Neil Enns/Storm Photos
Even the next morning, this one stings.
I suppose you could say that about any season-ending loss, but they are not created equal. In the debate on whether it’s more difficult to lose in lopsided fashion or drop a close game, consider me firmly on the latter side. When the game isn’t close, it’s easy to accept that the other team was simply better and move on.
In this case, when the game wasn’t decided until Candice Dupree scored an unscriptable putback with 1.9 seconds remaining, it feels like there should be one more game, one more overtime, even one more play. (Oh, to see what Sue Bird might have done with those 1.9 seconds had the Storm had a timeout left to set something up.)
The cliché is that at some point, losses hurt more than the wins feel good, even for a team that has experienced as much success as the Storm has in the Bird-Lauren Jackson era. One of the biggest benefits of winning is as simple as extending the season and playing on. That’s especially true in the WNBA, what with the long offseason that now stares us in the face. As long as teams play on, they stay together. As soon as the year ends, players scatter within days to all ends of the country and the world.
It’s going to take some time for that reality to set in.
“Right now, it just feels like, ‘We have a game in two days. We must,’” said Bird, eloquent even in heartache. “Obviously, we don’t. It will set in as the playoffs continue – every time we see a commercial, every time we see a game, it’s a reminder.”
That other WNBA teams still battle for a championship that, up through last night, belonged to the Storm is a reminder of what might have been. I think that’s what separates this season from some of the Storm’s past first-round losses. When Jackson was sidelined in 2008 and 2009, advancing deep into the playoffs was too much to ask of the remaining Storm players, no matter how hard they fought. The two years before that, the Storm simply wasn’t as good as a team as the opposition. To find an equivalent to this year, I think you have to go back to 2005, the last time the Storm defended a title. Then as now, the Storm won the opening game of the series in convincing fashion (on the road in Houston) before losing two in a row, including the deciding game at home.
What will stand out looking back are opportunities the Storm missed last night. A score here or there could have made it a double-digit game at the break and left Phoenix disheartened. When referees tried to tighten the game in the third quarter, Storm players lost their composure and committed fouls that proved costly both in terms of putting themselves in foul trouble and putting the Mercury on the free throw line. And missed free throws loomed large in a two-point game.
One of the dangers of fandom is putting too much of the credit or the blame on your own team and forgetting there is another one on the other side just as responsible for the outcome. Phoenix’s players deserve every bit of credit for the way they played last night. In fighting back from an 18-point deficit, the Mercury showed its own championship character, and the talent of Penny Taylor was on full display after Diana Taurasi fouled out. Dupree and DeWanna Bonner battled tirelessly in the paint against bigger Storm opponents and Nakia Sanford was the ultimate gamer in this series, fighting through a sore right knee to prove a difference-maker in the last two games.
Despite all that, the Storm found itself a stop away from overtime. It didn’t work out this time.
“We thought we could win and we did a lot of good things tonight,” said Brian Agler, “but sometimes things aren’t meant to be. That’s sort of how this game was. It wasn’t meant to be tonight.”
Over time, the bounces tend to even out. The Storm caught plenty of breaks on the way to last year’s WNBA championship. I’m sure that Phoenix lamented losing Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Bird’s clutch three the same way we will look back on this loss. There were also three narrow wins in the WNBA Finals against Atlanta. Last night, the bill for those close wins may have come due.
No matter how many times we look at last year’s trophy, that still hurts.
E-mail feedback
RSS Feed
It’s a tough loss, and the ladies played their hearts out. I am wondering though, where in the world was Swin Cash or Katie Smith? They bot both seemed to be mentally checked out. The Storm always need that 3rd player to step up, aside from LJ and Sue. Last night, that 3rd player wasn’t there…
How does that quote go? Something like “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” I am heartbroken that our season is over, but I had an amazing time at all of the games; it was totally worth the 6-hour round trip and going back to work on multiple occasions looking jaundiced from my face paint from the night before :D
#redcapefans
As an ardent storm fan that’s watched you all season, you’ve exceeded my expectations getting home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The way Phoenix scored the last bucket, it was a miracle really. I really applaud you LJ, for coming back earlier than anyone expected from your hip surgery. I watched such a surgery online, and you have had remarkable courage and tenacity and risked reinjury. I saw you fight last night until you crashed to the floor at least twice with at least one Phoenix defender. I’ve loved the fortitude of every starter. Hopefully, the owners and Agler will think carefully about the structure of next year’s bench. That was really a key component in 2010 that led them to the championship — it really eased the physical demands on the starting five. Again, great season with what you had..looking forward to 2012!
Tough loss. But that doesn’t change the fact that once again you gave us great basketball this year. It doesn’t change the fact that you entertained us, thrilled us and made us hold our collective breath at times. It doesn’t change the fact that you are still the best franchise in league history and because of your greatness, Seattle is and will always be a basketball town. Thanks for leaving it all out there on the hardwood. lookin’ forward to next year. :o)
I can NOT believe it! We had a 19 point lead for crying out loud….we missed easy lay-ups, lots of free throws, no help from the bench and tired key players, and worthless fouls! Bench where were you?????
