16 August 2011
Two Losses, Two Different Teams
Well, technically they're the same team: the Seattle Storm. But the Storm that lost 92-63 to Atlanta didn't look anything like the team that lost 81-79 to Phoenix.
The Storm dominated early, but Phoenix kept at it, and pulled out the win in the last couple of minutes. To be fair, Seattle was hampered not just by the now-normal-but-hopefully-over-soon loss of Lauren Jackson, but also the loss (due to a death in the family) of their top defender, Tanisha Wright. Considering they were down two starters, I think a two-point loss on the road isn't embarrassing.
The first quarter was an insane Sue Bird vs. Diana Taurasi battle. A few minutes into the game (when the score was 9-5 Seattle), Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi were the only players that had scored. By the end of the first quarter, Bird had 13 of Seattle's 21 points and Taurasi had 9 of Phoenix's 13. (Their final totals were closer than the final score: Bird 23, Taursai 24.)
A couple notes:
-Lauren Jackson suited up and warmed up, but did not play. There's talk she might play on Saturday against New York. Much earlier than the 8-12 weeks she was expected to miss!
-I love Swin Cash, I really do, but... She is not clutch. She's just not. She has proved in the last couple of close games (New York, Phoenix) that she struggles to hit the game-winning shot -- even when they're relatively easy lay-ups. Dear Coach Agler: give the ball to Sue Bird or Katie Smith or Tanisha Wright or even Camille Little. But not Swin Cash.
-Jayda Evans has an article about the struggles to repeat a championship.
The Storm dominated early, but Phoenix kept at it, and pulled out the win in the last couple of minutes. To be fair, Seattle was hampered not just by the now-normal-but-hopefully-over-soon loss of Lauren Jackson, but also the loss (due to a death in the family) of their top defender, Tanisha Wright. Considering they were down two starters, I think a two-point loss on the road isn't embarrassing.
The first quarter was an insane Sue Bird vs. Diana Taurasi battle. A few minutes into the game (when the score was 9-5 Seattle), Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi were the only players that had scored. By the end of the first quarter, Bird had 13 of Seattle's 21 points and Taurasi had 9 of Phoenix's 13. (Their final totals were closer than the final score: Bird 23, Taursai 24.)
A couple notes:
-Lauren Jackson suited up and warmed up, but did not play. There's talk she might play on Saturday against New York. Much earlier than the 8-12 weeks she was expected to miss!
-I love Swin Cash, I really do, but... She is not clutch. She's just not. She has proved in the last couple of close games (New York, Phoenix) that she struggles to hit the game-winning shot -- even when they're relatively easy lay-ups. Dear Coach Agler: give the ball to Sue Bird or Katie Smith or Tanisha Wright or even Camille Little. But not Swin Cash.
-Jayda Evans has an article about the struggles to repeat a championship.
Labels: Seattle Storm
# posted by mamurd @ 10:23 PM 
