I was VERY pleasantly surprised at how well the Storm played. Last year, I thought Seattle’s age caught up with them as they got out-hustled in the second half in almost every game last year. There was none of that last night. In fact, Seattle reminded me of the energy that the Valkries played with last year. So I’m super excited to see this season unfold. As for individual players: Johnson looked superb - like one of the leaders of this team even though it was her first preseason game! Malonga will continue to grow into a star. Jade has developed into a serious asset - but she needs to play under a bit more control. Mair is going to develop into a starting PG in the WNBA - it would be a mistake to not have her on the roster. Vanslooten was a pleasant surprise! And she’s actually capable of snagging an offensive rebound! Lexie can score but she continues to be one of the sloppiest passers in the W. If Ezie is smart, she will watch and learn from Dolson’s toughness. I loved how Zia Cooke is not afraid to drive into the paint. And Rennia Davis was an eye-opener. She put the team on her back coming down the stretch last night! Kudos to the ENTIRE coaching staff! And maybe kudos to Talisa Rhea for bringing in all these wonderful young women to Seattle - they’re an easy group to root for and I’m going to enjoy watching them play basketball this year!
Like Dick Fain, I was surprised by how organized we looked in the first half for such a young team. Dolson's veteran presence and communication were huge for keeping us together. Great to see UW's Elle Ladine get a chance at the final shot. My favorite two plays of the whole game were Flau'jae's behind the back dribble 3 and Jade's steal off the inbound. Looking forward to seeing more of the rookies -- Grace and Davis impressed me the most. Tough calls on who to keep.
There were a lot of positives from this game. I thought Rennia Davis played phenomenally - like a woman possessed. She was putting the team on her back and determined to get us the win and she fell just short of doing that. Grace VanSlooten also looked quite good along with Jaelyn Brown, Zia Cooke and Lexie Brown. I would have liked to have seen Flau'jae Johnson and Dom Malonga in the game at the end for that stretch run but winning isn't as important as evaluating in the preseason, so I understand. I hadn't given Rennia Davis much of a shot of making this roster before this game, but she definitely increased her chances. For our next preseason game, we need to see players like her play a lot more minutes and I'd like to see Jalyn Brown playing SOME minutes.
While I love a good youth movement, I really miss having solid veteran leadership. Seattle should have retained Gabby or Skylar. The team needs ONE solid, productive veteran playing now—not on the injury report.
If Rennia Davis were the only training camp invitee that we kept on the team (on either the active roster or the DS), but we kept all 4 of our draft choices plus our free agent signings and our other veterans, that would give us 15 players, so we can't do that.
Rennia Davis looked great in very limited action. We need to see a lot more of her on Wednesday to know if we should keep her instead of one of our 4 draft choices. I think that's the only way she makes the roster or the DS.
Also we should see a lot more of Taina Mair and Grace VanSlooten and I'd like to see Mackenzie Holmes play as much as Grace either playing together or each playing with Stef Dolson. Zia and Lexie need to play more, too, for further evaluation.
Jeff: Do you have a sense of what the Storm’s general approach to using the Dev Squad is/will be? Seems there are at least two broad models: (1) viewing it primarily as a true developmental vehicle, focusing on players with long term upside, who aren’t quite ready to contribute immediately; or (2) a replacement mechanism for injured/unavailable rostered players. There seem to be a lot of implications for whatever choice they make, given for example, Ezi’s situation, and maybe KLS’ and perhaps Hiedeman’s. It would be unfortunate if the team has to cut loose (or conversely, retain) players to address indeterminate length injuries. It’s also unfortunate that was no PUP mechanism included with the CBA, which would make decisions easier.
I don't think she is ready for that, but they definitely need to get her more reps. I'll be interested to see how she does in Wednesday's preseason game against the Fire.
