After a gruelling road trip that basically ended the chance we had at keeping up with the Yankees and the Red Sox, the Jays promptly lose the next two games at home against the White Sox, before winning their last game with them and the next game against the Baltimore Orioles. So, that's 2 wins in a row now. In the past 10 games, they've gone 3-7.
The Jays are a vastly improved club from last year, but they still don't seem to be getting that winning mentality. They were in a good spot when they left on that killer road trip with Boston faltering and the Yankees were only a few games ahead of us. This is where all the offseason acquisitions and peppering up of the offense of the club should have taken charge and should have led a push towards the postseason. I'm not even saying that we could have surpassed the Yankees or the Red Sox at this point. All we needed was a legitimate push towards the playoffs. Surprisingly, the thing that failed the Jays the most during that trip was the offense, something that was vastly improved in the offseason.
The Jays are fourth now in the wildcard race and faltering. We need to win the next few games against Baltimore. No more season splits. After Baltimore, they face the Minnesota Twins who are ahead of them in the wildcard race. This is going to be interesting because the Twins are a very good team. I'm a Joe Mauer fan myself. In fact, I have him on my team on my PS2 baseball game. After the Twins come Tampa Bay and the next few series should be easy. My point is that I'm going to hinge what happens in the final stretch of the season on the Twins series. Make it my make or break series. If they can win the series, show me their intensity and their sense of urgency, I'll find renewed hope for the season. If they can't, then I believe that they have no chance.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Janell Burse needs to stay a Storm Player
Okay, I'm writing this blog because all of a sudden, it has come to everyone's attention that JB is indeed a free agent by the end of this year. Crap. Crap. Crap.
As a Storm fan, I've watched players that I love walk away for higher salaries and more playing time. Just after we won the championship, we lost three important players. Tully Bevilaqua left for more money and a starting position in Indiana. That one stung probably the most, but it was understandable. If you were her and you had a chance to start instead of backing up Sue Bird, you'd take it too. Still stings though everytime I see her name on the Fever roster. Kamila Vodichkova, our starting center at that point, left for Phoenix. This one confused me quite a bit because Kamila was starting already for us so it had to be that she was just paid more in Phoenix. Kamila had been there since the beginning of the Storm, so when she left, it was heartbreaking. I guess the blow was softened by the development of JB as a crazy good center. Sheri Sam left for Charlotte, and, although it was still a sad moment, I wasn't as affected by it as with the rest. Take note this happened in one freaking offseason so they all kinda compounded each other.
Well, I survived through that and survived through that 2005 season after such huge losses. I've learned to love everyone after that that has put on a Storm uniform. However, this time, it's different. Simply put, the Seattle Storm cannot lose Janell Burse.
When JB first came to the Storm, she wasn't very good. Under the tutelage of Anne Donovan and hard work on her part, she has now emerged as one of the premier centers in the league. Now, Storm fans have cheered her and her development on. If she gets away, we'd have to wait for Ashley Robinson or someone else to develop just like she has. Seriously. I cannot handle another project center.
If JB goes, everything changes for the worst.
1.) LJ won't have anyone in the paint with her to take pressure off her a bit.
2.) When LJ is on the bench, Sue and the other grounds have to pass it to posts that, seriously, at this point, cannot handle any kind of pass. JB can.
3.) We lose about 12 points and 7 rebounds a game. Those stats really lie. It seems more and more like she gets about 15 points and 10 rebounds a game.
4.) There will be an increase in the number of turnovers (because, as I've said Tiffani Johnson and Ashley Robinson still can't handle passes) and a decrease in the number of second chance points.
5.) There will be more ticky tacky fouls in the post when LJ goes to the bench because Tiff and Ashley (and I love them, really) seem to just foul when they try to defend...or they let them have an easy basket. JB can at least defend without giving up a foul.
See, the thing is, I'm a big fan of A-Rob and even Tiff Johnson is kinda growing on me (I love everyone in a Storm uniform,so....). However, neither of them can start at this point. A-Rob MAY develop into another great post, but that's not guaranteed and I don't know if I can sit through another uncertain year. We have Wendy Palmer next year too, which is great, but it doesn't diminish our need for JB. Imagine if we had LJ, JB and a healthy Wendy Palmer off the bench??? That would be insanely good.
Finally, the fact of the matter is, Janell Burse has been a part of the Storm since I became a Storm fan and if she leaves, it will just be like another part of me has died. The part that sits beside the places vacated by the losses of Tully, Kamila and Sheri. Frankly, it would be devastating.
So, Anne Donovan, if you're reading this blog, please please please just offer JB a maximum contract. Trust me, other teams are very interested in taking her, so the sooner you can get her signed, the better. Betty Lennox, I hear you and JB are best friends. Please please please talk her into staying with the Storm. And JB, please please please stay in Seattle. We promise we'll be loyal to you if you're loyal to us. That means we'll cheer you on again every step of the way as you become even better and better.
As a Storm fan, I've watched players that I love walk away for higher salaries and more playing time. Just after we won the championship, we lost three important players. Tully Bevilaqua left for more money and a starting position in Indiana. That one stung probably the most, but it was understandable. If you were her and you had a chance to start instead of backing up Sue Bird, you'd take it too. Still stings though everytime I see her name on the Fever roster. Kamila Vodichkova, our starting center at that point, left for Phoenix. This one confused me quite a bit because Kamila was starting already for us so it had to be that she was just paid more in Phoenix. Kamila had been there since the beginning of the Storm, so when she left, it was heartbreaking. I guess the blow was softened by the development of JB as a crazy good center. Sheri Sam left for Charlotte, and, although it was still a sad moment, I wasn't as affected by it as with the rest. Take note this happened in one freaking offseason so they all kinda compounded each other.
