As a lifetime Chicago Sky Fan—Why I was rooting for the Indiana Fever

It wasn’t planned.

I tuned into the past two Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever matchups fully expecting to root for my longtime favorite team.

But that’s not what happened.

Let me first state that I was a Chicago Sky season ticket holder for many years, right from their very first game and very first season.  I was one of those on board with the women’s game early and discovered quickly what many have more recently found: That women’s basketball is exciting, beautifully played and the skill level and athleticism of the young ladies continues to amaze.

As I watched the past two Fever vs Sky matchups, which were two of the highest rated games in WNBA history, it was interesting.  Here is what I found.  My mind said to root for the Sky as I always have, BUT my heart, as the games went on, said something else.

Strangely, I found myself rooting for the visiting team from Indiana.   Here I was, a long time Sky fan, at least temporarily turning against my hometown team.  Shameful, I know, but let me give you some specific examples to maybe help explain.

Some of the below examples may be seemingly small , but I argue significant nevertheless.  Ones that maybe shed a light on the culture and attitude of each of the teams.

I noticed consistently throughout the game when a Chicago Sky player hit the ground or took a tumble, a helping hand or hands were offered immediately by Indiana players.  When a Fever player fell to the ground, however?  Sky players would walk away with nary a glance.

Small item?  Ok,  but interestingly indicative.

When certain Chicago players would score, Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter for example, they would stare down Indiana players, and worse yet add in some derogatory trash talk on the way back down the court.

Conversely, when Indiana players would score, outside of one touch by NaLyssa Smith (a fairly innocent “you are small” taunt), I never saw any of this.  I never saw any tormenting of opponents immediately after a positive play from the Fever players.

 Caitlin Clark will raise her hands bringing recognition to herself and try to get the fans going, never afraid to play up to the crowd.  But I have never seen Caitlin—even in all her glory days at the University of Iowa - ever make fun of or try to belittle an opponent. For her it was always about firing up her teammates and her fans.

Another small but indicative item.  Watching the two coaches there was a marked difference in my observation.  Indiana’s coach Christie Sides (who spent time in Chicago as an assistant coach) is incredibly intense and competitive, but she is constantly cheering her team on, encouraging and staying positive, even in periods when the Fever have a bad streak during a game.

The Sky coach on the other hand, Teresa Weatherspoon, emanates a slightly different feeling.  Equally intense and make no mistake, nobody is more competitive than Teresa (one of the finest women’s players to ever grace the game), but her demeanor is more serious, and if not angry,  at least she appears often to be tense and unhappy.  A general tone and body language of negativity.  At least from this viewer's standpoint.

Also, I noticed in the game a couple weeks ago after the Fever won, in the postgame handshake line, it was more of a fly by handshake from losing coach Weatherspoon to winning coach Sides.

But in rather stark contrast, and maybe furthering the point I am trying to make, in Sunday’s dramatic Sky comeback victory, Indiana’s Coach Sides stopped and hugged Weatherspoon and talked to her in what you could tell was a heartfelt and appreciative manner.  The two of them embraced for a long time and while the words may never be known, it was a clear and definitive mutual admiration—started it should be noted by the losing coach Christie Sides.

The above are examples of things I, as a long time basketball coach myself, would try and teach my players.  Play hard, compete hard, but always respect your opponent.  Never demean.  Respect the game and, yes, sportsmanship may be old fashioned, but it still applies.

Now I fully respect the Chicago Sky team.  They play hard and compete with incredible intensity—drawing from their coach.  The fans, and remember I was one of them (and hope to soon be again) are loyal and enthusiastic.

But right now I find them hard to root for.

There is a different attitude, feel and demeanor about this team than previous Sky teams.

You can say that trash talking and stare downs and gestures to intimidate opponents are kind of part of the game now.  Ok, maybe so.  But it doesn’t mean I have to root for those that do.  In fact, the older I get, the more I desire to cheer for teams and players that compete ( in my view) the right way.

As painful as it might be, this holds true even if it means rooting against your hometown team—the one you have supported for so many years.