As the season approaches, teams are starting training camps with their new rosters. The roster consists of returners, rookies, and newcomers. Regardless of age, the Storm have a well-rounded roster that could lead them to another championship this season.
The Storm Rookies
The Storm acquired seven rookies, but the main rookies to look for are: Haley Gorecki (Duke), Kiana Williams (Stanford), and N’dea Jones (Texas A&M).
Gorecki is an outstanding guard who did not get picked up in last year’s draft. She knows how to create her own shot, she knows how to handle the ball in pressure situations, and she has deep range.
Williams is coming off from winning an NCAA title. She dictates the floor and her change of speed is unstoppable. During training camp, she needs to focus on developing a consistent three-pointer. Throughout the NCAA tournament, she struggled to find her shot but she contributes in many different ways.
Jones brings intensity and integrity to the Storm which she showed during her post-season at Texas A&M. WNBA players continue to expand their game whether it’s shooting, ball handling, or speed; Jones is a perfect example of expanding her game. Jones’s game is similar to Breanna Stewart’s minus the outside shots, but she can add that to her game in no time. She can drive it, her rebounding is outstanding, and she’s a natural leader. After she has time to learn from the veterans, she’ll gain more assets for the next season.
There are plenty more rookies the Storm received on draft night. Overall, Seattle Storm fans can say that their team was successful and fans should look forward to a successful season.
The Veterans
Most of the veterans are the core for the Storm. You have Sue Bird, Stewart, Jordin Canada, and Jewell Loyd. With the loss of Alysha Clark and Natasha Howard, the Storm are in search of another starter. They might input a center into the lineup or another forward because they have plenty of forward’s to choose from.
Bird and Stewart are not an unfamiliar duo. Everyone knows how outstanding these players are individually and together they are almost unstoppable. Bird is one of the best point guards in the league. Her speed, IQ, handles, and shot is ridiculous. Stewart has the size, the shot, assertiveness on both ends of the floor, and she also plays the role of the leader on the team. It’s got to be that Uconn connection.
Canada and Loyd bring an extra piece to the squad. Both are speedy guards that can get up and down in no time. Their speed allows for the Storm to play a fast pace game and advance the ball quicker than most teams. Canada can also handle the ball which helps out Bird so they’ll have multiple ball handlers on the floor. In the half-court, Canada penetrates the gaps to either create her own shot or find the open player.
As for Loyd, her speed allows her to bring the ball up and attack her defenders. She keeps her defenders guessing, is she going to shoot? Is she going to drive? Is she going to pass? No one knows and when they figure it out, it’s too late.
Where Do They Go From Here?
The season opener is getting closer and closer. The Storm’s roster seems solid. They have the starters and they have the bench to pick up where the starters left off. Obviously, every team’s goal is to win a championship this year, but the Storm have a bigger target on their backs since they are the reigning champs.
Will the Storm rise to the occasion to win another title? I guess we’ll have to wait and see how their season plays out.
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