Well, I survived through that and survived through that 2005 season after such huge losses. I've learned to love everyone after that that has put on a Storm uniform. However, this time, it's different. Simply put, the Seattle Storm cannot lose Janell Burse.
When JB first came to the Storm, she wasn't very good. Under the tutelage of Anne Donovan and hard work on her part, she has now emerged as one of the premier centers in the league. Now, Storm fans have cheered her and her development on. If she gets away, we'd have to wait for Ashley Robinson or someone else to develop just like she has. Seriously. I cannot handle another project center.
If JB goes, everything changes for the worst.
1.) LJ won't have anyone in the paint with her to take pressure off her a bit.
2.) When LJ is on the bench, Sue and the other grounds have to pass it to posts that, seriously, at this point, cannot handle any kind of pass. JB can.
3.) We lose about 12 points and 7 rebounds a game. Those stats really lie. It seems more and more like she gets about 15 points and 10 rebounds a game.
4.) There will be an increase in the number of turnovers (because, as I've said Tiffani Johnson and Ashley Robinson still can't handle passes) and a decrease in the number of second chance points.
5.) There will be more ticky tacky fouls in the post when LJ goes to the bench because Tiff and Ashley (and I love them, really) seem to just foul when they try to defend...or they let them have an easy basket. JB can at least defend without giving up a foul.
See, the thing is, I'm a big fan of A-Rob and even Tiff Johnson is kinda growing on me (I love everyone in a Storm uniform,so....). However, neither of them can start at this point. A-Rob MAY develop into another great post, but that's not guaranteed and I don't know if I can sit through another uncertain year. We have Wendy Palmer next year too, which is great, but it doesn't diminish our need for JB. Imagine if we had LJ, JB and a healthy Wendy Palmer off the bench??? That would be insanely good.
Finally, the fact of the matter is, Janell Burse has been a part of the Storm since I became a Storm fan and if she leaves, it will just be like another part of me has died. The part that sits beside the places vacated by the losses of Tully, Kamila and Sheri. Frankly, it would be devastating.
So, Anne Donovan, if you're reading this blog, please please please just offer JB a maximum contract. Trust me, other teams are very interested in taking her, so the sooner you can get her signed, the better. Betty Lennox, I hear you and JB are best friends. Please please please talk her into staying with the Storm. And JB, please please please stay in Seattle. We promise we'll be loyal to you if you're loyal to us. That means we'll cheer you on again every step of the way as you become even better and better.
Seattle Storm vs. Charlotte Sting
Storm- 87
Sting- 81
Yes!!!
Before I go into the game, I'd like to discuss the playoff picture for the Storm. The Storm have finished with a winning record at home (thank God) and now they only need to win one of their final three games to clinch a playoff spot. It's actually a lot harder than it sounds. The remaining road games are against Detroit, San Antonio and Houston. I would love to beat Detroit, but I just don't know if we can do it. The next game, San Antonio, is a winnable game. However, they did beat us at the Key this year. They're also playing for pride now as they are out of the playoffs and teams like these are dangerous. In my opinion, we HAVE to win this game. Houston has been in our heads since they beat us twice at home in the playoffs last year. On the other hand, they're probably more injured than the Storm are now. If we can't beat Detroit or San Antonio (shudder), then we might have a chance at beating Houston, although I certainly wouldn't put any money on it.
On the other hand, Phoenix, that pesky team that still has a chance to oust us, has a much easier schedule. Minnesota, Houston, San Antonio and Sacramento. Minnesota? Good as done. Phoenix is going to beat them. Houston, I'm not too sure but given their injuries and the fact that they are a pretty old lineup, I think that Phoenix could pull this off. San Antonio might be able to beat Phoenix but what I'm really clinging to right now is the Sacramento Monarchs. Please please please play like you want to win that game and don't rest your starters. Oh please, please, please. I will forever be indebted to the Monarchs organization if they do this.
A loss by Phoenix or a win by Seattle seals our playoff spot. Simple as that. I wish we still had some cellar dweller teams on our schedule, but we don't and it seems to me that this is really the time that the entire team has to just pound on to get that one win.
The Game
While listening to the game, I found myself not really concentrating on the game as much as I should have. I found myself just listening to the crowd's cheers and their intensity. It was awesome. It felt kind of sad that this is the last home game for this year and next year is a completely different situation. By that time, will we have a clearer idea of what will happen to the Storm or will things still remain in limbo? If we do have a clearer idea, will it be what I want or will it be something I will hate? The uncertainty is killing me, really, and it made last night's game more important. It made that game right before Sacramento (when the teams were sold) even more important as well. I feel for the fans in Seattle. I can personally follow any other team in the league if I wanted to without a problem. It would be the same as supporting the Storm from afar, although I'd hate it. I don't go to games and they haven't become a part of my life (except listening to them). For those that have gone to games for the past seven years, have gone to STH events and all, what will it be like for them to have the team leave? If I'm so affected by it from afar, how much more must it suck for them? These kinds of thoughts really kind of dampened my listening experience, but I did manage to stick around for the whole game.
It was a pretty sloppy game. There were a lot of turnovers that were cringe-worthy. According to David Locke, Charlotte overplays and is one of the best at forcing turnovers. I have to admit, I wasn't aware of that, but by the middle of the night, I was more aware of it than ever. It really didn't feel like we were going to lose the game. On the other hand, it didn't feel like a game we comfortably won. I wasn't at the game, but from what I heard, some possessions were just forced and ugly. On the bright side, we still won that game and if we can win a game with 24 turnovers, then I really like our chances in any game when we actually take better care of the ball.
Betty Lennox has returned, thankfully, posting 22 points for us and really just dominating the first quarter of that game. If Betty keeps this up, we're going to be just fine in the playoffs. I also don't think she was forcing her shots too much in the game, as opposed to previous games. I heard plays when she'd drive, have nowhere to go and kick out to someone to reset or to try and find a hole. Yes!!! That is possibly the best news I've heard all day.
