No Looking Back: Lynne Roberts Has the Sparks Focused on Winning

LA Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts speaks with the team during practice. Photo by Jackie Rae

It’s a new day for the Los Angeles Sparks, and new head coach Lynne Roberts is determined to leave a dismal past behind.

"I haven't mentioned last season one time. We're onward and upward," Roberts said this week, setting the tone for a franchise eager to climb out of last season's dead last record of 8–32 with one goal — reclaiming its place among the WNBA elite.

With a roster bolstered by WNBA champions Dearica Hamby and Kelly Plum reuniting, the leadership of Azurà Stevens and Odyssey Sims, and the rising star power of Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell — not to mention the return of rookie phenom Cameron Brink — the Sparks are stacking pieces for a true resurgence.

“There’s an eagerness to do better than we did last year,” Roberts said. “There's a willingness to be coached. There's a lot of teaching — and it's competitive."

Roberts emphasized that her "positionless" system gives players space to thrive. “The players have a lot of freedom, which they like,” she added.

For Roberts, this moment for the Sparks reminds her of the song ‘Lose Yourself’ by Eminem. 

When asked what song captures the spirit of this new chapter, Roberts didn't hesitate: "'Lose Yourself’ by Eminem," she said with a smile. "When you get the opportunity, don't throw up mom's spaghetti," she explained. “That's why I'm here. I didn't come here just because I thought it would be cool. I came here to win."

For Coach Roberts, this isn't the beginning of a rebuilding season — it's the beginning of a winning one.