Go watch Sue Bird ball before she's gone

Matt Baide | Jul 14, 20220

One of the greatest players to ever put on a uniform in Seattle will be retiring at the end of the WNBA season.

Sue Bird, who has played for the Seattle Storm since being drafted first overall in 2002, is calling it a career after this season. If there was a Mount Rushmore of Seattle sports athletes, she would certainly be on it, along with Walter Jones, Ken Griffey Jr. and Gary Payton.

She’s won four WNBA titles in Seattle in 2004, 2010, 2018 and 2020, and she’s a 13-time WNBA all-star. Bird leads the WNBA all-time in assists, seasons played, games played and minutes played. She won two NCAA titles before her time in Seattle with the UConn Huskies. Bird has won five gold medals in the Olympics, and four golds and a bronze in the FIBA World Championships with Team USA.

Not only does she have a lengthy resume, but another reason to go watch the Storm play this season is to check out Climate Pledge Arena. The arena is primarily used for hockey, but I can’t imagine it’s not as good, if not better, to watch a basketball game.

The Seattle Storm are also having an excellent season. As of Tuesday, the Storm are in third-place in the WNBA at 16-8, second in the Western Conference behind the Las Vegas Aces. Breanna Stewart has been exceptional and Jewell Loyd was named an all-star this season. Seattle also recently signed Tina Charles, a WNBA veteran at center who won WNBA MVP in 2012 and is an eight-time WNBA all-star.

The remaining regular season games for the Storm are July 17 against Indiana, July 24 against Atlanta, Aug. 3 against Minnesota and Aug. 7 against Las Vegas. I am planning to go to the game against the Aces. It should be a good game, and University of Washington alum Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson are players I want to see play in person for the Aces.

While it is likely the Storm will play some playoff games at home, why risk it? Go out to a regular season game and support the Storm.

Women’s sports don’t get the credit they deserve, but Bird’s resume and effect on the game of basketball is up there with some of the finest players ever to touch a basketball. Title IX was signed into law 50 years ago, and it’s awesome to see the progress women’s sports have made, but there is still a long way to go. Female athletes have helped pave the way for today’s athletes, with players like Mia Hamm, Diana Tuarasi, Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe.

And while we’re on the topic of female athletes, please support the local girls prep sports teams in 2022-23.