Lauren Jackson 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocked shots and 3 assists. MVP! MVP! I'm not actually sure if they managed to get an MVP chant going at the Key yesterday, but I sure as hell was cheering it over here.
Janell Burse!!! 23 points and 12 rebounds for JB! She's possibly the most important piece of the puzzle right now. LJ's always injured in some area or the other and gets double and tripled team practically every play. What's happening this year and even parts of last year is that LJ is able to pass the ball to JB and JB is able to score. Apart from this, JB is a monster rebounder, usually going up to get shots she misses. Bad news: JB is a free agent at the end of this year. I'll talk about it more in my next entry, but PLEASE, for the love of God, Anne Donovan, please get her a maximum contract. She cannot be in another uniform next year.
Nice play from Izi although she only scored eight points this time. I think she's got her groove back and this is key as well in the playoffs. Sue only had 4 points. She didn't really have a great game but, hey, the team won anyway, so if Sue lights it up at any time during the playoffs, watch out. Barbara Turner finally got a basket after not scoring for four games, I think. Edwige hit her two shots. I actually really really like Edwige Lawson-Wade. I think she might just be the answer to our prayers for an adequate backup point.
Good game, great crowd. Now if the Storm can just win one more game, we're on to the playoffs!!
GO STORM!!
Sting- 81
Yes!!!
Before I go into the game, I'd like to discuss the playoff picture for the Storm. The Storm have finished with a winning record at home (thank God) and now they only need to win one of their final three games to clinch a playoff spot. It's actually a lot harder than it sounds. The remaining road games are against Detroit, San Antonio and Houston. I would love to beat Detroit, but I just don't know if we can do it. The next game, San Antonio, is a winnable game. However, they did beat us at the Key this year. They're also playing for pride now as they are out of the playoffs and teams like these are dangerous. In my opinion, we HAVE to win this game. Houston has been in our heads since they beat us twice at home in the playoffs last year. On the other hand, they're probably more injured than the Storm are now. If we can't beat Detroit or San Antonio (shudder), then we might have a chance at beating Houston, although I certainly wouldn't put any money on it.
On the other hand, Phoenix, that pesky team that still has a chance to oust us, has a much easier schedule. Minnesota, Houston, San Antonio and Sacramento. Minnesota? Good as done. Phoenix is going to beat them. Houston, I'm not too sure but given their injuries and the fact that they are a pretty old lineup, I think that Phoenix could pull this off. San Antonio might be able to beat Phoenix but what I'm really clinging to right now is the Sacramento Monarchs. Please please please play like you want to win that game and don't rest your starters. Oh please, please, please. I will forever be indebted to the Monarchs organization if they do this.
A loss by Phoenix or a win by Seattle seals our playoff spot. Simple as that. I wish we still had some cellar dweller teams on our schedule, but we don't and it seems to me that this is really the time that the entire team has to just pound on to get that one win.
The Game
While listening to the game, I found myself not really concentrating on the game as much as I should have. I found myself just listening to the crowd's cheers and their intensity. It was awesome. It felt kind of sad that this is the last home game for this year and next year is a completely different situation. By that time, will we have a clearer idea of what will happen to the Storm or will things still remain in limbo? If we do have a clearer idea, will it be what I want or will it be something I will hate? The uncertainty is killing me, really, and it made last night's game more important. It made that game right before Sacramento (when the teams were sold) even more important as well. I feel for the fans in Seattle. I can personally follow any other team in the league if I wanted to without a problem. It would be the same as supporting the Storm from afar, although I'd hate it. I don't go to games and they haven't become a part of my life (except listening to them). For those that have gone to games for the past seven years, have gone to STH events and all, what will it be like for them to have the team leave? If I'm so affected by it from afar, how much more must it suck for them? These kinds of thoughts really kind of dampened my listening experience, but I did manage to stick around for the whole game.
It was a pretty sloppy game. There were a lot of turnovers that were cringe-worthy. According to David Locke, Charlotte overplays and is one of the best at forcing turnovers. I have to admit, I wasn't aware of that, but by the middle of the night, I was more aware of it than ever. It really didn't feel like we were going to lose the game. On the other hand, it didn't feel like a game we comfortably won. I wasn't at the game, but from what I heard, some possessions were just forced and ugly. On the bright side, we still won that game and if we can win a game with 24 turnovers, then I really like our chances in any game when we actually take better care of the ball.
Betty Lennox has returned, thankfully, posting 22 points for us and really just dominating the first quarter of that game. If Betty keeps this up, we're going to be just fine in the playoffs. I also don't think she was forcing her shots too much in the game, as opposed to previous games. I heard plays when she'd drive, have nowhere to go and kick out to someone to reset or to try and find a hole. Yes!!! That is possibly the best news I've heard all day.
Lauren Jackson 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocked shots and 3 assists. MVP! MVP! I'm not actually sure if they managed to get an MVP chant going at the Key yesterday, but I sure as hell was cheering it over here.
Janell Burse!!! 23 points and 12 rebounds for JB! She's possibly the most important piece of the puzzle right now. LJ's always injured in some area or the other and gets double and tripled team practically every play. What's happening this year and even parts of last year is that LJ is able to pass the ball to JB and JB is able to score. Apart from this, JB is a monster rebounder, usually going up to get shots she misses. Bad news: JB is a free agent at the end of this year. I'll talk about it more in my next entry, but PLEASE, for the love of God, Anne Donovan, please get her a maximum contract. She cannot be in another uniform next year.
