Postgame Quotes/Notes - Storm 81, Connecticut 69
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TONIGHT'S NOTES | ||
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ANNE DONOVAN:
On Sue Bird's nose injury:
It was just continually bleeding.
On the game:
In the first half we had nine boards. In the second half, we had 18. We got focused in the second half and finally made a game of it. You’ve got to give Connecticut a ton of credit. They took us out of the flow of our offense. We got frustrated when we couldn’t run our offense, and so we decided not to rebound. And then we chased them all night long in transition. They’re running game was mighty good.
On the Storm's effort:
We had stretches where people tried, just tried, to make something happen. I think we just got frustrated with our offense. We didn’t stick with it and try to break it down.
On Margo Dydek's performance:
Dydek did a great job clogging up the paint, and that altered 
Janell (Burse) and then 
Suzy (Batkovic), when she came in. That all limited what 
Lauren (Jackson) could do.
On the intensity of the game:
It was a physical game, but it always is. When you’re playing Connecticut, you can expect a physical game.
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On the game:
Basically we were behind all game. We were always trying to get back into the game. There was a lot of pressure to try and make (the offense) work. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen for us..
On tomorrow's game at Detroit:
We just need to regroup. We were playing well before this game so it’s a matter of regrouping and everything will come back to us.
On the difference between this game and the WNBA Finals:
I mean, we lost that first game at the Mohegan Sun. There was a lot of intensity out there and it was hard. But I don’t think that was a factor out there for me personally.
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BETTY LENNOX:
On moving on for tomorrow's game:
It’s done, its done right now. When you guys get done talking to us, it's done. We have to bounce back. We have a game tomorrow and that’s what we have to look forward to.
On Batkovic:
I think she did really well for not knowing the plays. She went in and was aggressive. She got some key shots and some rebounds. I think she’s going to be great for this team.
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On her WNBA debut:
It was okay. It was kind of hard out there. I mean, I’ve only been with this team a short while. I’ve only really practiced with them once before (this game). It was kind of hard to see where I fit in. I’ve got to learn the plays, how they play, but it felt good to be out there.
On the Storm's performance:
I haven’t really watched the team play before and I haven’t really watched many WNBA games. Obviously, it’s disappointing that we lost, but I know the team can do much better.
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MIKE THIBAULT:
On getting a win before going on the road:
This victory is huge for us going on the road. We’re playing six of the next seven on the road, and this win gives us great confidence going out there, especially with the first one against Houston. We have to bring our heavy game to score a victory out there. This is definitely a good feeling to have with road trip.
On the game:
I don’t know what you say other than it’s a great regular season win. I thought we played, for two-thirds of the game, as well as we can play. We got a little sloppy at the end. We need to play a little better with a lead, but it’s nice to have the lead.
On Dydek:
Our team has developed a lot of trust in her. We have put her in positions to have big games. Her players have a lot of confidence in her and that’s help her to develop.
When you get someone in the post position that’s bigger and has good skills, it changes the dynamic of the game. What’s interesting is that’s she’s only scratching the surface. I can’t wait to see her develop as the season goes on
On Taj McWilliams-Franklin's performance:
I don’t see anyone playing better than her in this league. She wants to win a championship so badly. None of the young players can stack up when you have veterans like her playing so well.
Taj is playing great. I think Margo helps her, but Taj was close to being MVP in Europe. That’s her mindset.
On the rematch of the Finals:
We didn’t talk about last year in our practices. When you play a good opponent, you learn from the past.
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KATIE DOUGLAS:
On defending Lennox instead of Bird:
Coach switched up the matchups. That was just my assignment tonight. Lindsay went back on Sue Bird, guarding the point guard position, and I was on Betty.
On this year's Sun team versus last year's team:
I think where we were last year at this point, we’re leaps and bounds ahead. A lot of people saw it as a down year, and we were able to prove them wrong. This year, we’re nowhere near where we were last year.
On Dydek:
Margo changes this team a lot. If she doesn’t get a blocked shot, she has people thinking about it. We’ve never had (that) in my time with this franchise.
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On the rematch with Seattle:
I don’t care anything about what happened last year. I only care about what we’re doing now. We’re 4-1 in 2005. In order to finish where we ended last year, we have to concentrate on this game, and what it means for the conference and the championship this year.
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On how she feels:
Much better. Not all the way yet, but much better.
GUARD LINDSAY WHALEN:
On the rematch with Seattle:
This was more about us than about last year.
