I never would have predicted the Lynx would have the best record with the roster they built. Certainly credit to Miles, but I give even more credit to Cheryl Reeves as a GM and coach. Every year, she seems to pick players that have a backup role -- Alanna Smith, Nia Coffey -- and turn them into All Stars. It makes me happy to see Natasha Howard playing at such a high level, too. Sue said on her podcast that Tash really focused on her workouts and nutrition this off-season and you can tell.
Exactly! A few years ago I was mad at her because she basically refused to play Jewell Loyd on the Olympic team she was coaching. Now I view that differently - I think it speaks to her insistence on team play.
I hear you. Team play and defense. Those are her trademarks. Well that and being the best team in the third quarter -- I don't know what she says in the locker room at halftime but you can never count the Lynx out before the second half.
Lynx look like a steamroller. As excited as I was watching the 1st quarter, it felt very ominous the Lynx were only down 8 in the first quarter despite the deluge of 3s.
I too thought we might have an advantage in the front court with our size and speed to get out in transition on older defenders, but wily vets, way too many turnovers, and Olivia’s stellar passing squashed that. It feels like Olivia holds the ball out forever when she drives right but so clearly hard to stop if Horston couldn’t touch it and then Olivia seemed to have an answer to anything we threw at her after that. I think you’re on track with MVP talk.
And I completely agree about Flau’jae. My biggest two worries going into the year were not being able to pass into Dom/Awa and Flau’jae having to do too much. So far both a problem! You don’t want her to change her mentality but playing hero ball isn’t great for her development. It’ll be a tough thread to needle; may we find our own maestro at PG sooner than later!
The early stats about Seattle being one of the best defenses are misleading. That’s mostly because the Storm’s early schedule put them up against the rest of the bottom-feeders. The reality is that they have never had (and still don’t) their full complement of their best players on the floor. Stephanie Dolson is close to being on her last legs (she can hardly bend over to grab a loose ball even when it’s right in front of her). Zia Cooke can’t cover inside on switches (she’s too small - and that’ll never change). Mackenzie Holmes can’t get out to the 3-pt line to cover on switches (she’s just not fast-twitch athletic enough). Lexie Brown couldn’t box out if her life depended on it. Katie Lou Samuelson is slow, can’t jump and is just totally ineffective on defense (she can’t shoot either but that’s a story for another day). We (us fans) need to realize that bringing in a ‘veteran’ isn’t going to magically change anything. That ship has sailed. The Storm made a decision to commit to a young and upcoming roster (and I think that was the correct decision given the vain attempt last year to play it out with an aging roster). Right now we’re an incredibly young team. If Fam and Malonga had grown up in the US - they’d still be playing college ball as a sophomore and junior. If anything, we should replace some of the roster with players who might have upside in another year or two. I think the future is bright if the Storm are patient and thoughtful with their personnel decisions.
Well Lexie was waived. Not shocking after her play time plummeted but I hope it’s not something else going on and she catches on elsewhere.
Curious if the Storm have their eye on someone else or just want to elevate Taina. Plenty of interesting players in development spots around the league, plus players like Sug Sutton who got released the other week.
I had wondered about Mair, Sutton, or Julie Vanloo, but instead, the team has announced they've converted Taylor Thierry from a development spot to a standard contract. I wonder if another team was about to sign her to their 12-player main roster, and Seattle made this move to prevent that from happening. It's also possible she has just really impressed in practices, shootarounds, etc., and they wanted to keep her more than Lexie.
I know I don’t know everything behind the scenes, but I was hoping we’d go for Tash Cloud. We sit next to the visitors’ bench and I’ve watched her for years sit with the younger players. She worked with Raman @ NYL so I was hoping this would be the year. I understand it’s a rebuild, but a solid vet’s guidance for a young core is critical. Maybe Raman didn’t like the fit, maybe Cloud didn’t want to come here…but from an outside perspective of someone who’s sat next to visitors’ bench for some time..She seemed like a good choice to me.
