Storm Chasers Chat (WNBA)

This week the Seattle Storm opened Training Camp and I was able to attend the first day of practice. With the South Carolina Gamecocks winning their third National Championship this year and the Storm having two players in training camp that helped South Carolina win their first title in 2017, I wanted to take the time to interview Alaina Coates and Kaela Davis so that we could discuss the South Carolina program, their experience, how Coach Dawn Staley helped them, and more. We also cover topics about transitioning from college to the WNBA and I got their thoughts on NBA Expansion. This episode also includes interviews with Storm Head Coach Noelle Quinn; as well as Sue Bird and Lisa Brummell. Enjoy!

Time Stamps:Intro: 00:00-02:00 Alaina Coates interview: 02:00-11:17Kaela Davis interview: 11:17-22:10Noelle Quinn interview: 22:10-29:57Sue Bird and Lisa Brummel: 29:57-34:18

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Over this past week the 2024 WNBA Draft took place. On top of that, the Seattle Storm organization had their grand opening for their brand new Center for Basketball Performance. The Storm selected Nika Mühl out of UConn with the 14th overall pick and Mackenzie Holmes with the 26th overall pick. I interviewed Coach Noelle Quinn and General Manager Talisa Rhea about those draft picks. Then later in the week, I got to attend the grand opening of the team’s new performance center and was able to interview Quinn and Rhea again about the new building, the team makeup, and more. In total, the interviews are around 25 minutes long. Enjoy!Time Stamps:Intro: 00:00-04:20Draft Interview: 04:20-09:34Talisa Rhea Interview: 09:34-16:25Noelle Quinn Interview: 16:25-29:27

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On Monday, the Seattle Storm introduced their two big off-season additions from Free Agency in Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. After their press conference, I got to interview both players as well as Seattle Storm Coach Noelle Quinn and General Manager Talisa Rhea. The interviews last more than 30 minutes. Enjoy!

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The Seattle Storm handed the Los Angeles Sparks a very damaging defeat on Thursday night by a final score of 72-61. This currently knocks the Sparks out of the playoffs as of tonight. They also no longer control their own destiny after losing back-to-back games to the Sky and the Storm. Seattle was led by Jewell Loyd who scored 25 points. Sami Whitcomb added 14 points as the only other player to reach double figures for Seattle. Seattle’s defense played a big factor in their victory limiting the Sparks to just 61 points including star player, Nneka Ogwumike to 11 points. In this 40-minute podcast, I give a summary of Thursday’s game between LA and Seattle. This podcast includes pre-game interviews with Storm player Joyner Holmes, and Coach Noelle Quinn. I spoke with Quinn about letting Jordin Canada go a couple of years ago. And what she’s seen from her. In the post-game interview, we covered the game and talked about rookie Jordan Horston’s defensive assignments. And then wrapped up with post-game interviews with Jewell Loyd and Sami Whitcomb.

Notes: Remember you can select the playback speed to play the audio a little faster if that’s preferred. I know for myself, I’ll often listen to other podcasts at 1.25 or 1.5 times speed.

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The Seattle Storm fell just short to the Indiana Fever on Thursday evening by a final score of 90-86. Jewell Loyd led the Storm with 32 points, including 19 in the 4th quarter. Ezi Magbegor contributed with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Indiana was led by the 36 points from Kelsey Mitchell. NaLyssa Smith and Aliyah Boston both produced double-doubles as one of the brightest young frontcourts in the WNBA. In this post-game podcast, I give a brief summary of the game and then go into the post-game interviews with the Seattle media talking with Loyd, Magbegor, and Coach Noelle Quinn. With Quinn, I got to ask some interesting questions about what she can learn from the Fever’s rebuild that started back in 2017 and also about a recent report on the Chicago Sky’s interest in Pokey Chatman.

Note: Substack is adding an auto-transcription that I’m testing out. This is very beneficial in case any readers prefer or need to read. If anything looks off or if names aren’t spelled correctly please note this is an automated process.

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The Seattle Storm dropped another game to the Chicago Sky. This time by a final score of 90-85. The frustrating part was that Seattle led the entire way until the final minutes of the 4th quarter. They were outscored 22-10 over the final 10 minutes and didn’t make a single basket over the final five minutes of the contest. Jewell Loyd and Sami Whitcomb led the team with 19 points each. However, Loyd scored just two points in the 2nd half. Elizabeth Williams led the Sky with 23 points. This podcast includes a quick post-game report plus interviews with Storm players and Coach Noelle Quinn.

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Here are today’s pregame audio interviews with Jewell Loyd, rookie Jordan Horston, and Coach Noelle Quinn. We covered a lot of things specific to the Minnesota Lynx matchup, season progress, discussion on Jordan and Ezi Magbegor and more.

Interview questions by myself, Mazvita Maraire, and Percy Allen.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormchasersbasketball.com/subscribe

In this episode of Storm Chasers Chat, there was a lot to talk about. I discuss the team’s back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Sparks. They lost the first game 92-85 on Saturday and then rallied to win 66-63 this past Tuesday. The Storm have also made a big roster move waiving Forward Kaila Charles. There are reports they’ve signed a new player that you’ll hear about in the episode. The two Storm players interviewed in this episode are rookies Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Ivana Dojkić. We discussed their big win, their experiences so far, what they’re learning, and more. Enjoy the interviews!

Time Stamps: Intro Discussion: 00:00-09:39;Interviews: 09:40-20:52;Outro: 20:53-21:12

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In this episode of Storm Chasers Chat, I interviewed Sami Whitcomb and Arella Guirantes after the Seattle Storm’s games against the Dallas Wings and the New York Liberty. Seattle is still looking for their first WNBA win of the season but the team has seen improvement from the first week of the season. During the interviews, I spoke with Sami about her getting an opportunity at the point guard role and what Coach Noelle Quinn thinks about that. I also spoke with Arella about what the team is focusing on in practice this week, what she needs to work on specifically, and the adjustments that have to be made when a WNBA player is used to being a star in college or overseas and has to take a more limited role in the WNBA. I finish up the interview talking to them about the keys to pulling off a win against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Before the interviews, I give a quick recap of the Storm’s season up to this point and a wider look at the league in its entirety.

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Time Stamps:Intro: 00:00-04:57;Interviews: 04:57-13:41;Outro: 13:42-14:01

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormchasersbasketball.com/subscribe

After the Seattle Storm dropped their season opener to the Las Vegas Aces 105-64, the team looks to regroup against their next opponent the Dallas Wings. This week I was able to interview Kia Nurse and Kaila Charles to learn more about what the team has been focusing on in practice this week. I wanted to get their initial scout on the Dallas Wings prior to Friday’s game. I spoke with Kia Nurse about playing just 10 minutes against the Aces. I discussed with Kaila Charles the team’s roster construction, playing with a small ball lineup, and the benefits and challenges of that.

The episode is a little under 15 minutes long.

To those listening, thanks so much for your support and enjoy the interviews!

Time Stamps:Intro: 00:00-01:54;Kia Nurse Interview: 01:55-07:00;Kaila Charles Interview: 07:01-13:55;Outro: 13:56-14:15

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormchasersbasketball.com/subscribe