WNBA Fans Not Ready for Sue Bird to Retire After Huge Game as Storm Beat Mystics
Aug 21, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 21: Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm looks on during the second quarter against the Washington Mystics in Round 1 Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on August 21, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Sue Bird's swan song will continue in the semifinals.
The Seattle Storm point guard showed out yet again Sunday, notching a double-double (18 points, 10 assists) in her team's 97-84 win over the Washington Mystics.
The @seattlestorm are feeling it from the three-point line!
What I will always luv about @S10Bird & @DianaTaurasi is not only are they ELITE hoopers, theyโve stuck with one franchise. Thereโs just something extra special about building up & elevating those around you, while dominating tooโผ๏ธ #WNBATwitter#WNBAPlayoff
Bird came out firing in the first quarter, putting up nine points.
Her scoring slowed down from there, but her ability to pick apart the Mystics defense with her playmaking and pinpoint passing continued to keep Seattle's offense flowing:
It helped that her teammates consistently made those open looks, led by Breanna Stewart (21 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists) and Jewell Loyd (19 points). That spoiled a solid performance from Washington's Natasha Cloud (21 points, 5-of-8 from three), while Elena Delle Donne had a tough afternoon from the field (5-of-14 for 12 points).
But Sunday was all about Bird. She isn't ready to ride off into that sunset just yet.
Game 1 of the semifinals between the Storm and Aces will take place August 28 at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Storm's Breanna Stewart Named 2022 AP WNBA Player of the Year; 1st 2-Time Winner
Aug 16, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 7: Breanna Stewart #30 of the Seattle Storm looks on and smiles during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on July 7, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Associated Press named Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart its WNBA Player of the Year for the 2022 season.
"Itโs an honor to be recognized as the best in the league," Stewart said, per the AP's Doug Feinberg. "Since I started in the WNBA in 2016, just trying to get better. Elevate myself and the team, the league as a whole. A big honor, but weโre motivated by more and thatโs trying to win a championship."
The 6'4" forward was the AP's Player of the Year in 2018 as well, and her win could foreshadow the outcome of a tight WNBA MVP race between her and the Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson.
Stewart led the league in scoring (21.8 ppg) and averaged 7.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. She also shot 47.2 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Although the Storm only finished fourth in the WNBA at 22-14, simply qualifying for the playoffs might've been a challenge were it not for Stewie's contributions. Her offensive output accounted for more than a fourth (26.4 percent) of Seattle's scoring.
Wilson, who was recognized as the AP Defensive Player of the Year, was the best player on the league's best team.
You have to go back to Nneka Ogwumike in 2016 to find the last WNBA MVP who didn't play on the team with the best record. The Los Angeles Sparks were merely the second-best team that year.
Wilson put together the best season of her career by expanding her offensive repertoire. Prior to 2022, the Aces center went 1-of-2 on three-pointers. This season she made 31 threes and hit 37.3 percent of her attempts.
Every year, basketball fans watch a post player hit a few long-range jumpers in an open gym and get irrationally excited about that player suddenly becoming a stretch big. With Wilson, it actually happened.
That coincided with a wider shift for Las Vegas. The team jumped from 11th in made three-pointers (5.1 per game) in 2021 to second (9.5) in 2022.
First-year head coach Becky Hammon wasted no time leaving her imprint on the offense, and that helped Wilson reach a level she hadn't before.
Fans will find out on Sept. 7 whether that was enough for her to outshine Stewart when the WNBA names its MVP.
Storm's Sue Bird Celebrated by WNBA World During Final Regular-Season Home Game
Aug 7, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 07: Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm looks on during the first quarter of her last regular season home game of her career against the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on August 07, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The eyes of the women's basketball world were fixated on Climate Pledge Arena as Sue Bird played her final regular-season home game for the Seattle Storm.
The Storm came out on the losing end against the Las Vegas Aces, falling 89-81 on Sunday. Bird finished with nine points, six assists, four rebounds and one steal in 32 minutes on the floor.
But that did little to dull the atmosphere. From start to finish, the Seattle fans made sure to give the 41-year-old a send-off befitting her legendary status:
Sue Bird soaking in the moment ahead of her final regular season home game in Seattle ๐๐
At least so far, Bird's final season probably doesn't have the storybook ending she will have hoped for. The Storm now sit fourth in the WNBA at 20-13, and Sunday's loss was another illustration of how difficult the road to a fourth title will be.
But Bird has already cemented her legacy as the greatest point guard in WNBA history.
Storm's Tina Charles Becomes 4th Player in WNBA History with 7K Career Points
Jul 24, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 07: Tina Charles #31 of the Seattle Storm warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on July 07, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Seattle Storm star Tina Charles added to her legendary career Sunday.
In the second quarter against the Atlanta Dream, Charles became the fourth player in WNBA history to score 7,000 points, joining Diana Taurasi, Tina Thompson and Tamika Catchings.
