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Dana Squires checks in on the 2008 Seattle Storm season.
photo by Toni Holm. click
here for more Storm photos
September 4, 2008
Bird for MVP
Basketball is a funny thing. This season began with an awesome roster. The question was could the close-to-retirement veterans get and remain healthy. Who would have thought that the Olympic break would end with Lauren Jackson having ankle surgery, Swin Cash nursing a sore back, and Camille Little holding down the fort. Sue Bird said, when Jackson left early for the Olympics, that the whole team needed to step up to fill her shoes. "I'm not going to go out there and score 30 points, that isn't happening," Bird laughed. "Everyone is going to have to raise their game a little bit, to chip in a little bit." Now that LJ will not join the team for a few weeks, everyone has stepped up. Brian Agler has commented on Ashley Robinson and Katie Gearlds renewed effort at practice and in Tuesday night's game against Atlanta, all starters were in double figures. As for Bird scoring 30 - maybe not, but I think she underestimated her contribution. Bird has been playing at MVP level, leading the Jackson-less team to a 2-1 record since the break, with the only loss being a nip and tuck game against Connecticut, the East's first place team. Bird has scored over 20 in five of the last six games. 20 isn't 30, but it is 20, and it has kept the team in the mix. If Seattle win tonight at Chicago, the Storm clinch a playoff spot and take over the first-place slot in the west - not bad considering they are missing their best player.
July 29, 2008
The Olympic Break?
Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, and Kelly Santos all head toward
China this week. Teammates in Seattle, they will fight against each other
for Olympic gold- for Team USA, the Australian National team, and for
Brazil. "We told [Bird to] come back with the gold," said Storm
forward Camille Little. "We told Lauren to get the silver and Kelly
can have the bronze."
The remaining Storm players have a 10-day break before starting practice
once again. It doesn't sound as if they have any big plans. "Rest.
That is the big thing " (Camille Little) and "Hang with family"
(Katie Gearlds) are the typical. Of course, watching the Olympics is on
everyone list. "I am really excited to see beach volleyball and Misty
May," says Tanisha Wright. Swin Cash may be involved on the broadcast
side of the Olympics but says "I can't comment on that." And
Sheryl Swoopes will have time to rehab that hamstring injury. But then
it is back to work at the practice center. Bird, Jackson, and Santos may
have Olympic medals when they return - but the entire team has their eye
on the WNBA championship ring. The plan? "To get better," says
Tanisha Wright. "We have a great team and we can be a lot better,
we can get a lot better."
Quote-of-the-Day: What Olympics experience
is Sue Bird looking forward to the most? (in addition to having the gold
medal hung around her neck)
July 15, 2008
Life without Lauren
"I haven't been looking forward to this day," Coach Brian Agler said. Per her pre-season agreement with Agler and the Storm organization, Lauren Jackson has left for her native Australia to practice for the Olympics with her national team. Though he and the Storm signed off on the leave, as the Storm fight for a favorable playoff spot they can't be happy to lose her.
"You can't replace her," says Sue Bird. "It is going to be hard without her, no doubt about that. We are missing a scorer, a rebounder, a presence, all those things. It is going to be a team effort [to fill the void left by Jackson]; at both ends, in every regard; in every statistical category, in every which way possible. Everyone is going to have to raise their game a little bit."
Agler's style of substituting - not position by position, but a shifting, more flexible approach, has prepared the team well. Agler won't be trying to replace her - but instead changing the lineup to fit the situations that come up. When they play against a team with big inside play Ashley Robinson may get more minutes. In another game, defensive specialist Tanisha Wright might get the start. Or Camille Little. Or Katie Gearlds.
Jackson will miss five games, four of those on the road. It won't be easy for the Storm, but the team has been playing extremely well lately, exceptionally well as a team. That is exactly what is needed - a group effort.
"We'll see what happens," says Bird. " I still think we can steal some wins."
