Final score: Storm 78 – Mercury 67 (W) (3-1)

Submitted by | NewSocks

I like this arena. I think I like it mostly because you feel like you are in a crock pot while you are outside, but once you get inside it is like being set inside a fridge. The folks in Phoenix are pretty cool too. You don't have to be on the defensive like you do with L.A fans.

I notice two teenagers at the front of the line to get in wearing Storm jerseys, LJ's and Betty's. Muy cool.

I notice one other fan. She is the one who sits behind the visitor bench at the Key. Season ticket holder who won the ring from the team at the opening game of the season. I didnt catch her name, but she was cool to talk to after the game. She said it was her boyfriend who was wearing the Storm Trooper costume that day.

First thing I noticed when I came down was that there was no Suzy here. I was looking forward to seeing her. Ah well. Maybe on the 6th of July when I come back to Phoenix.

I looked over at the Phoenix bench and didn't see Kamila either, but one of the fans said they had seen her a few minutes earlier.

While everyone was laying on the floor stretching out, there didnt seem to be much interaction between the players. In fact, LJ sort of just sat under the basket in a far-away stare. She also was the first one to come off of the floor and head to the locker room.

I spoke with David and Elise for a while, they were really cool again. They always are when I see them. It is getting to the point now where I see them that they are starting to catch on that I am all over the place with the team.

I walked over by the tunnel where the players come in and out to show my love for the team, and to see if I could get Chelle to sign her bobblehead. Sue came by a and was signing stuff for the fans and I showed her the bobblehead. She got a big smile and came over and looked at it closely. She started to giggle and said, "ok, that is just too damn cute. I asked Sue if they had called Tully, and if she was ok. Sue said that yes, they had called her, and yes, she was going to be ok.

The team started to filter into the locker room a couple at a time. When Betty and JB walked by I showed them the bobblehead, and they started busting up. Chelle came by and I asked her to sign it and she looked at me and with a smile on her face said, "oh, no you didn't." You could hear JB and Betty laughing in the tunnel.

Plenette Peirson came by and had a very swollen lower lip. It was really nasty looking. She had stitches in it. One of the fans asked her what happened, she said that a team mate hit her during practice. I said, "with friends like those.... huh?" She said, "Exactly! Even my enemies don't hit me in the mouth."

Back in my seat now and I was talking with DS about what had happened at the tunnel and this usher, an older guy, probably in his early 70's is coming up the stairs and winks at me. I smiled and noticed he was headed to the people who were standing in the aisle right over my shoulder looking for their seats. All of a sudden this guy who had just appeared so friendly to me is barkng out, "Lemme see your tickets". I about crapped myself and was reaching for my ticket when I realized he was just messing with them. He and DS both saw me jump and reach for my ticket, and those two clowns shared a good laugh over it.

When they did the intros, the P.A guy announced us as the WORLD champion Seattle Storm. Did we get promoted? It always bugged me when L.A slapped that moniker on themselves.

Anne looked like a knockout in her blue suit. I don't usually go for women over 6'5", .. but Anne looked HAWT last night.

There was a real nice lady behind us who talked to us most of the pre-game. She gave me a stiff neck though since I have to look at people when they speak to me in loud places. She talked about how Seattle fans are usually very nice when they show up from out of town. I recommended that she go to Seattle for a game as the people up there have always been really friendly to any out of towners that show up. She asked, "even L.A. fans? You know they are the worst." "Yeah," I replied, "they are friendly to L.A. fans until they give reason not to be friendly... Usually that only takes them opening their mouths." We all had a laugh on that one.

One thing we all agreed on is that the rest of the league doesn't care too much for L.A

Ok, the National Anthem was sung by a group of 5 girls who sang it gospel style. Damn, that was nice. It gave me chills.

One thing I have to say about Phoenix's choice of music is that it definately gets people moving. The lady behind me pointed out that there is a "biker chick" (her words) that stands over in her section and dances the whole game. I thought no way, the whole game?? But sure enough, she did. Good Music.

Jen Gillom walked by and sat one row behind us. If all grandmothers could look that good. DA-YUM!

Before the PHX intros, they turn off the lights totally. If you arent ready for it, it's kind of scary. It's dark in there. I wasnt afraid.

During the intros, I had to laugh. They call Plenette Peirson, P-Squared.

After the intros, when the team was in a huddle before the game they were playing music and Simone, Chelle and someone else I cant remember went into an impromptu dance off. Thank God this team finally looks like it is having some fun.

We had a golden retriever puppy sit behind us the whole game. For most of the game he was sniffing DS' ear. DS didn't seem to mind.

Game on.