Nice play from Izi although she only scored eight points this time. I think she's got her groove back and this is key as well in the playoffs. Sue only had 4 points. She didn't really have a great game but, hey, the team won anyway, so if Sue lights it up at any time during the playoffs, watch out. Barbara Turner finally got a basket after not scoring for four games, I think. Edwige hit her two shots. I actually really really like Edwige Lawson-Wade. I think she might just be the answer to our prayers for an adequate backup point.
Good game, great crowd. Now if the Storm can just win one more game, we're on to the playoffs!!
GO STORM!!
Friday, August 04, 2006
My Pick for Dumbest Statement of the Week
I was browsing through Jayda Evans' blog online about the Storm and on the comments page of one of her entries, someone said that Lauren Jackson can't play defense and is the dirtiest player in the WNBA. Stand up now and clap for the biggest load of crap I've seen all year.
I'll address both issues. The first one, apparently, is about how she doesn't know how to play defense. Obviously the person who posted this has not seen a Storm game. If she/he had, she/he would realize that LJ blocks shots to a tune of 1.52 blocks a game, which is fifth in the league. An amazing feat considering she's doing it in thirty minutes and it's not like she can cleanly jump off the ground with her shin splints. Again in limited play, her rebounding is incredible. I'm counting this as a defensive trait because it limits the other team's second chance points and gives the Storm more chances to score. LJ has 7.9 rebounds a game. Apart from this, LJ is always in the middle of the lane affecting the shots of the other team. She doesn't always get the stat for the block, but she certainly has something to do with it. Quoting David Locke, LJ "stonewalls" the players driving through the lane. To say that she doesn't play defense well is preposterous and, frankly, makes me boiling mad. LJ gives everything out there offensively and she goes back to the other end of the floor and gives even more defensively. Don't knock LJ on that because, seriously, if you've seen a Storm game or listened to one over the radio, you'd know that that is a pile of bull. With all that she goes through for the team and with all that she has put herself through to play well on defense, she does not deserve this crap.
As for the other statement, calling LJ the dirtiest player in the league, I beg to disagree. It doesn't hurt that the person that the poster said she heard say this is Cheryl Ford, from a dirty-playing team, the Detroit Shock. LJ doesn't mug people like the Shock do or like the LA Sparks do. She doesn't take swings at them like Mwadi Mabika did against the Silverstars or Michelle Snow did right before the All-Star game. I won't even go into detail into all the crap the so-called role model of the WNBA, Lisa Leslie, pulls every single game. It's really no surprise she is booed in practically every arena she plays in. I was watching a game once and the announcers said that she gets booed because she is such a good player and so we pay attention to her. While she is a good player (ugh), I can guarantee that that isn't why people are booing. They're booing because of all the dirty play and unsportsmanlike conduct Lisa has been known for through the years. Lauren Jackson plays a physical game, I can admit that. But, by far, she is not the dirtiest player in the league. She isn't even close, in my opinion.
I'm extremely pissed off, especially because the person that wrote this comment has made some very negative statements in the past about Storm fans and about the Storm, while in the guise of being a Storm fan. The sheer lack of knowledge this person possesses leads me to believe that he/she is just a troll, someone trying to stir the pot because they have nothing better to do. I'd like to suggest that before stirring the pot, get your facts straight first and read up more on what you are saying.
I'm done ranting for now.
I'll address both issues. The first one, apparently, is about how she doesn't know how to play defense. Obviously the person who posted this has not seen a Storm game. If she/he had, she/he would realize that LJ blocks shots to a tune of 1.52 blocks a game, which is fifth in the league. An amazing feat considering she's doing it in thirty minutes and it's not like she can cleanly jump off the ground with her shin splints. Again in limited play, her rebounding is incredible. I'm counting this as a defensive trait because it limits the other team's second chance points and gives the Storm more chances to score. LJ has 7.9 rebounds a game. Apart from this, LJ is always in the middle of the lane affecting the shots of the other team. She doesn't always get the stat for the block, but she certainly has something to do with it. Quoting David Locke, LJ "stonewalls" the players driving through the lane. To say that she doesn't play defense well is preposterous and, frankly, makes me boiling mad. LJ gives everything out there offensively and she goes back to the other end of the floor and gives even more defensively. Don't knock LJ on that because, seriously, if you've seen a Storm game or listened to one over the radio, you'd know that that is a pile of bull. With all that she goes through for the team and with all that she has put herself through to play well on defense, she does not deserve this crap.
As for the other statement, calling LJ the dirtiest player in the league, I beg to disagree. It doesn't hurt that the person that the poster said she heard say this is Cheryl Ford, from a dirty-playing team, the Detroit Shock. LJ doesn't mug people like the Shock do or like the LA Sparks do. She doesn't take swings at them like Mwadi Mabika did against the Silverstars or Michelle Snow did right before the All-Star game. I won't even go into detail into all the crap the so-called role model of the WNBA, Lisa Leslie, pulls every single game. It's really no surprise she is booed in practically every arena she plays in. I was watching a game once and the announcers said that she gets booed because she is such a good player and so we pay attention to her. While she is a good player (ugh), I can guarantee that that isn't why people are booing. They're booing because of all the dirty play and unsportsmanlike conduct Lisa has been known for through the years. Lauren Jackson plays a physical game, I can admit that. But, by far, she is not the dirtiest player in the league. She isn't even close, in my opinion.
I'm extremely pissed off, especially because the person that wrote this comment has made some very negative statements in the past about Storm fans and about the Storm, while in the guise of being a Storm fan. The sheer lack of knowledge this person possesses leads me to believe that he/she is just a troll, someone trying to stir the pot because they have nothing better to do. I'd like to suggest that before stirring the pot, get your facts straight first and read up more on what you are saying.
I'm done ranting for now.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Seattle Storm vs. Washington Mystics
Storm- 86
Mystics- 78
Kindly excuse me as I get my heart to function normally again.
