Final score: Storm 90 – Lynx 76 (W) (3-3)

Submitted by Norwester

We should have won this game, and we did. That's good. We looked fairly sharp on offense; every one of our starters had some good plays and our scoring seemed pretty evenly distributed. Lauren, despite some scares, seemed fluid and energetic out on the floor, really expending a lot of energy on defense and owning Minnesota on offense. She modestly refers to it as just trying to do whatever the team needs. 30 points, 9 rebounds, a couple of blocks. Who doesn't need that? We seemed to be trying some interesting things offensively, but what really impressed me this win, this win that we should have gotten (keeping in mind that there are no givens in the WNBA), but that's nevertheless a great way to kick off a quick little 2-game road trip? Our defense. Minnesota does not lack for offense. They have some great pieces, and they haven't been losing by a lot lately. But we forced them into turnovers, and 24-second shot-clock violations. Sue had some steals, and even LJ was out there running around like a mad woman forcing guards into losing the basketball. I kept waiting for Augustus to go off, but for the most part we kept her and her great-looking shot contained. Minnesota had stretches where they snuck in for some uncontested lay-ups, but we always caught our breath and answered back. When our offense stuttered, we caught our breath and regained our rhythm. I enjoyed Anne's rotation, though it was odd or unexpected at points. It's nice to have a win again at Key Arena.

First things first: Sue's pony tail was curly, and LJ was wearing green shoes rather than yellow. It was a bit odd that we warmed up/stretched under one basket (visiting bench side) yet began our offense on the home bench side of the court. I was a touch alarmed to see that Bonita was one of the refs tonight, but they were essentially a non-factor tonight, despite the dramatics at the very end when Shyra was tangled up with a Lynx or two and the male ref came sprinting up blowing his whistle and gesticulating like Shyra was about to throw down and our starters were poised to clear the bench. Been watching too much NBA?

The game opened with a really quick, good lay-in by Izi. There was a bit of running around, and I think LJ hit the deck, but she also got a rebound off a Sue miss, and quickly scored a 3 pointer off a Sue Bird steal & fastbreak. We were really on the board quickly a couple of times, which was nice. However in the midst of all this Anne immediately signalled Wendy to get up to the scorer's table and sub in for LJ. Perhaps someone else has more insight than I do. There wasn't much AD/LJ communication when LJ was yanked so soon, but the trainers were also right there checking our MVP out. Was LJ out of position? Was it precautionary after LJ hit the deck? Whatever it was, it didn't seem to really disrupt the flow of the game, and it was probably nice for LJ to get some extra rest initially. Perhaps that's just habitual thinking of mine left over from last year, but I think sometimes it's good for the team to be able to establish a rhythm in LJ's absence as well as in her presence. LJ didn't come in again until nearly half way through the quarter.

Meanwhile, Seimone Augustus knocked the ball out of bounds directly in front of our bench and it hit Ashley right in the head. Hands-up, A-Rob! Both laughing, Ashley gave Augustus a little push and play resumed. Our shots were really on early, and Sue was pleasantly aggressive, but Ohlde busted a couple of moves on JB, and LJ was subbed back in, only to be quickly involved in a nasty collision on defense under the Minnesota basket when she moved to guard Abrosimova at the same time Svetlana was sort of jumping back to go for a reverse lay-up (or whatever). Up came Svetlana's head, down came LJ's chin, back snapped Lauren's head, and both players crashed painfully to the floor. Anne immediately began walking across the floor. Each player was surrounded by their respective team mates. LJ was helped up first, seemed to kind of sway back a bit, but was ably supported by everyone else and made her smiling way across the court to the bench, holding a towel to her chin. Applause. The refs called an officials timeout, as Abrosimova remained on the floor. Anne also called a time out, but didn't end up being charged for it. Svetlana finally got up to relieved applause from the fans. JB was subbed in as play resumed, and meanwhile the trainers were clustered around LJ, trying to shine lights in her eyes to check for concussion, which she was not cooperative with. They also assessed her jaw and neck, but particularly her jaw, and steri-stripped her chin, though indications were apparently that she'd need a stitch or two over half-time. In a subsequent game stoppage (during some free throws) they showed the replay garnering an "oh!" in unison from the crowd as the collision was replayed, and causing LJ to resume laughing on the bench. She seemed in a pretty good mood all game, which, stating the obvious, is much more pleasant that a pained, sick LJ.

