Live From Press Row - Storm vs. New York
For the Seattle Storm, Seeing is Believing. Want to enjoy the electricity of at KeyArena even if you're thousands of miles away? storm.wnba.com's Live From the Press Box in-game blog is your best bet. All night and all season long, Kevin Pelton will be bringing you pregame quotes, analysis and observations from the game. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
Unfortunately, it's preseason for all of us and there are some kinks to be worked out. My Internet connection picked an unfortunate time to go haywire, so I was unable to post Live From the Press Row during the game. What I did write during the game follows unedited; it's sort of like the West Coast version of Saturday Night live.
Really great atmosphere at tonight's game, beginning to end. A wonderful crowd was here at the Key, announced at 7,645. And they saw a terrific show, with the Storm cruising to a 71-43 victory and never leading by fewer than 10 points during the second half. Big debut for Barbara Turner, who had 10 points and four rebounds. The Storm was tremendous defensively, holding New York to 22.4% shooting, 21 turnovers, and just 43 points. If the Storm plays defense like this - and remember that this is still the preseason for a Liberty squad that has made wholesale off-season changes - this could be a magical season.
After just one more possession, we get our full under-3 timeout. The change to quarters should not have a huge impact on the WNBA this season, but it will change the timeouts a little bit. This timeout used to come at the first break under four minutes left in the game, but now it's under-3. That means a slightly shorter period of play coming down the stretch. The stretches in the first and second quarters, however, will be longer. Rotations will also be slightly different this season, and Anne Donovan said before the game it will take some time to work hers out. But everything Anne has done tonight has turned to gold.
The Storm leads by 22 points and this is, of course, the preseason, but Anne Donovan always keeps her team focused. After a turnover on a Barbara Turner entry pass that was too tall for Simone Edwards, Donovan takes timeout to remind her players to stay in this game. Doppler, on the other hand, is decidedly not serious, and Doppler is shaking the enormous backside to the delight of the crowd.
It's the 2006 debut of one of our favorite traditions here at Storm games, The Train during a second-half timeout. This is as many kids as I've ever seen on the court - well over a hundred doing (what else?) the train led by Doppler. There was a lot of talk in the Sonics and Storm offices over the last week about The Train on the behalf of new employees who have not yet seen it. It's pretty amazing the first time, and still awfully amazing after that. Barbara Turner continues to be extremely impressive since getting in for the second half.
One of the new features as we move to the quarter system? A really long stretch on the court without a timeout there after Pattie Coyle took a timeout early in the third quarter. The Storm kept it up, outscoring New York 15-9 to take a 24-point lead through three quarters. There was an interesting test for Shaunzinski Gortman, who was being defended by New York first-round pick Sherill Baker. Baker is one of the SEC's all-time leaders in steals and is going to be an incredible ballhawk in the WNBA. Gortman did a good job of beating the pressure until the final possession of the quarter, when Baker stole the inbounds pass. Now, Gortman, still playing the point, will go up against Becky Hammon.
A 17-0 run for the Seattle Storm around the halftime break has blown this game wide open. Besides for the enormous gap in the significance of the games, it's just slightly reminiscent of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals two years ago when the Storm had the huge run to beat Sacramento. And the Liberty's misses have meant the Storm has gotten out on the run, including a great lookaway feed from Sue Bird to Lauren Jackson for a layup a moment ago. Yeah, those two are pretty good. A great crowd for a preseason game is loving it.
Ah, it's time again, friends, to get a little advanced - and just a bit geeky - with the statistics. As you might recall, pace of play is a key consideration for us at storm.wnba.com, and it's especially interesting this year with the advent of the 24-second shot clock. 40 possessions for each side in the first half. Last year, the Storm averaged 75.1 possessions per game, which was second-most in the WNBA. For New York, this is extremely fast, as the Liberty was the league's slowest team last year at 68.5 possessions per game. But you had to believe that was going to change either way with the changes the Liberty made this off-season to become younger and, hopefully, more athletic.
I'm sure Anne Donovan won't be happy with the 11 turnovers her Storm committed in the first half of tonight's preseason game, but the defense has been strong. New York is shooting just 22.2% from the field and has committed eight turnovers of its own. Sue Bird looks to be in midseason form thus far, scoring a game-high eight points on 3-for-5 shooting with a pair of triples (though she has yet to record an assist), while Betty Lennox (1-for-7) and Tanisha Wright (1-for-6) have struggled a bit. But now it's on to halftime and the obstacle course is out for kids for halftime entertainment.
