Analysis of current Seattle Storm roster/signings

Sunday 10 April 2005

Instead of studying for my exam on Monday, I choose to do this. Yeah, I have my priorities straight ;)

Point guard

The starter position is fine but the fight for backup is interesting: Jessica Bibby and Shaquala Williams have a remarkable amount of similarities. Both don't really play like PGs (tend to go score-first), aren't remarkable playmakers, are quick, don't play D as well as they should and both have had one year of experience in warming a WNBA bench. The main difference in game is that Bibby is the better outside shooter while Shaq Williams is the better penetrator. Williams may have the better handle.

My biased self would go for Bibby because #1 she's a bit older and has more experience and #2 doesn't have the shadow of attitude problems trailing her. Bibby reportedly got a guaranteed contract.

Michelle Greco may figure into discussions but she's not really a point guard either and I view her more as a...

Shooting guard

Betty's got the starting spot nailed down but the fight for backup should be a dogfight. Michelle Greco is the incumbent but has some good competition in Adrienne Johnson and Iziane Castro-Marques and Greco's chances do not look good (though she could make it as 11th player/IR). Adrienne Johnson is (was?) a decent backup who had one brilliant year in 2000. She had a year off in 2004 but if she can even return to 2003 form, that's better than Greco. Greco does have the advantage of being cheaper but then there's Iziane Castro-Marques. Iziane is an offensive powerhouse: she can slash to the hoop, knock down pull-jumpers and drain the trey. Her defence is substandard but she has a vast wealth of international experience and is most likely to be on the same salary level as Greco. If it's a choice between Izzy and Greco, I'd easily go with Izzy.

Small forward

If you could splice Alicia Thompson and Adia Barnes into one player, you'd have a pretty decent small forward. As it is, both of them have a specialty but lack a good all-round game. Thompson can shoot the lights out, rebound a bit but is lacking on the defensive end. Barnes is a versatile defender but isn't much of an offensive threat. Both are more ideally suited to a backup role.

An interesting newcomer has come onto the scene in the form of Natalia Vodapyanova. She's not a 6'5 post like the Seattle Times says but is in fact a 6'3 forward who can shoot and rebound. She's a bit like Alicia Thompson I guess but has #1 international experience (Russian NT) and #2 is probably cheaper. Perhaps Thompson should be wary. I'd also think this would make the drafting of somebody like Kristen Mann or Cathrine Kraayeveld unlikely (unless Anne likes to load up on the players who all play the same).

Power forward

LJ is apparently fine and raring to go. Backups? There's Trina Frierson who is a wide body with a nifty mid-range jumper. Batkovic and Vodapyanova could also see time here. Power forward is fine for Seattle.

Centre (or center)

Janell Burse has a golden opportunity here - she'll be in better shape than 2004 and she'll have the chance for big minutes. Hopefully she'll find that 2003 form again, perhaps even better. What I like about Burse is the way her defensive presence complements LJ's offensive firepower. Batkovic also has a golden opportunity - to prove herself on the bigger stage. I don't expect big things from her straight away but she will be a useful backup and I think Anne will be able to bring the best out of her. Suzy has a wonderful offensive skillset (she could teach LJ some moves) and her size is something Seattle could use.

Eva Montesdeoca has underwhelming stats and is probably Anne's pet project (she's 6'6). Simone Edwards has sentimental value but unless she's the 11th player, I think she's gone.

What Seattle needs

#1 Small forward

This one is kind of obvious. They probably won't be able to get one through the draft and I don't think they'll get one through a trade with what they have at the moment (a couple of starters and unproven bench material) but they need a decent small forward with a solid all-round game. It's possible they'll get by for the moment with the patchwork of wings they have and finding a small forward isn't that hard in the long run. The fact this is probably the only thing they really need is a scary thought...

If Sheri Sam had stayed, I'd still have the same opinion. Sam's productivity was disappointing last year and her work ethic is dubious.

#2 Perimeter D

Sue's average, Betty's too short and Tully's gone. Tanisha Wright or Chelsea Newton would be good picks for this - big, versatile guards who are hard-nosed on D.

#3 Backup point guard

Way down on the list of needs. I don't think Bibby or Shaq Williams could ever be a good backup POINT guard. This need could also be gotten through the draft - there could be some backup material left in the second round (Paige? Wheeler? Carey?).