Parker in Sky blue? What if, indeed

Having spent the last two days in a homecoming whirlwind of revisiting old hangouts and reconnecting with extended family and childhood friends, Candace Parker can't help but wonder, "What if?"

What if the Chicago Sky had had the No. 1 pick in April's WNBA draft instead of the Los Angeles Sparks? What if she was wearing Sky blue and getting the opportunity to start her much-anticipated professional career in her hometown?

"That would have been really cool," said Parker, the former Naperville Central star who went on to become one of the most highly regarded women's college basketball players of all time at Tennessee.

"But … I think it would be … a lot. I mean, I know everybody here. I would never have enough tickets to give to everybody, things like that. It would probably be kind of distracting being here every day."

Parker, however, still is a Chicago girl at heart and says she will take small doses of the city any time she can get them, which is why she is thrilled to be back in town with the Sparks for tonight's showdown with the Sky at the UIC Pavilion.

Parker has gotten off to the best start of any rookie in WNBA history.

The 6-foot-4 forward is averaging 19.2 points and 11.5 rebounds and set a rookie scoring record with 34 points against Phoenix in her debut.

"Chicago is such a great place for women's basketball and it's great to play here," said Parker, who played in Chicago only once during her college career -- this past winter at DePaul. "It's great to be home, but I kind of like things this way because when I come here I get to really, really enjoy it.

"I realize I'm lucky every time I come back. I think that if I played here every day, I'd take it for granted."

Parker won't even think about taking the Sky for granted.

Sure, the Sky is 1-3 and on a two-game skid. But Parker knows the Sky has a great new centerpiece, too. And she's very familiar with her.

When Los Angeles took Parker with the No. 1 pick, the Sky used the No. 2 pick to select 6-6 center Sylvia Fowles from LSU. Parker and Fowles battled for Southeastern Conference supremacy for years.

"We definitely have a history," Parker said. "We came from a heated rivalry in college. LSU and Tennessee was definitely the rivalry. We split SEC tournament championships. We split SEC regular-season championships.

"I'm really looking forward to this. Sylvia is a great player, and she's done a lot in her time and she's going to do a lot more."

Like Parker, Fowles has also gotten off to a good start in the WNBA, averaging 12.5 points and 9.2 rebounds. In the Sky's last game -- a 75-73 loss to Connecticut on Sunday -- she recorded career highs with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Fowles also twice has had a 4 blocks.

On Saturday, Fowles was named to the U.S. Olympic women's basketball team and will get the opportunity to play alongside Parker.

"I'm really happy that she made the Olympic team," Parker said of Fowles. "She really deserves it. She truly is a talent.

"It's going to be fun playing against her (tonight)."

Meanwhile, as they watch Parker and Fowles battle, Chicago fans are left with their own "What if?"

What if they want to cheer for both?

Tonight's tipoff

What: Los Angeles Sparks (3-1) at Chicago Sky (1-3)

When: 7 p.m.

Where: UIC Pavilion

TV: Channel 23

Radio: WVON 1690-AM

Next: Friday at Atlanta

Parker vs. Fowles

Here's how Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles, the WNBA's top two draft picks, are faring:

Parker Fowles

Points 19.2 12.5

Rebounds 11.5 9.2

Blocks 3.0 3.0

Assists 6.2 0.7

Steals 2.0 1.0

FG pct. .462 .550

FTpct. .600 .750

Source: WNBA.com