Submitted by | Stormrocks

Laimbeer doesn't yell at his players which surprised me. In fact he doesn't say much of anything in the huddle. For three-fourths of every time-out they all just kind of looked at each other. He drew up a grand total of one play all night. Near the end of the game he really wanted Lambert to go back in to get some props from her crowd. He told her it was her choice though and didn't pressure her. She wasn't going to but then changed her mind. He's pretty supportive of his players when he's talking to them. He thinks LJ's the top player on the team (duh!) and wasn't concerned with Sue until she started hitting in the second half. He's also a funny guy but needs to do something about the wedgies.
 
Ruth Riley's a nice person and doesn't have much to say. I'm sure she's wishing someone on our team didn't have long fingernails though, judging from the 9" scratch down her left arm.  
 
I'm guessing Nolan's knickname is "tweety". She's got a winking tweety bird tat on her right shoulder to go with about 4 others.
 
Swin really is model beautiful. She's also their biggest cheerleader when she's on the bench.  
 
I've heard that some teams are just plain nasty and snarky but Detroit's not. There were comments about the refs. and the calls being made but not one player said anything about any players on our team. Near the end of the game they were just happy about the fact they were winning, it wasn't about us losing.  
 
From where I was it didn't look like our team chemistry was all that great. LJ and Sue were bickering at one point and it wasn't long after that that things started going downhill.  
 
The funniest thing I saw all night was in the first half while Laimbeer was working the ref. about a call that went LJ's way she was standing there rolling her eyes, bobbing her head, and saying in effect "blah, blah, blah".

Submitted by | Chris Rimple

I'm beginning to believe the observation I read in the forum earlier this season that the Storm are a first-half team. Based on the ladies' performance in the second half of the Phoenix game and again tonight, it sure feels that way.
 
The Storm played a great first half and were shooting 50%. There was a lot of defensive trapping and it seemed to be working well against Detroit. As another fan behind me pointed out, why didn't AD stick with it in the second half? And what happened to the Storm's momentum, lost in the locker room?
 
Simone finally showed some life this game, taking the ball to the basket rather than looking to dish off as her first choice. I don't think her problems are physical, I think they're purely mental, and it comes down to this: she has to want to be the one to score. She's been trying too hard to be unselfish, but when LJ's getting double-teamed, Simone should be scoring all game long. Someone needs to pull her aside and say "YOU need to carry this team". Sure, that's not really true, but maybe it will convince her to move to the basket more.
 
I was very impressed with Alisa's play in this game. She may not be the fastest player, and she's got hands of stone, but she has no fear (even against larger players) and that draws fouls (while occasionally scoring baskets). If only Simone could find a little of that "get out of my way" attitude...

Submitted by | eclair

Neither team really deserved to win this game--it ended up being a contest of fewest mistakes. If the Storm had been crisp on their offense, they would have been up 31-2 before Detroit hit 2.  
 
Your opponent doesn't score a field goal until 7-1/2 minutes into the game, and you lose by 9? Jiminy. Jiminyjiminyjiminy.
 
Kamila looked absolutely gorgeous in white and ivory. I like her better in white, green, sienna and gold. On a bright note, Adia wasn't wearing her knee brace. Kamila spent most of the night looking shell shocked, unhappy about the turn of events and mourning the loss of her season. Adia was up on her feet just about the whole game. Thank you, Ms. Exhorter. I'd rather have your game, though.
 
With about 5 minutes in the half, Simone and Sue ended up in my corner, waiting for the ball to come back down court, right in front of the Curley family.  Sue really took it to Simone--whining and gesturing and rolling her eyes (again), but Simone had had enough. She turned to Sue, hands on her hips, and gestured right back. It was not pretty. The Curleys were pretty unimpressed with Sue Bird at that point, and made a special effort to be up on their feet for every good play Simone made. I understand Simone is trying to play at a level beyond her capabilities, but b****ing at her is not going to improve her game. The whole episode was just nasty, and I'm sorry I saw it. Unfortunately, it wasn't the only time Sue was barking at Simone.
 
Gary Locke said that over the last 3 games, we've been outscored 150 - 90 in the second half. I feel that it took the Mercury and Shock about a half to figure out the "new look" Storm and make adjustments.
 
Did you hear that tremendous flush at about 7:45 tonight? That was our season. Having been a hard-core sports fan for about 35 years, I can tell you that there's not much more painful in fandom than watching a team that's had a magnificent season sputter and die at the end. The girls just looked tired, with no legs. I can't help but think that if we'd had to deal with missing Adia and Kamila early in the season, we'd be coming on strong just now.
 
Just a word on Simone: She played well tonight for a skinny kid trying to box out 200-something-pound Ruth Riley.  
 
And a word on Alisa: After hearing AD talk about the kind of struggles she's had with pain and injury this year, I applaud her yeoman-like performance tonight. It was brave, indeed.
 
Finally, a word on Sue Bird (and I say this hesitantly given the common climate around here):  She is the first one to freak. Tonight, rather than a Jordanesque, "Climb on my back, I'll carry you" game, she effected the (fill in the player of your choice here--I know who I'd choose, and it would make the rest of the folks around here mad) ________esque, "Ohmigod I have to do every single thing or we're going to lose" game. With plenty of time left, she went into full alarm mode--8 of those 20 were sheer panic points. I don't believe this really helps anyone. What we needed out there was a calm and confident leader, not a player who pointed up others' mistakes and became a one-woman show. This aspect of her game will improve with maturity. The frustration factor is the sign of a great competitor. To become a truly great player, she must harness this. When Lauren had been in  the league a season and a half, she was still fouling out every game, and look at the control she has now. If anyone can rise to the top, it's Sue Bird. So do that, sister.
 
Oh, I wish you all could have seen the Storm bench. I had to look away from the faces, they were so grim.
 
I was so happy to see Sheila Lambert back! I loved her game in high school and college!! It was great to have her back home!!! Until her %$@# fans started getting all "Sheila" on us once the Shock came back. Now I can honestly say, I despise the nasty girl.  
 
And what's with Laimbeer getting his knickers in a knot with 20 seconds left in the game and a 10 point lead when his girl gets called for a foul. He apparently thought our player double-dribbled. For all the times his girls took leisurely walks while grasping the ball in two hands, he ought to have been grateful.
 
Near the end, Swin fouled Sue hard, and whined about the call all the way through Sue's free throws. Kinda tacky--I assume that once she sees the game film she'll be embarassed that she made such a fuss.
 
And finally,
 
LJ, honey? On that kicking foul? YOU SHOULD HAVE KICKED HER HARDER.

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