July 9, 2008
Off the Bench
Not known for its bench scoring, the Storm bench did something pretty amazing in the Minnesota game. The Seattle lead, with the starters on the bench, was increased. The 40 points from the reserves came as something of a surprise. It wasn't just scoring; the bench pulled down 15 rebounds and handed out 11 assists. "It was nice to contribute," said Katie Gearlds, who contributed 17 big points. The go-to player on her college team, Gearlds has had to adjust to a new role with less time on the floor and, consequently, fewer touches. It is a different game when you come off the bench and shoot the ball cold. "We have a lot confidence in her," says Coach Brian Agler. "She has good instincts, a great attitude. Good days are ahead for her." Good days, it seems, for the Storm as well.
Quote-of-the-Day: Katie Gearlds talks about how she prepares
for playing off the bench
July 4, 2008
Filling the Void?
"I think this is really a sad day for the Seattle community," said Lauren Jackson, "The Sonics left a massive legacy and a huge hole." It is official. The Sonics are packing to go to Oklahoma.
Although the Storm piece of the organization were bought by a local ownership group in January and will stay in Seattle, the move affects the team. Staff members the players know are moving or losing their jobs. The atmosphere in the offices is emotional at best. In the past the Storm have shared practice and office facilities. Now the Storm is on its own , and that will bring changes - from buying a new fax machine to finding a new place to practice - as well as a new management environment. It is, as they say, a whole new ball game.
Will fans turn to the Storm to fill their professional
basketball void? It is hard to say. "I am sad," said Sue Bird,
"I like the NBA; I am a basketball fan. [But] right now, we are the
only game in town. We will have to represent."
Pick Your Poison
Last
night Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson made their own fireworks against the
NY Liberty. They each had their season high - 23 (10 of 13) and 33 (12
of 20) respectively. "They had to pick their poison tonight on the
pick and roll," Bird, who also added six assists, said after the
game. Either leave Bird off the Jackson screen for her jumper or switch.
Pick your poison. If Jackson was left open for a millisecond, Bird would
dish, and from there Jackson was unstoppable. Scoring under 20 a game
of late, unusual for her, Jackson was in something of a slump. "I've
been playing overseas at the 3-point line. It just wasn't in my brainwave
to go inside. I needed to find it again." She definitely found it.
"I just tried to push it inside," she said. "[Coach Agler]
has been stressing that." And the thing is, no one can guard Jackson
inside.
"About 10 days ago, we talked," Agler said of Jackson, "We talked about getting more of a balance from her, inside and out. Obviously she is great 3-point shooter, but she is awfully tough with her back to the basket. She is one of the best," he adds. "Let's just face facts, that is what she is."
The compliments were flowing all around in the locker room after the game - Jackson referred to Agler as a genius, and to Bird as the best point guard in the world. "She is unbelievable, we are very proud of her." Bird laughed when told (and patted her pocket as if looking for her wallet "I have to pay her … I forget how much ...") and turned the compliment around. How hard is it to be a great point guard when all you have to do is get it to Lauren Jackson and watch her do her thing?
It comes down to this - both Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird belong in the "one of the best" category. And last night was one of those times when one plus one makes … well, 56 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocked shots, and a steal.
Quote-of-the-Day: Sue Bird on Lauren Jackson's post-up game
Bonus Quote: Agler on Sue Bird's night against the Mystics
July 2, 2008
Blue Collar
Coach Brian Agler reshuffled the deck yet again this week. "One thing [Coach] Brian [Agler] has been talking about a lot [is] blue-collar workers," said Sue Bird. Agler now has brought in two new players. Both are hard workers, both are willing to do those little things. In the Mystics game, her first outing for the Storm, Camille Little had five quick fouls and only 2 points, but she was on the floor after those loose balls. "She gets in there and grinds it out," Swin Cash said, "and that is what we need."
