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Podcast: ESPN writer Kevin Pelton on the Seattle Storm

By Ben Dull

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 12: Jordin Canada #21 of the Seattle Storm drives to the basket against the Phoenix Mercury during a pre-season game on May 12, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 12: Jordin Canada #21 of the Seattle Storm drives to the basket against the Phoenix Mercury during a pre-season game on May 12, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Guest host Ben Dull is joined on this episode by ESPN basketball writer Kevin Pelton to discuss the Seattle Storm heading into the 2018 WNBA season.

The Storm finished the 2017 regular season with a 15-19 record and fell at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the playoffs. During the offseason, the team hired Dan Hughes as its next head coach and welcomed several new additions — No. 5 overall pick Jordin Canada, third round pick Teana Muldrow and unrestricted free agent center Courtney Paris. The Storm also acquired Natasha Howard in a sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Lynx.

In this episode, Pelton discusses the impact Hughes has had on this group already, how star forward Breanna Stewart can continue to grow her game, and how the team can best build around Stewart and find the most effective lineups to look to make a run deep into the playoffs this season.

Pelton brings his unique insight having watched the Storm up close for so many years, particularly by pointing to Tanisha Wright’s development in explaining how Jewell Loyd can strike an ideal balance between scoring and creating for the team with the ball in her hands.

Related Story: Seattle Storm season preview

Note: This episode was recorded late Wednesday evening. The team had not yet announced its final roster cut. The Storm waived Aleksandra Crvendakic to bring their roster count to 12. Pelton did offer his insight on the battle for the final roster spots having attended some practices and their preseason home game against Phoenix.

The Storm open the 2018 season at home on Sunday against the Mercury (9 PM ET, broadcast live on Twitter and WNBA League Pass).

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