Even without LJ on the floor for more than half of the 1st quarter we established a pretty good offensive rhythm. I loved the threes Sue was taking, despite the fact that they weren't quite falling early. When Minnesota began to get to us, creating a small lead even, Anne inserted LJ back into the game, along with Katie Gearlds, and I don't know whether she even knew what day it was, but she found the basket right away. I don't have the highest basketball IQ, but it also seems that they were tinkering with the offense a bit where Lauren was concerned, and there were at least a couple of occasions where Sue was telling LJ were to go (in a good, basketball way ). Right at the end of the quarter there was as near a miss between Sue and Lauren as we've seen in some time, but LJ's deft hands snatched the ball away from turnover doom, Sue alerted her to the winding down shot clock (by pointing) and though the shot missed Ashley put the rebound back up and in! 1Q: 26-26

LJ really owned the Lynx in the paint. I'm not sure what their strategy was in guarding her. On paper they aren't any shorter than San Antonio are they? Yet LJ seemed to pretty much have her way with them. Our offense seemed to be running well, but then again our shots were falling, and not necessarily through any great plays, but rather through superior one-on-one execution. We saw against San Antonio what happens when our shots stop falling, so I was wary of the game taking a bad turn. Tanisha started the 2nd. And LJ just busted out some crazy defense, forcing a turnover that led to an easy Tanisha basket. She was everywhere, clogging all passing lanes into the paint, harrassing guards coming down the floor. Everyone was really swarming over the Lynx, Wendy Palmer scored on an excellent shake and bake move in the paint, Sue finally hit a 3, and LJ's turnaround jumper was money. At one point LJ caused another Lynx turnover, then was so open in the paint that she got a bit hot under the collar when Izi ignored that and took the shot into coverage herself. Izi went to the line for 2/2, and Sue told LJ to calm down, but on the next fast break Betty passed to LJ in the corner for an effortless 3, which got Betty some love from Lauren.

High off our fast break success, we tried some risky offensive maneuvers that didn't quite pan out as the half ran down, and the Lynx briefly found some offensive rhythm, so the point spread did not seem as close as it was. HT: 51.42, Storm

Both team's stats were fairly even for the half, save field goal percentage which was significantly higher for the Storm. The Eastside Dream Elite, a dance/cheerleading squad, performed at half time. The Microsoft Play of the Half was the Betty no-look on the fast break to LJ in the corner for 3. Betty also started the 3rd quarter with a nice quick shot. She didn't look for it much, but her shoot was smooth this game. We showed some really good stuff on offense, and other plays were very rusty-looking. I like the combination of Sue and Tanisha on court together. Ashley got some playing time, and I'm never worried with Katie out there, despite some rookie mistakes on defense and such. Wendy is solid back-up, and JB had some nice moves. I think some good combinations are developing among our starters and benchies. And did I say that LJ was owning the paint? She also had some crazy fast moves driving to the rim.

But again it was our defense that stood out. Sue got the All State Good Hands play with a steal (which she fed ahead to LJ on a successful fast break). LJ also had a block, which she controlled, dribbling ahead to lead the break before she got the ball to Sue, who deftly fed it to Izi for a lay-in. Time and again like this Minnesota was forced to call a timeout to try to control our tempo, but it just gave the us in the crowd a chance to get our of our seats and collectively show our players some love as they gathered at the bench. And despite our lead climbing to nearly 20, our starters were still scrapping out there, with Sue winning a jump ball she forced against Harding, and JB powering through contact and finally finishing for an &1 opportunity. 3Q: 74-55

LJ was getting something to do with her feet examined on the bench, or at least the trainers were kneeling down doing something, then LJ put her shoe back on. She didn't seem too concerned, though. This is probably one of the most relaxed games I've seen LJ play. To start the quarter Wendy was called for her 4th foul. It was kind of weak, and running back down the floor Wendy gestured to the bench like "what the heck?" which just got LJ laughing again. She laughed when she got called for traveling, taking away the basket she scored on a kind of desperate but nice hook shot. How many years have we been waiting for the development of the mythical Lauren hook? She hugged JB in delight when JB blocked a Lynx shot. It's nice to see our players having a good time out there. My only quibble from this time is that I wish players would be more conscientious about following their shots.

