CANDACE PARKER

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.

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.

You want your coach's blessing.

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

You're measured by championships no matter what.

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

For me, family has always come first.

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 baby is the joy in my life.

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.

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.

So you have to take the good with the bad.

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

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

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

You're measured by championships no matter what.

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

My baby is the joy in my life.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

For me, family has always come first.

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

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