Check out the video from postgame press conferences:
- Storm Head Coach Brian Agler
- Storm guard Sue Bird
- Sparks Head Coach Michael Cooper
- Sparks center Lisa Leslie

Also listen to our locker-room interview with Sheryl Swoopes.

I only caught Leslie’s press conference. She and Swoopes took contrasting views on which side was responsible for the physical nature of the game, which … well, it’s not exactly a surprise at this point of the season. Leslie downplayed the notion that the Sparks were frustrated, but it certainly looked that way when she drew a technical foul. Cooper and Candace Parker were close to getting T’d up themselves.

Swin Cash’s Game 1 T was out of character for the Storm, who – with the possible exception of Lauren Jackson – rarely draw technicals. According to Dougstats.com, Storm players were whistled for five technicals in the regular season (two by Jackson), while L.A. was called for nine (three by Leslie). They don’t have the numbers on coaches, but I can only think of one from Agler, that coming in the closing seconds of a loss at Houston.

- If you were at the game, you saw the introduction of the Third Annual Stormy Awards during a timeout. Even if you weren’t there, you still have the ability to check out and vote for the three candidates here on storm.wnba.com through Tuesday. I’m still not sure which direction I’m leaning.

- I haven’t mentioned that Connecticut’s Mike Thibault won Coach of the Year honors yesterday, edging out San Antonio’s Dan Hughes and Agler, who finished third with five votes. I think any of the top three would have been very deserving winners. I was a little surprised the vote went so strongly to Thibault (he received 24 of the 45 votes), but maybe that’s a result of having only one vote as opposed to voting first-second-third or something like that.

The Storm’s secret weapon? Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Before the game, when I interviewed Michael Cooper, he threw me a curveball by mentioning the Storm had focused in practice on defending Sue Bird (which made sense) and Lauren Jackson (huh?). I wasn’t exactly sure what to make of that, but Cooper’s logic became clear during a rare noteworthy postgame press conference.

“We’re expecting to play against a team that’s going to suit Lauren Jackson up,” Cooper said, looking ahead to Game 2.

And what gave Cooper the idea Jackson could play?

“The basketball gods,” he mused. “I just think there’s something about that – she’s down here for a reason. Obviously, it’s for team morale and camaraderie, but she’s walking pretty well on the other end every time I watch her. We’ve got to be ready to play her.

“As a coaching staff, we prepared for her for this game here. We’re not going to leave any stone unturned. We’re going to stay ready, and if they do (play her), it won’t be a surprise to us. They’re a very good basketball team without her, but they become a great team with her.”

Things got more fun when Storm Head Coach Brian Agler followed Cooper to the dais. He was asked whether Jackson was going to start (along with whether he had been in contact with the basketball gods)

“No, I don’t think she’ll start on Sunday,” Agler deadpanned.

(Note that he left the door open to Jackson playing off the bench.)

(That was just a joke. She’s not going to play.)

Anyways, the mood of the Storm after the game was disappointed but not downbeat. Getting off to a better start and not having to play from behind will be key for the Storm. Coach Agler said he thought the team settled down after halftime, and also gave credit to Los Angeles for simply playing a strong first half. Yolanda Griffith was resolute about the next two games, saying the Storm will be fine.

Historically, losing Game 1 on the road has actually worked out well for the Storm, who have won both series that have started like that, both in 2004 – the Western Conference Finals against Sacramento and the WNBA Finals against Connecticut.

Postgame video courtesy WNBA.com:
Agler
Sue Bird
Cooper
Lisa Leslie

Going off the Sparks playoff slogan and the NBA commercials:

NBAE/Getty Images

Also, here’s a link to Sue’s blog previewing this series.

In case you haven’t seen our press release, tomorrow night’s Game 1 of the Storm-Sparks playoff series will air at 11:00 p.m. tape delayed on FSN locally. The game will also be available live on NBA TV, and that broadcast will be replayed. If you can’t watch the game live – or even if you want to watch it again or TiVo it – that’s a great alternative. I’ll also be offering our Live From Press Row liveblog from courtside at the STAPLES Center during the game, so make storm.wnba.com part of your Game 1 plans.

Some odds and ends:
- If you didn’t see it, I put together a preview of the other playoff series using teams similar to this year’s squads.

- WNBA.com polled its writers on year-end awards, and Sue Bird shares their imaginary MVP award with Candace Parker, both players getting two votes.

- Oh, did I mention they’ll both be on the floor tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m.?

- Mechelle Voepel of ESPN.com has her playoff preview up, and as usual it’s hilarious and not to be missed. Voepel also cast her MVP vote for Bird.

- If you haven’t read The Olympian’s recent column on the Storm, it’s a must-read on a topic one of the Seattle dailies ought to consider for a column, the team’s success contrasted against what has unquestionably been a tough year for local sports fans (speaking as one of them).

You can mope all you want, Washington sports fans. But what the Storm have
given you this year is top-notch, home-owned excellence. Ignore them at your own
miserable peril.

For your listening pleasure:
Storm Head Coach Brian Agler offers general updates.
Sheryl Swoopes talks about her recovery from the concussion she suffered Sept. 6.

Interviews from today’s practice:
Head Coach Brian Agler
Sue Bird
Swin Cash
Yolanda Griffith

Enjoy!