However, quite a few of those fouls called on us by the referees I still can’t see…not even after reviewing my recorded version of the game! What where they looking at? LJ got manhandled…no call! People got tripped (purposely)…no call! Sanford faked a foul…got her call & celebrated when she did!!! Where do they get those referees from? We are sitting right behind the bench and we were really put off by DT’s mouth, attitude and poor sportsman ship. The key players displayed bad sportsman ship all the way around…Dupree standing in the middle of the court throwing kisses towards the fans, clapping her hands and taking a bow was like a slap in the face…do you really have to mock us? Do they have skills & talent? Oh yes they do…no doubt about it, but sometimes other things are equally, if not more important and that’s what they are lacking…big time!
Since we are eliminated, I really don’t care who wins the Championship, however, I do know who I truly hope will NOT win…take a guess! lol
Anyway, I KNOW one thing for sure and that is that Brian will make free throw skills a MUST have for the team :)
Btw…what Rahkout said goes for us to…we had a ball while it lasted! When does the next season start? lol
I agree with Agler that ‘it was not meant to be’. The Storm missed opportunities they ordinarily would not miss — especially the free throws. We can be upset about the missed calls, the too-tight calls, the overtly-aggressive play of DT, but when it comes down to a 2-point loss, we only have ourselves to look at and wonder. This loss does hurt more than a game when you were just out-right beat by the opposition. This one stings. DT’s play is another topic for another time, however. Thank you STORM for another great season. You don’t need a championship to be successful, although it helps.
I just want to say thank you to all the Storm players for playing with heart, class, and integrity. Grace is not always easy and last night our ladies showed just that. True sportsmanship and true role models for everyone. Hope to see players like Coe and Katie and yes Sue Bird back next year. Always a champion in the heart and eyes of the Seattle Stormcrazies. See you all next season. Bring It On!!!!
I was pretty ticked off when I left the Key last night, but after having an evening to think about it I am going to have to go with what the coach said, it wasn’t meant to be. The Storm played well, Phoenix could show a little more sportsmanship and class on the floor, but all in all it was a great game and I had a wonderful time at the Key this season. Thank you Storm for giving us your all, I hope you feel we gave you ours.
Nice writeup by Kevin Pelton.
Just to add some more perspective, Game 3 was a phenomenal, entertaining game–a real instant classic. It just didn’t come with a happy ending. Think about the surges and swings in the game: how Phoenix looked dead to rights in the second quarter and then how in the third quarter the Storm were completely thrown off by Phoenix’s zone defense. The dramatics and the chippiness. And then clutch shot after clutch shot down the stretch. That off-balance jumper with 15 seconds left just adds to the legend of Sue Bird.
I want to thank the Seattle Storm for another great year of WNBA basketball. Win or lose I know this team gave it their best effort. I couldn’t be more proud these extraordinary athletes. God bless. See y’all next year.
It was certainly a heartbreaking loss. We had so many chances to put Phoenix away. Most disturbing was the poor calls by the refs – it looked like Phoenix had paid them at times with the calls they were making, but our free throw shooting was equally as disturbing. We did let them rattle us. I can’t agree at all with Brian Agler that it just wasn’t meant to be. That sounds like a cop-out. I also don’t understand why he didn’t talk to the refs and seriously question their officiating – he could have done it & done it in a way that would make them think twice about making ticky-tack foul calls w/o getting a penalty himself. It’s the playoffs for god’s sake and they should let the players play and not call incidental contact or in some cases, no contact at all like when Sue Bird supposedly fouled Taurasi and never even touched her. That was just one of several phantom fouls. This was our game to win. We should be playing Minnesota this week, then headed back to the WNBA Finals for a rematch with Atlanta! Hopefully, we can bring our top 7 or 8 back with a stronger bench so we can get the title back next year. I’m going to miss not going to Storm games anymore this year.
