Postgame Quotes/Notes - Storm 75, Los Angeles 74 (Game 2)
RELATED CONTENT | |||
| |||
TONIGHT'S NOTES | |||
|
|
|
BRIAN AGLER:
On
Sue Bird's late three-pointer:We were just trying to get a basket, trying to get a score, obviously get Sue a shot if we could. (A three) wasn’t a necessity because we just wanted to get on the scoreboard and extend the game a little bit. Fortunately, she hit the three, which she’s done numerous times this year in the clutch, whether it be a game-winner or to extend the game whatever it might be. And then we just made a play defensively after that.
On whether he thought the game was over when the Storm trailed by four with 10 seconds left:
No, because we have a team that plays with an extreme amount of heart. I think anybody who has played against us or watched us play knows that we’re going to play with a lot of effort and energy. We’ve got people out there who aren’t going to quit. Now, did it look good for us for a second? No, it didn’t look good. But 
Camille (Little) and 
Tanisha (Wright) defensively just made a great play. We got an opportunity to make a layup and we’re playing Sunday.
On his message at halftime:
We had a calm conversation and made some adjustments. We knew we had to get a little bit more active. I don’t think there was any secret ingredient. We just came out and played with energy. It didn’t happen right away. We didn’t jump on them right away and get back into the game. It took a while. We were fortunate tonight, there is no question. They’ve got a great team. We had a chance to make a couple plays when we needed to and we did. It didn’t look good there for a while.
|
On the end of the game:
I don’t think you can write that. That was an incredible finish for us. Those are the types of games that … I don’t even know. We were down four with 10 seconds left, and you stay in the game but you never really know what’s going to happen. We really did a great job of just giving ourselves opportunities. Like I said, you can’t write that. I mean getting a steal when you actually need it to win the game? That doesn’t happen very often.
On her late three-pointer:
The play was just to try to get me the ball at the top of the key for a shot. And when you’re in a do-or-die situation, it wasn’t drawn up for me to have to fake and double-pump a little bit, but I’m glad it went in.
On Sunday's Game 3:
So far both games have been very physical. A lot of these games are mental. Whatever team makes a mistake, the other team capitalizes on it. We just need to stick to our game plan. I expect a fired-up L.A. team. I wouldn’t blame them. So we’re going to have to match their intensity, if not exceed it.
I’m sure L.A. is kicking themselves right now, but at the same time all of the talk in our huddle - particularly from 
Swin (Cash) - was the game’s not over yet. We still had the ability to foul, put them on the free throw line, we made a couple of shots and we were able to steal it. You have to have that mentality; otherwise you’ll never win.
|
On the game:
I thought it was a very good basketball game. We had an opportunity to win, but that’s the fun part about basketball – it’s not over until that last second ticks off and the clock says 00. Unfortunately for us, today when it did that, the Seattle Storm was on top.
On the closing seconds:
It was our inability to get the ball in and I think that was the biggest thing. Our defense … we were switching everything and we let Sue get open for a shot. Without Lauren Jackson, she’s the most dangerous player on the floor at all times. Again, we kept her pretty quiet most of the game, but it’s that last-second shot where she’s a big-time player in this league. She deserves all the accolades she gets and she showed you why. I thought we did a good job on her, though. She only got loose for that one basket. We don’t necessarily prepare for Sue Bird; we prepare for the Storm because they’re a very good basketball team.
On his message to his team:
You've got to get over it. We’ve got another one. That’s why it’s a three-game series. Again, all they’ve done is what they were supposed to do – won their home-court game. There’s a third game to be played on Sunday and I guarantee it’s going to be just as exciting as this one. Coach Pat Riley used to tell us in the playoffs that the playoffs don’t begin until one team wins on the other team’s home court. And all they did is held serve.
On turning over the inbound pass:
It’s not about getting it inbounds. When a team is pressuring you like they were and switching and denying, sometimes it’s difficult to get it in. But you have to make the right decision. Was that the right decision? I’m pretty sure Noelle (Quinn), if she had to do it over again, would make another one. But you can’t second guess yourself at that time. You just have to get the ball where it’s supposed to be and the people inbounds have to get their hands on it and hold on to it.
|
On the game:
It doesn’t get any better, except that we didn’t win. We just have to do it all over again on Sunday.
On the Storm's second-half comeback:
They did a good job of playing good defense. We just had way too many unforced turnovers. Our turnovers were ridiculous at one point.
On outrebounding the Storm:
That’s nothing new - not for them, but just around the league. If we can keep our turnovers down and outrebound them, then shoot the same percentage, we’ll be fine. The good thing is we have another game, another opportunity. That’s what I love about playing basketball. We let that one get away so we’ll be right back at it and ready to go.
