Coach Jen Answers Your Questions!

You sent in your questions to Sparks new head coach Jennifer Gillom and she sat down to give you the 411 on everything you wanted to know.

Kim Hayashi: How are you going to fill the considerable hole left by the retirement of the great Lisa Leslie?
Coach Jen: Lisa was a great player and leader on and off the court. She will be greatly missed by the team and organization but any team must be able to adapt and I believe that we will be able to do some things that put us where we need to be to contend for a Championship.

Kim Hayashi: Do you consider 2010 a "rebuilding" year (boo), or do you think the Sparks will be contenders (yay) in the Western Conference?
Coach Jen: The goal this year, as it has been every year is to not only contend in the Western Conference but for a Championship. We have great players on our team and have no doubt that this will occur.

Deborah Cunningham: I was very excited to hear that you are our new Sparks head coach. In the LA Times article it stated that your plans are to adopt a fast-paced offense. How are you going to implement this? And do you think it will require some major changes for that much needed production from our bench to occur?
Coach Jen: I think a fast pace offense would work very well for the makeup of our team and bench and we will work on that over the next few months. I have always been a firm believer in getting production from the bench and will look to do that this year.

Renika Dixon: How do you think the season will go for you being the Sparks new head coach?
Coach Jen: I am really looking forward to the season and working with this talented group of players and administration. I am familiar with LA and feel very comfortable here, I believe it will be a smooth transition for everyone involved and we will hit the ground running.

Tiesha Tunstall: What does it take to be someone like Candace Parker?
Coach Jen: Hard work and dedication and the desire to continue to improve your game.

Alyse Owens: Are you as excited as I am about this golden opportunity?
Coach Jen: I love your enthusiasm! Yes, I am extremely excited about being in LA and working towards bringing a Championship back.

Taylor Brooks: Big mercury fan right here. But for the question, did you ever think you would become the Sparks head coach? Did the thought ever cross your mind?
Coach Jen: I am truly grateful to people like you and all my fans, they have been so gracious and amazing to me throughout my career. I hope that no matter where I am that support continues!

Sarah Kressin: Hi my name is Sarah Kressin and I play for njb in diamond bar and I was wondering if I could be on the Sparks when I grow up? I’m 12 and I average about 20 points a game.
Coach Jen: Hi Sarah! If you continue to work hard on your fundamentals on both ends of the court, have a great attitude and love the game of basketball, I have no doubt that one day we will see you on the court.

Augustus Sonpon: What are your plans next season for the sparks to be able to cross the second round of the playoffs?
Coach Jen: I'm going to look to utilize our bench more and get more overall production.

Kendall Barlow: With the 2010 season approaching, what position do you feel the Sparks will scout most in the upcoming draft?
Coach Jen: There are some positions we are looking to fill and hope to do so with our draft picks and through free agency.

Micah Gaines: What are you looking forward to the most about coaching the LA Sparks?
Coach Jen: I am really looking forward to being in LA because of their terrific fan base, knowledgeable administration and first class players. Everyone in LA from the players to the front office have one goal in mind and that is to win a Championship and that is a very exciting energy to be around.

Isaac Stevens: How are you going to address the point guard situation on the Sparks?
Coach Jen: You need a true point with some size, can play some defense and who can shoot the three pointer to open-up the inside game. We are looking at a variety of scenarios this off-season that will put us in the best position to win a Championship.

Felicia Brown: What will be your biggest task, besides replacing Lisa Leslie?
Coach Jen: Controlling my enthusiasm!!! :)

Kent Dobbs: Welcome back to LA! What do you see as the biggest change in playing style as you take over the team from the Cooper coached teams?
Coach Jen: You will probably see a more up-tempo team that not only uses our size but the quickness of our players.

William Smith: How are you planning on using Candace? Are you trying to put her at center or let her play all five like she can?
Coach Jen: Because she is such a versatile player we will continue to evaluate that and put her where she is most comfortable and fits best with our team.

Lisa Sanchez: What are you looking to improve on the defensive end for the sparks?
Coach Jen: INTENSITY!

Kevin Wilson: My question is what coaching technique or drills that are taught to players that will make them become an above average player?
Coach Jen: I am a firm believer in one on one work versus drills because it allows the player to be evaluated based more upon their strengths and weaknesses versus being evaluated as a group.