Seattle Storm

The Seattle Storm is a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Seattle, Washington. In 2004, led by Australian basketball star Lauren Jackson and University of Connecticut star Sue Bird, the team brought the city its first professional sports championship since 1979.

History

The Storm began their franchise history with a less than promising start in the 2000 season. Led by guard Edna Campbell and Czech center Kamila Vodichkova, the team finished with a 6-26 record. One season later, the Storm's outlook was far more hopeful as they drafted 19-year old Australian standout Lauren Jackson. Though Seattle did not make the playoffs that year, Jackson's impressive rookie performance provided a solid foundation for the franchise to build on.

Related Topics:
2000 - Edna Campbell - Czech - Kamila Vodichkova

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With the drafting of University of Connecticut star Sue Bird, the Storm filled the gap at the point guard position. With Bird's playmaking ability and Jackson's scoring and rebounding, the team made the playoffs for the first time in 2002. Though Jackson won the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2003, the team had a disappointing season with Bird injured for much of the year. The team rebounded the following year, winning the 2004 WNBA Finals two games to one over the Connecticut Sun. Betty Lennox was named MVP of the Finals. The team's win brought a national professional sports championship to Seattle for the first time since the Seattle SuperSonics won the NBA title in 1979. The win also made Anne Donovan the first female head coach in WNBA history to win the WNBA Championship.

Related Topics:
Point guard - 2002 - WNBA Most Valuable Player Award - 2003 - WNBA Finals - Connecticut Sun - Betty Lennox - MVP - NBA

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Key players from the Storm's championship season were not on the team in 2005. Tully Bevilaqua, Kamila Vodichkova, and Sheri Sam moved to other teams. In addition, the pre-season injury of Australian star and new acquisition Jessica Bibby hampered the team's 2005 season. While they made the playoffs, their title defense in 2005 was stopped in the Western Conference Semifinals by the Houston Comets, 2 games to 1.

Related Topics:
Tully Bevilaqua - Jessica Bibby - Houston Comets

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