Final
score: Storm 59 – Comets 84 (L) (1-1)
Attendance
|
Not given in the new format box score — kinda irritated
about that.
Anthem
Watch | A cellist.
Fan
Psyche | We saw too many film clips of the
old days in Simone's ceremony — even the real game
looked like the old days.
Game
Highlight | Doppler giving a fan a bag with
10 marshmellows in it. Seriously, that was the highlight.
Halftime
| The dunking ushers.
SF.O
Keyword of the Game | WTF?
Game
Photos | Awase
| Scott
E | Rick
| Scott
L
We
got beat like a red headed step child. We got beat like we
stole something. We got beat like a red headed step child
who steals stuff.
Is
there anyway to retroactively black out a televised game...
everywhere? The only consolation is that it was on at 11 pm
on the east coast so no one was really watching, right?
I
don't know where the Storm team that beat the Sparks went,
but someone was using their uniforms and left them a little
scuffed up.
Go
ahead and accuse me of some irrational depression because
that game straight up stank. I'm hard pressed to find any
silver lining other than it wasn't a franchise worst loss.
The
Comets were shocked at home in their opening game against
the Silver Stars. Sheryl Swoopes was quoted to say something
along the lines of "We should have never lost to a team
like that." They apparently found their motivation and
took out their frustration on the Storm. The Comets were able
to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. It got so
bad, it started looking like a shooting drill.
I
don't buy the excuse that the Storm were unsettled (or whatever)
because of Simone's retirement ceremony. That might explain
a little slump in the first couple of minutes, but at some
point it's got to be Game On.
Before
we attach too much to this game — or at least any more
than we attached to the blow out against LA — I think
the most important thing here is how does the Storm respond?
Their every weakness was exploited in this game. The Comets
were embarrassed at home and came out swinging. Not it's the
Storm's turn. Will they respond like a champion in the making
— the way we all know they can?
Other
Notes:
The
Storm celebrated Simone Edward's career before the game and
allowed her to retire with an opportunity to address the fans.
We got to see some clips of her Storm history, very touching
clips from her teammates on what she means to them, and a
near tearful goodbye from Karen Bryant. If you were in the
Key and didn't get a little choked up, you're a heartless
bastard.
Most
of us have been anticipating the other shoe to drop with Simone
for the last 3 or 4 years. It's a testament to her determination
and drive that she was able to beat out younger, faster and
stronger players for the roster every year. She is definitely
one of the people who helped shape what this team has become
and what kind of fans we all are. When people talk about having
that special connection with Storm players, a connection that
is rare in professional sports, more often than not it was
Simone who helped that connection happen. I don't think it
is off base to say that without Simone, Storm fans might not
be as rabid as we are. I don't want this sound like a knock
against other WNBA players, but the bigger the name the more
guarded they are (rightfully so considering all the demands
placed on them). Simone joked that the only time she gets
on EPSN is when she's standing next to Lauren. That is usually
because she's the one picking up the baby or giving some fan
a hug, allowing Lauren to be the one in the spotlight. I'm
not criticizing Lauren, I'm just describing what I see.
Simone
will most certainly be missed. David Locke at the pregame
gathering on the concourse said that Seattle is Simone's home
— she'll always be welcome.
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