I was VERY pleasantly surprised at how well the Storm played. Last year, I thought Seattle’s age caught up with them as they got out-hustled in the second half in almost every game last year. There was none of that last night. In fact, Seattle reminded me of the energy that the Valkries played with last year. So I’m super excited to see this season unfold. As for individual players: Johnson looked superb - like one of the leaders of this team even though it was her first preseason game! Malonga will continue to grow into a star. Jade has developed into a serious asset - but she needs to play under a bit more control. Mair is going to develop into a starting PG in the WNBA - it would be a mistake to not have her on the roster. Vanslooten was a pleasant surprise! And she’s actually capable of snagging an offensive rebound! Lexie can score but she continues to be one of the sloppiest passers in the W. If Ezie is smart, she will watch and learn from Dolson’s toughness. I loved how Zia Cooke is not afraid to drive into the paint. And Rennia Davis was an eye-opener. She put the team on her back coming down the stretch last night! Kudos to the ENTIRE coaching staff! And maybe kudos to Talisa Rhea for bringing in all these wonderful young women to Seattle - they’re an easy group to root for and I’m going to enjoy watching them play basketball this year!
Like Dick Fain, I was surprised by how organized we looked in the first half for such a young team. Dolson's veteran presence and communication were huge for keeping us together. Great to see UW's Elle Ladine get a chance at the final shot. My favorite two plays of the whole game were Flau'jae's behind the back dribble 3 and Jade's steal off the inbound. Looking forward to seeing more of the rookies -- Grace and Davis impressed me the most. Tough calls on who to keep.
There were a lot of positives from this game. I thought Rennia Davis played phenomenally - like a woman possessed. She was putting the team on her back and determined to get us the win and she fell just short of doing that. Grace VanSlooten also looked quite good along with Jaelyn Brown, Zia Cooke and Lexie Brown. I would have liked to have seen Flau'jae Johnson and Dom Malonga in the game at the end for that stretch run but winning isn't as important as evaluating in the preseason, so I understand. I hadn't given Rennia Davis much of a shot of making this roster before this game, but she definitely increased her chances. For our next preseason game, we need to see players like her play a lot more minutes and I'd like to see Jalyn Brown playing SOME minutes.
While I love a good youth movement, I really miss having solid veteran leadership. Seattle should have retained Gabby or Skylar. The team needs ONE solid, productive veteran playing now—not on the injury report.
Still sore about letting Gabby walk, she would have been such an asset.
It’s heartwarming to know she’s happy to have family close by. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/all-star-gabby-williams-thrilled-joined-golden-22226009.php
If Rennia Davis were the only training camp invitee that we kept on the team (on either the active roster or the DS), but we kept all 4 of our draft choices plus our free agent signings and our other veterans, that would give us 15 players, so we can't do that.
Rennia Davis looked great in very limited action. We need to see a lot more of her on Wednesday to know if we should keep her instead of one of our 4 draft choices. I think that's the only way she makes the roster or the DS.
Also we should see a lot more of Taina Mair and Grace VanSlooten and I'd like to see Mackenzie Holmes play as much as Grace either playing together or each playing with Stef Dolson. Zia and Lexie need to play more, too, for further evaluation.
Jeff: Do you have a sense of what the Storm’s general approach to using the Dev Squad is/will be? Seems there are at least two broad models: (1) viewing it primarily as a true developmental vehicle, focusing on players with long term upside, who aren’t quite ready to contribute immediately; or (2) a replacement mechanism for injured/unavailable rostered players. There seem to be a lot of implications for whatever choice they make, given for example, Ezi’s situation, and maybe KLS’ and perhaps Hiedeman’s. It would be unfortunate if the team has to cut loose (or conversely, retain) players to address indeterminate length injuries. It’s also unfortunate that was no PUP mechanism included with the CBA, which would make decisions easier.
Taina Mair should be the starter even if Hiedeman is ready to go
I don't think she is ready for that, but they definitely need to get her more reps. I'll be interested to see how she does in Wednesday's preseason game against the Fire.
That's not likely. She has 2 more experienced PG'S ahead of her. She needs time to develop and prove herself.