Sacramento Monarchs – Seattle

The 2009 season of the WNBA will begin this evening, as six games will occur across the US. After screening tonight games I decided to focus on one game that I like most. Seattle Storm changed a lot during the 9 month bye as Sheryl Swoopes retired and veteran Yolanda Griffith moved to Indiana but Suzy Baktovic, the Australian giant returned to the Storm after 4 years but she will not appear tonight because of her wedding and Janell Burse who still suffers of a shoulder problem. Swin Cash will be available tonight but we must remember that she did not play since March because of back surgery. As usual, the Storm will rely on Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird, while the first one is for sure one of the best three players in the league, the last year on the WNBA and the season in Russia may show us some signs that its not the same great player the we knew. Sacramento started last season very slowly due to main player injuries but managed to capture the last ticket to the playoffs. The Monarchs are a good home team with a terrific crowd and their line is based on veteran and well talented players. Rebekkah Brunson, Kara Lawson, Maiga – Ba and Ticha Penicheiro have 38 WNBA years of experience combined in the highest level of this league and the combination with young and super talented young players such as Laura Harper, Crystal Kelly and the great rookie Courtney Paris can lead this team to the playoffs once again and if all those players will stay healthy the sky is the limit for this explosive team. Sacramento is deeper than Seattle and quite more balanced so I Iike their chances to pick their first win in the opening night of the league.

Preview by Ben Ben