Foul on Sue vs. DeForge. I didn't think it was a foul, and niether did Sue as she stated, "No way. That was not a F-ing foul."Sue went over and said something to the ref Shelly. As she was talking to Shelly, Diana came over and said something to them and all 3 started cracking up.

During the first time out, I looked down at the Phoenix bench and I saw Kamila. Ugh!! It was all I could do NOT to break down and cry right there. It was just NOT right.

David Locke told me after the game that he and Elise talked to her before the game and congradulated her on better money, longer contract, what she wanted etc, and she was like, uh thanks.

It is nice to see players/friends having fun during the game. DT and Sue were smiling at each other and talking smack the whole game.

JB had an awesome game, and would have had even more if she hadn't borrowed Simone's "Hands of Stone" at the beginning of the game. All the nice passes that were being dumpped in to her were bouncing off of her hands. JB played with a fire in her belly tonite. Even on the bench she was very vocal. That is the JB that I liked when she was playing with Minnesota. That is the JB that used to give LL and LJ fits when she played against them.

Ok.. time out for funny moment. DSocks is a whistler. Good play, whistle. Bad call, whistle. We had these two women sit right in front of us. The first time he let out what I know (but thankfully, was spared the shrill) was a really loud whistle, one of the women acted disgusted and turned around and said to him, "would you mind WARNING me before you whistle like that next time?" (Of course she meant, you big jerk, dont do that again!! EVER!!) But, DS, much to his credit (and my admoration, heh!) said, "Warning you will not be a problem."

So, the next time he went to whistle, he tapped her on the shoulder and said, "I'm gonna whistle." She covered her ears and he let go. She rolled her eyes and the game went on. DS whistled again a few plays later, (an apparent spur of the moment decision, because he forgot the warning) but this time he held up the foam finger in front of his mouth and whistled through it to try to muffle the sound. The woman put her hand up on her hair and then leaned over and said something to her friend. Then they both got up and moved over a couple of seats. I looked at DS and he had a grin on his face. I asked him what she said, he said that they moved because she felt DS' spit hit her hair. I laughed. DS can apparently produce "kennedy bullet spittle". Such drama!

The hip-hop squad was doing a beach theme night. Something about that struck me as funny. BEACH..Arizona...hmmm Ocean front in Arizona.. Ok, I'll play along.

Back to game.

JB was down low fighting for her spot in the paint. The way she was fighting, she was not going to be denied. When Wright got into the game,
it was as if she got stage fright. She dribbled into a spot, stopped, and just held the ball. It was as if the whole place just stopped while she just stood there with the ball. It was dead quiet and she was still standing there. I stood up and yelled, "oh for crying in the sink, pass the damn ball." Finally, she did. I guess it is just going to take game time expirence to get
them over their nerves.

LJ came over to the trainer during a free throw to get some first aid on what looked like a finger nail gouge on her arm.

LJ and Penny Taylor went up for a rebound together and LJ got the rebound and held it up over PT's head and then said, 'scuse me, and then they both started laughing.

Anne subbed someone back in for Wright, and as she came out and headed back to the bench, she let out a big "SH*T"..obviously frustrated with her play.

LJ running down the court, picking up her player which was Christensen, ploughed right into her like a linebacker. I'm sure the impact had to have rattled Christensen's teeth.

Speaking of teeth, Simone put in a mouthpeice as she was going into the game. I dont remember her doing that before.

Izzy Izzy Izzy. I'm liking this kid. Between Betty and Izzy I'm not sure which one is pushing the pace faster. I do like the energy, though. As long as it is in control, I dont mind.

Speaking of Betty, right in front of the bench while on defense, Betty was guarding DeForge and Anna swung her elbows and they pretty much pissed Betty off. You could hear Betty say, "oh yeah? Oh yeah?" Guess she isnt a fan of getting knocked in the head.

Simone got subbed out of the game after a mistake and as she passed by the bench, and yelled out F*ck! heh

One of the Merc's was running down the side line with the ball and the Ref Shelly got in the way. Well, she didnt, it was more of she didnt get out of the way, and Phx turned the ball over. The crowd around me came unguled and they started yelling stuff like ... well like they were going back to the bench after getting subbed out. I tried to smooth things over by agreeing with them that they got hosed on that one. That didnt seem to help since at the time Izzy was hitting her free throws.

Dam JB is still on fffiiiiiiiiiiiyah. DT is still talking mad smack to Sue on the court.

Half time would bring the slowest moving bathroom line I have ever been in, and the saltiest fries I have ever had from McDonalds. Elise was in line getting a McFlurry. She told me the media food wasnt the best she has had...but not quite as nicely.

