14 January 2015
Pro-Ready for Life
A nice article about Swin Cash in the Hartford Courant:
"In terms of basketball, when we left UConn we were pro-ready. What that means is, we knew how to work hard, prepare hard and we expected to win. But off the court, we were polished by the experiences of giving interviews. You understood your responsibilities to the school, the fans and the program. We were fortunate to experience all those things from a very early age. We were prepared.
"Going to UConn not only made me pro-ready for basketball, but it helped me be pro-ready for life."
"In terms of basketball, when we left UConn we were pro-ready. What that means is, we knew how to work hard, prepare hard and we expected to win. But off the court, we were polished by the experiences of giving interviews. You understood your responsibilities to the school, the fans and the program. We were fortunate to experience all those things from a very early age. We were prepared.
"Going to UConn not only made me pro-ready for basketball, but it helped me be pro-ready for life."
Labels: Seattle Storm, UConn basketball
18 October 2014
UConn First Night 2014
03 October 2014
First-World Basketball Problems
From Mechelle Voepel's chat:
kevin (macon ga): If Sue Bird was Australian she would already be guaranteed a spot on the 2020 roster. If Breanna Stewart came up in any other country the only debate would be whether anyone else should be allowed to touch the ball. Isn't debating whether Bird or Stewart or any of the other serious contenders should make the Team USA roster the very definition of a First World Problem?
Mechelle Voepel: *Every* debate about the US national team is a first-world problem. :) What I understand is that there may be a feeling that it didn't matter how well other guards played in training camp or how much better they may be now as WNBA players, nothing or no one was going to knock Bird out of her spot. And some may say that's justified because of all she's done for the national team, and that she's very reliable. I understand that point of view. But it's also understandable that it be questioned because there are a lot of good guards.
kevin (macon ga): If Sue Bird was Australian she would already be guaranteed a spot on the 2020 roster. If Breanna Stewart came up in any other country the only debate would be whether anyone else should be allowed to touch the ball. Isn't debating whether Bird or Stewart or any of the other serious contenders should make the Team USA roster the very definition of a First World Problem?
Mechelle Voepel: *Every* debate about the US national team is a first-world problem. :) What I understand is that there may be a feeling that it didn't matter how well other guards played in training camp or how much better they may be now as WNBA players, nothing or no one was going to knock Bird out of her spot. And some may say that's justified because of all she's done for the national team, and that she's very reliable. I understand that point of view. But it's also understandable that it be questioned because there are a lot of good guards.
Labels: Olympics, Seattle Storm, UConn basketball
12 June 2014
Quote of the Day: Swish Appeal
From Early-Season Candidates for the 2014 WNBA Most-Improved Player Award:
2. Alysha Clark, F, Seattle Storm: I could probably go on for a while about what makes Clark's story particularly compelling relative to this award: she's a player who a number of fans counted out because she had to make the transition from college post to pro wing, she was cut twice after being drafted in the second round of a weak draft, and has worked her way from being a fringe player to a starter for the Seattle Storm.
Right now, the thing really holding Clark back is two-fold: she's still a low-usage player and a lot of her improved efficiency comes from not turning the ball over as much, which is important but not something that will likely leap out at those voting. Add to that the fact that her defensive work against MVP candidate Maya Moore in the Storm's surprising win over the defending champion Minnesota Lynx is the sort of thing that almost never gets noticed and it might be hard for Clark to get much traction.
2. Alysha Clark, F, Seattle Storm: I could probably go on for a while about what makes Clark's story particularly compelling relative to this award: she's a player who a number of fans counted out because she had to make the transition from college post to pro wing, she was cut twice after being drafted in the second round of a weak draft, and has worked her way from being a fringe player to a starter for the Seattle Storm.
Right now, the thing really holding Clark back is two-fold: she's still a low-usage player and a lot of her improved efficiency comes from not turning the ball over as much, which is important but not something that will likely leap out at those voting. Add to that the fact that her defensive work against MVP candidate Maya Moore in the Storm's surprising win over the defending champion Minnesota Lynx is the sort of thing that almost never gets noticed and it might be hard for Clark to get much traction.