I like Heideman (and have as I like MINN), but strictly from observation, she looks a bit over her head…and there’s part of me that thinks (again from the optics) that she came to get paid and take on a larger role and might regret that decision as she was in an ideal place (MINN) that she loved.
I believe there was also a moment where Cloud took shots or said something negative about the Storm ownership group during the offseason (but before Free Agency started). I don't remember the specifics, but I am pretty certain I saw a video clip of it somewhere months ago. If that is indeed accurate, that would be another reason why Seattle didn't sign Cloud.
Really, if they were looking to sign Cloud, then they should have just re-signed Skylar. They need Diggins' offense, and her ability to feed entry passes to Dom, Ezi, or Awa would help the team significantly.
Obviously, all of this would have been a moot point if the Storm were able to draft Olivia Miles. But unfortunately, I think Cheryl Reeve was drafting her no matter what. Even if Dallas had selected Awa Fam, Reeve still would have taken Miles (I think), and then Fudd would have fallen to Seattle.
Seattle's process wasn't bad in signing Natisha Hiedeman and Jade Melbourne. Both players have experience running the point. Jade is only 23, so there is certainly still tons of room to grow there. Hiedeman isn't 30 yet, so there is more long-term potential than bringing in Cloud.
I think the Storm are in a situation where it'll take multiple years to fully build this thing out. Remember, the Aces drafted Kelsey Plum, A'ja Wilson, and Jackie Young, and still needed to go out and get Chelsea Gray before becoming the championship-winning team that they became.
Yeah, I’ve heard the talk of Cloud dissing the Storm execs which if true is definitely a deal breaker. I hear the long term potential with Heideman in her age, but I don’t know if I’m seeing the fit TBH. I remain optimistic, but if I’m honest here, it has been a question mark for me.
The off hand production of Flaujae is a great info piece btw. Thanks for adding and giving your input on it!
I never would have predicted the Lynx would have the best record with the roster they built. Certainly credit to Miles, but I give even more credit to Cheryl Reeves as a GM and coach. Every year, she seems to pick players that have a backup role -- Alanna Smith, Nia Coffey -- and turn them into All Stars. It makes me happy to see Natasha Howard playing at such a high level, too. Sue said on her podcast that Tash really focused on her workouts and nutrition this off-season and you can tell.
Cheryl for Coach of the Year (again)
Exactly! A few years ago I was mad at her because she basically refused to play Jewell Loyd on the Olympic team she was coaching. Now I view that differently - I think it speaks to her insistence on team play.
I hear you. Team play and defense. Those are her trademarks. Well that and being the best team in the third quarter -- I don't know what she says in the locker room at halftime but you can never count the Lynx out before the second half.
Lynx look like a steamroller. As excited as I was watching the 1st quarter, it felt very ominous the Lynx were only down 8 in the first quarter despite the deluge of 3s.
I too thought we might have an advantage in the front court with our size and speed to get out in transition on older defenders, but wily vets, way too many turnovers, and Olivia’s stellar passing squashed that. It feels like Olivia holds the ball out forever when she drives right but so clearly hard to stop if Horston couldn’t touch it and then Olivia seemed to have an answer to anything we threw at her after that. I think you’re on track with MVP talk.
And I completely agree about Flau’jae. My biggest two worries going into the year were not being able to pass into Dom/Awa and Flau’jae having to do too much. So far both a problem! You don’t want her to change her mentality but playing hero ball isn’t great for her development. It’ll be a tough thread to needle; may we find our own maestro at PG sooner than later!
