Game Thread: Sue Bird's Late Heroics Lift Storm To The WNBA Finals
by Nate Parham on Sep 5, 2010 2:30 PM EDT
in WNBA
Email
PrintWho: Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm
Where: Phoenix, AZ
When: Noon PST
What: Believe it or not, the Storm can actually make more history today with a win in Phoenix...and of course Diana Taurasi has never lost a playoff series.
Watch: National TV: ABC
Summaries: Storm 91, Mercury 88
SBN Arizona storystream: Mercury Lose Game 2 In Heartbreaking Fashion, Storm Advance To Finals
SBN Seattle storystream: Storm Headed To The WNBA Finals With Unbelievable Win in Phoenix
See the game thread with CoverItLive or in the comments below.
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I haven't looked at the score yet, but I will say this
OVJ, if you’re reading this, I want you to know that there were iffy calls going both ways. In other words, Game 1 was a typical WNBA playoff game.
Also, it’s only going to get worse as we move to Phoenix. You’re up against the team with the best road record in the league, and in Game 1 we forced you to play our style of basketball. You call it ugly, we call it defense. It may not make the crowd oooh and aaahhh, but it’s more effective than trying to outscore opponents. It’s a thing of brilliance. But Phoenix teams and fans (both the Suns and the Mercury) never appreciate it.
Now let me check the score…
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Ah ha ha ha
Silly me. I live on mountain time, not pacific time. The game starts at 1:00. I didn’t miss anything.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
That explains why there's no comments
Oh well, in the meantime I can watch Amanda Bynes play soccer and masquerade as a boy.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
What's the name of the movie?
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Yeah - your first comment had me confused....
But glad to see that Storm fan passion
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
I expect Phoenix to lead early
They HAVE to get take the crowd’s energy and get off to a good start. But as the game goes on, Seattle will make their own run and the game will settle into a battle of will.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
A battle of will that we will win, of course!
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Howdy all
won’t be commenting too much during the game but good luck to the Storm fans. Can’t hate on how much you support your team.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Hi Seth!!
Good luck today!! Hope the game is a goodie :)
by Jessica Lantz on Sep 5, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Good luck to you too!
Hope you lose! LOL
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Phoenix coach: "We have to rebound, we have to attack, and we have to go get it"
And that’s pretty much it! LOL At least it’s better than “Come on guys, let’s play harder”
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Sue Bird going high for the dreb!!
Damn…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Taurasi
with the eff-you three to start. Anyone surprised?
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Not at all.
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Looks like we're going to try to beat you at your own game
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
This is already a really different game...
Made layups!
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
I've been at those 3-point clinics for Phoenix
If today is one of those, then Seattle might have some difficulties…
Wow
that was a sweet new play from the Merc w/ those double screens switching back to get Dupree rolling. Gonna want to watch that again in slo-mo
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Swin Cash...
is back…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
THAT WAS HORSE SHIT
WHERE’S THE FOUL?
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
You wanna talk about being targeted?
The refs aren’t doing Tanisha Wright any favors.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Merc have to be happy w/
pace of the game but I have no idea why Johnson would go under screens w/ Sue Bird handling the ball
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
God
What about some defense out here guys? This is not our game!
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
You're right
Storm are getting caught up…
But the Merc are bailing them out with missed 3s
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Taurasi is throwing daggers right now...
But the Storm are getting back and set defensively
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Good to see Seattle fans in the crowd
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Storm trying to
slow tempo on offensive end by working ball more…which of course is what they do. Smart though to see them not get sucked into shooting quick
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Hey guys,
Do you know how to keep a hand in the face of a shooter?
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Look at Taurasi go
What an oaf
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Braxton is like...
Christmas in July? Ummm… srsly? She’s not quite that cool. I wouldn’t bring her any gold, frankincense and myyrh…
Taurasi
regrets giving the ball up to Meek on that FB…credit DB w/ the defense forcing the extra pass. She looks much better so far
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
that was a horribly executed 4 on 1 break just there....
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
That
was bullshit
You don’t deserve to be on the floor if you let yourself get bullied to all the way to the backcourt.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Much better game
great to see both teams represent on National TV
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Agreed!!
I always get nervous on national tv games…want the teams and the league to put their best foot forward to the general public. So far, so good!
by Jessica Lantz on Sep 5, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
There was no way they would have two terrible games in a row...
From both teams…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Ha!
This is soft basketball.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
All right, Abraslanova
you redeemed yourself for that last possession
How are ONLY down 2?
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Me too...
Hardly saw it at all in Game 1…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
At the moment...
