Three Things I’ll Be Watching in Sparks vs. Storm Preseason Game
Exciting things are on the horizon in the W. We are set to begin a new season and there are a lot of storylines to get into. The offseason was full of changes for many teams in the WNBA, including the two teams we will see tonight. Let’s get right into the three things I’ll be on the lookout for in the first preseason game of the 2022 season.
1. Six Rookies on the Storm Training Camp Roster
We all know about the veteran presence the core of Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, and Jewell Loyd will provide for the Storm but the veterans will be surrounded by a plethora of youth tonight. The team welcomes six rookies on the roster including draft picks Elissa Cunane, Evina Westbrook, and Jade Melbourne. Last week, the team also added Raina Perez, Paisley Harding, and Jenna Giacone.
Out of these seven, I’m most excited to see Cunane alongside Stewie with her ability to pass, rebound, and defend she should have an early impact for the Storm. I will be keeping an eye on Westbrook as well. With her ability to play on and off the ball on the offensive end, she hopes to be apart of the Storm’s solution to replacing Jordin Canada, who moved onto the LA Sparks this offseason. The Storm backcourt will be tough as they’ve added veteran Briann January from the Connecticut Sun.
2. New Faces in LA
After missing the Playoffs in 2021, the Sparks welcomed in a number of new players to turn things around. The most talked about move of the offseason was Liz Cambage going from Vegas to LA. Since coming into the league, Cambage has been a force in the post alongside A’ja Wilson in Vegas. Now in LA alongside Nneka Ogwumike, the duo will look to bring LA back to prominence. Cambage wasn’t the only move the Sparks made this offseason, the team added Canada from the Storm, young guard Chennedy Carter from Atlanta, WNBA Champion Lexie Brown, Katie Lou Samuelson, and a number of rookies in the Draft, notably first round pick Rae Burrell out of Tennessee. Burrell will bring more youth and length to the Sparks on both ends of the floor.
3. Last Run
In the offseason, Sue Bird took to social media in January saying that she would be returning for one more year. One of the best players we’ve ever seen in the league will look to add another chapter in her amazing career. Bird will go into this season ready to lead her troops back into the Playoffs and end her career in one of the best ways possible by winning another WNBA Championship. Stay tuned to see what Bird and the Storm do this season.
The WNBA Season is officially here!!! Who are some players and teams that you’re excited to see this season?