Labels: Seattle Storm
07 June 2014
Quote of the Day: Richard Cohen
From his recap of yesterday's Minnesota @ Seattle game:
"Then we hit the fourth quarter. Brian Agler started the period with a makeshift lineup of Nicole Powell and Angel Robinson in the post, Temeka Johnson at the point, and Noelle Quinn on the wing with Wright. The only substitution he made in the entire period until the last few seconds was to replace Robinson with Camille Little. It ended up working like a bizarre, remarkably effective charm."
"Then we hit the fourth quarter. Brian Agler started the period with a makeshift lineup of Nicole Powell and Angel Robinson in the post, Temeka Johnson at the point, and Noelle Quinn on the wing with Wright. The only substitution he made in the entire period until the last few seconds was to replace Robinson with Camille Little. It ended up working like a bizarre, remarkably effective charm."
Labels: Seattle Storm
06 June 2014
Quote of the Day: twitter
From a twitter conversation before tonight's game:
Tanya Ollick: Jenna O'Hea is in the layup line. So she went from 4-6 weeks out [with a broken toe] to at least dressed and participating [in less than two weeks].
Richard Cohen: Explanation: She's Australian.
Tanya Ollick: Jenna O'Hea is in the layup line. So she went from 4-6 weeks out [with a broken toe] to at least dressed and participating [in less than two weeks].
Richard Cohen: Explanation: She's Australian.
Labels: Seattle Storm
23 May 2014
Quote of the Day: The News Tribune
From an article about the Seahawks' visit to the White House, written as a letter to the President:
"The tradition of champions visiting the White House calls for them to offer their host an honorary jersey, say, or a team jacket. At the risk of getting too personal, Mr. President, I wonder about the sheer size of your sports-apparel closet.
Since your 2009 inauguration, you’ve received clothing bearing the logos of five NFL teams, five MLB teams, three NBA teams, four NHL teams, five NCAA men’s basketball teams, four NCAA football teams, three WNBA teams (including the Seattle Storm, in 2010), and three NCAA women’s basketball teams.
How much UConn stuff does one person need?"
"The tradition of champions visiting the White House calls for them to offer their host an honorary jersey, say, or a team jacket. At the risk of getting too personal, Mr. President, I wonder about the sheer size of your sports-apparel closet.
Since your 2009 inauguration, you’ve received clothing bearing the logos of five NFL teams, five MLB teams, three NBA teams, four NHL teams, five NCAA men’s basketball teams, four NCAA football teams, three WNBA teams (including the Seattle Storm, in 2010), and three NCAA women’s basketball teams.
How much UConn stuff does one person need?"
Labels: Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Storm, UConn basketball
21 May 2014
Quote of the Day: Jenna O'Hea
As quoted on the Storm website:
"...And it seems StormCrazies have found a new favorite chant, shouting 'Oh, HEEEEEEY' as [Jenna O'Hea] goes to the free-throw line.
'I really loved that,' said O’Hea. 'I was trying not to giggle as I walked up to the line, but it was awesome.'"
"...And it seems StormCrazies have found a new favorite chant, shouting 'Oh, HEEEEEEY' as [Jenna O'Hea] goes to the free-throw line.
'I really loved that,' said O’Hea. 'I was trying not to giggle as I walked up to the line, but it was awesome.'"
Labels: Seattle Storm
16 May 2014
Quote of the Day: Richard Cohen
From his preview of the Phoenix Mercury:
"Harnessing [DeWanna] Bonner and turning her into the player she can be for this team will be one of [new coach Sandy] Brondello’s primary objectives. Awful threes from ridiculous distances have become Bonner’s trademark, and that’s not something you want to be known for (unless you’re Tina Thompson and they go in on a regular basis)."
"Harnessing [DeWanna] Bonner and turning her into the player she can be for this team will be one of [new coach Sandy] Brondello’s primary objectives. Awful threes from ridiculous distances have become Bonner’s trademark, and that’s not something you want to be known for (unless you’re Tina Thompson and they go in on a regular basis)."
