Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The 2008 Los Angeles Sparks were built around Candace Parker, whose exceptional scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and shot-blocking established her as the team’s centerpiece. Lisa Leslie remained a dominant interior presence, while DeLisha Milton-Jones and Ticha Penicheiro supplied versatile scoring and elite playmaking. Los Angeles combined strong rebounding, interior defense, and efficient offense, though inconsistent perimeter shooting and turnovers occasionally limited its overall effectiveness.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Candace Parker Starter/Star (1.1) 33.6 High (1.2) 18.5 9.5 3.4 3.6 92.40 Parker immediately became the focal point of the offense as a versatile forward who could score inside, create from the perimeter, and protect the rim. Her rookie season impact came from doing almost everything on the floor, with writers often noting how her combination of size, ball skills, and passing changed the way teams defended Los Angeles. WNBA Rookie of the Year (2008); WNBA All-Star (2008); All-WNBA First Team (2008); WNBA MVP (2008); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Lisa Leslie Starter/Star (1.1) 32.1 High (1.2) 15.1 8.9 2.4 4.4 82.63 Leslie remained the defensive backbone of the Sparks, controlling the paint with elite shot blocking while still providing efficient interior scoring. Even late in her career, her ability to alter shots and command double teams continued to shape how opponents approached Los Angeles’ frontcourt. WNBA All-Star (2008); All-WNBA Second Team (2008); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
DeLisha Milton-Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 32.8 Medium (1.1) 13.9 6.3 2.4 1.7 53.64 Milton-Jones provided veteran two-way versatility, spacing the floor as a power forward while defending multiple positions. Her ability to stretch defenses with occasional three-point shooting and handle physical matchups gave the Sparks another reliable option beside Parker and Leslie. WNBA All-Star (2008); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Shannon Bobbitt Key Contributor (1.05) 21.2 Low (1.0) 4.1 2.5 3.5 1.0 23.31 Bobbitt brought speed and defensive pressure as a young point guard, pushing tempo and creating opportunities through quick penetration. Although her shooting was inconsistent, her energy and ability to disrupt opposing guards earned her meaningful rotation minutes. WNBA Champion (2010); NCAA Champion (2007)
Marie Ferdinand-Harris Key Contributor (1.05) 20.6 Medium (1.1) 8.4 2.6 1.3 0.9 29.11 Ferdinand-Harris served as a veteran wing scorer who attacked closeouts and provided perimeter toughness. Her ability to draw fouls and convert efficiently at the line helped stabilize the offense when the main stars faced heavier defensive pressure. —
Temeka Johnson Key Contributor (1.05) 17.1 Low (1.0) 4.2 1.9 3.1 1.1 21.63 Johnson worked as a secondary ball handler, bringing experience and steady playmaking to a talented roster. Her quickness and defensive instincts allowed her to contribute even when sharing guard responsibilities with younger players. WNBA Rookie of the Year (2005); All-Rookie Team (2005)
Kiesha Brown Bench (1.0) 16.6 Low (1.0) 4.9 1.8 2.1 0.6 18.80 Brown provided perimeter depth and reliable decision-making from the bench. Her strong free throw shooting and willingness to move the ball fit well within a rotation built around high-level frontcourt creators. —
Sidney Spencer Bench (1.0) 13.7 Low (1.0) 5.3 1.9 0.5 0.5 16.40 Spencer gave Los Angeles additional floor spacing as a shooting wing, knocking down perimeter attempts at an efficient rate. Her role was limited but valuable because she could punish defenses that focused too heavily on the stars inside. —
Raffaella Masciadri Bench (1.0) 14.2 Low (1.0) 4.3 1.4 0.6 0.3 13.20 Masciadri operated as a reserve perimeter shooter, providing international experience and spacing. Her minutes were mostly focused on maintaining offensive balance rather than creating high-volume opportunities. —
Jessica Moore Bench (1.0) 11.0 Low (1.0) 1.4 1.6 0.6 0.3 7.80 Moore contributed as a reserve big, focusing on rebounding and defensive positioning in limited minutes. Her role was primarily to support the frontcourt rotation behind established interior players. —
Amber Jacobs Bench (1.0) 12.2 Low (1.0) 2.0 0.4 1.2 0.0 7.20 Jacobs provided short stretches of guard depth, handling the ball and spacing the floor. Her limited appearances reflected a crowded backcourt rotation rather than a major offensive role. —
Christi Thomas Bench (1.0) 8.0 Low (1.0) 1.5 2.0 0.3 0.5 8.60 Thomas gave the Sparks reserve frontcourt minutes with rebounding and physical defense. Her impact came mainly through effort plays and interior presence rather than offensive involvement. —
Murriel Page Bench (1.0) 9.0 Low (1.0) 1.6 1.3 0.5 0.2 7.20 Page provided veteran depth in limited appearances, contributing through positioning and experience. Her role diminished as Los Angeles leaned heavily on its elite frontcourt combination. —
