’s high moments with the Aces within the 2023 WNBA season.

Voepel: Sure, as a result of they nonetheless appear hungry and desirous to win once more. Their core gamers are again and do not appear to have any drawback motivating themselves. Wilson simply might have been the MVP final yr, and she or he might be aiming to get that trophy a 3rd time. It could have been enjoyable to see a wholesome Parker play a complete season with the Aces, permitting followers all through the WNBA to say goodbye to her. There will not be a farewell tour for Parker, however there could possibly be one other championship run for the Aces.

What are your favourite reminiscences of Parker?

Voepel: Within the 2008 NCAA regional remaining in Oklahoma Metropolis, the defending nationwide champion Girl Vols had been in a battle with Texas A&M. Then Parker dislocated her left shoulder within the first half, left the sport, got here again in, received damage once more, left once more. She did not return till there was simply over 10 minutes remaining with the rating tied. Parker scored eight second-half factors carrying a shoulder brace, ending with 26 because the Girl Vols prevailed 53-45 after which went on to win the NCAA title once more. It was one of many gutsiest NCAA match performances I’ve seen.

Then in 2016, she gained her first WNBA title in an emotionally robust yr. In April, Parker was controversially left off the U.S. Olympic workforce regardless of being among the finest gamers on the planet. Then in June, Summitt died. The Sparks made the WNBA Finals, going through the defending champion Minnesota Lynx. With an opportunity to win the title on their residence court docket, the Sparks misplaced Recreation 4 — and it appeared prefer it was going to be one other on-court disappointment for Parker, who already had been by a lot of these with Los Angeles. As a substitute, the Sparks gained Recreation 5 in Minneapolis 77-76 behind Parker’s 28 factors and 12 rebounds, and she or he was named Finals MVP.

Pelton: I will add Parker profitable the 2021 title for her hometown workforce. Though Kahleah Copper gained Finals MVP honors, Parker performed an enormous function with 14.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG and a pair of.3 SPG within the collection. And the Sky would possibly by no means have damaged by with out the championship expertise of Parker, who received to rejoice with household and buddies.

“It was superb to only hug my dad and my mother and my household,” Parker stated after the title. “It was simply a tremendous feeling to be from right here and see so many individuals within the stands which were supporting you because you began.”