WASHINGTON — Days after the Liberty had been topped WNBA champions for the primary time in franchise historical past, Kennedy Burke laced up her sneakers and headed to the court docket.
The work that she put in over the following six or so months has resulted in a wildly environment friendly begin that’s made her an early candidate for Sixth Participant of the 12 months.
Her capturing numbers by eight video games are staggering — 54.5 % (24-for-44) from the sector and 59.3 % (16-for-27) from deep.
It’s an enormous leap from a season in the past when she shot 40.9/25.9 on fewer makes an attempt per recreation.
Requested how good Burke’s shot feels proper now, the veteran admitted to The Submit, “It does feel pretty good.”
However she made certain to observe that up by giving credit score to her teammates “for giving me the ball when I’m wide open and then just me shooting with confidence.”
Coach Sandy Brondello knew Burke was due for a bigger function within the rotation this season, her second with the Liberty.
When the Valkyries picked Kayla Thornton within the growth draft, Burke turned much more necessary to the Liberty’s plans for a title repeat.
Brondello has seen Burke’s confidence early this season, which the coach attributed to Burke’s offseason work.
However it wasn’t a matter of tweaking her mechanics.
“It was just reps, honestly,” she mentioned after the Liberty’s 86-78 win towards the Mystics.
Her psychological strategy has modified.
“Just knowing that when I shoot the ball, it’s going to go in,” Burke mentioned. “So just having that confidence consistently.”
However she has been extra empowered than ever to let it fly from deep since Natasha Cloud arrived in Brooklyn.
Cloud and Burke spent a quick time frame as teammates for the Mystics in 2022.
Cloud knew then Burke had the potential to be an X-factor if she was given the correct function.
The pair labored out collectively earlier than coaching camp began in late April, and the veteran level guard has been encouraging Burke to be aggressive.
“She’s been on my butt, just saying, ‘If you’re wide open, shoot the damn ball,’ ” Burke mentioned. “She’s been on me since the beginning of the season — even preseason, honestly. And I will credit that to her, just giving me that confidence.”
Cloud could have instilled that perception in Burke, however the outcomes are all Burke’s to say.
When Jonquel Jones went down with an ankle damage within the first quarter Thursday, Burke was one of many gamers who stepped up. For the second time this season, she went 4-for-4 from deep, ending with 12 factors.
“It’s been great and certainly we’ve needed all of those 3-point shots,” Brondello mentioned.
Burke’s sizzling begin has earned her a spot within the dialog for Sixth Participant of the 12 months.
Her 9.3 factors per recreation has her tied for fourth amongst bench gamers in scoring, however nobody is capturing the ball as effectively as her.
Scoring isn’t the one marker for these end-of-season awards. However the off-the-bench enhance that she continues to offer on a nightly foundation is difficult to disregard.
