The Liberty didn’t just renovate after last season’s 13-21 debacle. General manager Carol Blazejowski all but rented a wrecking ball and did a complete rebuilding job.
Four-fifths of the starting lineup is new. Yet going into tonight’s game in Chicago against the Sky, one thing remains very old for the Liberty — losing. They were 2-4 after six games last season and they are 2-4 this season, having lost two straight.
The Sky is 4-4 after winning four in a row. The Liberty, who beat Chicago 85-82 earlier this season, opened 2-6 in 2009 and spent the rest of the season unable to get back into contention.
“We do understand the urgency because the season is short, but we want to be clear about our message,” said Liberty center Taj McWilliams-Franklin. “We’re not at the end of our rope by any means. We are very optimistic about this season.”
McWilliams-Franklin bases her optimism on two factors:
* Because of the extreme makeover, the Liberty are still learning each other’s games.
* Defensively the team has shown remarkable improvement during this four-game road trip, which ends tonight. The Liberty allowed 25 points per fourth quarter in their first three games. They have lowered that number to 17.
Though many WNBA rosters need time to jell as players return from playing over the winter in Europe, the Liberty all but needed name tags to make it through the first few practices.
Forward Janel McCarville is the only remaining starter. Leilani Mitchell, the backup point guard last season, now is the starter. McWilliams-Franklin (free agent), Nicole Powell (dispersal draft) and Cappie Pondexter (trade) all came over from other teams.
“Our defense has been terrific,” McWilliams-Franklin said. “The reality is we have to be cognizant of the fact that we have lot of new players playing prominent roles on offense and defense. We are getting better. And this team will not quit.”