Liberty introduce Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot to begin 'new era'
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The Liberty are taking the torch from the Nets’ failed Big 3 and the neighboring Knicks.
The Liberty signed Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot last week, finishing what was perhaps the most impressive free agency by a team in WNBA history, and the superstar duo was introduced Thursday morning in a celebratory press conference at Barclays Center.
Liberty co-owner Clara Wu Tsai said they signed Stewart and Vandersloot for one reason: to bring New York a basketball championship.
“It’s truly a new era for the New York Liberty franchise. We set a goal to assemble the best team possible to contend for a championship,” Tsai said before referencing the city’s infamous title drought. “New York hasn’t seen a basketball championship since 1973, and I think this team is ready to bring one home.”
The Liberty now boast one of the most talented rosters in the league, having five All-Stars in the starting lineup and a plethora of young talent, but the challenge now will be building chemistry. Stewart and Vandersloot insisted multiple times they didn’t come to change the team’s culture, but rather help build it with their own WNBA title-winning pedigrees.
“We didn’t want to come here and blow it up, we wanted to be additions,” said Vandersloot, a 34-year-old point guard who owns the five best single-season assists averages in WNBA history. “From day one, everybody is going to have to sacrifice, but it’s all for the greater good. There may be a learning curve with each other, but we have the right pieces and goals, so we’ll let the rest take care of itself.”
Part of the sacrifice for Stewart and Vandersloot is taking salary cuts to form this star-studded “super team” within the confines of the league’s salary cap. They’re now positioned as the primary competition for the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, who added to their own “super team” status this offseason by acquiring all-time great Candace Parker (though the Aces reportedly are under league investigation for circumventing the salary cap).
Stewart and Vandersloot, who previously have played together in the Euroleague during the offseason, spoke about their plan to join forces in the WNBA and how this season seemed like the perfect time.
“We both wanted to play together in the WNBA and go after a WNBA championship. … We’re here for more than just the money,” said Stewart, the 28-year-old forward who is a former MVP, two-time champion and arguably the best player in the world. “I don’t think last year I was ready to completely leave Seattle [and legendary teammate Sue Bird]. … Now, looking at New York, I also have the opportunity to play with one of the greatest to ever play. It’s just about timing.”
Vandersloot said she was drawn during the free-agent recruitment process to the Liberty’s plans and ambitions.
“The vision right away was so clear. It was: ‘This is what we see, this is what we’re going to go do, we want to bring a championship, we want to bring the best players here, we’re going to take care of you.’ It was everything that we’re looking for,” Vandersloot said. “I think we bought into how special it would be to bring a championship to New York.”
One example that sold them, especially Stewart, was what they described as Liberty management’s support for player health and wellness issues including getting the WNBA to approve the use of charter flights.
“When we talk about pushing the needle and raising the bar and elevating the WNBA, it’s also about player health and wellness. When talking to Clara and Joe, they also feel the same way,” Stewart said. “It’s something that hopefully is not just a no, and can turn into a maybe, and then eventually turn into a yes in regards to charter flights.”
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said he had the names of three players on a white board in his office this offseason: Stewart, Vandersloot and former MVP Jonquel Jones. He landed all three with Jones arriving in a trade last month.
“We were really tactical about getting who would fit,” Kolb said. “This year is all about sacrifice, it looks great on paper but we have to let it play out.”
Of Stewart and Vandersloot, he added: “They’re truly taking less to come here and win, and that’s not an easy decision. And New York is not easy, and they have welcomed the challenge with open arms.”
Tsai said season ticket sales are up by over 50 percent, year over year, and the buzz is building in Brooklyn for what this new-look Liberty team can accomplish.
“Every game is going to be a show,” Tsai declared. “And that is exactly what we need.”
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