Former UW Husky Kristen O'Neill was at Storm training camp. After being cut from the roster, she stayed on as a practice player. It has paid off. O'Neill now joins the team on a 7-day contract - with the possibility of an extension. A versatile player, she will able to step in for Bird at point, play the 2, or come in as a defender. Having practiced with the team all this time, O'Neill is a step ahead, knowing the team, the defense, and the plays. And like Little, O'Neill brings energy to the court - and that blue collar scrappy play that Agler was talking about.
….
In the Mystics game, the Storm had a certain look. At one point every Storm player on the court sported a white headband and a dark ponytail. Swin Cash, Sheryl Swoopes, and Ashley Robinson had the look. Katie Gearlds tried but her hair was too light and too short. However, it was Camille Little and Shyra Ely who were practically twins. At 6'2" and similarly built, they can be hard to tell apart in the confusion of the game. In case you are having trouble, remember this: Ely wears the white leggings, Little the elbow sleeve.
Quote-of-the-Day: Sue Bird on new Storm player Camille Little
June 26, 2008
Tanisha!
To
be perfectly honest, Tanisha Wright has never been a fan favorite. It
is not entirely her fault. At Penn State she was the shooting guard -
on the Storm she's often been asked to relieve Sue Bird at the point.
Always a good defender, she is not a natural point guard. The fans saw
her as a turnover machine. However, for Wright, this is truly a new season.
With or without Bird on the floor, T is still playing at point much of
the time, but she is seeing more time as a two or in a flexible guard
lineup. Perhaps it is coming off the MVP season overseas, or the coach's
confidence, but in her third year in the league, Wright is playing smarter,
passing better, and making key plays. "Tanisha, to me, is a starter,"
says Coach Brian Agler. "When the game is on the line, there is a
good chance she will be in the game. For who, we don't know … but
she gives us another ball handler out there, she is a good defender, she
will hit the timely shots, she gets the ball to the rim. [Those are] the
things we need."
Wright is delivering. She has been in double figures the last two games,
but more importantly made big plays when they counted. As one fan said
after the Indiana game, "I am complaining about her less."
June 24, 2008
Luxury
The Storm have made it through the most intensive part of their season.
While LA started the season with days on end between games, Seattle was
traveling to back-to-back games on the road. Seattle has played more games
than any other team - but now they reap the benefits. Practice days. "This
is probably the only time you will hear me call practice a luxury,"
Sue Bird laughs. But with games and travel, actually practice time has
been at a minimum. In the past Seattle has started the season with games
few and far between. "Actually, I prefer it this way," says
Bird. "If you play a lot of games at one point, you know you will
get your rest [later]. I know that toward the end of the season, we are
going to have … more breaks, while other teams are playing."
That period starts now. This week the team has time to travel home from
LA and fit in a couple of practice days before Sunday's game. A luxury
indeed.
June 17, 2008
Beloved Barbara
Once a member of the Storm, you are always beloved by the fans in Seattle.
"The fans here are great," said one-year (2006) Storm reserve
Barbara Turner, returning in a Connecticut Sun jersey. When introduced
before the game, Turner was greeted with loud applause. She grinned ear
to ear. "That welcome made me feel really, really happy. During the
introductions, I couldn't stop smiling." Meanwhile, the announcer
mic stopped working. Turner's was the last introduction. A few minutes
later the rest of the Connecticut Sun high-fived each other and ran onto
the floor as if they had been introduced.
The Storm players' introductions didn't happen at all. Perhaps that was
the problem - the usual dramatic, energy-producing pre-game ritual was
missing. Seattle led by 10 after the first quarter, yet Connecticut had
caught up by the half.
"It was tough," said Coach Brian Agler. "It went back and
forth." In the end it went the other way, with Connecticut handing
Seattle their first home loss of the season. Turner, unfortunately, played
a pivotal role in Seattle's defeat, showing a 3-point stroke she didn't
possess as a member of the Storm. It was an especially tough loss coming
after dropping both games of a Texas road trip. Three straight losses,
one at home. The post-game locker room was more subdued than it has been
of late. Yes, it was a tough night, for player and fan alike.