Some random notes as the Storm Dance Troupe makes a highly successful 2006 debut ... Tiffani Johnson is in the house. The post, a training-camp invitee, has arrived in Seattle, though she is in street clothes tonight. She should participate tomorrow as the Storm scrimmages against the Liberty at The Furtado Center ... Simone Edwards left the game a moment ago holding her left hamstring, but she is still on the bench and seems to be okay ... Betty Lennox's brother Clarence tips off the season with a teal suit set off by a black shirt and hat. Clarence was going nuts when sis got a three-point play.
The Liberty has found some offense to get back in this game while the Storm continues to be plagued by turnovers, with 10 so far. But the real story, once again, is Barbara Turner. Dick Fain on the KJR broadcast is getting his first look at Turner, and there have already been some jaw-dropping moments. Turner scored on a turnaround in the post on former UConn teammate Ashley Battle, who spent the early part of last season with the Storm. She went to the free-throw line for two makes, and then hit a 19-footer which would have counted had Lindsay Taylor not been called for an illegal screen. Not too bad for your first WNBA game. I assume Storm fans are getting pretty excited about Turner if they weren't already.
Well, this being the first quarter in Storm history, everything is a record for a quarter, but one might not be broken for a while - the Liberty scoring but five points and going more than six minutes without a point. New York shot 2-for-20 from the field (10.0%), while the Storm committed eight turnovers, so the play was a bit sloppy. Fans got their first look at the athleticism of rookie Barb Turner, which has been on display throughout training camp, as she blocked two shots, including one at the buzzer.
Hey, look at that right there ... first quarter. We're underway with a new style, and so far ... it looks like a typical exhibition game, with some poor shooting. As much as everyone wants to talk about the shot clock, it's only been a factor once, when the shot clock did not reset on a Liberty miss and then went off. But the pace has been very fast so far in this game, with lots of up-and-down play.
Is it really Storm season already? Of course, for me it's been Storm season since Media Day nearly two weeks ago, but it's a little different when were out here at KeyArena, as we are for the first time tonight for the Storm and the new-look New York Liberty. Four players - rookie Barbara Turner, key acquisition Wendy Palmer, Shaunzinski Gortman and Lindsay Taylor - will play at KeyArena for the first time. It should be fun.
Technical Difficulties
Postgame
Unfortunately, it's preseason for all of us and there are some kinks to be worked out. My Internet connection picked an unfortunate time to go haywire, so I was unable to post Live From the Press Row during the game. What I did write during the game follows unedited; it's sort of like the West Coast version of Saturday Night live.
Storm Wins a Laugher
Final: Storm 71, New York 43
Really great atmosphere at tonight's game, beginning to end. A wonderful crowd was here at the Key, announced at 7,645. And they saw a terrific show, with the Storm cruising to a 71-43 victory and never leading by fewer than 10 points during the second half. Big debut for Barbara Turner, who had 10 points and four rebounds. The Storm was tremendous defensively, holding New York to 22.4% shooting, 21 turnovers, and just 43 points. If the Storm plays defense like this - and remember that this is still the preseason for a Liberty squad that has made wholesale off-season changes - this could be a magical season.
Last Break
Fourth Quarter: Storm 65, New York 43
After just one more possession, we get our full under-3 timeout. The change to quarters should not have a huge impact on the WNBA this season, but it will change the timeouts a little bit. This timeout used to come at the first break under four minutes left in the game, but now it's under-3. That means a slightly shorter period of play coming down the stretch. The stretches in the first and second quarters, however, will be longer. Rotations will also be slightly different this season, and Anne Donovan said before the game it will take some time to work hers out. But everything Anne has done tonight has turned to gold.
Staying Serious
Fourth Quarter: Storm 65, New York 43
The Storm leads by 22 points and this is, of course, the preseason, but Anne Donovan always keeps her team focused. After a turnover on a Barbara Turner entry pass that was too tall for Simone Edwards, Donovan takes timeout to remind her players to stay in this game. Doppler, on the other hand, is decidedly not serious, and Doppler is shaking the enormous backside to the delight of the crowd.
It's Train Time!
Fourth Quarter: Storm 58, New York 36
It's the 2006 debut of one of our favorite traditions here at Storm games, The Train during a second-half timeout. This is as many kids as I've ever seen on the court - well over a hundred doing (what else?) the train led by Doppler. There was a lot of talk in the Sonics and Storm offices over the last week about The Train on the behalf of new employees who have not yet seen it. It's pretty amazing the first time, and still awfully amazing after that. Barbara Turner continues to be extremely impressive since getting in for the second half.
