Submitted by | connvex

The GOOD:

1. The rest of our guards were able to play well tonight with bird on the bench. I think we lost to LA b/c when bird wasn't on the floor no one was in charge, no one really knew how to take over point. Bronds' ball handling was better. Tully looked good with her passes. Rita & Lassiter had some q-time too.

2. Nice scoring options besides sue and LJ. KV and Bronds looked real solid.

3. Much better rebounding as a team (catalyzed by some excellent personal efforts). LJ with 13, KV, Simone, and Barnes with 7!

4. LJ. so soo good

The BAD:

1. Passing and catching the passes looked rough. I'll start with Bird's 8 turn overs. (Do I see a spaking in someone's future? - naah) This will get better with time. 1/2 the time she through it too fast for the receiver or not where they wanted it, 1/2 the time the receivers couldn't hold it (she can blaze em in there).

2. Not moving through transition fast enough. This accounts for a significant percentage of TOs by Bird b/c she is so dang fast and few people are anticipating or able to keep up.

3. Feel like the plays are still not second nature. Should also improve w/ time.

The UGLY:

1. attendance. As my old physics teacher used to write on my quizes, "SHAME!" Where was everybody?

2. the clock. it repeatedly broke down. Come on KEY! I know there weren't alota people there but lets get it together! Go buy a new one from a high school or something.

3. those refs were UGLY! Calls were inconsistent, unpredictable, or not there when they shoulda been. DeMya Walker traveling from here to Sacremento and back again (during the game)... blatant fouls away from the play (bronds got clobered)... I think it was Yo who was like kneeling on Adia yet Kamila gets called for a foul (the refs were abusing KV ). The fans were pretty histerical, though. During the beginning of the game it was pretty quiet but by the end of the 1st half at least every 10th person was yelling stuff like "Hey Ref, your bun is too tight!" HA! I never realized before how drastically a tight bun can affect judgement!

Submitted by | eclair

Once. Just once in my lifetime I'd like to see a well-officiated WNBA game. Tonight was even beyond the pale.

I guess moving screens are legal, now. At least if you're wearing purple.

There were long and boring stretches while the officials messed with the shot clock. Who's in charge here?

Was that Jamal Crawford at half court? I didn't see him, but the lady behind me did.

Empty, empty, empty. The crowd was small but enthusiastic. I noticed the mean age was quite a bit older than the typical game. Once school gets out, the crowds ought to be beefier and much younger.

Scott remembered to bring his megaphone. He doesn't seem to need the amplification. I don't know what he was saying but Sass and jezzie approved.

Yo got a big T in the first half. She was rolling her eyes and whining at the refs every time the Monarchs had a foul called. She came close to incurring the T the previous time down the floor. She just didn't know when to keep her talentned mouth shut.

Flagrant on Tangela Smith--I guess she figured since all the calls were going against the Storm, clipping was allowed.

Lauren had a MONSTER block in the first minutes. I can't remember who she punished, but I don't care. I'd pay my admission just to watch Lauren smack 'em down--it's about my favorite thing in all of sport.

Even Anne Donovan was getting oh so tired of Maura McHugh's whining. It was incessant--Maura came halfway down the scorer's table to complain once. Wish she'd been T'd.

Hey! We can rebound this year! Imagine that.

Sue just doesn't match up well against Ticha. Yet. A little more experience and treachery may take the kid a long way.

Most annoying sight: The bonehead who was sitting right next to the Sacto bench with the big poster reading
KARA (in orange letters, BTW)
UCONN (in blue)
BACK TO BACK BABY

This ain't UCONN versus Tennesee. It's the WNBA. Nothing like giving a team a little incentive to kick your ass.

Speaking of Kara Lawson, she looked tentative, and was eager to pass off the rock whenever she laid hands on it. I'll say it again: The WNBA isn't a rookie league.

All in all, it was an ugly game (lots of skidding around on the floor) with a terrific outcome. Adia's shot is as pretty as she is, Sun has a nice stroke, and my word, LJ was on a tear. I have great hope for the future!

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