Labels: Seattle Storm, WNBA
14 May 2014
Storm's Final Roster
We were SO CLOSE! We just didn't expect them to drop Plouffe for an 11-year vet. Ugh.
Nicole Powell? REALLY?!? I know Plouffe wasn't spectacular, but she had potential and is still young. Powell is also not spectacular, but is at the end of her career.
I liked most of the additions this season, but this one.... yuck.
Nicole Powell? REALLY?!? I know Plouffe wasn't spectacular, but she had potential and is still young. Powell is also not spectacular, but is at the end of her career.
I liked most of the additions this season, but this one.... yuck.
Labels: Seattle Storm
13 May 2014
Eye on the Storm - Episode #1
11 May 2014
Quote(s) of the Day: Tumblr & Twitter
Iris pointed out that I forgot to post something yesterday -- oops!
Seen here:
tumblr #1:
OMG so I just figured out the word “hurt”
it’s past, present and future
you will be hurt
you are hurt
you were hurt
BECAUSE IF SOMETHING TRULY HURT, IT NEVER REALLY STOPS
tumblr #2:
it’s because... it’s an adjective... ...
you will be stupid
you are stupid
you were stupid
tumblr #3:
that hurt
Seen here, from today's preseason Storm/Sparks game:
"[Crystal] Langhorne just outrebounded [Candace] Parker for a putback. And by that I mean she went for the ball while Candace just watched her."
Seen here:
tumblr #1:
OMG so I just figured out the word “hurt”
it’s past, present and future
you will be hurt
you are hurt
you were hurt
BECAUSE IF SOMETHING TRULY HURT, IT NEVER REALLY STOPS
tumblr #2:
it’s because... it’s an adjective... ...
you will be stupid
you are stupid
you were stupid
tumblr #3:
that hurt
Seen here, from today's preseason Storm/Sparks game:
"[Crystal] Langhorne just outrebounded [Candace] Parker for a putback. And by that I mean she went for the ball while Candace just watched her."
Labels: grammar, Seattle Storm
03 May 2014
Storm Roster
Today Iris and I went to the Storm scrimmage against the Australian National Team. It was fun, interesting, and the Storm won! Afterwards, we made our best-guess list of who will make the team:
1) Sue Bird
2) Tanisha Wright
3) Shekinna Stricken
4) Crystal Langhorne
5) Camille Little
6) Noelle Quinn
7) Temeka Johnson
8) Alysha Clark
9) Jenna O'Hea
10) Michelle Plouffe
11) Angel Robinson
12) Joslyn Tinkle
After I got home Jayda Evans tweeted that Tinkle (plus two others) had been cut.
However! The Storm don't have to carry 12. So we might be right, just with Tinkle (who was our last chosen) gone.
1) Sue Bird
2) Tanisha Wright
3) Shekinna Stricken
4) Crystal Langhorne
5) Camille Little
6) Noelle Quinn
7) Temeka Johnson
8) Alysha Clark
9) Jenna O'Hea
10) Michelle Plouffe
11) Angel Robinson
12) Joslyn Tinkle
After I got home Jayda Evans tweeted that Tinkle (plus two others) had been cut.
However! The Storm don't have to carry 12. So we might be right, just with Tinkle (who was our last chosen) gone.
Labels: Seattle Storm
27 April 2014
Quote of the Day: Mikaela Ruef
As quoted by Jayda Evans:
Ruef, a 6-foot-3 forward, was surprised to be drafted. She agreed to play in a coed basketball league because she expected to have a free summer, possibly signing a contract to play overseas in the fall. But Ruef’s summer plan changed while going through a final prep for the rec-league game.
“I was sitting there ready to start the game and all of a sudden my phone started going off like crazy,” Ruef said. She then watched the clip of herself being drafted by Seattle. “I was like, ‘No way!’ The (opposing rec) team was all intimated. We won by like 20 points; it was a good game."