Storm Cruising
End Third Quarter: Storm 53, New York 29
One of the new features as we move to the quarter system? A really long stretch on the court without a timeout there after Pattie Coyle took a timeout early in the third quarter. The Storm kept it up, outscoring New York 15-9 to take a 24-point lead through three quarters. There was an interesting test for Shaunzinski Gortman, who was being defended by New York first-round pick Sherill Baker. Baker is one of the SEC's all-time leaders in steals and is going to be an incredible ballhawk in the WNBA. Gortman did a good job of beating the pressure until the final possession of the quarter, when Baker stole the inbounds pass. Now, Gortman, still playing the point, will go up against Becky Hammon.
Storm On the Run
Third Quarter: Storm 38, New York 20
A 17-0 run for the Seattle Storm around the halftime break has blown this game wide open. Besides for the enormous gap in the significance of the games, it's just slightly reminiscent of Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals two years ago when the Storm had the huge run to beat Sacramento. And the Liberty's misses have meant the Storm has gotten out on the run, including a great lookaway feed from Sue Bird to Lauren Jackson for a layup a moment ago. Yeah, those two are pretty good. A great crowd for a preseason game is loving it.
Inside the Box Score
Halftime: Storm 30, New York 20
Ah, it's time again, friends, to get a little advanced - and just a bit geeky - with the statistics. As you might recall, pace of play is a key consideration for us at storm.wnba.com, and it's especially interesting this year with the advent of the 24-second shot clock. 40 possessions for each side in the first half. Last year, the Storm averaged 75.1 possessions per game, which was second-most in the WNBA. For New York, this is extremely fast, as the Liberty was the league's slowest team last year at 68.5 possessions per game. But you had to believe that was going to change either way with the changes the Liberty made this off-season to become younger and, hopefully, more athletic.
Solid First Half of Storm Basketball
Halftime: Storm 30, New York 20
I'm sure Anne Donovan won't be happy with the 11 turnovers her Storm committed in the first half of tonight's preseason game, but the defense has been strong. New York is shooting just 22.2% from the field and has committed eight turnovers of its own. Sue Bird looks to be in midseason form thus far, scoring a game-high eight points on 3-for-5 shooting with a pair of triples (though she has yet to record an assist), while Betty Lennox (1-for-7) and Tanisha Wright (1-for-6) have struggled a bit. But now it's on to halftime and the obstacle course is out for kids for halftime entertainment.
Around the Arena
Second Quarter: Storm 28, New York 20
Some random notes as the Storm Dance Troupe makes a highly successful 2006 debut ... Tiffani Johnson is in the house. The post, a training-camp invitee, has arrived in Seattle, though she is in street clothes tonight. She should participate tomorrow as the Storm scrimmages against the Liberty at The Furtado Center ... Simone Edwards left the game a moment ago holding her left hamstring, but she is still on the bench and seems to be okay ... Betty Lennox's brother Clarence tips off the season with a teal suit set off by a black shirt and hat. Clarence was going nuts when sis got a three-point play.
The Barb Turner Show
Second Quarter: Storm 21, New York 16
The Liberty has found some offense to get back in this game while the Storm continues to be plagued by turnovers, with 10 so far. But the real story, once again, is Barbara Turner. Dick Fain on the KJR broadcast is getting his first look at Turner, and there have already been some jaw-dropping moments. Turner scored on a turnaround in the post on former UConn teammate Ashley Battle, who spent the early part of last season with the Storm. She went to the free-throw line for two makes, and then hit a 19-footer which would have counted had Lindsay Taylor not been called for an illegal screen. Not too bad for your first WNBA game. I assume Storm fans are getting pretty excited about Turner if they weren't already.
Record-Setting
End First Quarter: Storm 14, New York 4
Well, this being the first quarter in Storm history, everything is a record for a quarter, but one might not be broken for a while - the Liberty scoring but five points and going more than six minutes without a point. New York shot 2-for-20 from the field (10.0%), while the Storm committed eight turnovers, so the play was a bit sloppy. Fans got their first look at the athleticism of rookie Barb Turner, which has been on display throughout training camp, as she blocked two shots, including one at the buzzer.
And We're Underway ...
First Quarter: Storm 9, New York 4
Hey, look at that right there ... first quarter. We're underway with a new style, and so far ... it looks like a typical exhibition game, with some poor shooting. As much as everyone wants to talk about the shot clock, it's only been a factor once, when the shot clock did not reset on a Liberty miss and then went off. But the pace has been very fast so far in this game, with lots of up-and-down play.
Signing On
Pregame
Is it really Storm season already? Of course, for me it's been Storm season since Media Day nearly two weeks ago, but it's a little different when were out here at KeyArena, as we are for the first time tonight for the Storm and the new-look New York Liberty. Four players - rookie Barbara Turner, key acquisition Wendy Palmer, Shaunzinski Gortman and Lindsay Taylor - will play at KeyArena for the first time. It should be fun.
