I've included the post-game press conferences in this article because I have to be up early tomorrow, so there won't be a Part 2 for this game.
Some talking points to discuss.
- The playoff atmosphere at the end of the 4th quarter of this game (I asked Awa and Coach Raman about this)
- Golden State's "analytics" basketball, where they chuck up as many three-pointers as possible. For games where they're making their shots, it's great. But on a game like tonight, where they shoot 8-37 FG (22%), it's bowling shoe ugly. They took 14 more three-pointers than the Storm and made two fewer. I'm sorry, but that's NOT good basketball even if the analytics tell them it is. I'd much rather see more movement, screens, baseline cuts, pick-and-roll, and dominant post-play. To the Valkyries' credit, their physicality on defense allows them to disrupt their opponents and limit them. But I'd much rather watch the Minnesota Lynx execute their offense than what Golden State does.
- How does it feel to watch Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams come back to Seattle in back-to-back games and be a large reason why the Storm lost? Is that tough to swallow as Storm fans?
The fact that the front office seems to have a clear plan and vision for this young team smoothes over a lot of the game-to-game storylines with former players, not to mention the true respect I have for them from a talent perspective and as people. So yeah, none of that really stings, except maybe for the fact that I really thought Gabby would be part of their plan. I still think she should have been, it was a mistake to let her walk. But I wouldn’t be surprised if that was her decision, and she wanted to win more now.
How does it feel re: Nneka & Gabby? For me it’s fine. Nneka was part of an attempt to build a championship team with vets, and it really could have worked—we had moments last year where we looked the part, but also just inexplicably HORRIBLE basketball at other times. I felt like for both parties, moving on just made sense. Gabby, I suppose is a bit more of a sting because I envisioned her as part of our youthful rebuild and I do think she could have been a key piece we are missing. I’m not mad or upset, but in reflecting on the question I could see us sitting at maybe 4 to 6 losses vs 12. But then again, if GSV didn’t have Gabby, they likely wouldn’t have traded that pick, so there’s that.
Frankly barely beating a 3-12 team doesn’t look good for an 8-5 team. They benefited heavily from our youth’s (continued) inability to score, yet struggled against our D.
The Nneka and Gabby issue, for me, doesn’t sting much, mainly because it feels like that was a front office choice to not press hard enough to entice them to stay, and I loved both during their time here. Last night, I was way more bothered by Janelle Salaün continuing to be a problem, and watching Tiffany Hayes sink her grotesque looking jumpshots, and her ridiculous histrionics, than by anything Gabby did. I’m not the biggest believer in the the Storm FO, but they 💯 made the right call letting the vets move on.
Yeah I enjoy their defensive work, but yeah that offense is not the least bit fun to watch. I continue to be impressed by Salaun, we sure couldn’t take advantage of their lack of height. And Gabby is still awesome.
Regarding “bad” offensive games, we definitely keep being in them, and it seems clear we drag teams into the mud with us. I think we really frustrate and tire out teams with our effort and grit, however we do end up with some pretty physical games. I would really like the Storm to play a little more cautious and little less reckless even if it costs us slightly, cause I can’t watch that many near injuries.
We definitely could have won this game. It's a good thing that the Valkyries weren't hitting their 3-pointers or it could have been a real wipeout. I loved the intensity at the end which kept everyone engaged and hoping for at least an overtime game. ‘T’ was great and definitely playing at an All-Star level. Too bad no one ran interference for her on that last shot. Dom was kind of absent in the first half but looked good in the second half.
Personally I think it’s a mistake for coach Raman to designate the last shot to Hiedeman. Against the Sparks, Melbourne was open yet Natisha took an off balance shot. Against the Valkyries, the Storm had 12 seconds to move the ball around to a (hopefully) more open shooter - yet the ball never left Hiedeman’s hand until that failed shot against one of the tallest defenders on the court. I do not believe Natisha is a selfish player (quite the opposite, actually). I put this more on our new, fairly inexperienced head coach. I like her a lot though, and I believe she’s going to grow as well from this season.
I wonder, too, if some of it is having a lot of hesitant shooters and really lacking another experienced wing-type player who could create (and make) her own shot. We don’t have a lot of “bucket getters.” Flau’jae will get there, but she ain’t there yet.