Quotes of the Day: Sue Bird and
Lauren Jackson talk about the game, the loss,
what Yolanda Griffith's absence from the lineup means to the team, and
what comes next.
June 12, 2008
Twilight Years
If
anyone had doubt as to the value of Sheryl Swoopes and Yolanda Griffith
to the Seattle Storm going into the game against Phoenix, they didn't
have them by the final buzzer. Many people thought Coach Agler was crazy
to bring in these two veteran (read: end-of-career) players even though
they had both been WNBA MVPs and led their teams to championships (see
June 9 Storm Report). People said they were past their prime; they didn't
have it in them anymore. Those people were wrong.
"We got some old bones," says Griffith and jokes about the amount of ice she and Swoopes are using after the games for their sore bodies. But as Agler pointed out, they also have a lot of pride. They also still have game. Against Phoenix Griffith was one rebound from a double double and had four assists. That is four assists from the center. In this same game, Swoopes added three assists, two steals, and six rebounds to her season-high 17 points. She's also had a "vintage Swoopes" 3-point dagger in the final seconds of the last two games. She is looking not so much old, as like the Swoopes of old.
Swoopes has had a long journey back to the court from a back injury over a year ago. But it looks to me that some people counted her out too soon. The Storm budget for post-game ice may be up, but it's worth it.
Quote of the Day: Swoopes talks about coming back from her injury
June 9, 2008
Playing While Big
Before the Detroit game Saturday, I talked to the coach of the Detroit Shock, Bill Laimbeer. Yes, that very same Laimbeer of the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys" in the1980s. Laimbeer plays up his bad boy image, and loves being hated by the crowd. Talking with him is a sparring match, but he is funny. I have to admit I kind of like him, in a way, for all his arrogance. When I introduced myself and said that I was with the media in Olympia, Laimbeer shrugged our town off with a single "never heard of it." (Seattle Times reporter Jayda Evans pointed out that Olympia was the state capital.)
Reporters aren't the only ones Laimbeer likes to dismiss
in his aggressive jocular fashion. His pre-game comment on this year's
Storm to Coach Agler. "You know, your problem is you've got two really
old players [in Sheryl Swoopes and Yolanda Griffith]." "And
I just looked at him," Agler said, "and I'm thinking, that's
not a problem. To us, that's an asset." Then Agler went into the
locker room and told Griffith what Laimbeer had said. "I relay that
stuff to players because I know it motivates them."
And in the game that night our really old players did do well.
Swoopes had her season high with 15 points and hit a huge long-range 3
in the final minutes. Griffith, with limited minutes due to foul trouble,
was big inside with 8 rebounds.
The colorful Laimbeer does make a win over the Shock all that more enjoyable.
*****
My
friend calls it the Playing While Big foul. If a player is big
and looks tough, then fouls go against them automatically. That seems
to be the case this season for Storm center Yolanda Griffith. She seems
to be getting more than her fair share of fouls. "I think she is
getting picked on," says Coach Brian Agler. "She doesn't get
the benefit of the doubt many times." He goes on to say that foul
trouble or not, Griffith is valuable to the team, and "anchors the
defense." It is true, the big body inside changes offenses for the
other team. Personally, I think that her presence anchors more than the
defense. When Griffith is on the floor, playing well, the Storm looks
solid and is a better team. Her defense has sparked some of the most exciting
plays of the seasons. My favorite: while falling to the ground in a tangle
of players, Griffith managed to tip the ball just enough to get it to
Sue Bird. Bird was on her way to the other end and the layup, igniting
the crowd and starting a run.
June 1, 2008
Tale of Two Texas Teams
One weekend, two games, two styles of play. This past weekend the Storm played two very different games. Friday, repaying San Antonio for the first and only Storm loss of the season thus far, Seattle controlled the game defensively from the tip-off. San Antonio didn't make a shot from the floor until the final minute of the first quarter. And the Storm didn't allow them many after that. Seattle on the other hand, were playing with a joie de vie, every remarkable pass connecting and seemingly all shots falling perfectly into the basket. The connection between the players, especially Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, was as uncanny as it was fun to watch. "It is feeling good," said Jackson. "I feel like I haven't run like that in years; it's fun."
