Hello there, haters and surveillants.

For the last few weeks, the Chicago Sky have been Under Surveillance for a number of reasons. I decided it was time to take things to the next level and get my eyeballs on them myself, so I made the trip to Atlanta for the Dream vs. Sky thriller. I’m gonna take you through my observations from start to finish.

Of course the sky opens up and a torrential downpour occurs complete with thunder and lightning when I get like five exits from the arena. This caused me to miss Tyler Marsh’s pregame presser, BUT! I caught him literally on the way out the room and he was gracious enough to grant me a quick hallway interview.

I’m told I don’t have much time or many questions, so I get right into Skylar Diggins inquiries. He tells me that there’s no real timetable on her return and “as he’s said before” they’ve had conversations about her role when she returns and he wants to keep those in house. She didn’t post on social media, so I took it she let it stay in the house too. I then asked about how he’s kept the locker room intact amidst the chaos, and he was kinda like they were ever not intact, so it hasn’t been hard.

I immediately notice an edge that I hadn’t seen in him previously when he answers questions. He’s not curt or cantankerous by any means, it’s more of he’s in control of the conversation. No more Mr. Nice Marsh, he means business! We conclude and I see Jeff Pagliocca roaming the halls, again. I passed him on the way in and really wanted to get him for comment on Skylar, but the PR people already got me Marsh Man despite my lateness, so I didn’t want to press my luck.

Everyone looked locked in to start. Didn’t see any dancing or aura farming during warmups, the Sky meant business. The only critique I have is the communication between the guards and bigs.

I noticed Kamilla Cardoso posting, re-posting and absolutely battling on the block and not getting the ball and walking towards the corner exasperated before getting back after it. I will also say she has to be better defensively because Madina Okot came in and took her lunch money and that was really the difference in the game.

If you’re subscribed to our YouTube channel, you will have already seen the interview with Azura Stevens, Elizabeth Williams and Tyler Marsh.

After the Atlanta loss, the Sky fell to 9-17 overall and 3-4 in the month of July. Of those four losses, one came in overtime, and two were less than five points and came down to the final possessions.

The general tone of Sunday’s presser was disappointed but determined. All three feel they’re right there and give themselves a chance, they just have to finish the job. I asked them what Tyler has been able to do to help steady the ship amidst injuries and Azura kind went on a “next man up” type spiel, which made me raise an eyebrow. Nobody really credited him for much of anything to be honest, it was very much “we believe in ourselves and know we can get it done.” I then asked Marsh Man about how this experience is compared
to his expectations so far and he basically said he’s a coach’s kid so he’s built for it, but they gotta get some wins and turn this thing around.

Respect.

How Napheesa Collier's WNBA return will impact the Lynx by Kendra Andrews and Michael Voepel, ESPN

'It was easy, really': Inside Awa Fam's speedy transition from Spanish champ to Seattle Storm rookie sensation by Jack Maloney, CBS Sports

It might have taken awhile, but 2021 Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere is proving her star potential for the Washington Mystics by Zack Ward, Swish Appeal

And be sure to subscribe to the newsletter (or have the Ball-Knower in your life subscribe) if you haven’t already!