I agree that she could be utilized more. I'm starting to wonder if she should be closing some of these games instead of Jade Melbourne. Horston will give more on the defensive end and with rebounding. They aren't losing out on any three-point shooting as both players struggle in that department. I don't think Jade has given them enough with playmaking, passing, or running the offense, where she has to be on the court at the end of games.
I did ask Coach Raman if Horston or Katie Lou Samuelson were still on any minutes restriction, and she confirmed to me in the pregame that they are not.
I was thinking the same thing about Jordy. Her defense is great already and I think she has the potential to score more, too. She seemed pretty confident these past 2 games.
You guys see something in Horston’s game that I don’t. Yes, I think she’s an asset on defense. No, I don’t think she’s a difference-maker. If she was a difference maker, folks like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Kayla McBride wouldn’t be having career nights against us. And I gotta say: she’s not the player I want at the 3-pt line. Agree that Jade isn’t who I want on the floor when we’re trailing in clutch time. I’d argue that lately it’s Zia Cooke.
It's not that I see something in Jordy's game as much as I think she has the potential to be so much more. She showed lots of promise as a rookie in 2023 (make the All Rookie team even though she was drafted 9th). She missed all of last year, so I don't think she's shown us who she can be, especially offensively.
This is so not serious, but during yesterday's game, we started calling Napheesa "Natisha Collier" and started calling Natisha "Napheesa Heideman" and we thought we were pretty funny. We are enjoying watching this team develop and learn on the fly. Losing is not fun for them, but I think they're dealing with it constructively.
I’m pretty sure I heard Storm PR announcer Matt Pittman say “Natasha Hiedeman” at one point yesterday. Natisha, Napheesa, and Natasha (Howard) all in the game yesterday. It was probably easy to get mixed up.
A few games ago, some newby dudes sitting behind us kept calling Natisha Natasha. I kindly corrected them (they didn't mind) and the person sitting in front of us quietly thanked me for correcting them.
I've added the post-game press conference audio interviews, as I don't think I'll get around to doing a 3rd article today, after publishing two game recaps today with this one, and the LA Sparks four-point loss to the Phoenix Mercury posted over in The Short Corner.
If you have any questions from today's game or in general, you can drop them in the comments section.
In looking at some analytics on Horston, the team's defensive rating is +11 points per 100 possessions when she is in the game. While you need offense when the game is tight, I would argue stopping the other team is as much if not more important. It is perplexing the HC is not using Horston much at all in the 2nd half, especially the fourth quarter.
She has been hitting her stride more on offense too, but I have noticed they just sit her in the corner and then use her to set screens. It appears they do not involve her in their offensive scheme. I am perplexed at her limited minutes.
I think people forget she was on the all wnba rookie team and had a great year before her ACL injury.
Jordan is hitting her stride again but is being under-utilized. What are your thoughts Jeff (and anyone else with ideas)?
I agree that she could be utilized more. I'm starting to wonder if she should be closing some of these games instead of Jade Melbourne. Horston will give more on the defensive end and with rebounding. They aren't losing out on any three-point shooting as both players struggle in that department. I don't think Jade has given them enough with playmaking, passing, or running the offense, where she has to be on the court at the end of games.
I did ask Coach Raman if Horston or Katie Lou Samuelson were still on any minutes restriction, and she confirmed to me in the pregame that they are not.
I was thinking the same thing about Jordy. Her defense is great already and I think she has the potential to score more, too. She seemed pretty confident these past 2 games.
You guys see something in Horston’s game that I don’t. Yes, I think she’s an asset on defense. No, I don’t think she’s a difference-maker. If she was a difference maker, folks like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Kayla McBride wouldn’t be having career nights against us. And I gotta say: she’s not the player I want at the 3-pt line. Agree that Jade isn’t who I want on the floor when we’re trailing in clutch time. I’d argue that lately it’s Zia Cooke.
It's not that I see something in Jordy's game as much as I think she has the potential to be so much more. She showed lots of promise as a rookie in 2023 (make the All Rookie team even though she was drafted 9th). She missed all of last year, so I don't think she's shown us who she can be, especially offensively.
Totally agree with that!
This is so not serious, but during yesterday's game, we started calling Napheesa "Natisha Collier" and started calling Natisha "Napheesa Heideman" and we thought we were pretty funny. We are enjoying watching this team develop and learn on the fly. Losing is not fun for them, but I think they're dealing with it constructively.
I’m pretty sure I heard Storm PR announcer Matt Pittman say “Natasha Hiedeman” at one point yesterday. Natisha, Napheesa, and Natasha (Howard) all in the game yesterday. It was probably easy to get mixed up.
You did, Jeff. You did.
A few games ago, some newby dudes sitting behind us kept calling Natisha Natasha. I kindly corrected them (they didn't mind) and the person sitting in front of us quietly thanked me for correcting them.
Just call her T, it's a lot easier
*Hiedeman 😉🥰
I've added the post-game press conference audio interviews, as I don't think I'll get around to doing a 3rd article today, after publishing two game recaps today with this one, and the LA Sparks four-point loss to the Phoenix Mercury posted over in The Short Corner.
If you have any questions from today's game or in general, you can drop them in the comments section.
In looking at some analytics on Horston, the team's defensive rating is +11 points per 100 possessions when she is in the game. While you need offense when the game is tight, I would argue stopping the other team is as much if not more important. It is perplexing the HC is not using Horston much at all in the 2nd half, especially the fourth quarter.
She has been hitting her stride more on offense too, but I have noticed they just sit her in the corner and then use her to set screens. It appears they do not involve her in their offensive scheme. I am perplexed at her limited minutes.
I think people forget she was on the all wnba rookie team and had a great year before her ACL injury.