TimesLeader.com

July 16
Jacobs joins LA Sparks

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com

`ABINGTONS - Sometimes losing a job can be beneficial.

Just ask WNBA point guard Amber Jacobs, who has gone from one team struggling through the regular season to a true championship contender.

The Abington Heights alumni, who started her professional career in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) with the Minnesota Lynx in 2004 and signed with the Washington Mystics in March of 2008, was released from her contract on June 23 after being forced to sit out the first three weeks of the season due to a knee injury.

After being a free agent for a little less than an hour, Jacobs was contacted by the Los Angeles Sparks, and was added to their roster last Wednesday, July 9. It’s a move Jacobs couldn’t be happier with.

“I’m thrilled to be living out here. I’m loving this warm weather, and I’m two blocks away from the beach now. It’s really nice,” Jacobs said in a phone interview Monday. “As far as the team goes, they couldn’t be nicer, and I’m thrilled to be here.”

There are some, though, who aren’t as happy to see Jacobs move so far away.

“I’m upset because I can’t afford to fly out there to see her play,” said Jacobs’ former Abington Heights coach Vince Bucciarelli. “Seriously, though, I think it’s great for her, and I think she’ll be a good fit out there. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to her yet, but I saw the game the other night (Jacobs’ first appearance with the Sparks on July 9) and thought she did a great job doing what they needed her to do, which is dish it off to the big girls, and take the open shot when she has it.”

Jacobs has been averaging 11.5 minutes per game, and has a .333 field goal percentage. The team is 2-2 since her arrival, snapping a two game losing streak Monday, July 14, with a 75-62 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars.

“The San Antonio game was really important to us, because they’re the top team in the West right now, and we knew a win would show that we’re still one of the best teams in the league,” said Jacobs.

The win came at the perfect time for the Sparks, as they try to improve their current third place standing in order to gain home court advantage in the playoffs.

“The Sparks are having a little trouble right now. We’re struggling a little bit, but part of that is because the West is so good,” said Jacobs.

That much is true. Even though the Sparks are in third place, they are only 1.5 games behind the first place Silver Stars. With 13 games left in the season, the team has plenty of time to climb up the rankings.

“This is still one of the best teams in the league with two of the best players in the league, Candice Parker and Lisa Leslie, so I think we’ll do well,” Jacobs said.

Leslie is one of the original WNBA players, the first WNBA player to reach the 3,000-point mark, and the first player in the league to dunk. 2008 is Parker’s rookie year, and she is already breaking records of her own, scoring 34 points during her first game in May of this year. That’s the most for any rookie during their debut game.

“Lisa and Candace both have great leadership skills, but they’re also very receptive to everyone’s opinion,” said Jacobs. “I think we really have a great mix of young talent and experienced veterans. I’ve been learning a lot from them and from Coach (Michael) Cooper.”

Cooper has coached for both the Los Angles Lakers and the Sparks. He was with the Sparks when they won both of their championships in 2001 and 2002.

“Coach Cooper is really a player’s coach. He has a certain philosophy and a way he wants things done, but he also allows room for discussion. He communicates really well and lets you know exactly where you stand. When he puts you on the court, you understand why you’re on the court, and if he takes you out of the game, he lets you know exactly why you’re being taken out.”

Amber Jacobs and the rest of the LA Sparks will continue their quest for a championship, Thursday, July 17, when they hit the road to take on the Phoenix Mercury. A full season schedule is available on the Sparks Web site at www.wnba.com/sparks.