Not to argue your point, but didn't Bird visit Wright in Israel only because she was there to finish up her Israeli citizenship? As I recall, Barb Turner was there as well. She wasn't there to 'visit' T, but hung out with her while she happened to be there already.

Just nitpicking, really. I've never thought she was bad for off court chemistry, just on court chemistry.

Hello Crystal! I can check again, but from what I remember both saying, Bird was there to handle biz. But she stayed an extended period to spend time with both teammates. They went on some touristy trips together and Bird cheered T on at some games. Part of Bird's point in being there was to get to know Wright.

Jayda, enjoy your blog and the Times articles but you need to do more research at times, like in your article today" Lauren Jackson adjusting to new Storm Players" you mentioned facts about Spartak's season from a year ago. Penicheiro didn't play for Spartak this past season and Bird was the starting point guard for Spartak all year and along with Taurasi logged in by far the most minutes played.

I like T's defense, and I'm giving her a chance. She's been here a while, and never been a fan favorite, and as you say, that takes guts to confront every day.

I liked some of her early aggressive moves to the basket Tuesday, I would have liked to have seen some of those shots go in, however. But then the whole team was shooting poorly.

I'm rooting for ya, T.

Wright does deserve a clean slate. Too bad she's not getting one. She could be a very good replacement for Betty; and without having to speak in the third-person about herself. I want T to make it. But please, please not as a back up PG.

I felt sorry for Tanisha all that time AD made her handle the ball and run the floor. We have never seen what see could or could not do as a pure driving/shooting/defending 2. Now AD's gone, but somewhere along the line Brian witnessed a good game and decided 'yep' she can play the 1. Too bad he wasn't sitting in the stands for the last three years. Give the girl a chance without the PG stuff hanging over her head.

And actually Bird and Wright are off court friends, they have attended Sounders games together.

Tumbip - Thanks and I believe I mentioned that I was just naming a few WNBA standouts that had also played for Spartak. Players were in and out and I wasn't talking about just this year's championsip run. I was talking about Bird and LJ's exxperience overall the past two years. Thanks, again, and I hope you continue reading.

Forgot to add that I really, really appreciate and enjoy your blog and insights.

It doesn't surprise me that Sue would want to take the time to get to know Tanisha - she always takes it upon herself to know everything about her teammates. Helps make her the point guard she is.

Are you kidding me Jayda? To compare Wright's TO's with Bird's or LJ's is just ludicrous. Yes, Sue and LJ had moments with questionable TO's but I'll let that slide b/c a) they're learning the new system b) they were productive. Bird turned over the ball, but with her aggression kept the team in the first half. Can the same be said about Tanisha, who in her mins committed fouls, looked completely out of sorts? Until she shows that she can be productive out there, she will continue getting heat. Big surprise. What is a surprise to me is that you consistently overlook her mistakes. And I'm so sorry she has to deal with pressure from fans. She's a professional athlete, deal with it.

On more thing, how many mins did Lauren and Bird log compared to Tanisha? Those are objective statistics which render your comparison void.

Daschel - All of Bird's TOs were in the opening half, 18 mins. of play. Wright had one at that point, 4 mins. of play. And I did mention that it's hard to compare because LJ and Bird were productive. And bash away, my only hesitation is that I don't think Wright was given a clean slate before folks started beating that drum again. It has been two games. Wright looks OK in practice. I would give her at least four games before saying trade the woman or forever keep her on the bench. That's all.

Jayda, I don't mean to bash you at all. I love and respect your blogs and opinions--that's why I bother reading or commenting in the first place. I'm just one of those who is continually frustrated by Tanisha Wright's play. In her past few seasons, I have not seen anything which indicates she deserves a spot on a WNBA roster. Believe me, as a Storm fan I would love to be wrong, but she needs to do something in order for me to change my mind. Therefore, I guess to answer your question, yes...from what I have seen.

SOrry, but Wright plays looks the same as last year and the year before. I thinks she's had enough clean slates. Sorry, but it kust gets old watching her pass the ball to the other team. if you can't improve your passing skills over two full seasons, it's time to move on. There are just far too many talented players out there just waiting for the opportunity to play in the WNBA.

TW just needs a breakout game to get the monkey off her back. Anne and now Brian obviously see talent in practice that hasen't translated yet to game-time and the point guard role TW was pushed into most likely is to blame. Beck looks like she may be a very acceptable backup to Bird so let TW get her game back at her natural two guard position.

No worries Daschel! I was actually referring to Wright when I wrote "bash away." Again, I'm hoping these next two games are different. We'll see.

I say Ashley Robinson is the most beautiful woman in the league. She's increadibly sexy!!! In love!!!!!

"Wright looks OK in practice. I would give her at least four games before saying trade the woman or forever keep her on the bench. That's all."

jayda, you're working under the assumption that anyone would want to work a trade for her. do you honestly know of any team that would want someone who continually races to the sidelines, picks up her dribble and gets trapped? we'd be lucky to get a third round pick for her.

I think without the pressure of playing PG poorly Wright could really develop a more confident WNBA game. I remember her rookie year when she backed Betty up very well. I see her as a great option as SG off the bench. Another point in her favor is that she responded to Sue's inspirational speech during the play-offs last year and provided real help when we came back from down 20 and tied Game 2 in Phoenix.

But no point guard. Give Beck those minutes. I was more impressed with Beck in like 4 minutes than I have been with T as PG for 3 seasons. Let that experiment die, and let her play her natural position. Otherwise you aren't being fair to the fans. Tanisha, or the team.

Wow. Another huge comeback. Lauren is making another run for MVP again. Great game.

I totally agree and cringe when I see the continual negative comments. I see Wright as a utility player - someone who comes in, works hard, defends harder, and hustles for her team. I think she was undoubtedly frustrated by having to play PG when she is a natural SG, and that had an impact on her game. Even so, she racked up double-digits more than once last year.

Let her get back to her normal role and see how that feels. Seems like the whole bench is starting to come alive, anyway - Ely, Gearlds, Wright, Beck...

There was very little in there that I didn't already know, but the way it was structured and organized presented a strong message that should be in the forefront of every mind in HP. In fact I really don't understand why this isn't delivered openly, and presented as our "business systems vision" - it is way more useful in aligning thought and direction than the usual fluff they call vision.

I am a storm fan. I like Tanisha. She is a good 2 guard. Just don't make her play the point. I cringe every time she has to carry the ball.

I agree that Wright should only be used as a SG and never as a PG. That's a disaster.

But give her time? She's been in the league 3 years. How much more time should she be given?

I see her making the some of the same mistakes she did as a rookie. There's no consistency in her play. She usually averages one good game out of every 3 or 4. Other times, she does little to help the team either offensively or defensively, and looks more like a detriment to have on the court.

For someone who was a multiple Big 10 DPOY, she still commits stupid fouls too often and allows players to blow past her.

At this point in her career, she should be better.

I wonder if she'll still be on the team next year after her rookie contract expires. I can't see Agler paying her a veteran minimum if there are other players out there better than her for a lower salary.