Since winning the WNBA title in 2004, the Seattle Storm have failed to get out of the first-round of the playoffs every season since.
They’ll try yet again to break that string beginning tonight against Los Angeles. And just like last year’s playoff series with the Sparks, Seattle will be trying to knock off arguably the most talented team in the league without former MVP Lauren Jackson.
“Since I’ve been here we’ve played a lot of games without her. I think well over 20,” Seattle coach Brian Agler said by phone from Los Angeles on Tuesday. “I don’t know if we make major changes. I think we ask other people to step up a little more.”
Jackson missed the final six games of the regular season with stress fractures in her back and remains on the bench as the playoffs begin. She lobbied with Agler to possibly play against the Sparks, but doctors have told her that downtime is the best for recovery.
Jackson could play later in the playoffs if Seattle advances.
Unlike last year when Seattle lacked any post depth besides Jackson, Agler made it a priority to enter 2009 with more options up front should injuries pop up. Seattle brought back Janell Burse, who will start in place of Jackson in Wednesday’s Game 1. Seattle also has veteran Suzy Batkovic-Brown and rookie Ashley Walker to contend with the Sparks’ talented frontline of Lisa Leslie, Candice Parker and Tina Thompson.
“We’re talking about a team, with Los Angeles, four of their starters are Olympic players on probably the greatest Olympic team that ever played,” Agler said. “We have a little more depth and a little more size, but we’re talking about a team that is extremely strong in those areas.”
Seattle, which won 20 games in the regular season, will try to combat the Sparks’ front-court edge by asking guards Sue Bird and Tanisha Wright to do more. Bird will play after missing the final three games of the regular season with a neck injury. Wright has flourished this season, averaging a career best 12.2 points.
The Storm also will have a healthy Swin Cash, whose bad back made her a non-factor in last year’s series against the Sparks. Now healthy, Cash will be critical on the defensive end.
“She’s in such a better place this year,” Agler said of Cash. “She’s healthy. … I think she’s been a lot more consistent and had a very, very good year for us and taken a lot of pride in what she does defensively for us.”
Seattle might also have sharpshooter Katie Gearlds available in limited minutes for the series. Gearlds tore a knee ligament on Aug. 4, but could be in uniform for the series opener.
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