Candace Parker Quotations

What's so special about this team is that we all have the same mentality, this sort of, 'We've been knocked down, let's get back up' mentality.

We're going to come into the regional with fire.

She anchors our defense and our offense. She runs the show. We've held it down while she's gone, but that would be a huge boost.

She hit some big shots. It seems like she's confident in her shot now.

For us, we were playing for postseason, for a No. 1 seed. We do things when we have to.

Today I know that there is still work to be done, but along the way my I am achieving my dreams.

I take away from this experience a lot of different things. I learned from a lot of great veterans about the game of basketball.

Last year, I was sidelined with my knee injury. To finally get here and play was amazing.

We were never worried about the game or anything like that. We stayed calm.

We were having fun just playing, moving the ball, running in transition, and that's when we were at our best.

We're the only team ever to be part of a coach winning 900 games.

We just looked like we were uninspired. (At halftime), we got on each other.

I've only dunked in one game. I don't want that to be my identity. I want to be known for an all-around game.

Coach told me to dribble some time off, then we went into our isolation play. I knew they would not double down because of our outside shooters. I was taller so I just shot the ball over her.

You never want to go out with a loss. We just have to use this as motivation.

This is huge. This is a great experience, and I just came into this thing wanting to learn and wanting to grow and to take everything in. This is a really great experience for me, and I just want to learn from it.

It's a relief to finally do it and get it over with.

It seemed like every time we came at them they answered. Every time we were almost over the hump, they seemed to come back with a run or a steal or a three.

I've grown a lot as a player and as a person. I just play and don't think about that.

It was just 1-on-1 with me and her, and I knew I had the height advantage over her, so I just took it and shot over her. Fortunately it went in.

I'm not going to force anything. If it's a close game, a two- or three-point game, I'll make the decision that's best for the team.

I just went up and did it. I didn't really think about it.

I'm very stubborn. I feel like I'm going to play this season.

I really wasn't thinking about it. I was thinking attack. I took off too far. I just missed a dunk.

I know Penny Toler and coach Ross have worked hard to put together a strong team this year, and I am ready to start the season with my teammates.

You want your coach's blessing.

The Sparks have always been committed to success and making the right moves to build upon their rich tradition in the WNBA.

Male athletes don't get dropped when they father kids.

My baby is the joy in my life.

It will be exciting to have my child share my career and to remember what I was like when I was young.

I wouldn't mind being the female MJ. I want to have major crossover appeal.

From my first dunk at 14 years old to my second NCAA Championship at the University of Tennessee, my intense training with my dad was always to credit.

I look at it this way: the WNBA is 13 years young. I think eventually women will get to that point, maybe in my daughter's generation, where their salaries will be similar to men's. But we're still starting off, like, where the NBA was back in the 1950s.

I think it's great that young girls have the WNBA to look up to now.

On my best days, such as when I was a junior in high school coming off a 42-point performance and near triple-double, my dad was there to tell me I haven't arrived yet and bring me back to reality.

My whole career has been trying to please people in basketball. Now it's time to please myself.

I don't think I would take the game with the same mentality that I do now if I hadn't been injured.

My dad was my first coach and drove me extremely hard from a very young age.

So you have to take the good with the bad.

For me, family has always come first.

You're measured by championships no matter what.

Today I know that there is still work to be done, but along the way I am achieving my dreams.