This was another close game that really kind of made me feel sick from the opening tip. Despite an early 12-1 run by the Storm, I still wasn't feeling very optimistic. Hopeful, yes. Sure enough, the Mystics caught up and by halftime they were up by 1 point. While the Mystics are a good team, I knew that the Storm were just better than them, which made me worried as to the halftime score. It wasn't just the halftime score that worried me though. I thought that Lauren Jackson had played a significant amount of minutes in the first half already, which must mean that she'd play less in the second half due to her limit of thirty minutes a game (Actually, I'm not sure how her minutes played out because the scoreboard thing on wnba.com wasn't exactly working for me).
If you guys aren't familiar with women's basketball, let me try to explain to you what this means. Lauren Jackson is, simply put, the best player currently playing and possibly the best player to ever play the game. Lauren Jackson wills the Storm to win most of the time. I forgot exactly what the stat is but it's something around a +166 rating for the Storm when she is on the court and a -88 when she is off the court. As such, limited play for LJ in the second half was not something I was particularly looking forward to.
The Storm played better in the second half and we managed to get a win. In fact, while I was worried at the beginning, I have to say that the Storm WON that game. They took it when they could and they secured a win. This ends a horrendous losing run at home, thankfully.
Big keys for the game and big stats for bigtime players.
Iziane Castro Marques had a fantastic night with 22 points and 2 steals. She shot 7 of 10 from the field. Apart from this, I think she was really the difference maker because she just kept making shots at the right time for the team.
Lauren Jackson had 27 points, 3 blocks, 2 steals and shot 13-13 from the free throw line. This was in only about 31 minutes with plantar fascitis and stress fractures on her shins. Seattle's extremely lucky to have such a gifted player with an even better attitude.
Janell Burse had 18 points and 6 rebounds. I'm SO happy JB is back. In fact, I'm ecstatic. When JB is in the game, it just feels like we have a much higher chance of winning. She shot 70% from the field as well. When I first saw JB starting in 2005 (preseason game in New York), I'll admit I wasn't too high on her. She just kept dropping too many passes that were in her hands already. MUCH IMPROVED. I used to cringe whenever they'd pass the ball to her in the paint. Since about the middle of last year, I'd feel confident with the ball in her hands. As much as she can score, the best thing about her is that she usually goes up and gets the rebound when she misses. Ridiculously good. I can't wait to see her completely healthy next season. She should be even better.
Sue Bird had 13 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. This was an awesome overall game for Sue. She only had 1 turnover the whole game. Scary moment of the game: Sue gets popped in the nose. She immediately grabs at the nose and has to foul someone to get out of the game, still looking like she's going to cry and holding her nose. At this point, you could hear the arena let out a nervous gasp. I was screaming over here too. No more broken noses, please. She went back in the game a few moments later after determining that it wasn't broken and a relieved cheer rose from the crowd. I started thanking my lucky stars over here. After breaking her nose two seasons in a row (2004 and 2005), she was obviously very nervous and concerned about it. Storm fans like me are nervous as well. The last thing that the team can take right now is an injury to their floor leader. It would just break the season, in my opinion. I wonder if she can wear her mask just for sure without affecting her game too much. For some strange reason, she keeps getting hit in that general area a lot.
Bad spot of the night was that the bench just scored 2 points. Then again, they didn't shoot a low field goal percentage and they didn't commit a lot of turnovers. This means that they didn't really take bad shots or make errors. They just didn't get a lot of time but I think they still gave "quality" minutes, although I'd like to see them get more aggressive offensively when they are in. The two bench players I'd like to see more aggressive would be Barbara Turner and Edwige Lawson, particularly because I think that they can really do damage. BT can basically just power inside the lane when she wants. As For Edwige, she can take really nice jumpers from just within the three point line or from beyond it. I really think they can do it. It would be awesome to have both of them next year. I'm not sure about what the contract situation is but I feel confident in Edwige as our backup point. She's a smart player and she's a true point guard. What else can you really ask for? I might change my opinion depending on the offseason next year but as of now, I'd like to stick with Edwige.
Next game is the final home game vs. Charlotte on Saturday. It should be a packed Key Arena
Go STORM!!
Mystics- 78
Kindly excuse me as I get my heart to function normally again.
This was another close game that really kind of made me feel sick from the opening tip. Despite an early 12-1 run by the Storm, I still wasn't feeling very optimistic. Hopeful, yes. Sure enough, the Mystics caught up and by halftime they were up by 1 point. While the Mystics are a good team, I knew that the Storm were just better than them, which made me worried as to the halftime score. It wasn't just the halftime score that worried me though. I thought that Lauren Jackson had played a significant amount of minutes in the first half already, which must mean that she'd play less in the second half due to her limit of thirty minutes a game (Actually, I'm not sure how her minutes played out because the scoreboard thing on wnba.com wasn't exactly working for me).
If you guys aren't familiar with women's basketball, let me try to explain to you what this means. Lauren Jackson is, simply put, the best player currently playing and possibly the best player to ever play the game. Lauren Jackson wills the Storm to win most of the time. I forgot exactly what the stat is but it's something around a +166 rating for the Storm when she is on the court and a -88 when she is off the court. As such, limited play for LJ in the second half was not something I was particularly looking forward to.
The Storm played better in the second half and we managed to get a win. In fact, while I was worried at the beginning, I have to say that the Storm WON that game. They took it when they could and they secured a win. This ends a horrendous losing run at home, thankfully.
Big keys for the game and big stats for bigtime players.
Iziane Castro Marques had a fantastic night with 22 points and 2 steals. She shot 7 of 10 from the field. Apart from this, I think she was really the difference maker because she just kept making shots at the right time for the team.
