Adena Andrews.com

Los Angeles Sparks forward, Candace Parker is injured…again.

A torn meniscus in the right knee will sideline Parker for up to six weeks which equals 14 games or approximately 40 percent of the regular season. Due to injury and pregnancy, Parker has competed in just one full WNBA season (2008) in her four year career.  After four years in the league and plenty of hype,  it’s time for Parker to show and prove on the court why she is one of the highest paid players in the WNBA.

My dad used to tell me, “if you’re still celebrating what you did yesterday, that means you haven’t done anything praiseworthy today”. That’s exactly how we’re treating Parker. We’re still celebrating her dunk, Olympic gold,  rookie of the year award and MVP in 2008. Outside of her rookie season, her most complete season was 2009 . That season Parker played 25 games and led the league in rebounds per game (9.8), blocks per game (2.12) and double-doubles (15).

While Parker’s accolades are amazing, I have to borrow from my soul sista Janet Jackson and say “What have you done for me lately, Candace?”

I want to spout off stats to speak of her on-court prowess but any stats mentioned now are hollow because it’s the start of the season. The Los Angeles Sparks have played just eight games.

While Parker’s presence did garner more interest in the WNBA, it wasn’t because of her on-court performance. Media campaigns, not her jump shot, made her the face of the league.

While the hype built her up, it also broke her down. Pressure to be the WNBA’s savior and the second-coming of Lisa Leslie gave Parker very little time to rest. She went  from winning the NCAA championship for the University of Tennessee, straight to competing in the WNBA about two months later. Throw in motherhood in addition to playing overseas, and it’s apparent Parker, like many other WNBA players, has an unwavering load on her shoulders.

Although it may not seem like it, I want Candace Parker to be great. I want her to be successful for herself, her family and the league. I will never hold another woman back from being her best. But I will call a spade a spade when I see it. Right now, Parker’s situation is the Big Joker.

Wake me in six weeks, when we find out her injury is really season ending and she has a new endorsement deal.