Ruef, a 6-foot-3 forward, was surprised to be drafted. She agreed to play in a coed basketball league because she expected to have a free summer, possibly signing a contract to play overseas in the fall. But Ruef’s summer plan changed while going through a final prep for the rec-league game.
“I was sitting there ready to start the game and all of a sudden my phone started going off like crazy,” Ruef said. She then watched the clip of herself being drafted by Seattle. “I was like, ‘No way!’ The (opposing rec) team was all intimated. We won by like 20 points; it was a good game."
Labels: Seattle Storm
14 April 2014
One More Draft Item....
Per Jayda Evans:
"Storm Brian Agler intended draft Natalie Achonwa. Natasha Howard to Indy put Wash-Sea trade in play. Mike Thibault wanted Hartley"
"Storm Brian Agler intended draft Natalie Achonwa. Natasha Howard to Indy put Wash-Sea trade in play. Mike Thibault wanted Hartley"
Labels: Seattle Storm
"Happy", Pharrell Williams
Bah, worrying over the draft/2014 season is making me grumpy. Let's have a mood break:
Labels: music, Seattle Storm
Thoughts on the Draft
The WNBA draft was today. When Stefanie Dolson didn't get picked by the first five teams, I had a slim hope that the Storm would be able to draft her. But then the Washington Mystics grabbed her at #6, right before our pick.
With the 7th pick, the Storm took UConn guard Bria Hartley. My first thought was... don't we need a post? But then I thought... yay! A UConn player!
I turned on my computer at that point and discovered that the Storm had traded Hartley and last year's first round pick Tianna Hawkins to Washington in return for Crystal Langhorne.
My thoughts are.... confused.
On the one hand, we definitely need a post, and Langhorne is a very good player.
But on the other hand, she's 27. Not super old, but not young, either. We gave up two young players for one not-so-young player. At some point, don't we need to start preparing for the future? And we don't want to tank this year, because next year's draft is dreadful. (Outside of Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, of course.)
And Langhorne, while a great player, isn't very tall. 6'2", I believe. We will be a VERY short team next year.
In the later rounds, the Storm went all Pac-12 and picked up Michelle Plouffe from Utah and Mikaela Ruef from Stanford. I can't imagine Ruef making the team, but Plouffe is intriguing. She's got a little more height (6'4"), and I remember her causing endless trouble for Washington over the last two years.
By the way, the Langhorne trade was not the biggest trade news of the day. Connecticut (which had the #1 pick), traded Tina Charles to New York in exchange for their #4 pick and center Kelsey Bone. Rumor is that Tina Charles wanted out, and told the Sun she would sit this year if they didn't trade her. She was MVP in 2012, so that's a pretty big loss for them. But they picked up Chiney Ogwumike and Alyssa Thomas, so I'm sure they'll be fine.
Connecticut and Washington are young teams. I can seem them battling for the eastern conference in a couple years.
With the 7th pick, the Storm took UConn guard Bria Hartley. My first thought was... don't we need a post? But then I thought... yay! A UConn player!
I turned on my computer at that point and discovered that the Storm had traded Hartley and last year's first round pick Tianna Hawkins to Washington in return for Crystal Langhorne.
My thoughts are.... confused.
On the one hand, we definitely need a post, and Langhorne is a very good player.
But on the other hand, she's 27. Not super old, but not young, either. We gave up two young players for one not-so-young player. At some point, don't we need to start preparing for the future? And we don't want to tank this year, because next year's draft is dreadful. (Outside of Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, of course.)
And Langhorne, while a great player, isn't very tall. 6'2", I believe. We will be a VERY short team next year.
In the later rounds, the Storm went all Pac-12 and picked up Michelle Plouffe from Utah and Mikaela Ruef from Stanford. I can't imagine Ruef making the team, but Plouffe is intriguing. She's got a little more height (6'4"), and I remember her causing endless trouble for Washington over the last two years.