Lauren Jackson had 27 points, 3 blocks, 2 steals and shot 13-13 from the free throw line. This was in only about 31 minutes with plantar fascitis and stress fractures on her shins. Seattle's extremely lucky to have such a gifted player with an even better attitude.
Janell Burse had 18 points and 6 rebounds. I'm SO happy JB is back. In fact, I'm ecstatic. When JB is in the game, it just feels like we have a much higher chance of winning. She shot 70% from the field as well. When I first saw JB starting in 2005 (preseason game in New York), I'll admit I wasn't too high on her. She just kept dropping too many passes that were in her hands already. MUCH IMPROVED. I used to cringe whenever they'd pass the ball to her in the paint. Since about the middle of last year, I'd feel confident with the ball in her hands. As much as she can score, the best thing about her is that she usually goes up and gets the rebound when she misses. Ridiculously good. I can't wait to see her completely healthy next season. She should be even better.
Sue Bird had 13 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. This was an awesome overall game for Sue. She only had 1 turnover the whole game. Scary moment of the game: Sue gets popped in the nose. She immediately grabs at the nose and has to foul someone to get out of the game, still looking like she's going to cry and holding her nose. At this point, you could hear the arena let out a nervous gasp. I was screaming over here too. No more broken noses, please. She went back in the game a few moments later after determining that it wasn't broken and a relieved cheer rose from the crowd. I started thanking my lucky stars over here. After breaking her nose two seasons in a row (2004 and 2005), she was obviously very nervous and concerned about it. Storm fans like me are nervous as well. The last thing that the team can take right now is an injury to their floor leader. It would just break the season, in my opinion. I wonder if she can wear her mask just for sure without affecting her game too much. For some strange reason, she keeps getting hit in that general area a lot.
Bad spot of the night was that the bench just scored 2 points. Then again, they didn't shoot a low field goal percentage and they didn't commit a lot of turnovers. This means that they didn't really take bad shots or make errors. They just didn't get a lot of time but I think they still gave "quality" minutes, although I'd like to see them get more aggressive offensively when they are in. The two bench players I'd like to see more aggressive would be Barbara Turner and Edwige Lawson, particularly because I think that they can really do damage. BT can basically just power inside the lane when she wants. As For Edwige, she can take really nice jumpers from just within the three point line or from beyond it. I really think they can do it. It would be awesome to have both of them next year. I'm not sure about what the contract situation is but I feel confident in Edwige as our backup point. She's a smart player and she's a true point guard. What else can you really ask for? I might change my opinion depending on the offseason next year but as of now, I'd like to stick with Edwige.
Next game is the final home game vs. Charlotte on Saturday. It should be a packed Key Arena
Go STORM!!
USA team to Practice at Duke
How cool is this. Duke is my favourite college team and the USA team will practice there come September. Even cooler is that they will play an exhibition game against Australia at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Technically, if I go (crossing my fingers), I get to do three things I would absolutely die to do.
1.) I get to cheer on the US team with Birdy, Anne Donovan and Gail Goestenkors there.
2.) I get to cheer for the Australian team with Lauren Jackson. Heck, maybe I'd even wear my #15 jersey just to show her some love in NC.
3.) I get to see the Duke campus and the arena where they play. I love the Blue Devils, particularly Lindsey Harding and Abby Waner (I have a thing for guards), which I probably would never be able to do given that I have school and stuff when they play there.
It seems perfect. Heck, it is perfect. Unfortunately, there are a few things going against me here.
1.) It's frosh week at the University of Toronto. I'm not sure I want to skip the final two days of Frosh week to go to North Carolina to cheer at an exhibition game. I could, definitely, but then I'd waste the money I put in for the entire week of activities at the U of T.
2.) Money...Money...Money...Plane tickets aren't cheap, especially considering I'm only going to be there for about two days or something. I mean, I have to see which one I'd rather do. I could do this or I could save up money to purchase those season tickets next year.
3.) I hate airports. I don't even want to think about the hassle of going through those long lines with my Philippine passport. The last time I traveled to watch a basketball game, the guy behind the desk was glaring at me suspiciously because he couldn't believe I'd fly to Seattle just to catch a basketball game. Yeah, they'd be even less likely to believe I'm a Filipino living in Canada wanting to travel to the US to catch the US team in an exhibition game against Australia....Sure....
1.) I get to cheer on the US team with Birdy, Anne Donovan and Gail Goestenkors there.
2.) I get to cheer for the Australian team with Lauren Jackson. Heck, maybe I'd even wear my #15 jersey just to show her some love in NC.
3.) I get to see the Duke campus and the arena where they play. I love the Blue Devils, particularly Lindsey Harding and Abby Waner (I have a thing for guards), which I probably would never be able to do given that I have school and stuff when they play there.
It seems perfect. Heck, it is perfect. Unfortunately, there are a few things going against me here.
1.) It's frosh week at the University of Toronto. I'm not sure I want to skip the final two days of Frosh week to go to North Carolina to cheer at an exhibition game. I could, definitely, but then I'd waste the money I put in for the entire week of activities at the U of T.
2.) Money...Money...Money...Plane tickets aren't cheap, especially considering I'm only going to be there for about two days or something. I mean, I have to see which one I'd rather do. I could do this or I could save up money to purchase those season tickets next year.
3.) I hate airports. I don't even want to think about the hassle of going through those long lines with my Philippine passport. The last time I traveled to watch a basketball game, the guy behind the desk was glaring at me suspiciously because he couldn't believe I'd fly to Seattle just to catch a basketball game. Yeah, they'd be even less likely to believe I'm a Filipino living in Canada wanting to travel to the US to catch the US team in an exhibition game against Australia....Sure....
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
An Act of Kindness
Okay, I'm getting a little teary here just thinking about it. If anyone needs any more proof of why being a Storm fan is so great, here it is.
