Postgame Quotes/Notes - Storm 79, San Antonio 51
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TONIGHT'S NOTES | |||
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ANNE DONOVAN:
On a sequence in which
Sue Bird scored five points and forced a turnover:The best of all was the walk. That’s a play Sue doesn’t make a year ago.
Shannon Johnson is one of the quickest players in the league and it’s tough to contain her let alone stop her on a one-on-one fast break. To get that stop was huge. It was also nice to see her break free from the 3-point line, going 4-for-5 out there and shoot the ball like we know she can. It’s tough for teams to play a zone when we shoot so well.
On the Storm going on the road in June:
We needed this. One half against Houston and two halves tonight really gives us some momentum to carry on the road. It’s a whole different kind of test. Three games at home to start the season is a blessing. It was good to take care of two of them. That experience is good at home to carry on the road. It’s an entirely different experience.
June is a hellacious month for us but the beauty is that in July we’re back here again. We’ll grow up quick on the road. I’m confident. Our bench had some good minutes tonight so when we get on the road if we need them they have some experience to fall back on
On the bench's play:
(Francesca) Zara played incredible tonight. That’s what we know she’s capable of. 
Tanisha (Wright) just needs to get more and more comfortable out there. Our posts have been good. 
Mandisa (Stevenson) and 
Simone (Edwards) have been good off the bench. So it’s really the perimeter that I need to see better production (from), and we saw that tonight.
On 
Lauren Jackson's performance:
She’s just one of the most complete players I have ever coached. Inside, outside, she is so strong right now. And the combination with Sue and 
Betty (Lennox), where do you put your focus if you’re another coach?
On playing well this early in the season:
I think we were really clicking tonight. Playing at home in KeyArena, we’re very comfortable here. It’s nice to see us play this well early. San Antonio didn’t have their best game - that was clear. When they’re not on, you better take advantage of it. It’s not going to happen very many times in this league.
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On the defense:
Our defense as a whole was great. We really helped each other out, we didn’t give them any easy looks, everything they took was contested, and on the other end in order for us to run we have to play defense. Everyone kinda has to do it.
On whether the Storm is more comfortable:
I think we’re just getting more and more confidence the more we play with each other. Tonight was a great example of that. We’re really getting the feel, the chemistry. We had a lot of things open up this off-season and I think people are stepping up into those roles, and learning them and accepting them.
On going on the road:
Championship teams win on the road. You have to obviously take care of your home court. We would have liked not to lose that game to L.A. but unfortunately we did. Now we have to get our road record started and hopefully we can get a W.
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On the defense:
Our defense was great. It felt just really great. We just don’t want to have another like game like L.A.,basically.
On whether the Storm is more comfortable:
It’s fun. It’s just going out there and being able to play my game. I was just enjoying it. It’s really important, especially for my confidence and everything, just to come out and play strong and get back to my regular game.
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DAN HUGHES:
On the game:
I thought Seattle played very well and deserved to win. Their second-half performance was extremely strong. Lauren Jackson played a very tough-minded game. To be honest with you we didn’t have an answer for her when she got herself down on the block. I give credit to Seattle. I thought they played very well and I give credit to Jackson. She really competed and was physical down on the block. That’s the reason why this Seattle team was successful the past two years.
On what he told his team:
I wasn’t pleased with the way we played. We have to have a better sustained effort defensively to create the kind of environment you want on the road. You’re not going to come in here and outscore Seattle. I was really displeased in the second half with the way we defended and how many open looks we gave Seattle. Offensively, I didn’t think we converted well the whole game. When we did get good looks, which we actually did have some, we just didn’t convert or finish plays with any regularity. We never created the type of game where we created from our defense … we just couldn’t get stops in the second half. But I give credit to Jackson - they played through her and she played very well.
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CHANTELLE ANDERSON:
On her transition to Seattle:
Each day is a little bit better in terms of getting used to what people do and their little tendencies. We have a lot of people that aren’t used to playing together and that’s evident on the court. We all have to try and play together. I’m going to continue to adjust. The biggest thing for me right now is not only adjusting to new teammates but adjusting to a completely different role on a different team. I have no doubt it’s going to come. I’m going to just continue to keep working hard in practice and continue to try getting better - that’s what we all have to do.
On playing in her home state:
I have people from my high-school basketball team here so it was nice that they came. I wish they could’ve seen a better game and seen my team play a little bit better. This was kind of embarrassing … actually, not kind of, it was very embarrassing. We just have to find a way forget about it, bounce back and stay positive and stay together. But yeah, it’s always nice to come back and see people.
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WENDY PALMER-DANIEL:
On how to turn things around:
We just have to find a way to play better as a team. They’re the defending champions and you know they are going to play well and with a lot of emotion, energy and confidence. But we have to find a way to play as a team night in and night out and just get it done.