Margo Dydek Bench (1.0) 7.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 7.00 Dydek appeared briefly as an additional interior option, bringing her size and defensive reputation to spot minutes. Her opportunities were limited on a roster already featuring dominant post players. —
Kamela Gissendanner Bench (1.0) 7.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.00 Gissendanner played a deep reserve role, receiving minimal opportunities during a season where Los Angeles relied heavily on its established stars. —
Totals — 282.5 — 98.7 42.7 21.9 14.7 408.79 Los Angeles Sparks 2008 regular season listed player totals for HeatingUp Impact Index calculation. —

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Candace Parker Starter/Star (1.1) 36.5 High (1.2) 15.0 9.8 3.8 3.7 84.37 Parker carried a massive all-around workload during the Finals, operating as a point forward who rebounded, created offense, and protected the rim. Her ability to handle the ball against pressure while defending multiple positions made her the central piece of Los Angeles’ championship run. WNBA Rookie of the Year (2008); WNBA MVP (2008); WNBA Finals MVP (2008); WNBA Champion (2008); All-WNBA First Team (2008); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Lisa Leslie Starter/Star (1.1) 32.0 High (1.2) 13.8 8.8 2.2 4.0 71.28 Leslie remained the defensive anchor of the Sparks, using elite timing and positioning to control the paint. Her 2.8 blocks per game in the Finals showed that even late in her career she could completely change the way opponents attacked the basket. WNBA Champion (2001, 2002); WNBA MVP (2001, 2004); WNBA Finals MVP (2001); WNBA All-Star (2008); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
DeLisha Milton-Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 34.3 Medium (1.1) 10.7 6.0 1.8 2.0 44.55 Milton-Jones provided the veteran two-way stability around Parker and Leslie, defending physical forwards while stretching the floor with occasional perimeter shooting. Her ability to absorb difficult defensive assignments helped keep the Sparks’ frontcourt combination balanced. WNBA Champion (2008); WNBA All-Star (2008); Olympic Gold Medal (2008)
Temeka Johnson Key Contributor (1.05) 19.2 Medium (1.1) 8.0 2.3 3.5 1.2 31.19 Johnson gave Los Angeles valuable bench creation, attacking gaps and keeping the offense organized when the starters rested. Her efficiency and playmaking were important because the Sparks could rely on her without needing another high-volume scorer. WNBA Champion (2008); WNBA Rookie of the Year (2005); All-Rookie Team (2005)
Marie Ferdinand-Harris Key Contributor (1.05) 18.5 Medium (1.1) 7.5 2.5 1.8 0.3 25.25 Ferdinand-Harris brought veteran wing scoring and toughness, taking advantage of open perimeter opportunities created by Los Angeles’ interior stars. Her strong free throw shooting and aggressive style helped stabilize second-unit possessions. WNBA Champion (2008)
Shannon Bobbitt Key Contributor (1.05) 21.2 Low (1.0) 4.5 1.5 3.0 0.8 21.32 Bobbitt provided defensive energy and pace as the starting point guard, though opponents often pressured her shooting. Her quickness and willingness to push tempo remained valuable in a series where Los Angeles needed to create transition opportunities. WNBA Champion (2008)
Raffaella Masciadri Key Contributor (1.05) 16.4 Low (1.0) 6.8 0.4 0.4 1.0 17.22 Masciadri gave the Sparks a perimeter shooting option, connecting on 46.7% of her three-point attempts in the Finals. Her spacing allowed the offense to maintain room for Parker and Leslie to operate inside. WNBA Champion (2008)
Kiesha Brown Bench (1.0) 8.0 Low (1.0) 3.5 0.3 0.5 0.0 8.60 Brown played limited minutes but contributed efficient scoring when called upon. Her role was primarily to provide backcourt depth behind a rotation led by Johnson and Bobbitt. WNBA Champion (2008)
Sidney Spencer Bench (1.0) 9.6 Low (1.0) 1.4 1.8 0.2 0.2 7.20 Spencer served as a reserve wing option, offering size and defensive effort in short stretches. Her opportunities were limited because Los Angeles relied heavily on its veteran core. WNBA Champion (2008)
Jessica Moore Bench (1.0) 8.7 Low (1.0) 1.3 0.8 0.5 0.0 5.20 Moore provided reserve frontcourt minutes, focusing on screens, positioning, and interior defense. Her role was mainly developmental within a championship rotation. WNBA Champion (2008)
Murriel Page Bench (1.0) 3.0 Low (1.0) 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.2 1.60 Page appeared briefly as a veteran depth option during the Finals. With the Sparks shortening their rotation, her role became mostly situational. WNBA Champion (2008)
Margo Dydek Bench (1.0) 1.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.00 Dydek made a brief appearance as an additional interior presence. Her experience and size provided depth, although the championship rotation rarely required extended minutes. WNBA Champion (2008)
Totals — 210.0 — 82.7 34.2 16.1 13.1 319.67 Los Angeles Sparks 2008 playoff listed player totals for HeatingUp Impact Index calculation. WNBA Champion (2008)