I guess when Taurasi is having a game like she is having tonite, she talks smack to everyone. Now, she and Izzy are going back and forth. They were team mates last year weren't they?

DT got called for a foul and she protested the call... In fact, I think she protested most all of her calls. This one, however, she stated was F*cking BS. No way she fouled Sue! (according to DT) The thing with most of her protests tonite, it seemed like she was messing with the refs more than a "real" protest. Not like LL protests, or Chamique protests, or Swoopes protest where they protest because of who they are. DT's were more like "damn, you got me but what about them" kind of things.

When did Betty develop this one handed Michael Jordan type shot? It went in a couple of times, but if she keeps leaving the ball hanging out there with one hand, she is gonna get stripped.

One play on our bench's end of the floor had Christensen hit the deck and everyone stepped around or over her had LJ cracking up as she stepped over her and was running down the floor.

JB got called for her 4th foul and Shelly took my wrath. People around me asked, "do you know her?" (I call the refs by name when I harass them) I showed them my list of refs by name and number. They thought that to be a good idea.

I think we called a time out right around here. As the players were going back on the floor LJ went right to the circle and stood with her hands on her hips at the spot closest to our basket. Robinson came out and tried to get LJ's spot. LJ of course, didnt move. Then Robinson crossed her foot in front of LJ's and ended up with her foot between LJ's feet. LJ just shook her head and looked over at the ref and motioned with her finger as if to say, 'scuse me waiter, uh there appears to be only one lemon in my tea and I definately ordered THREE lemons for my tea." Of course, the ref came over and handled it straight away.

Anne checks JB back into the game and about .02 seconds later, she comes right out having picked up her 5th foul.

DS' theory on this is that she is now starting for KV. Since this is the case, she has also inherited the ghost fouls that KV used to get. Granted, this 5th foul was a foul, but 3 of the other ones were really questionable.

We are at 65-51 with 7:45 to go. I'm not comfortable in someone elses house with only a 14 point lead.

This whole game is filled with 'tude, and it is getting worse. For some reason, Lisa Mattingly seems to think she has to come and explain all of the calls to Anne Donovan. The last time she started to come over, Anne had that "dont bother, I got it" look on her face. The fans around us are not quite as friendly as they were in the beginning. We are being very nice here (it isnt L.A. after all) and still having some people directing their hate our way.

JB is back in the game with 6:10 left. Anne gave her a big pep talk before she went into the game about how they needed her in there and do what you gotta do, just dont foul, be careful.

Plenette Pierson fouls Betty pretty hard and said, "thats what she gets." Someone from the bench said something to her about it, but DS couldnt tell what it was. There are big battles going on under the basket but we seem to be winning most all of them. Phoenix seems to be tossing up some desperation shots and only about 1/3 of them are going in.

Sue is playing killer D, she doesnt look tired. I am really impressed with SB this season. Her 3 point shot at 4:40 may have been the dagger.

JB wants more points and will walk herself to the basket to get them. Um.. no JB honey, you gotta bounce the ball too. Traveling.

At this point we have out rebounded Phoenix 34-25, out blocked them 6-3, lead them in steals 8-6, are shooting 48% to their 37% in field goals. The only catagory we are behind on is 3 point %. Their 56% to our 29%.

3:53 left. I hate this part of games when other teams are desperate. It always seems that someone gets hurt.

Next weird moment. This platinum blonde lady with a spaghetti top is going up the aisle to leave. She goes to pull her top down as it was bunching up, but as she did she yanked really hard and plop, out comes one of her boobs right next to my head.

71-59 Fans have turned on the refs big time. They are not yelling De-Fense! De-Fense anymore. They are yelling YOU-SUCK!, YOU-SUCK! to the refs.

I just realize that LJ has only ONE foul in this game. Can that be right? 2:13 left 71-62. DeForge hits a 3. If anyone can beat us in 2 mins it's her.

Pretty much after this it was foul, FT, foul, FT with Phoenix not doing much after they got the ball.

At the very end of the game, they didnt foul Betty.. well actually they fouled her endlessly, but the refs weren't going to call the foul. They just wanted it to be over. Betty was getting pissed. REALLY pissed. LJ again was cracking up. If fact, everyone, coaches included, were cracking up. Betty was fuming. Sue did a good job of keeping Betty's emotions in check. I think I got one photo of them both when Sue was telling Betty to clam down. Sue is such a kick ass leader. I love LJ, but this is most def Sue Bird's team.

DS and I went to Majarles after the game. The fans there were great. The players came in and ate. Kamila was with Sue. We ate. The food was good, the drinks were cold. We won on the road. All was right in the world