Candace Parker was 6 or 7 when the world got a taste of her basketball analysis. She’d tell a recruiter, who was paying her brother a visit, all about his team’s defensive shortcoming that young. Add 4 years of collegiate run, 3 W championships, and 2 Olympic gold to that, and you’d know she was poised for a welcoming broadcasting career. As she climbs up the ranks with TNT, that doesn’t seem to have been lost on Parker either. But well, a few hiccups don’t miss anyone, do they?
For Parker, that moment arrived when she called the game on LA Lakers vs New York Knicks this Thursday. One thing that stint made clear: if there’s anyone Luka Doncic has impressed since his debut in the yellow and purple jersey, it is the Chicago Sky icon. She’d sing praises as the former Maverick moved the crowd with his step-back 3s and off-balance baskets. But it’s her loving nickname for Doncic, “Luka the Don,” that attracted massive scrutiny — and scorn.
Parker, however, is choosing to only look at the positives.
Following the game, Zach Miller, associated with WME, reshared a post by NBA that compiled Doncic’s counting moments throughout the game. The first of which was the #77 hitting those 3s against the Knicks’ gritty defense in the overtime. But Miller’s focus? It was Parker’s voice in the background. “Candace Parker on the call of one of the best games of the year,” he penned on his Instagram story.
The W icon agrees it was one surreal moment. “Pinch me court side show working,” she celebrated in response.
Parker has been an NBA analyst on TNT for near seven years now. She has moved from announcing college basketball to being on TNT’s Tuesday panel and, ultimately, the All-Star and NBA games. But her commentary on Thursday’s game wasn’t the best of her works as per the fans. “This is Luka the Don that we have known and loved over time,” she commented in the first quarter as he landed a second three. The nickname was back only a few seconds later. “When you are playing one of the best players in the world and Luka the Don, even great defense, has better offense,” she’d say this time. The Sky star did not miss it in the OT either.
The Lakers were pulling off a massive comeback, and the energy at Crypto.com arena was magical, as Parker would admit. But the constant mention of the nickname just wasn’t it for the fans. “Hearing Candace Parker say “Luka The Don” makes me cringe every time I hear it. (emojis) #NbaonTNT,” one penned. A whole host of it followed next. But evidently, the W champion remains unfazed.
Parker has been a name for many firsts in women broadcasting landscape and has managed to carve out a career in basketball analysis just as successfully as on the court. And she is doing so with one simple principle.
Candace Parker as a commentator stuns basketball greats
Parker began her commentary career in 2018 with Turner Sports, covering men’s college basketball. Her impressive start paved the way for being included on TNT’s NBA studio programming, making her the first woman to contribute as an analyst on the network. No small task, but Parker came in with one simple thought and wouldn’t be wrong to say she excelled under pressure.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 03: Candace Parker spotted at NCAA Womenâ€s Championship game in adidas ‘More Is Possible†tee to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX at Target Center on April 03, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images for adidas)
“The biggest thing for me when I came in is that I said that I’m not trying to be one of the guys,” Parker conveyed via Time. “I’m trying to be one of the players. That line is what I established. I’m Candace. I’m not going to change who I am.”
The 7-time All-Star has since signed a multi-year contract with TNT, given Shaquille O’Neal lessons on how a game is played in modern NBA, and earned respects from the likes of Dwyane Wade. “She knows she’s an expert. So it’s so dope to sit next to her and hear her perspective on the game, because it always gives me a different way to think of it,” the Miami Heat legend says.
In 2023, Parker made history once more when she became the first woman to serve as a color commentator for the NBA All-Star Game. She was back again for the 2024 Weekend. Rebecca Lobo believes that is, in a way, helping direct the crowd towards WNBA. “‘oh man, Candace Parker makes me laugh on TNT. Let me check out her game,’” a reaction Lobo imagines.
Whether she’s courtside at a basketball game or on Inside the NBA talking X’s and O’s, one thing’s for sure: Candace Parker’s love of the game—Luka Dončić or otherwise—is here to stay.
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