Natasha Cloud’s Ongoing Transition from Liberty

Natasha Cloud’s situation with the Liberty remains uncertain. The Sky guard, preparing for her return to Barclays Center on Wednesday, mentioned after Tuesday’s practice that she hasn’t had any communication with general manager Jonathan Kolb or Liberty players since her departure as a free agent earlier this year.

“I don’t mean that,” she clarified. “It’s a Chicago story at that point. It’s not a New York story.”

Cloud experienced quite an unexpected journey with the Liberty, ultimately not being retained as big names like Sabrina Ionescu, Brianna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones signed lucrative contracts. Still, she carries many positive memories from her time there.

“I’m really happy to be back in New York,” she expressed. “It’s nice to connect with this fan base, which I didn’t get a proper chance to say goodbye to.”

“But I’m thrilled to be in this space. It fuels me, but it’s a different game now. It’s about the Chicago Sky and what we aim to achieve,” she added.

Cloud’s rise to fame was highlighted during her time in New York, where she started 41 games and seamlessly integrated her activism with her basketball career. Those experiences linger even after she had to switch teams.

“It was refreshing to be in an environment that truly accepted me and helped me rediscover myself, on and off the court,” she recalled. “New York has been beneficial for my mental well-being. It’s always good to come back and feel the impact they had on me. I hope I can leave a similar mark on them.”

The 34-year-old is set for another solid season in Chicago, averaging 9.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.4 rebounds, closely paralleling her previous stats in New York.

Despite the Sky’s struggles this season, with a record of 9-17, she believes that they can find their footing heading into the All-Star break.

“In our locker room, perspective is key. This isn’t solely a New York issue,” she pointed out. “It’s more about us as the Sky and ensuring our performance continues to improve, especially since we’re just two games out of ninth place right now.”

As Wednesday approaches, Cloud anticipates more emotions than usual for a game. However, when asked if she’d reach out to her former teammates, she had a resolute response.

“To me, business is business,” she stated. “My relationships are my relationships. Whether on the court with my best friend or not, we focus on the game each night. After that, it’s done.”