I've included the post-game press conferences in this article because I have to be up early tomorrow, so there won't be a Part 2 for this game.
Some talking points to discuss.
- The playoff atmosphere at the end of the 4th quarter of this game (I asked Awa and Coach Raman about this)
- Golden State's "analytics" basketball, where they chuck up as many three-pointers as possible. For games where they're making their shots, it's great. But on a game like tonight, where they shoot 8-37 FG (22%), it's bowling shoe ugly. They took 14 more three-pointers than the Storm and made two fewer. I'm sorry, but that's NOT good basketball even if the analytics tell them it is. I'd much rather see more movement, screens, baseline cuts, pick-and-roll, and dominant post-play. To the Valkyries' credit, their physicality on defense allows them to disrupt their opponents and limit them. But I'd much rather watch the Minnesota Lynx execute their offense than what Golden State does.
- How does it feel to watch Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams come back to Seattle in back-to-back games and be a large reason why the Storm lost? Is that tough to swallow as Storm fans?
The fact that the front office seems to have a clear plan and vision for this young team smoothes over a lot of the game-to-game storylines with former players, not to mention the true respect I have for them from a talent perspective and as people. So yeah, none of that really stings, except maybe for the fact that I really thought Gabby would be part of their plan. I still think she should have been, it was a mistake to let her walk. But I wouldn’t be surprised if that was her decision, and she wanted to win more now.
How does it feel re: Nneka & Gabby? For me it’s fine. Nneka was part of an attempt to build a championship team with vets, and it really could have worked—we had moments last year where we looked the part, but also just inexplicably HORRIBLE basketball at other times. I felt like for both parties, moving on just made sense. Gabby, I suppose is a bit more of a sting because I envisioned her as part of our youthful rebuild and I do think she could have been a key piece we are missing. I’m not mad or upset, but in reflecting on the question I could see us sitting at maybe 4 to 6 losses vs 12. But then again, if GSV didn’t have Gabby, they likely wouldn’t have traded that pick, so there’s that.
Frankly barely beating a 3-12 team doesn’t look good for an 8-5 team. They benefited heavily from our youth’s (continued) inability to score, yet struggled against our D.
The Nneka and Gabby issue, for me, doesn’t sting much, mainly because it feels like that was a front office choice to not press hard enough to entice them to stay, and I loved both during their time here. Last night, I was way more bothered by Janelle Salaün continuing to be a problem, and watching Tiffany Hayes sink her grotesque looking jumpshots, and her ridiculous histrionics, than by anything Gabby did. I’m not the biggest believer in the the Storm FO, but they 💯 made the right call letting the vets move on.
Yeah I enjoy their defensive work, but yeah that offense is not the least bit fun to watch. I continue to be impressed by Salaun, we sure couldn’t take advantage of their lack of height. And Gabby is still awesome.
Regarding “bad” offensive games, we definitely keep being in them, and it seems clear we drag teams into the mud with us. I think we really frustrate and tire out teams with our effort and grit, however we do end up with some pretty physical games. I would really like the Storm to play a little more cautious and little less reckless even if it costs us slightly, cause I can’t watch that many near injuries.
We definitely could have won this game. It's a good thing that the Valkyries weren't hitting their 3-pointers or it could have been a real wipeout. I loved the intensity at the end which kept everyone engaged and hoping for at least an overtime game. ‘T’ was great and definitely playing at an All-Star level. Too bad no one ran interference for her on that last shot. Dom was kind of absent in the first half but looked good in the second half.
Personally I think it’s a mistake for coach Raman to designate the last shot to Hiedeman. Against the Sparks, Melbourne was open yet Natisha took an off balance shot. Against the Valkyries, the Storm had 12 seconds to move the ball around to a (hopefully) more open shooter - yet the ball never left Hiedeman’s hand until that failed shot against one of the tallest defenders on the court. I do not believe Natisha is a selfish player (quite the opposite, actually). I put this more on our new, fairly inexperienced head coach. I like her a lot though, and I believe she’s going to grow as well from this season.
I wonder, too, if some of it is having a lot of hesitant shooters and really lacking another experienced wing-type player who could create (and make) her own shot. We don’t have a lot of “bucket getters.” Flau’jae will get there, but she ain’t there yet.
Mikaylah williams is a bucket getter.
Wake me when it’s 2027…