I've been wanting to get a Storm media guide for ages. Like, when I visited Seattle, I asked if they were selling it, but they weren't. I found one on eBay and was bidding for it until it reached like forty dollars or something. I wondered if it was any good anyway and if it was worth me bidding higher and higher for it. I asked around on the stormfans.org forum and found out that it wasn't really worth forty bucks or higher. End of story, right?
No. Just as I was resigning myself to the fact that I would probably never see one in my life as long as I lived away from Seattle, I got a message from one of the board members. She offered to give me a media guide free of charge. She didn't know me personally, and I hardly post on the board. But there she was offering to GIVE me one for FREE. All she asked in return was to repay this act of kindness to someone else and continue to support the Storm.
Why am I getting teary? This is what makes me glad I'm a Storm fan. It's such a unique and genuine community of people who are kind and generous. It's a great community to "feel" like a part of. It's a great community to learn from.
It brings me back to the time I visited Seattle for the games. The people there were just as accommodating and generous. Remember the guy that gave me tons of Storm stuff free of charge, just because I was a fan?
I don't want to compare but, when I went to the Storm games, people smiled at me and were polite. When I'd accidently bump into someone, I'd apologize and it would all be okay and over. I went to a Blue Jays game a few weeks ago and this drunk girl practically bit my sister's head off for stepping on her foot. I was a little freaked out by that and I ended up never leaving my seat so as not to encounter her wrath.
I'm even willing to go as far as saying that the fans a team has helps make it what it is. Yeah, now I know even more why the Seattle Storm are such a great team.
I've been wanting to get a Storm media guide for ages. Like, when I visited Seattle, I asked if they were selling it, but they weren't. I found one on eBay and was bidding for it until it reached like forty dollars or something. I wondered if it was any good anyway and if it was worth me bidding higher and higher for it. I asked around on the stormfans.org forum and found out that it wasn't really worth forty bucks or higher. End of story, right?
No. Just as I was resigning myself to the fact that I would probably never see one in my life as long as I lived away from Seattle, I got a message from one of the board members. She offered to give me a media guide free of charge. She didn't know me personally, and I hardly post on the board. But there she was offering to GIVE me one for FREE. All she asked in return was to repay this act of kindness to someone else and continue to support the Storm.
Why am I getting teary? This is what makes me glad I'm a Storm fan. It's such a unique and genuine community of people who are kind and generous. It's a great community to "feel" like a part of. It's a great community to learn from.
It brings me back to the time I visited Seattle for the games. The people there were just as accommodating and generous. Remember the guy that gave me tons of Storm stuff free of charge, just because I was a fan?
I don't want to compare but, when I went to the Storm games, people smiled at me and were polite. When I'd accidently bump into someone, I'd apologize and it would all be okay and over. I went to a Blue Jays game a few weeks ago and this drunk girl practically bit my sister's head off for stepping on her foot. I was a little freaked out by that and I ended up never leaving my seat so as not to encounter her wrath.
I'm even willing to go as far as saying that the fans a team has helps make it what it is. Yeah, now I know even more why the Seattle Storm are such a great team.
Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx
Storm- 77
Lynx- 75
I think that this game was a lot closer than was expected. In fact, I'd say it was too close for comfort. Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled that the Storm won this game, but Minnesota is currently in last place in the West. It's not even like we were dominating the game from the beginning and they just managed to catch up at the end. It was more like they were leading pretty much the whole way even if it was only by a tiny margin. The Storm won on a miraculous three pointer by Betty Lennox which she hit after going 0 for 3 the whole game. A pair of Lauren Jackson freethrows helped the Storm eke out a win over the Lynx.
If I choose to be negative about this, I'd say that we should have blown them out or at least won by a comfortable margin. I'd say that they needed to play better defense because Minnesota shot incredibly well from the field.
However, I choose to be positive about this. A win is a win, after all, and San Antonio lost yesterday which gives us a bit of a cushion.
Apart from this, Betty Lennox got out of her funk starting from that last play in the LA game to hit the game winner (pretty much). It shows me, thankfully, that that little brain fart she may have had at the end of the other game has not diminshed her confidence, which will only bode well for the Storm in the next few games and even in the playoffs.
Lauren Jackson had another typically amazing LJ night with 20 points.
Sue Bird had 21 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds. See, as a Storm fan, I'm ecstatic with a win. As a Birdy fan, however, I LIVE for games like these. Woohoo!!
Big contributions too from Iziane Castro-Marques and Janell Burse. I'm so happy JB is back. It just makes everything happening in the game more comfortable when Janell Burse is out on the floor. I think the Storm need her to be healthy the rest of the way now.
Next game is on Thursday against the Washington Mystics over at KeyArena.
GO STORM!!!
Lynx- 75
I think that this game was a lot closer than was expected. In fact, I'd say it was too close for comfort. Don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled that the Storm won this game, but Minnesota is currently in last place in the West. It's not even like we were dominating the game from the beginning and they just managed to catch up at the end. It was more like they were leading pretty much the whole way even if it was only by a tiny margin. The Storm won on a miraculous three pointer by Betty Lennox which she hit after going 0 for 3 the whole game. A pair of Lauren Jackson freethrows helped the Storm eke out a win over the Lynx.
If I choose to be negative about this, I'd say that we should have blown them out or at least won by a comfortable margin. I'd say that they needed to play better defense because Minnesota shot incredibly well from the field.
However, I choose to be positive about this. A win is a win, after all, and San Antonio lost yesterday which gives us a bit of a cushion.
Apart from this, Betty Lennox got out of her funk starting from that last play in the LA game to hit the game winner (pretty much). It shows me, thankfully, that that little brain fart she may have had at the end of the other game has not diminshed her confidence, which will only bode well for the Storm in the next few games and even in the playoffs.
Lauren Jackson had another typically amazing LJ night with 20 points.