Tina Charles became the fourth WNBA player in history to reach the 7K club, joining:
- Diana Taurasi - Tina Thompson - Tamika Catchings
Charles got off to a scorching start against Atlanta on Sunday, scoring 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds in the first half alone. It's her seventh straight game scoring in double figures.
The 2012 WNBA MVP, Charles has already established herself as one of the best players in league history. She's an eight-time All-Star and was selected to an All-WNBA team nine times, with five selections to the first team. She's a two-time scoring champion and four-time rebounding champion, and she has been honored on an All-Defensive team four times.
Charles began the season playing with the Phoenix Mercury, but she parted ways with the team after 18 games and signed with the Storm as a free agent. Despite not winning a championship in her career, the 33-year-old said it's more important to her to have the right people around her.
"At the end of the day, championship or not in my career, but the way I went out was playing with upstanding individuals, upstanding character players and coaching staff," Charles told reporters after signing with Seattle. "That's not to say that's not what it was in Phoenix, but I just felt that this opportunity, there was more there from what I saw and what I heard and having close relationships with the players."
Playing alongside stars like Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, this might be Charles' best chance at winning a title. The Storm are 17-10 entering Sunday and sit in fourth place in the standings.
Storm's Sue Bird Becomes Winningest Player in WNBA History with 324th Career Victory
Jun 30, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 29: Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm reacts during the first half against the Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on June 29, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Sue Bird added another milestone to her iconic career Wednesday night.
The Seattle Storm's 88-78 win over the Las Vegas Aces gave Bird 324 victories as a WNBA player, the most in the history of the league.
Bird passed Basketball Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen (323) as the winningest player in WNBA history.
"It's not only the assists with Sue, it's making big plays, the big shots. I thought she played great defense tonight," Storm head coach Noelle Quinn told reporters after the win. "Those intangibles that she brings, but also: She's the GOAT, an amazing player with a long career and deserving of every single record she's about to break because she's played 20-something years."
Whalen set the mark in 15 seasons between the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx from 2004-18.
Bird announced earlier this month that this will be her final season. She is arguably the most decorated player in WNBA history.
In her 19th season with the Storm, Bird is the league's all-time leader in career assists (3,142), has been named an All-Star 13 times, been named to the All-WNBA team eight times (five first-team selections) and has won four WNBA titles. She's been included on the WNBA Anniversary team every five years since 2006.
The UConn alum is also a five-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA and won five EuroLeague titles with Spartak Moscow Region.
Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2002, Bird has led the Storm to 14 winning seasons and 17 playoff appearances. Their 12-7 record through 19 games this season is second in the Western Conference, behind the Aces (14-5).
Bird will look to add to her record win total Friday when Seattle hosts the Indiana Fever at Climate Pledge Arena.
Tina Charles Reportedly Expected to Sign Contract with Storm After Mercury Exit
Jun 25, 2022
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 23: Tina Charles #31 of the Phoenix Mercury prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Lynx on June 23, 2022 at Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Former Phoenix Mercury center Tina Charles is expected to sign with the Seattle Storm, according to WNBA insider Khristina Williams.
The news comes after Charles agreed to terms on a contract divorce with the Mercury on Saturday. When it was announced, Phoenix general manager Jim Pitman said in a statement that "it was best for both parties to go our separate ways at this time."
Pitman added: "Due to circumstances both in and out of our control, our season has not gone according to our plan, and we will continue to pursue all avenues for improvement."
The Mercury are on a three-game losing streak and sit fifth in the Western Conference with a 6-12 record.
Charles signed a one-year deal with Phoenix in February and has been playing as the team's starting center, filling in for Brittney Griner, who remains detained in Russia after officials said they found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.
The 33-year-old has been playing solid basketball for the Mercury, averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16 games while shooting 44.1 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from deep.
Before signing with the Mercury, Charles played for the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun and New York Liberty. The Sun selected her first overall in the 2010 WNBA draft out of UConn.
Charles was the 2012 WNBA MVP and is an eight-time All-Star, including four straight All-Star selections from 2017-21. In addition, she is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and won two NCAA titles with UConn.
Charles will join a Seattle lineup that includes WNBA legend Sue Bird, in addition to Breanna Stewart, Jewell Lloyd and Ezi Magbegor, who serves as the team's starting center.
Through 14 games this season, Magbegor is averaging 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.6 blocks while shooting 52.5 percent from the floor. It's unclear if she'll be replaced by Charles.
The Storm are second in the Western Conference with an 11-6 record and appear primed to win another title before Bird enters retirement after the season. If they were to win the WNBA title, it would mark Charles' first championship win.
Storm's Sue Bird Announces She Will Retire After 2022 WNBA Season
Jun 16, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 05: Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm looks on against the Connecticut Sun during the first quarter at Climate Pledge Arena on June 05, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Legendary Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird announced Thursday that she will retire at the conclusion of the 2022 WNBA season.
Bird said she has "loved every single minute" of her career:
Iโve decided this will be my final year. I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first โบ๏ธ #TheFinalYear@seattlestormpic.twitter.com/Uo2YqCCKUD
The 41-year-old is in her 21st WNBA season, all of which have been spent with the Storm.
