Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Notes on the Chicago Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso

The Chicago Sky desperately needs shot creation after trading its second-best offensive option, Marina Mabrey, to the Connecticut Sun for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson and two first-round picks. The former squad’s first game post-exchange was a disaster the personnel weren’t prepared for. It ended with the Phoenix Mercury cutting open the Sky 85-65. Notably, Chennedy Carter was absent from the hosts with a non-COVID illness.

Brittney Griner physically overpowered and schooled her matchup on both sides. Kahleah Copper ate on the break and half-court. And the Sky starters converted 15 of 44 baskets in front of supporters while conceding 56% of attempts to their counterparts.

Going forward, the Sky needs more production from Kamilla Cardoso. As is, Reese is depended on for shots (second on the team post-trade) and is no. 2 in minutes. But she needs more help from Cardoso, who can alleviate the burden by becoming a close-range hub.

In her 19 outings, Cardoso has averaged 26.1 minutes per game. This should rapidly increase because her screening is an alternative to open avenues for her teammates and herself, turning into a massive wideout on rim rolls. The Sky should give her extra chances to run dribble handoff actions to grow her confidence as a playmaker, too.

Currently, one of Cardoso’s weaknesses is ball security, as she’s picked up seven more turnovers than assists. Of her 29 lapses, three were traveling violations, six were offensive fouls, 10 got ripped from her grasp, nine were poor passes and a defensive three second infraction.

The two-time NCAA champ (Cardoso) has a size advantage over most of the league and a useful post-game.  This combination allows her to create double teams. Since the Sky is a poor deep-shooting unit, her teammates will have to attack the space created with cuts until long-range accuracy is fixed.

Yet, most of her attempts come at the rim and she’s not converting enough (52%) because she lacks a bit of strength.  Although, at 6-foot-7, she can turn the match into a grindhouse affair- she is a top five offensive rebounder and capable of scoring on the second try.

Defensively, Cardoso does well covering the back line and can work in a zone as the baseline and corner protector. Her length is difficult for opponents to gauge, as it causes rushed jumpers and low-percentage layups. Her top moment versus the Mercury was denying Copper at the rim while covering pick and roll in drop coverage.

But she must stop biting on fakes in her pursuit to deny shots because A- she’s bigger than almost everybody, and B.- no one recovers fast enough when leaving their feet.

One of Cardoso’s issues against the Mercury on Thursday was staying grounded against Griner and Copper. Both got past the rook for baskets.

With 15 games left in the 2024 season, the Sky are still capable of keeping the eighth seed as the ninth-place Atlanta Dream are two-and-a-half outings behind but, more importantly, folding and on an eight-match freefall. The seventh spot, held by the Indiana Fever, is ahead by a half-game, too.

Playing for something meaningful is a bonus for a rookie’s progress. Cardoso has an opportunity to make the last chunk of the year an accelerated course for her development.

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