Sue Bird had 21 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds. See, as a Storm fan, I'm ecstatic with a win. As a Birdy fan, however, I LIVE for games like these. Woohoo!!
Big contributions too from Iziane Castro-Marques and Janell Burse. I'm so happy JB is back. It just makes everything happening in the game more comfortable when Janell Burse is out on the floor. I think the Storm need her to be healthy the rest of the way now.
Next game is on Thursday against the Washington Mystics over at KeyArena.
GO STORM!!!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
WNBA Games August 1
Mystics beat the Sparks 84-74
Sun beat the Liberty 66-52
Mercury beat the Sky 90-70
Sting beat the Silverstars 68-65
Shock beat the Fever 70-66
Storm beat the Lynx 77-75
Monarchs beat the Comets 74-62
i got 5 out of the seven right! And I knew that Phoenix was going to win but I needed Chicago to win so technically I got that right too....
More importantly, the Storm win a game that had me fist pumping, pulling my hair out and nearly having a heart attack. Just another game in the life of a Storm fan.
Sun beat the Liberty 66-52
Mercury beat the Sky 90-70
Sting beat the Silverstars 68-65
Shock beat the Fever 70-66
Storm beat the Lynx 77-75
Monarchs beat the Comets 74-62
i got 5 out of the seven right! And I knew that Phoenix was going to win but I needed Chicago to win so technically I got that right too....
More importantly, the Storm win a game that had me fist pumping, pulling my hair out and nearly having a heart attack. Just another game in the life of a Storm fan.
WNBA Buffet tonight
Seven WNBA games are going to be on tonight, meaning that all teams are playing!!
Things that NEED to happen:
1.) Washington Mystics defeat the LA Sparks
- Because I'm a Duke fan (Alana Beard) and I hate the Sparks
2.) Chicago Sky defeat the Phoenix Mercury
- To help the Storm in the playoff race, although I kinda doubt this is going to happen
3.) Charlotte Sting defeat the San Antonio Silver Stars
- For both reasons mentioned above put together
4.) Seattle Storm defeat the Minnesota Lynx
- Obviously....
Otherwise, I'd like to see the Connecticut Sun defeat the New York Liberty just because I'm a Whalen fan. I want the Indiana Fever to beat the Detroit Shock and the Sacramento Monarchs to beat the Houston Comets.
Of course, if none of these things happen, then I'll never write about who I want to win again lest I jinx any of the teams (particularly my team, yikes!)
I hope to get at least half of these right....
Things that NEED to happen:
1.) Washington Mystics defeat the LA Sparks
- Because I'm a Duke fan (Alana Beard) and I hate the Sparks
2.) Chicago Sky defeat the Phoenix Mercury
- To help the Storm in the playoff race, although I kinda doubt this is going to happen
3.) Charlotte Sting defeat the San Antonio Silver Stars
- For both reasons mentioned above put together
4.) Seattle Storm defeat the Minnesota Lynx
- Obviously....
Otherwise, I'd like to see the Connecticut Sun defeat the New York Liberty just because I'm a Whalen fan. I want the Indiana Fever to beat the Detroit Shock and the Sacramento Monarchs to beat the Houston Comets.
Of course, if none of these things happen, then I'll never write about who I want to win again lest I jinx any of the teams (particularly my team, yikes!)
I hope to get at least half of these right....
Shitty schedule
I got into most of the classes I wanted, but there were still some that totally pissed me off considering how "prepared" i was from the beginning. First, the economics class I wanted to take sooo badly was closed. It didn't even have a waiting list, so I had to back out of that plan. Instead of that, I decided to take another class that was on my backup list that didn't conflict with anything and that was open (Because I had another class on waiting list). I ended up with....anthropology. Hello?? What on earth was I thinking?? Anthropology?? Ugh.
Good news is that i got into my prerequisite POL103, which I guess is the most important one anyway. And I also got into the english class that i wanted and the first year seminar I wanted. It's entitled "Machiavelli and the Power Game". Now THAT should be a blast.
On the other hand, I'm wait listed for this 200-level POLSCI course that I want to take now so that I'll be more flexible in my future years as to what POLSCI courses I can take. This was the only other class without a prerequisite of one polsci credit. Unfortunately, I'm number 11 and 17 respectively for two sections of the class.
I have one class every frigging day (all anthropology's fault), which means I drag my butt out of bed every morning for a two hour class and then I just go home. Sigh. I'm hoping I get into the Thursday class of POL200 so I have Wednesday completely off.
Good news is that i got into my prerequisite POL103, which I guess is the most important one anyway. And I also got into the english class that i wanted and the first year seminar I wanted. It's entitled "Machiavelli and the Power Game". Now THAT should be a blast.
On the other hand, I'm wait listed for this 200-level POLSCI course that I want to take now so that I'll be more flexible in my future years as to what POLSCI courses I can take. This was the only other class without a prerequisite of one polsci credit. Unfortunately, I'm number 11 and 17 respectively for two sections of the class.
I have one class every frigging day (all anthropology's fault), which means I drag my butt out of bed every morning for a two hour class and then I just go home. Sigh. I'm hoping I get into the Thursday class of POL200 so I have Wednesday completely off.
How to pass time when it's early morning and you're bored
Okay, so here I am waiting for 7:55 to hit. I've been waiting for the past hour since my sister woke up at about that time to go to CDI. So, with all the anticipation and boredom, what do I find myself doing? I checked my email (yeah, that took about two minutes). I went around the different women's bball forums. I even logged onto stormfans.org even if it's like 4 am in Seattle and no one has really posted anything new since last night. I even looked around my room for this missing book I've been looking for for awhile. At least I finally found that one. Now, I sit and twiddle my thumbs, yawning like crazy. Ugh, I just want to get this over with so I can go back to sleep....
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