Sunday against Houston, the game was not so fun to watch, and I am sure it wasn't as much fun to play. There were 33 fouls called in the game and neither team could find its offensive flow. The game was a physical, rough and tumble, defensive battle. There were none of the beautifully executed dance-like plays of Friday's game. "We knew Houston was going to be tough," said Coach Brian Agler after the game. "They're hungry. I felt like we played really solid defense and that kept us in the game." Down by one with about 10 seconds on the clock, the Seattle defense - a blocked shot by Tanisha Wright into the hands of Jackson - gave the Storm the opportunity for the win.
I'll let Sue Bird tell you the rest of the story: Quote-of-the-Day
May 28, 2008
San Antonio Coming and Going
It is one of the idiosyncrasies of scheduling. The Storm
traveled to San Antonio last weekend and this weekend San Antonio comes
to Seattle. Neither team has a game between meetings. San Antonio handed
Seattle the first loss of the season. Win or lose, this next game will
be a new story. The Storm has spent the week at practice. Sue Bird describes
this four-day mini-training-camp as coming at the perfect time. "Obviously,
it is no secret, the first four games we kind of got in a hole, in every
one of them. [We] were able to pull them out. But in that last one against
San Antonio, it was really glaring, some of the things we need to work
on …and now we have the time to do that." Bird describes this
week as a period of becoming comfortable in the offense, and with each
other, something the team had very little time to do before the season.
"The more we play together the better we will get."
Friday, Seattle will put it to test. Against San Antonio, again.
"They are a very poised team," wing Shyra Ely says. Let's hope,
this time around, Seattle is too.
Quote of the Day: Sue
Bird talks about the defense in San Antonio last Saturday
May 22, 2008 (Seattle 87-Phoenix 83)
The New Old Bird
Sue
Bird has stepped up this season. She has always been the quintessential
point guard - evaluating the situation, looking for the dish to set up
the right player at the right time, leading the team. And she is very
good. However, in her college days at UConn, in fact, in her early days
on the Storm, she also looked to score more often. Somehow that part of
her game faded into the background. Not that she didn't shoot, or score,
but it became a less important part of her game. Ironically, now that
she is surrounded by talent, or maybe because, we are seeing Bird's signature
stop and pop once again. "It was just something I had to do,"
she said. "I think the last couple of years I was content to let
my teammates take on the offensive burden. But I think I'm too good of
an offensive player to do that. Not that I'm as good as the rest of them,
but I do have to take on some of the load." So far this season Bird
has averaged 15 points per game, add to that 3 rebounds, and 6 assists
on average, and you have the new aggressive Bird. Another side effect
of the looking for the shot - the other team has to guard her, and often
foul. In the Sacramento game on May 20, Bird went to the line a record
eight times, making them all. "Gotta love those freebies," she
says.
Quote of the Day: Sue Bird on being aggressive
May 20, 2008
The
Making of a Team
On paper this is one great team. Transferring great from
paper to the court is not instantaneous, however. "It is going to
be process throughout the season," says Coach Brian Agler. "[Right
now] we are learning a lot about our team … we are going through
this process, figuring out what works well for us. And what doesn't work
well."
In a repeat of the opening night, the Storm came out stiff and remained
so until late in the game. Rebounding was especially poor. Sacramento
out-rebounded Seattle an embarrassing 25-9 in the first half. But when
the things came together in the fourth quarter - wow! The Storm outscored
Sacramento by 22 points. With players straggling in to training camp due
to overseas commitments, there hasn't been much actual time to practice
as a team. And it shows.
What else shows is that this team, at times, can transform itself into
something close to that "dream team" predicted in the preseason.