By the way, the Langhorne trade was not the biggest trade news of the day. Connecticut (which had the #1 pick), traded Tina Charles to New York in exchange for their #4 pick and center Kelsey Bone. Rumor is that Tina Charles wanted out, and told the Sun she would sit this year if they didn't trade her. She was MVP in 2012, so that's a pretty big loss for them. But they picked up Chiney Ogwumike and Alyssa Thomas, so I'm sure they'll be fine.
Connecticut and Washington are young teams. I can seem them battling for the eastern conference in a couple years.
Labels: Seattle Storm, UConn basketball, WNBA
25 January 2014
The Human Brain Is a Funny Thing
Weird dreams last night...
#1 -- I dreamt Seattle Storm players Camille Little & Tanisha Wright were working as cheerleaders for a mens basketball team in Turkey (rather than playing for a womens team in Turkey, which is what they're actually doing).
#2 -- I had a new iPhone (or similar smartphone) and I couldn't make it work, so I kept giving it to my niece to fix for me. And this was happening while I was visiting the Pacific Science Center with my family and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. (Clearly I have sports on the brain.)
#3 (and this is my favorite) -- I got a call from a local radio station asking me to come down and talk to them about Sleepy Hollow, because their scheduled guest had fallen through. And OBVIOUSLY I would be their next choice. But I only had an hour to get there, and I was at my parents house, so I wasn't sure I was going to make it to downtown Seattle in time, and the cell reception is horrible there so I was having a hard time hearing what the radio station was saying.
#1 -- I dreamt Seattle Storm players Camille Little & Tanisha Wright were working as cheerleaders for a mens basketball team in Turkey (rather than playing for a womens team in Turkey, which is what they're actually doing).
#2 -- I had a new iPhone (or similar smartphone) and I couldn't make it work, so I kept giving it to my niece to fix for me. And this was happening while I was visiting the Pacific Science Center with my family and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. (Clearly I have sports on the brain.)
#3 (and this is my favorite) -- I got a call from a local radio station asking me to come down and talk to them about Sleepy Hollow, because their scheduled guest had fallen through. And OBVIOUSLY I would be their next choice. But I only had an hour to get there, and I was at my parents house, so I wasn't sure I was going to make it to downtown Seattle in time, and the cell reception is horrible there so I was having a hard time hearing what the radio station was saying.
Labels: Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Storm, Sleepy Hollow
20 December 2013
Merry Christmas from Alysha Clark and Middle Tennessee State
27 November 2013
Quote of the Day: Jayda Evans
From her article Documentary aims to dispel myth that “no one is interested in women’s sports”:
"Those entrenched in girls and women in sport are far too aware of the disappointing numbers. As found by the Tucker Center, while 40 percent of all sports participants are female, women’s sports receive only 2-4 percent of all sport media coverage. The center also found most female athletes are more likely than male athletes to be portrayed in sexually provocative poses.
The Seattle Times is even guilty of following the norm. Decisions for travel and space are often gauged on attendance, even though the Storm outdrew the Mariners on some nights last summer and had a better average attendance than what the Washington men’s basketball team is currently drawing. That’s without All-Stars Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson for the 2013 season.
Don’t even mention the WNBA team being the only to win a pro championship (or two) for Seattle. Instead the repetitive story is that pro basketball doesn’t exist in the city since the Sonics relocated to Oklahoma in 2008."
"Those entrenched in girls and women in sport are far too aware of the disappointing numbers. As found by the Tucker Center, while 40 percent of all sports participants are female, women’s sports receive only 2-4 percent of all sport media coverage. The center also found most female athletes are more likely than male athletes to be portrayed in sexually provocative poses.
The Seattle Times is even guilty of following the norm. Decisions for travel and space are often gauged on attendance, even though the Storm outdrew the Mariners on some nights last summer and had a better average attendance than what the Washington men’s basketball team is currently drawing. That’s without All-Stars Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson for the 2013 season.
Don’t even mention the WNBA team being the only to win a pro championship (or two) for Seattle. Instead the repetitive story is that pro basketball doesn’t exist in the city since the Sonics relocated to Oklahoma in 2008."
Labels: Seattle Storm, sports