Bird is one of the most decorated and successful players in the history of women's basketball across college, professional and international competition.
Before getting selected No. 1 overall by the Storm in the 2002 WNBA draft, she starred at UConn, where she was a two-time national champion and the 2002 Associated Press College Player of the Year.
The success carried over to the WNBA where Bird has become a 12-time All-Star, four-time champion and three-time assists leader. She was selected to the WNBA's 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th anniversary teams.
Bird is the WNBA's all-time leader in assists with 3,114 and games played with 559. She also ranks fourth in steals with 700 and seventh in scoring with 6,639 points.
In addition to the WNBA, Bird has played professionally in Russia for Dynamo Moscow, Spartak Moscow Region and UMMC Ekaterinburg.
Bird has won five titles in the Russian Premier League and five EuroLeague titles, along with two Europe SuperCup championships.
The native of Syosset, New York, has long been one of the faces of USA Basketball as well, winning four world championships and five consecutive Olympic gold medals from 2004 through 2020.
At last year's Summer Games in Tokyo, Bird was the female flag bearer for the United States during the opening ceremony.
The Storm are 9-5 this season, placing them second in the Western Conference. They'll try to send Bird into retirement as a five-time champion, which would break a tie with several others for the most by a player in WNBA history.
Storm's Sue Bird Explains How Fans Pushed Her to Return for 19th WNBA Season
Feb 4, 2022
EVERETT, WA - SEPTEMBER 26: Sue Bird #10 of the Seattle Storm dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury during the 2021 WNBA Playoffs on September 26, 2021 at the Angel of the Winds Arena, in Everett, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images)
Although Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird hasn't yet signed a deal for 2022, she announced in January she would be returning for a 19th WNBA season, and it appears the fans are a big reason why she'll once again take the floor.
Bird told ESPN's Mechelle Voepel that fans chanting "One more year" toward her following Seattle's overtime loss to Phoenix in the playoffs helped sway her to return for another season:
It really didn't hit me in that moment until the fans chanted. And then I was like, 'Oh, they know it, too? They're sensing this also?' It's weird because it immediately changed my perspective. Had the buzzer gone off and I just went home, I probably would have retired.
But having that moment, it kind of changed some things for me. During the drive home, there was a wide range of emotions, as you can imagine.
Bird is one of the best players in WNBA history. She is the league's all-time assists leader, has won four WNBA titles and has been named an All-Star 12 times. In addition, she has also won five Olympic gold medals as a member of Team USA.
The 41-year-old has been consistent throughout her career and finished the 2021 season averaging 10 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from deep.
Over her career, Bird is averaging 12 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists while shooting 43 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from deep.
Bird's hope in returning for another season would be to win a fifth WNBA title, and the Storm have already made moves this offseason to create a championship-winning squad. Seattle is bringing back Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd and Mercedes Russell, and Briann January is joining the team.
Report: Jewell Loyd, Storm Agree to Contract After Mercedes Russell's Return
Feb 1, 2022
EVERETT, WA - SEPTEMBER 26: Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm looks on during the 2021 WNBA Playoffs on September 26, 2021 at the Angel of the Winds Arena, in Everett, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jewell Loyd is returning to the Seattle Storm.
The Associated Press' Doug Feinberg reported Monday that Loyd and teammate Breanna Stewart reached agreements with the team.
Seattle announced Jan. 14 it had applied the core designation to Loyd, which works similarly to the franchise tag in the NFL. The core designation offers the team exclusive negotiating rights while guaranteeing the player the supermax salary for one season.
According to Winsidr's Rachel Galligan, Loyd's deal will run for two years.
Tuesday was the first day on which players could begin officially signing contracts. So far, the Storm have only confirmed they re-signed center Mercedes Russell.
Inked and ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐๐! ๐@MerSladezz is ๐๐๐๐ in the Emerald City! ๐
The length of Loyd's contract could be very important.
There's only one core qualifying offer to go around at a time for each team, and the designation extends through the duration of the player's next deal.
Even if a player has no intention of sticking around, the core tag can be beneficial because it facilitates a sign-and-trade. Last year, Seattle had exclusive negotiating rights with Natasha Howard, who wound up on the New York Liberty as part of a series of trades.
๐จ TRADE ALERT ๐จ
Storm acquires Katie Lou Samuelson, Mikiah โKikiโ Herbert Harrigan; Rights to Stephanie Talbot and two 2022 draft picks. ๐ชย
If the Storm sign Loyd for only one season, then they'd still have the core offer as a tool in their arsenal in 2023. That's when Stewart is due to hit the market again, with Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reporting she agreed to a one-year deal.
A two-year pact with Loyd takes that off the table.
Rather than having a mechanism to either tie down Stewart for another year or force a free-agent suitor to send plenty their way in a sign-and-trade for the 2018 MVP, the Storm will have no recourse if she wants to bolt.
For now, Seattle is poised to make at least one more run at a title to send Sue Bird off into the sunset on top. The franchise's long-term outlook is a little more murky, though.
