Women's Hoops Blog

Jayda Evans covers college and pro women's basketball. While its her first year on the Washington beat, she has covered the Storm since its inception. She'll offer observations, critiques, occasional off-beat tales and answers to select e-mail inquires. Evans also has written a book on the Storm and women's hoops, called "Game On!"

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July 15, 2007 7:04 PM

Bird sighting

Posted by Jayda Evans

Leading vote-getter Sue Bird of the Storm could not make the game due to rehabilitating her left knee, but she taped a video message for fans aired on the Verizon Center jumbotron. Bird spoke of the honor and concluded by saying, "sorry I can't be there, but enjoy the game."

Bird will fly with the team on Monday to Phoenix for the start of the four-game road trip. She'll evaluate her status upon arrival, but isn't expected to return until the July 20 game against Connecticut -- at the earliest.

Houston All-Star Tina Thompson was a phenomenal replacement for Bird in the starting lineup, a move initiated by Western coach Jenny Boucek of the Sacramento Monarchs. Thompson finished with 19 points, six rebounds and three assists. She would have been MVP had the West won.

"She's a legend," said Boucek of the league original. "We take her for granted because she's been one of the most consistent performers in the WNBA since Day 1. It's great for the world to see what she's capable of doing. At least scratching the surface of what she's capable of doing."

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