"Right now we are learning the offence and learning to gel to with
each other," according to center Yolanda Griffith "It is just
a gelling thing, it is a trust thing." Trust will come with familiarity
with each other on the court. "We know we are still young, as far
as how many days we have been together as a team. It is going to some
more take time … a couple more practices, a couple of more games,
and we are going to be solid."
"Rather than just playing, we are so [focused] on running the offense"
says Sue Bird, "We realize we need to just play." "It
will come," says Bird. The spectacular 4th quarters have all
the pieces, smothering defense, exciting offense, even rebounding (2nd
half rebounds: Storm 21, Monarchs 13) and most important of all, teamwork.
And those last minutes of the game are just a preview of things to come.
"We will get better," says Bird.
I don't doubt it for a second. When this team is good, it is very good.
Soon this team will be gelled from the tipoff on. And then all they have
to do is play.
Quote of the Day: "Sue Bird outrebounded me and that cannot happen!" laughs Swin Cash. "So [she] and I have a little problem … For some reason they are giving her my rebounds."
May 17, 2008
New Beginnings
Opening night. The atmosphere is tremendous - the arena is full. The opening ceremonies with players appearing on a makeshift stage surrounded by drifting smoke - was a bit over the top. Nonetheless, it seemed somehow appropriate.
Donna Orender, WNBA president, spoke to the media of a new excitement throughout the league. It is certainly true for Seattle. During the off season, the Storm shed old ownership and with it the threat to move the team. They gained a fairy godmother in the new ownership group, the four local women of Force 10 Hoops. Then, along came Brian Agler, a new coach with a new vision. Agler's idea was not just to change up the offense (which he did) or to reemphasis defense (which he also is doing) but to remake the team and fill it with only the most talented group of women ever to suit up in the WNBA. And the amazing thing is, he did it.
Joining Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson in the Storm starting lineup this season are Swin Cash, Yolanda Griffith, and the ever-great Sheryl Swoopes. Shall we count the number of WNBA MVP titles, All Star appearances, or Olympic medals? Let's just say the team is loaded with talent. Both Swoopes and Griffith speak of this team as a dream team.
So there is new excitement in Seattle for this dream team. KeyArena buzzed with excitement on opening night, but the game itself didn't start with the look of a dream season. Passes didn't connect and there were disjointed plays. In short, they looked like any team that has only had three practices with their full lineup present - slightly out of sync. But midway through the 3rd things began to fall into place. Jackson came alive; Swoopes grabbed the steal leading to a layup; Swin was everywhere. "Disjointed" was forgotten, intense defense led to impressive offense. This is what Coach Agler had in mind. "That little spurt in the third and fourth quarter is what we envisioned when we put this team together," he said after the game. It is what Sheryl Swoopes had in mind also when she said "…It is going to be a fun season."
Bird: As far as adjusting to the new system on short notice, "I have to think a lot right now," Bird commented, miming working things out in her head. "I know I want to get Swin the ball at the post …What play do I run?" In a few weeks it will all come naturally.
Surrounded by talent, Bird showed us that she can still make the amazing no-look pass. She had 7 of the team's 14 assists. When I commented on her nice passing game, she (deliberately?) misunderstood me to mean the passing of the team as a whole. "Everyone on this team can pass!" she said, looking around the locker room, eyes wide, with her arms open indicating each of her teammates.
Swin: Speaking of great passers, I never thought of Swin Cash in that light. I will have to rethink that, however. She made a couple of little bounce passes in the key to a rolling Yolanda Griffith that were tremendous. I haven't been a huge Swin fan in the past, but I am beginning to love her.
Swoopes: When the team came exquisitely together to go on a 25-9 run, "…It was almost scary at a point," Swoopes said, "knowing we have only practiced together for three days, and knowing we can get that much better…." If the team can play like that for periods now, what will happen when they gel? It is scary.
Force 10 Hoops: At the game's conclusion, at suggestion of Sheryl Swoopes, the team gathered the women of the new ownership group into the team huddle, to thank them for keeping the Storm in Seattle. It was a touching and fitting conclusion to the start of the new Perfect Storm.