Over the 15 seasons since they joined the WNBA, the Sky have yet to dance in a downpour of confetti as champions.
That’s about to change, isn’t it?
Well, it sure might. Candace Parker is coming. The free-agent signing of one of the greatest women’s players of all time — and a Naperville Central grad to boot — instantly takes the Sky from good to, on paper, elite.
But you knew that already. Or did you? More to the point: Do you care?
In this week’s “Polling Place” — your home for Sun-Times sports polls on Twitter — we asked if sports fans will dial into the Sky now that Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot and company have a two-time MVP and reigning defensive player of the year in their midst.
The response wasn’t over-the-top enthusiastic.
“Chicago sports fans like to complain endlessly about their bad teams but refuse to watch their team on the verge of a championship season?” @katyduffy_ wrote. “Sexism.”
We also asked which of Chicago’s pro teams — not counting the usual Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox — interests fans most. We lobbed in a Tom Brady question, too, because, let’s face it, it’s that time of year.
On to the polls:
Poll No. 1: With Candace Parker leading what appears to be a championship-caliber Sky roster in 2021, will you give the WNBA a closer look?
Time again for our weekly @suntimes "Polling Place" questions. Let us hear from you! Selected comments will appear in Saturday's paper.
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) January 28, 2021
Q1: With Candace Parker leading what appears to be a championship-caliber Sky roster in 2021, will you give the WNBA a closer look?
Upshot: Honestly? Lame. Parker, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2008 who finished third in MVP voting last season, is the highest-profile player the Sky have ever had. She joins a team that finished at the top of an admittedly underwhelming Eastern Conference in 2020. If ever there were a time to squeeze the women’s game into your field of vision, it’s now. We’re not exactly drunk with good teams around here, you know.
Poll No. 2: Which of these Chicago pro teams interests you the most?
Q2: Which of these Chicago pro teams interests you the most?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) January 28, 2021
Upshot: “Red Stars, of course!” commented @WoSoPlayer12. Of course! Or not. Look, the Red Stars have been really good. The Wolves have had a bunch of terrific teams through the years. The Fire … well, they play soccer. Have we mentioned the potentially killer Sky? There’s lots to choose from on Chicago’s sports smorgasbord. Pile that plate high.
Poll No. 3: If Tom Brady were quarterback of the Bears, would they be getting ready for the Super Bowl?
Q3: If Tom Brady were quarterback of the Bears, would they be getting ready for the Super Bowl?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) January 28, 2021
Upshot: OK, so it was kind of a ridiculous question. Brady is the steely winning machine he is, and the Bears are the flimsy Ikea end table they are. “Only God knows,” @rynelancer commented, “and Brady ain’t God.” He isn’t? “They’d be in the mix,” @martianbosh wrote. “Probably could have beaten New Orleans. Maybe not Green Bay.” We had to ask.