Skylar Diggins Goes OFF on Chicago Sky After Being Benched: “I’ve Been So Good and Quiet”

Skylar Diggins signed with the Chicago Sky this offseason with the view of leading their otherwise young squad.


Skylar Diggins Goes OFF on Chicago Sky After Being Benched: “I’ve Been So Good and Quiet”

Skylar Diggins and Sky head coach Tyler Marsh (Image via FirstSportz)

Before Skylar Diggins arrived at the Chicago Sky, the franchise was mired in controversy for suspending and then trading away star forward Angel Reese.

After the latter was traded to the Atlanta Dream, fans felt that the Sky was intentionally bringing in top-tier talent now, when Reese had been asking them to do so in her two years there.

After bringing in Diggins, many warned the Sky that they were signing a player who has consistently demanded the best from franchises and coaches.

No wonder many wondered how the organization would deal with the Notre Dame alum, especially when they could not deal with Angel Reese. The point guard is much more combative and vocal than the Maryland native.

Now I’m coming off the bench?????? Cool.

Skylar Diggins wrote on IG

She continued:

And the crazy part about it all is that… I’ve been so quiet. I’ve been so good and quiet.

Skylar Diggins said on IG

This was Skylar Diggins’s reaction when she learned she was being benched. For someone who has started almost every game she has played in the league, this came as a shock.

She signed with the Sky with the view that she would be the primary point guard and would have to share the court with veteran playmaker Courtney Vandersloot when she returned.

Head coach Tyler Marsh made it clear that it was his decision to bench the guard. But this decision has angered the 35-year-old. It could blow into something much bigger if the organization does not get their mercurial guard to calm down.

Skylar Diggins speaks about being benched

The team has struggled to win consistently. After a fantastic 3-1 start to their regular season, the Sky have since lost 13 more games while winning just three more.

Courtney Vandersloot and Skylar Diggins
Courtney Vandersloot and Skylar Diggins (Image via Sky Town/X)

Maybe Tyler Marsh decided that it was necessary to change things up, and one of the ways was to bench Skylar Diggins and go with a different lineup.

I’ve been putting my body on the line all year for this team. I’ve done everything that’s been asked of me. I’ve been great professionally, that’s the decision that’s made, and I gotta live with that.

Chicago State of Mind Sports quoted Skylar Diggins

She later added that her coaches and the team felt that her being permanently glued to the bench would help them win it all. It seems the mother of two was making a point that her head coach should think long and hard before making such decisions.

If anything, this has the making of another blow-up for the Chicago Sky. The last time one happened, they ended up getting the short end of the stick. This time, it could cause even more damage, knowing this is coming from an experienced seven-time All-Star.

Skylar Diggins’ blowout could stop players from wanting to play for the Sky

When Angel Reese opened up about what she felt was wrong with the Chicago Sky, WNBA fans instantly took her side. They had seen this episode on repeat on quite a few occasions and were not surprised.

Players in the past have called out the franchise for their poor infrastructure. Even their former star forward compared it when she joined the Dream.

Skylar Diggins’ situation might be about her position in the starting lineup, but there is speculation that this decision was not just about her play on the court.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the former third overall pick has expressed dissatisfaction with the Sky’s lack of infrastructure and resources.

The new CBA mandates that teams provide players with top-of-the-line practice, training, and medical facilities, along with additional staff to cater to their various needs. The Sky’s practice facilities are still a work in progress, and it seems Skylar Diggins is making it clear that she is not happy about it.

When Angel Reese voiced those concerns and the front office’s mistakes, she was traded. Hopefully, for the organization, they won’t have to do that with their veteran guard, or else it could send the wrong message to the rest of the players.

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