| The
Returning Players
So
I thought that I knew enough about our vets to focus on the
new additions - wrong. All of our returning players (except
Quacy and Simone) looked faster, stronger and more intense
than they did last year. Contributing factors? 1/ Their roster
spots are not for sure. With the addition of Sue Bird in particular,
all of our returning players have something to prove. 2/ Productive
offseasons. Not only did Michelle, Jamie and Charmin start
working out in January, but Semeka, Simone and Quacy had strong
play in Israel. Add in some much needed rest and they all
look ready to go.
Simone Edwards and Quacy Barnes
- I said that Simone and Quacy didn't look much better than
they did last year. I think Simone may be hurt. In addition
to the normal knee braces she wears, she was also wearing
ankle braces. Also, at the Fan Fest, she passed on dancing
with the kids. That alone got me thinking that she may not
be 100%. It may sound mean, but Quacy didn't look that good
today. She played like she normally does and I'm not sure
that is enough this season. I'm not sure that Quacy will be
on the team for opening day.
Sonja
Henning
- Everyone has relegated Sonja to the bench and a mentoring
role for Sue Bird. Sonja looked so smooth and under control
out there today that I don't think she is ready to step back
at all. Not only was she hitting her shots, but she had her
squad under complete control. For a good part of the practice,
she wore a long sleeve T-shirt over her uniform and seemed
to not even be sweating. All of her movements were precise
and efficient. She took the T-shirt off and from the total
soaking, she was working just as hard as everyone else. Chances
are that Sonja may be traded - at least that is the forum
opinion. I hope she doesn't go to a Western Conference team
(please God, not Portland) because I have a feeling that she
will be burning us nightly.
Semeka
Randall
- Also looking the smooth and seasoned veteran is Semeka.
Maybe a better description would be focused. Semeka has taken
her talent and focused it to the point where she is under
control, makes good decisions and hits her shots. The guard
competition has been focused on Michelle and Sue, but do not
underestimate Semeka. I think she will surprise us this year.
I also think she wants everyone to be sure and remember that
Sue Bird isn't the only 39-0 NCAA champ in a Storm uniform.
Jamie
Redd
- Jamie is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. I'll
be honest with you, last season I was unsure about Jamie.
She seemed aloof and uncomfortable at times. She also liked
to drive to the basket at times when she should be passing
out to an open player, which often got us into trouble. On
the other hand, Jamie went off for a couple 20+ games and
she liked to drive to the basket when she should be passing
out to an open player, which was often exactly what we needed.
Well, now Jamie is loose, looks comfortable and confident,
and is showing off a killer sense of humor. I think she too
may surprise some people this year. During the practice today,
she may have gotten more rebounds and loose balls than anyone
else. She was slapping and pushing and not taking any crap,
but was also playing in the flow of the game. She still went
1 on 2 a couple of times, but I think she hit both layups.
Charmin
Smith
- Already a fierce defender, Charmin has stated that her offseason
development centered on her confidence and shooting. As with
the other players, her intensity is up and it shows in her
defense. I didn't watch Charmin too closely, but the few times
I did see her, she was shooting with a smooth rhythm and high
accuracy.
Michelle
Marciniak
- Michelle is one of the most competitive players on our team.
She has had to maybe work harder than other players simply
because she has bounced around so many teams over the last
few years. Until now, she hasn't been the front runner to
be the starting point guard (I may be wrong about that) because
she hasn't been on a given team for more than a season or
so. Michelle has not been able to get comfortable. Today,
instead of just fighting with veteran Sonja Henning for the
starting spot, she is also fighting with rookie Sue Bird.
By watching her play, I can see that this challenge is pushing
her to play harder and smarter. Michelle may not win the starting
point guard spot, but because she is pushing herself and her
competition so hard, whoever it is will be that much better.
Lauren
Jackson
- Of course it's hard to say anything about LJ because she
wasn't sure what day, country or planet it is right now due
to a nasty case of jet lag. If her stats from her Canberra
season tell any kind of story, she is back and so much better
than last year. Stormrocks has officially given Lauren the
nickname "The Big Bad." Happy 21st birthday - now
how about that double-double average this year?
Kamila
Vodickova and Alessandra Santos de Oliveria
- Both are still playing overseas and are reportedly healthy.
This is good because Special K went out with a bum shoulder
and Ally came in hurt last season. For Ally it was very disappointing
because we never got to see what she could do on a consistent
basis. We are all eager to have them back and to see what
they can do this year.
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