Every single player on both teams is playing better….
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Sue Bird with another big dreb!
She’s not trying to come back to Seattle for game 3
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Don't have the numbers...
But I believe a lot of those were on longer boards, not her going to the glass so aggressively…
That’s what’s striking to me – she’s usually averse to being in the paint.
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
2 straight threes
You call this great Phoenix basketball?
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
how have we only gone to the line 3 times so far?
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Merc Adjustment
Braxton isn’t covering LJ out of the perimeter, letting a smaller player do that
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Sue Bird is not having a good series
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Jesus Christ
You’re bigger and stronger than these guys. Stop letting them back you into a corner
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Stop whining, Diana
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Bullshit
You miss a wide open 3
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Storm are sagging
off Temeka preventing the open pass to Dupree so she’s being aggressive and effective w/ that pull up J in the lane…she has to hit that shot to open up things later for Candice
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Storm are sagging all right
I’ve never seen Sue Bird look so decomposed.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Defensively?
Just watch more closely then…and start with their last home game against the Lynx…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
And against the Lynx
it was Whalen’s physical play.
Not uncommon at all.
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
LeCoe
has good position but loses rebound to a guard…somethings never change
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
In fairness though...
She’s been much better as a rebounder this year as she has focused on scoring less…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
those short
arms and lack of lift in the legs are always going to be a problem….not much she can do about that
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
those are WIDE open shots
Anyone can make those. Anyone except Sue Bird, that is
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Anyone can make threes 3-4 feet behind the 3 pt line?
I beg to differ.
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Absolutely unbelievable...
Thing is, the shots aren’t a whole lot different…she’s hitting ridiculous shots…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
anyone gonna guard her at all tdoay? Hmm…I’m wondering.
by Jessica Lantz on Sep 5, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
to be fair
Mercury are executing their offense and creating open looks off penetration…
Storm defense is designed to help and Merc taking advantage. When you have a lot of weapons on the floor that’s going to happen
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Exactly.
I see more than anything we’re seeing how difficult this team is to guard when they execute in the half court.
The Sparks did something similar (when they were successful) — make the Storm work for 24 seconds and don’t lose your cool as they rotate. Good execution can beat this defense.
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Good offense
always beats good defense in basketball but it’s easier to get less talented players to play good defense than play good offense…
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Good time out
Storm are all kinds of flustered right now and DT heating up…interesting that Agler is sending a double team on Braxton and not trusting LJ to single cover her. Must be trying to keep her out of foul trouble.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
On TV he just said he didn't want to let her put the ball on the floor...
So it sounds like someone just isn’t doing something…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Now we're trying to catch up with the 3
That is not going to work
What has happened to our inside game. We’re making Phoenix look competent on defense.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
The interesting difference between this big lead and the 18 point one in Seattle
It’s not the Mercury just racing up and down the floor getting fb layups… it’s the Mercury actually executing and hitting in half court sets, even if that includes an array of Taurasi shots…
Harder to come back from that….
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
5-0 run by shooting layups
About time
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
I am fucking sick of "California Gurls"
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
So swearing's not allowed on Swish Appeal?
Sigh……………………….
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
there's a limit
and certainly swearing “at” people is not
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
sorry
i didn’t mean it to be directed at any of you…
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Wow, great job by
Storm to fight back at the end of the half
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
I am really losing it
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
i mean i'm going completely insane
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Awesome. Enjoy that. I hear insanity can be an … interesting … state of mind.
by Jessica Lantz on Sep 5, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
it's not
you lose your humanity, and everyone turns against you
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
First five minutes of the 2nd half
are key…if Merc can extend lead they should close out the game…if Storm continue run and retake lead then we are in for a dog fight
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
How big?
Of a lead do you think is necessary for the Merc to feel ‘safe(er)’?
by Jessica Lantz on Sep 5, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
10 or 12 should do it
based on how the teams are playing so far
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
blehhhh.............
I don’t….want to hear….“eyes on me” anymore……………
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Nobody has mentioned it much...
But how about the play of Meek today?
Wow.. she’s having a MUCH better game….
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
lol
I was just writing that line in my head for the recap :)
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
well
that was a big foul to call on LJ there. Her 4th. They felt bad to they called the same thing on Smith. Merc will take that trade
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
and I wonder if Gaines will be going straight at her now
sometimes a fixation with fouling a player out can be damaging…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
usually he won't
do that….doesn’t like to adjust his game plan for things like that
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
The way they're playing right now...
That’s a good move….
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
god....
why…are the storm….letting themselves get backed into the sidelines….
