Tempo Take Down Storm Part 2
Additional thoughts, discussion, and interviews from Seattle's loss to Toronto.
The Seattle Storm (3-6) lost again to the Toronto Tempo (5-4) for the second time this season. They kept the game close through the first 27 minutes. With the game tied 51-51 late in the third, the Tempo outscored the Storm 42-21 the rest of the way. If you missed it, you can read the full game recap at the link below.
In Part 2, I wrote about Kiki Rice’s impressive rookie campaign, Jordan Horston getting back to feeling comfortable on the court, and Seattle’s blown opportunities. I’ve also included several quotes and the audio versions of the post-game interviews.
Kiki Rice’s Impressive Start
I feel like my priors about Kiki Rice entering the WNBA Draft are coming to fruition. I legitimately believed Rice could be a consideration for the Seattle Storm with the third overall pick. I still believe the Storm were smart to draft Awa Fam, as many believed she had the highest upside of any of the draftable players. But Rice is showing why I and some others were very high on her.
Since entering the starting lineup for the Toronto Tempo, Rice is averaging 15.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 3.3 APG. Rice has scored in double figures in eight games in a row. The only game in which she didn’t score double figures was her WNBA debut.
I previously wrote before the draft took place, “Sometimes you just have a gut feeling, and Kiki Rice is someone I have been zeroing in on lately. I consider the Storm’s ‘worst-case scenario’ to be if the Dallas Wings take Azzi Fudd and the Minnesota Lynx draft Olivia Miles. That would leave the Storm with either of the top post prospects (Awa Fam or Lauren Betts) or one of the top remaining guards/wings (Kiki Rice or Flau’jae Johnson)… Kiki reminds me a lot of Veronica Burton. She might not be the flashiest player out there, but there is a lot of good you can see. After her impressive season in Golden State, I look at Burton as one of the league’s best young point guards. I think Kiki has that potential too.”