Thoughts, player evals from Storm preseason game 4/25
Wanted to share thoughts after my trek to Ballhalllaaaaaaaaa.
- Nakase set up the rotation to balance giving vets reps with evaluating the new talent. First half was all about the established players getting run together, with a strategic mix of younger players to see how well they fit. Second half was primarily focused on training camp contracts.
- VB is gonna be an all-star this season. Awesome to see KT and Tip Hayes back. Kate Martin was doing her scrappy thing.
- Love how hard the players competing for those development spots fought in the 4th to grind out a preseason W. It was a preseason game for Ballhalla too but the energy was helped by the close game and the players fighting for a W. There was a possession with lots of bodies on the floor in the 4th. Just a reminder of how fun the W is
Bubble player thoughts:
- Sowah. Wow-ah. Her box score was only 1/2 the story. She was very aggressive and played like the "killer" Nakase always talks about. The reason we won the 4th. Could make the roster until Justė joins the club
- Chen played a lot of PG in the first half and “poised veteran” anchoring down the 2nd half rotations. She is clearly contending for the backup PG behind VB. Had some great plays and paint finishes in the first half. Got a little overzealous at time in the 2nd.
- Amihere reminded everyone why we kept calling her back last year. There was one possession where she took Malonga off the dribble from the top of the key, put her head down, took those long strides en route to a smooth finish. Ballhalla erupts.
- Ashlon Jackson was full of nerves. She had plenty of opportunities to make plays. Just looked a little overwhelmed at times TBH, but has the size and speed for the W. If would get if we use the developmental spot on her.
- Fasoula played a smooth, polished 5. A concrete wall of a screener who rolls very hard to the rim. Would thrive in that spot with VB dribbling, and a nice little 3 to boot.
- Suarez brings the hustle. High motor individual and has a lot of course presence. Offensively she struggled to keep up in transition. Lots of high upside potential for her in a 4 or stretch 5 role.