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Yeah - I thought last game wasn't her style of play...
Much more hardnosed play going to the rim today.
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
but she's still
not aggressive as she’s been and certainly not converted as many…been huge for Meek to step up with Penny not playing “well”
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Definitely.
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
OK...now this is looking more like the first half at KeyArena
Transition to Dupree and good D
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
If we don't get this to single digits by the time the 4th quarter starts...
we’re cooked.
This is embarrassing.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
That's ridiculous...
There is nothing you can do about a shot like that defensively…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Short of double-teaming her to deny the ball
Which is just a lost cause …wow…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
And of course Sue Bird doesn't answer
of course
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
she still
needs to shoot more…she can get a shot on Johnson any time
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Not her style.
And that’s both a positive and negative with her – she remains poised and stays within the game plan….
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Game Ova...
DT has the hate going.. Its on to the next game
Seattle awakening..
And if LJ can come back in and avoid fouling.. .they might be in good position
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Couple of good
defensive possessions by Jana…the steal there and great rotation to block Kara’s shot
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
And a nice oreb there too...
She’s been a very solid player….
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
LeCoe
can not guard Braxton…Merc will abuse that match up every time down the court
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
I was just going to type that ....
The Braxton trade is not going to determine this series, but it gives the Merc a great look with LJ in foul trouble…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
of course
the Storm did a great job bringing the help as well and limited the damage
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
sue for 3
she rises from the dead
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Ok I'm sold
sign me up for the Jana Vesala fan club
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Uh yeah...
She’s really good… the Storm just had no reason to play her when they were 22-2 :)
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Hey Seattle Chicken Littles...
You still up and squacking? 10 point game, way different than 16…they’re not gonna just give up and die…
Good hard playoff foul
Nothing to see here.. move along…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
In fact on replay...
Le’coe got a lot of ball with all that body…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Wow
nice foul from LeCoe…nothing dirty there and those two are great friends
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
well, that was worth it
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
not
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
now she can't play anymore
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Uhh Q...
you know there is a double standard for mens and womens games (in reference to your hard playoff foul) :)
Right on to the real and death to the haters (and their double standards) ;)
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Something interesting that I think people forget about Seattle...
They’ve stayed in this game — without LJ — with transition points….
They can run…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Well..
Phoenix taking a page out of the LA Sparks playbook with all the damn unforced turnovers helped with that a tad…
You rooting for anyone?
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Sure am...
I root for all UCONN players so either way Im good haha.. Honestly just like good games but if I had to be selfish I’d rather phoenix win so it wont cost me as much to get to the finals because I know Q will forget to get me from the airport if I have to head to Seattle…
lol
Can’t we all get along brotha?
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Ok
looks pretty good for Phx…got a bit out of sorts there with Braxton on the floor too long getting tired. Fairly confident about good Phx 4th qtr.
But of course, the Merc didn’t take advantage of Jackson and Bird resting either
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
I wonder how long Agler will leave LJ on the bench given that the Storm played the best all afternoon with her there...
He normally sticks with what’s working…just can’t recall a time when that was without LJ
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
as long as he doesn't panic
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
I don't know about this
I mean we certainly can win…if we play well consistently. But we haven’t. We’ve only shown brief flashes of brilliance for a few minutes each quarter.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
I have to commend your team for that
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
That ball movement is geting them much better shots...
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Temeka Johnson
playoff high in points and assists – 15/9
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
There's a difference I didn't necessarily expect
Credit Gaines for having such faith in her when the bigger lineup has worked so well
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Turnovers in this game...
As Gaines said, it was a problem in the third… with the Merc having a tov% of around 30%….
The thing is, the Storm have stayed in the 20s in turnover percentage and they’re not going to beat a team playing this well like that… not they’re style…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Credit 112575 for noticing this before I sifted throug the numbers...
I’m slow…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
yipee
we’re shooting free throws the rest of the way
but we suck at shooting free throws
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
What do you think Seattle is good at man? lol
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
nothing today
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Offensive rebounding is solid today... much better in fact...
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
yeah, but we aren't getting points off of rebounds
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
lol
I am sitting right next to the Storm broadcasters…they are pretty funny
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Adia and Dick?
Panicking? Sky is falling? The championship dream is on the brink of falling apart? :)
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
yup
that’s them….slamming fists on the table on every Storm foul
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Kindly remind them of the ft advantage in game one...
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
and 20-19 so far in this game..gotta love the homer calls (which isn’t to say they are the only ones that do that of course)
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
finally
we can’t miss threes every time
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Storm
attacking of the dribble much more and getting to the line…smart
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
i was going to be so angry if that was a loose ball foul against us
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Oh my lord...