With about 5 minutes to go Anne cleared the bench, and our starters came out to much appreciation from the crowd. It was 84-63 when Sue and Betty sat for Tanisha and Ely, completing the on-floor bench ensemble. And the bench showed some good moves, though Fluker had a case of butter fingers. Kathrin Ress from Minnesota fouled out; she practically had more fouls than the rest of her team put together, which must be frustrating for a player, particularly a rookie trying to guard our posts. LJ, Izi, Wendy and Sue had quite a chuckle at the Ely "altercation" in front of our bench, which was whistled a foul on Minnesota. The benchies made some free throws. With like 45 seconds left we all came to our feet, making noise in appreciation of the win, and Katie made a 3! Then Tanisha dribbled around and missed at the buzzer. But a happy win nonetheless.

Lauren waited around to be interviewed by Alan Horton post game. It was hard for me to hear a lot of it because JB was standing around trying to figure out what to do with the game ball and a bunch of fans behind me were trying really hard to gain her attention. The gist was that she got a couple of stitches in her chin, but it was "pretty funny, huh?" Of course this win was important, it was huge, and it was fun. She thanked us fans for our support, and to loud applause said, "Let's keep the team in Seattle." She doesn't need no stinkin' "company line."

Run-off

Pre-game "Storm Vision" with Sabrina featured a brief interview with Sue Bird in which she spoke about how fun it was to have LJ with her in Russia that last month, how nice it is to have a familiar core of players here in Seattle who get along well off the court, go out together, but how it's also especially nice to have the likes of Wendy Palmer and Katie Gearlds as "new" additions. She talked a bit about how it's kind of odd coming into the W as a 20-year-old rookie with vets who are 30+. It's not animosity or defensiveness, but rather the fact that often you're in just different places in your lives that creates some separation, though overseas that disappears somewhat, being in a strange place. Is this the year? Sue hopes so. She expects they'll get better every day, and says she sees good things from this team.

Adia and Alan gave a game breakdown on Arenavision pre-game as well. The highlights: leading the WNBA in scoring, the job of guarding Augustus is everyone's job; Minnesota is a young team with good things ahead of them; LJ is off to a great start this season, as is Izi, who perhaps gained a lot of confidence from being Brazil's go-to player during the World Championships.

If you wish to listen to Alan's and Adia's call of the game during the game bring your walkman or mp3 player with tuner and dial in 107.3 FM.

Half the concessions in the key were closed tonight. I heard it was due to some sort of power outage.

Pre-game the Sounders presented the Storm with the Biggest Heart Trophy, the Storm "winning" the contest to collect the most food and money contributions for Fuel the Dream. Somehow the Storm "outscored" the Sounders 90-10. I'm not sure how it was figured, or all the rules, though. But we fed a lot of families.

Wendy was presented a game ball at center court by Anne Donovan for having reached her 3000th point. It was a brief ceremony that garnered a standing ovation for our back-up post. She's currently one of 16 players to have reached that milestone. Also there wasn't an excess of emotion, etc., so I wasn't too worried about it messing us up come game-time...and it didn't.

During pre-game shoot around LJ and Betty did a nifty little dance before high-fiving during free throws. Entertaining, though I didn't notice if it was repeated during intros.

Merrily Scruggs-James sang the anthem. Her cadence was odd, but she had pretty good power, sang o'er and also hit that high note on free. It was just all right for me, dawg. OK, I couldn't resist. It was fine, though.

The Medical Report had Vanessa Hayden welcoming her 1st child, and Tamicka Raymond out for some reason. To be thorough we also welcomed LJ back (cheers!), and it was mentioned that Sue was playing despite a sore knee.

The new uniforms have grown on me. It's funny that the players don't tuck them in until after they remove their warm-ups, or at least several players don't. We can quibble about design, but I like how they frame the shoulders.

Towards the end of the half Ariana was very successful in an on-court shooting contest (Team Shop Shoot Out), winning 3 of 4 team shop prizes, just missing the half-court shot for on-court seats, but getting some love from the crowd.

Towards the end of the 1st half Clarence Lennox was recognized for his birthday with a visit from Doppler and Happy Birthday organ music, and fan applause.

With 40 seconds left in the 2nd quarter Minnesota entered the penalty, just barely earning two lucky fans Discover Card gift bags.

Anne was wearing a grasshopper-wing colored suit (the name of the color comes from a reputable source), and looked very sharp.

I'll probably be jeered at, but I kind of miss the Hip Hop Squad. I really like watching the little kids dance out there, and even my brother had to admire how they just throw themselves into every step, but the HHS was just a little tighter and quicker/stronger/better-choreographed and provided a different feel that was fun every once in a while. For a change. In my opinion.

Was Kelly Miller really crying on the bench with 4 fouls and no points in the Mercury-Sacramento game? What a random event to tack onto my game report. Happily for our standings Phoenix won, though.

Page 1