Sue Bird took some time out of her lengthy jersey retirement speech last weekend to discuss the future of the only WNBA team she ever played for.
And how Jewell Loyd is now in charge of that team, the Seattle Storm.
Bird addressed her former teammate, saying, “I’m still so pleased that I have a courtside seat and I get to watch it continue. To see your game evolve, to see you grow as a person, as a human, as a basketball player. I’m really happy for you. Really, you are becoming into such a beautiful leader and player to watch. I’m amazed by the way your teammate interacts with you.
Bird served as the Storm’s face for more than 20 years, and for two distinct phases, she was joined by Lauren Jackson and Breanna Stewart, who were probably the finest players in the world at the time.
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But with Bird’s retirement and Stewart’s free-agent signing with the New York Liberty, Seattle has now moved into a new stage in the team’s development. Seattle is going through a reconstruction, and Loyd, who is now in her seventh season, is at the centre of it.
With Bird as her teammate, Loyd will have opportunities and responsibilities she hasn’t previously been required to take on.
“Jewell is fantastic for us when she scores and plays really aggressively on defence. Therefore, I have encouraged her to lead by example this year by showing up every day and working hard so that the new squad knows what it takes to succeed in this league, said Seattle coach Noelle Quinn. And she performed that to a great standard. She arrived at camp in fantastic physical and mental shape, and I believe she has really zeroed in on what it takes to perform.
Loyd’s leadership on the court has so far been what Quinn wanted. Averaging nearly 25 points per game, nearly 10 more than her career average, Loyd leads the league. Although she is playing 35 minutes per game and her numbers for rebounds and assists are up, Seattle is only 2-6 after eight games, so it hasn’t led to much success.
But for Loyd, playing with the same swagger and assurance that have made her a four-time All-Star is all that’s necessary.
For Loyd, the leadership component is brand-new and, in some ways, outside of her comfort zone. There hasn’t been a need for Loyd to raise her voice, regardless of whether it was Bird, Stewart, or any of the numerous other seasoned players who made up Seattle’s team in past seasons.
It has turned into a necessity, particularly for a team facing a difficult season early in the post-Bird, post-Stewart era.
“I’m undoubtedly more outspoken. I think you’re talking a lot more,” Loyd added. I don’t have to do anything insane, you know. I’ve always relied heavily on my work to teach, communicate, and demonstrate. Although I believe I’m now occasionally using my voice when leading the team, it’s not just me.
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In addition to the seven players with less than three years of experience on the roster, Loyd is quick to point out that Seattle does have several other veterans, including Mercedes Russell, Sami Whitcomb, Kia Nurse, and Yvonne Turner.
Whitcomb, Nurse, and Turner were purposefully added by Seattle in the offseason in part because they could relieve Loyd of some of those intangibles.
Loyd stated, “It’s not just my burden; we’re all helping out. It simply becomes simpler because I am not solely responsible.