a challenging season with the team showing great character throughout….ending with a heartbreaking loss. However, it’s time to assess the future and the future is somewhat troubling. Coach Agler, while very good, possibly great as a coach, has shown a penchant, as director of player personnel, to favor the veteran player over the development of the younger player. Granted, the excellent performances in prior seasons, has left the Storm with low draft choices. Still, it is fair to question Coach Agler’s affection and penchant for attempting to wring the last ounce of performance out of aging supertars at the cost of developing younger talent. It didn’t work with Sheryl Swoopes ( although she did perform admirably this year on a poor Tulsa team). It didn’t work with Yolanda Griffin. And sadly it didn’t work with Katie Smith (0-17 in the two home playoff games) although she did seem to turn back the clock a bit in the last 5 regular season games. The team is aging and one of its superstars is physically breaking down repeatedly. I wonder if 2-3 years from now the team will need an entire rebuild from the ground up. And isn’t it curious why Sue Bird wasn’t signed to an extension during the regular season as LJ, Taurasi and Penny Taylor all did. The salary cap rules set the veteran max salary so it wasn’t as if elongated negotiations were necessary….at least over money. A good summary of the issues can be found at http://www.sportspressnw.com in the piece by Todd Dybas called “Same old Story for Storm”. The time is now for Karen Murray and Brian Agler, if he intends to remain with the Storm longterm, to address this “aging core” issue before the Storm suffers the same fate as the post-2001 Mariners which organization still suffers for its lack of vision in developing generations of new players. As a Storm fan, I sincerely hope that Storm management will give serious attention to the issue.
Thank you STORM Players, Coaches, Owners and ALL Staff,
It was great fun throughout the season and I thank you all for another great year. Wishing you all the Best in your off season activities. Thank you again for a great year.
Warmly,
~ Becky
my apology……….of course, I meant to say Karen Bryant.
It’s a heartbreaker of a loss, for sure. I’m really sad. But I love this team, and that’s not going to change. I have to say that I disagree with realist, who feels that age is the problem. Bird has never played better in her life! She deserves to be the league’s 2011 MVP. Yes, Jackson’s had bad luck with injuries, but so have a host of younger players around the league this year. Age has nothing to do with it. LJ’s work ethic is nothing short of amazing; I wouldn’t trade her for 10 of anybody else. I’m not sure what happened to Katie Smith during the playoffs, but in those last regular season games she was a rocket. Wright, Little, Willingham, Robinson – terrific players all.
I want to thank the Storm players and coaches for another thrilling season. You guys continue to inspire. I hope everybody has a great and healthy off-season (though, yeah, for most players there is no ‘off-season’). I can’t wait till next year. Onward!
My heart goes out to all of our Seattle Storm players. This was not how your season was to end. Win, lose, or draw you each are loved by your Storm fans. Best of luck in the off season, and hopes for a WNBA Championship in 2012.
First and foremost, THANK YOU Storm players, coaches and staff for providing Seattle with the best in the game of basketball.
I am a Storm fan to the core, nothing will shake my loyalty. I had tears in my eyes on Monday night. It just wasn’t supposed to end like that for us.
Please rest and get healthy – We’ll be back!!
Love the Storm and reading all the great comments. Even “realist” although your reality does not match mine.
So sick of people talking about the early exits. Look how many teams don’t make the play offs or have never won a championship. The Storm organization has been putting a contender on the floor year after year. I love the players and the organization is a class act. And this age business argument is getting more tired than the storm itself. Absolutely we will need to do some rebuilding but you can get hurt at any age. LJ has been battling with injuries forever. And when did 30 get so dang old? We have lots that we can work on and get better at (free throws and lay ups please). But who really believed that we’d even be contending after not having LJ for 20 games? We actually had the 3rd best record in the WNBA this season and were just a bucket away from winning this series.
The effort that these women put forward given all the adversity that they faced is absolutely amazing. True professionals and I am grateful for the privilege of supporting them. Thank you Seattle Storm!
The hard part was not being able to thank you guys for fighting so hard and playing through bad calls and poor sportswomanship; I know I feel bad that we didn’t win but nothing compared to what you guys are feeling. It’s also hard not being able to say goodbye to our great team. After so many years, it’s like you’re family. and now I read that Sue also is playing with an injury. Ladies, take care of yourselves this off season, maybe a spa trip, camping and smores, a beach outing, relax; You deserve it. You guys did a great job but as many have already said, it wasn’t meant to be this year. But next year…
see you there.
I agree with all the above however it is a way to state anything in a more sincere fashion. No player or players
should be singled out because they have just that much under their belts. Life is not on time in a victory at all
times but we can leave them with encouragement and hopeing that they come back and take what should of
been. I respect each and everyone of them because being fprmerly educated before entering the leaque hopefully they will know what to do for themselves if the desire and determination is still in each and everyone which I hope it is because I was seeing a chmpionship each time I sat on my couch an watched. I feel like it was a tough swallow the way the game ended. hopeing it makes each and every lady storm ready for upcoming seasons play with a vengence mission. Hard off season Focus and determination during offseason for preparing for 2012.
Hopeing Sue and Swin an extra edge of preparation for London 2012 to make the roster, hopeing for them.
They just missed to many shots. The Storm played a much better game ( the refs took the moumention and at least 10 points away from them) They just put up to many bricks . Maybe they should try Lauren Jackson at power forward like she wants she seems to get hurt when she plays center.
Ummm T Wright kicked some serious ass the whole series. There is your third player…not hitting easy shots in the paint is what killed them. And of course all the missed 3s didn’t help…