29/07/2014 10:24
After the Chicago Sky (9- 14) snapped a six-match losing streak by trumping their longtime nemesis, the Indiana Fever 60-57 Tuesday night head coach Pokey Chatman gave another bit of optimism to some season on the verge:
"Elena Delle Donne will "likely" return July 31 against New York (at Allstate Arena), if her treatments and work outs go well."
Sky Head Coach Pokey Chatman, as reported by ESPNW and the Chicago Tribune
Delle Donne, who was averaging 21.2 points per match, has not been on a basketball court since June 25, when the Sky played the Connecticut Sun to an 89-79 loss. Delle Donne was certainly ailing at that time...she was held to just seven points.
After that week, it was announced that she had been treated for a flareup of Lyme Disease, which she contracted after being bitten by a deer tick at her family's home in Delaware several years ago.
And nevertheless, delle's still inspiring people while fighting with her way back to wellness.
Yesterday, delle was to speak to the female basketball campers at the Dwayne Wade-Brandon Marshall Sports Academy, 'offering her penetration on the match and what exactly it takes to make this as a WNBA player.'
Earlier this season, she was granted the 2014 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award, the best service award in the WNBA, for her work and Lyme Disease research. Laurel Richie, WNBA president, had this to say:
"The minute she stepped into the league, Elena has done everything possible to make a difference not just on the basketball c red nike blazers.urt, but in the community at the same time," Her resilience and dedication as an athlete is matched by her passion for making a difference in the community.
Delle Donne, womens nike blazers high red.in response, posted this on her Facebook page:
"It's a honor to get the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award. Facebook've always looked up in the community and to Dawn for her accomplishments on the court. As an athlete, you are given a tremendous platform to use however you pick. I have been in a position to help educate and inspire others to overcome barriers that they're faced with, by sharing my personal experiences with Lyme disease, as well as my sister Lizzie's challenges. I am grateful to the WNBA, Special Olympics, Lyme Research Alliance and Coach Dawn Staley for giving me a path off the court to change lives."
But DawnStaley primary job has not been easy this year.
Why? Credit the mixture of Jessica Breland and Delle Donne, who came in the Indiana Fever to the Sky this year and is a Hodgkins lymphoma survivor herself.
Delle Donne and Breland reminded me -to-Michael Jordan organization. That's how great they were together.
But since Delle Donne left for treatment, and Breland went down with a right leg injury, the Sky have suffered, going 2- 8 since June 25 (which was a loss). Before Indiana, their last triumph was a 90-83 victory and the Los Angeles Sparks.
As one of the impossibly gifted "Three To Watch," (Brittany Griner, Phoenix Mercury, Skylar Diggins, Tulsa Shock), Delle Donne has had the most spectacular of rookie seasons: She led the Sky to their greatest record ever, making the playoffs for the very first time in franchise history, and was an unanimous selection for 2013 Rookie of the Year. She was the top Eastern Conference vote-getter for the All-Star Game, which she missed due of this year.
Like Mike?
Delle Donne may not dunk, but she electrifies Allstate Arena. Like Mike, she makes players around her better. 2012 All-Star Courtney Vandersloot, another number one draft pick, who seems more cozy when the game's destiny is just not in her hands. At 6'5, Delle Donne is an easy target for three-time All Star, 6'6 center Sylvia Fowles. Unlike Mike, though, she is not stingy with the ball, creating opportunities for consistent scorers like two-time All-Star Epiphanny Prince.
Like Mike, delle can take over a match when necessary. ESPN and Elias Sports Bureau reported that the Sky allow 10.3 fewer points in the paint per 40 minutes with Delle Donne on the court.
As much as she can "Be Like Mike," there are a few differences.
Unlike Jordan, Delle Donne has had to alternate splendor while fighting what would seem to be nearly insurmountable challenges off-court. Her tight-knit family, including a disabled sister, ended up placing the University of Delaware Blue Hens after Delle Donne missed her family too much to play three states away for Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies.
At Delaware, according to Wikipedia, she fought draining spells of Lyme Disease in her sophomore and senior years while racking up records on the court. As a junior, Delle Donne led the country in scoring, ending the season with an average of 28.1 points per game. Elena scored 42 points in a a win eclipsing the 2,000 point mark for her livelihood. During the 2012-2013 season, Delle Donne fought with Lyme Disease, missing four games. Delle Donne returned against Maryland on December 12 and led the team with 19 points and 6 rebounds -53 loss. She scored more than 30 points on five occasions her senior year, leading the Blue Hens -3 regular season record, on to an NCAA berth.
nike blazers cheap.
While Delle Donne has been injured more often, and has more humility than Jordan, she and Jordan bear similar burdens and expectations. And I am calling, and Delle Donne's face will be buried by some point, she . Like this:
It might not be this season. But with the Sky, there's every chance they will make the playoffs. In the last month with Delle Donne back, they can make a run for it.
