Sky drop home opener to Dream

Most people aren't good at being patient.

But patience is going to be a must for the Chicago Sky and its fans, at least for a while.

The Sky is now 0-2 on the season with Friday's 91-83 loss to the Atlanta Dream in the home opener at Allstate Arena.

No one seems even close to a panic though, recognizing that with a new coach, a new system and a lot of new faces, the Sky is definitely a work in progress.

"It's going to take a couple more practices and a few more games for us to get to know each other," Sky veteran guard and Chicago native Cappie Pondexter said. "I think we're skilled enough to get it done. We'll be all right."

Since last season, the Sky brought in a new coach. Amber Stocks, an assistant with the reigning WNBA champion Los Angeles Sparks last season, replaced Pokey Chatman.

Meanwhile, superstar Elena Delle Donne demanded to be traded from the Sky and is now in Washington. The Sky got three players in a trade for her, Stefanie Dolson, Kahleah Copper and Keisha Hampton. There are two other new players on the roster as well.

In both losses so far, the Sky has been competitive, holding late leads against Atlanta and giving the powerhouse Minnesota Lynx everything it could handle last weekend on its own floor.

"We've still got 32 games ahead of us and consistency wins in this league," Stocks said. "There are going to be ups and downs. There are going to be highs and lows but if we stick to our principals, we will see (different results)."

Veteran forward Tamera Young, known for her defense, had one of the better offensive games of her career, scoring 18 points and knocking down two 3-pointers.

Pondexter, who is playing point guard instead of shooting guard while point guard Courtney Vandersloot is still overseas fulfilling her off-season obligations there, led the Sky with 22 points and 7 assists.

Atlanta, playing without superstar Angel McCoughtry who is taking this season off, had four players in double-figures, led by guard Tiffany Hayes with 23 points. Guard Layshia Clarendon added 18 points.