One-on-One with Carrie Graf

With half a season under her belt with the Storm, assistant coach Carrie Graf is enjoying Seattle and the brief bout of sunshine. Of course, the Sydney native is used to it. During the offseason Graf completed her third season as the head coach of the Canberra Capitals of Australia's WBNL, Lauren Jackson's team. Graf and Jackson captured the 2000 and 2002 WNBL titles.

This is your first time with the Seattle Storm. How has this first half gone?

Carrie Graf: It’s gone real well. It’s a great organization and a wonderful coaching staff. We have a enthusiastic young team with a lot of talent. On the floor, it’s been up-and-down because of the youth. But our team improves every day, every week. We have to find it within ourselves to be consistent, that’s part of our learning experience … Once we get that, we’ll just get better and better.

The Storm are currently fifth in the Western division. What do the Storm have to do to get into the playoffs?

We obviously have to win ballgames. To do that we have to find that consistency. Some games we come out and we’re hardly energized. Other times we’re attacking defense and our shots are going down. I know it’s a cliché, but we need to take each game for what it is. We have to control our own destiny … we’ re good enough. If we can focus on each task individually and as a team, we can get it done.

You’ve coached Lauren Jackson in Australia during the offseason. What’s it been like to work with her this summer?

It’s a different role here. I’m the second assistant instead of the head coach, so that’s naturally a different dynamic. I’ve also concentrated to leave her to the other coaches and the WNBA experience. She hears my voice all day, every day back home. I’m really taken a step back and watched how she goes in this environment. It’s been a learning experience for me to see the different challenges Lauren faces in the WNBA.

Is the game different in Australia and overseas compared to the WNBA?

Basketball is basketball all around the world, and the U.S. is the dominant force, no question. The NBA and the WNBA are the dominant leagues. But I think we’ve got a real strong league [in Australia], it’s just smaller. It’s 6-foot league versus a 6-4 league. Lauren plays every game here against as big, as strong, as athletic and as talented players night in and night out … the biggest thing is the depth of the athletic talent.

How have you taken to the city of Seattle?

It’s a wonderful city. It’s got a wonderful culture – the cafes, the restaurants. The weather has been great. I hear it rains but I live in Melbourne where it rains 14 inches in one day back there. This is a beautiful city. It’s really comparable to Sydney with the water. I’ve really enjoyed my time here.

What will you be doing once this season ends?

I just signed a three year deal to return to coach in Australia (with the Canberra Capitals of Australia’s WNBL) which includes a one year sabbatical. When I get back I’ve got eight months to get away and spend some time on me. I also really want to develop my coaching and other things I haven’t been able to do … My schedule has been full on with WNBA, WNBL and the (Australian) National team. I’m really looking forward to being away from basketball and recharging my batteries.

Last question. What should Storm fans expect in the second half?

Come support us. It’s a great brand of basketball. It’s an exciting young team with the belief that we can make the playoffs. If we can get the city of Seattle behind us, that’s going to make a difference. If you look at teams around the league, you see that teams with huge home crowds have a distinct advantage.

If the people of Seattle watch us play they’ll be sold on how exciting we play. You can see our enthusiasm and passion on the floor. And Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird are the two brightest young stars in basketball – bar none. So grab ten bucks, it will be the best ten dollars you can spend.