Why Kelsey Plum Shouldn’t Start Over Odyssey Sims

Kelsey Plum is the newest member of the Los Angeles Sparks. She is bringing her scoring prowess and championship experience to the team. Plum in her introductory press conference announced that she will start at the point guard position. This means she is embracing a new role as the team’s floor general.

I plan to be top 5 in assists this year…I do know that for me I have the ability to get to the paint…I made the Olympic team as a point guard.”

However, the Sparks might be making an egregious mistake. Relying on Plum as their primary ball handler is a decision that could have major consequences.

Plum Thrives as a Pure Scorer

As someone who’s closely observed her over the last five years of her career, Plum is better at scoring the basketball. Plum’s game thrives best when she is not overthinking and is simply putting the basketball in the hole.

Since the 2021 WNBA season, when Plum won 6th Woman of the Year, she has been a double-digit scorer. During this stretch, she posted an incredible season. Plum averaged 20 points, finished 3rd in MVP voting and made All-WNBA First Team. Since 2021, playing alongside point guard Chelsea Gray, Plum’s shooting splits have been incredible—almost reaching 50/40/90 in that four-year span. Plum has posted 18 points per game on an impressive 45% shooting from the floor, 39% from three, and 88% from the charity stripe. She has also contributed 4.4 assists per game, all while taking fewer than 14 shots per game.

However, in games where she is the primary decision-maker with the basketball, she comes off as more inefficient with her turnovers.

Last WNBA season, Plum ranked 13th in turnovers per game with 2.4. Her assists per game were at 4.2, and her assist-to-turnover ratio was 1.7. Granted, that was the second-worst of her career, and it might be more of an anomaly. In 2018, she posted a 3.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. Even in 2023, during the Las Vegas Aces’ championship season, Plum averaged a solid 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.

She is not by any means Caitlin Clark when it comes to turnovers (Clark led the league with 223), but as a starting point guard on a championship team, when the chips are down, the basketball should be in more secure hands.

Kelsey can score the basketball at a high clip, so for the Sparks, they should continue to use her at her natural off-ball position. The problem may be that she could be a liability on defense, but because of the way she can score the basketball, it should offset that.

Odyssey Sims Should start point guard

One of the Sparks’ biggest moves this offseason was the re-signing of Odyssey Sims. As one of the better dual-threat guards in the league, Sims has the uncanny ability to both score and facilitate. Despite playing for two different franchises last season (Dallas and Los Angeles), she averaged more assists (5.3) and had a better assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1) than Plum.

“Odyssey was a valuable player for our team last season, and we are ecstatic she’s returning,” said Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley. “She’s a talented guard who plays fast and loves to get her teammates involved, making her a perfect fit in our system.” “Bringing Odyssey back to the Sparks is an important move for our franchise,” Head Coach Lynne Roberts said. “O’s toughness, athleticism and tremendous WNBA experience will provide a critical boost. I can’t wait to have her with us.”

Sims is a safety plug that provides more stability and reliability at the position. With her ability to facilitate and control the offense, she brings a level of consistency that the Sparks need at their lead guard spot. Odyssey Sims should take on the primary facilitator role. This will allow Kelsey Plum to thrive as the team’s certified walking bucket, focusing on what she does best—scoring.

The Talent

The Sparks are loaded with talent. Cameron Brink, is getting healthier by the day. After suffering an ACL team, she is expected to make a strong return to the court. Meanwhile, the Sparks have a rising superstar in the making in Rickea Jackson, whose potential is undeniable. Now that Curt Miller is in Dallas as the general manager, we should see a more productive season from Jackson, without her own coach sabotaging her growth and development. This shift in leadership could be exactly what Jackson needs to take her game to the next level.

Additionally, the Sparks have Lynne Roberts as their head coach, who has plans to turn the offense into a high-powered weapon.

 

“I want to win, and Kelsey being here gives us a really good chance of that..”She’s a competitor at heart, and that’s what we need.”

Roberts’ vision for the team is clear, and she aims to maximize the offensive firepower at her disposal. Kelsey Plum will be a focal point of the offense. With her ability to score at a high level and stretch defenses she will be lethal.With the right adjustments and support from players like Odyssey Sims, the Sparks have the potential to become one of the most exciting teams to watch this season.

closing thoughts

Kelsey Plum’s arrival in Los Angeles brings excitement and high expectations, but the Sparks must carefully balance her role to maximize their potential. While Plum’s scoring ability is undeniable, her effectiveness as a primary ball handler remains questionable.

Odyssey Sims should take on the starting point guard role. Sims has a proven ability to facilitate and control the offense. Thus, Plum will continue thrive as an off-ball scorer. With a talented roster featuring Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and a clear vision from head coach Lynne Roberts, the Sparks have the pieces to compete at a high level. However, their success will hinge on how well they utilize Plum’s strengths and minimize her weaknesses. If the Sparks can strike the right balance, they could emerge as a formidable force in the WNBA this season.