The early stats about Seattle being one of the best defenses are misleading. That’s mostly because the Storm’s early schedule put them up against the rest of the bottom-feeders. The reality is that they have never had (and still don’t) their full complement of their best players on the floor. Stephanie Dolson is close to being on her last legs (she can hardly bend over to grab a loose ball even when it’s right in front of her). Zia Cooke can’t cover inside on switches (she’s too small - and that’ll never change). Mackenzie Holmes can’t get out to the 3-pt line to cover on switches (she’s just not fast-twitch athletic enough). Lexie Brown couldn’t box out if her life depended on it. Katie Lou Samuelson is slow, can’t jump and is just totally ineffective on defense (she can’t shoot either but that’s a story for another day). We (us fans) need to realize that bringing in a ‘veteran’ isn’t going to magically change anything. That ship has sailed. The Storm made a decision to commit to a young and upcoming roster (and I think that was the correct decision given the vain attempt last year to play it out with an aging roster). Right now we’re an incredibly young team. If Fam and Malonga had grown up in the US - they’d still be playing college ball as a sophomore and junior. If anything, we should replace some of the roster with players who might have upside in another year or two. I think the future is bright if the Storm are patient and thoughtful with their personnel decisions.
💯
Well Lexie was waived. Not shocking after her play time plummeted but I hope it’s not something else going on and she catches on elsewhere.
Curious if the Storm have their eye on someone else or just want to elevate Taina. Plenty of interesting players in development spots around the league, plus players like Sug Sutton who got released the other week.
I had wondered about Mair, Sutton, or Julie Vanloo, but instead, the team has announced they've converted Taylor Thierry from a development spot to a standard contract. I wonder if another team was about to sign her to their 12-player main roster, and Seattle made this move to prevent that from happening. It's also possible she has just really impressed in practices, shootarounds, etc., and they wanted to keep her more than Lexie.
I feel like, thus far, natisha hiedeman has been a disappointment as a pg. Her passing and finding dom and awa on the roll, has looked pretty bad.
I know I don’t know everything behind the scenes, but I was hoping we’d go for Tash Cloud. We sit next to the visitors’ bench and I’ve watched her for years sit with the younger players. She worked with Raman @ NYL so I was hoping this would be the year. I understand it’s a rebuild, but a solid vet’s guidance for a young core is critical. Maybe Raman didn’t like the fit, maybe Cloud didn’t want to come here…but from an outside perspective of someone who’s sat next to visitors’ bench for some time..She seemed like a good choice to me.
I like Heideman (and have as I like MINN), but strictly from observation, she looks a bit over her head…and there’s part of me that thinks (again from the optics) that she came to get paid and take on a larger role and might regret that decision as she was in an ideal place (MINN) that she loved.
I believe there was also a moment where Cloud took shots or said something negative about the Storm ownership group during the offseason (but before Free Agency started). I don't remember the specifics, but I am pretty certain I saw a video clip of it somewhere months ago. If that is indeed accurate, that would be another reason why Seattle didn't sign Cloud.
Really, if they were looking to sign Cloud, then they should have just re-signed Skylar. They need Diggins' offense, and her ability to feed entry passes to Dom, Ezi, or Awa would help the team significantly.
Obviously, all of this would have been a moot point if the Storm were able to draft Olivia Miles. But unfortunately, I think Cheryl Reeve was drafting her no matter what. Even if Dallas had selected Awa Fam, Reeve still would have taken Miles (I think), and then Fudd would have fallen to Seattle.
Seattle's process wasn't bad in signing Natisha Hiedeman and Jade Melbourne. Both players have experience running the point. Jade is only 23, so there is certainly still tons of room to grow there. Hiedeman isn't 30 yet, so there is more long-term potential than bringing in Cloud.
I think the Storm are in a situation where it'll take multiple years to fully build this thing out. Remember, the Aces drafted Kelsey Plum, A'ja Wilson, and Jackie Young, and still needed to go out and get Chelsea Gray before becoming the championship-winning team that they became.
Yeah, I’ve heard the talk of Cloud dissing the Storm execs which if true is definitely a deal breaker. I hear the long term potential with Heideman in her age, but I don’t know if I’m seeing the fit TBH. I remain optimistic, but if I’m honest here, it has been a question mark for me.
The off hand production of Flaujae is a great info piece btw. Thanks for adding and giving your input on it!
I wonder why Cloud would’ve had reason to diss the Storm FO. Interested to know more.