If anyone claims that DT was left open please direct them to that last shot…
That’s insane….
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Both teams hating
on the refs…that’s a sign of a well-called game :)
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Seattle
gets to a LOT of 50/50 balls…love the hustle
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
time...is...beginning...to run out...
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
all right
this is just not our day
this is not going to happen in Seattle
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Right..
Really that’s all that can be said…
But I’m still not counting Phx out… if they play this well anything can happen….
They have nothing to lose – Seattle is the team chasing history this year…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Wow...
That’s just unbelievable… just throwing the ball into the basket…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
You know
the Merc really annoy me w/ these fouls….slap down at the ball and then complain about the call. Keep your hands up!
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
smart foul?
Seattle’s better off shooting free throws than trying to create their own shot.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
not with the clock
in the Merc favor…oh I get it, bagging on Seattle poor FT % – 66.7%
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
Well, there's still a lot that can happen
But Seattle’s not going to win by shooting 3s
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
basket will count and a foul
we can still win this
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
we don't need to shoot 3s
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Stop. The. Presses...
Seattle is right back in it.. wow…
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
17 point deficit gone...
And you know what’s weirdest? I’m very calm right now. I thought I’d be jumping up and down and screaming, but I’m not. Maybe it’s because I never thought it was over (well, except for that one comment I made)
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
one comment?
I count a few more than that..
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
all right
this is just not our day
this is not going to happen in Seattle
That was the only time I truly thought we were not going to win. I swear.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
phoenix comes up empty again
we can win it with the final shot here.
Again, I’m really chill right now. I don’t know why. Maybe because this is giving me flashbacks to Portland VS Detroit game 5 of 1990, when Portland lost a 7 point lead with 2 minutes left.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Here's my take
A couple of calls went the Storm way the Mercury let it into their head
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
what
balls to go for a three there and not a two
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
I'm speechless...
SwishAppeal.com for women's basketball...SB Nation Seattle for Seattle sports. Twitter: @QMcCall3.
Ah..............
Sue Bird for 3.
How fitting. After looking like compost the whole game.
This is nothing short of beautiful.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
This is going to be an instant classic
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Great win for Seattle
can’t give them enough props for that….good luck in the Finals. They deserve it.
Raising Arizona Sports at SB Nation Arizona twitter: @sethpo
I'm sorry Seth
Phoenix did so many things right…they deserved to win this game.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
And just like that,
poof, the series is over.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE WNBA FINALS!
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Sue Bird, I apologize for all the things I said about you
You’ve done more than redeem yourself. I am so proud of you.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
Congratulations to the Mercury on a game for the ages
You guys were right. This is much better basketball. Playing scrappy doesn’t always work, and the Mercury deserve a lot of credit for giving us all we could handle. They made clutch play after clutch play to keep us at arm’s length, and we had to play with a lot of perseverance to weather the barrage. But as Rick Fox said, success is a long journey. When you face adversity, you have to grow through your mistakes and failures in order to overcome whatever is keeping you back.
Also, I want to apologize to everyone who had to put up with my insane rambling today. That warning I received was just what I needed. I sure am going to miss jousting with the Phoenix fans the rest of the way. OVJ, if you’re reading this, I wish you could have been here today, and Seth, I hope you’re willing to watch the rest of the playoffs. Your team played an incredible game today, and I don’t want you to get down on yourself.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Fuck the repeat. This ain't 2007. Storm all the way, baby!
82-74
If there is anyone out there who recorded this game
I’ll gladly fork over sick money to get a copy.
I'm a diehard Cavs fan, proud to say I never owned a LeBron jersey.
79-66
81-66: We swept the Purple and Gold at Staples!
82-74
91-88: We dethroned Phoenix after being down by 17!
The Sparks? Check. The Mercury? Check. The Eastern Conference Champion? Bring it on. We're ready for anything you've got. Let's go Storm!
"The Little Bird"! (and all the other brilliant athletes we witnessed today)
“Oh, my goodness!!!” as Dick Fain would holler. He must be floating on the ceiling even as I type.
The friend I was raving at earlier this week (the one who watched her first ever W game last Thursday) gave it another shot today, and just e-mailed me about “The Little Bird” and her amazing three-pointer. Now she’s looking forward to the finals.
(But will the W pay me a finder’s fee?).
Whew. That was wonderful. I was almost hoping Phoenix would win so we could watch them go head-to-head in Seattle again, both teams at full power.
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