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Drop Off: 5 things: Seattle Storm 103, Connecticut Sun 92

By Ben Dull

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 27: Natasha Howard #6 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball against the Las Vegas Aces in a WNBA game on May 27, 2018 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 27: Natasha Howard #6 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball against the Las Vegas Aces in a WNBA game on May 27, 2018 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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5 things on Friday’s win for the now 8-3 Seattle Storm:

1. Howard, Stewart putting you in checkmate

What a night for Natasha Howard. The springy, do-it-all forward has proven to be one of the best players to change teams this past offseason. We all talked about the added value defensively, which the league’s ninth-ranked defense needed dearly.

The defense has been as advertised. Howard and Breanna Stewart began starting together in the frontcourt almost immediately. The additional contributions offensively have transformed Seattle’s entire first unit. Howard scored 25 points Friday evening on 8-for-11 shooting, connecting on both three-point attempts.

Those are the shots nobody in the WNBA wants to see falling — there isn’t much you can do to stop this team if Howard and Alysha Clark are hitting their open triples. Howard has been scored in a myriad of ways for the Storm this season: getting out in transition, cutting to the rim, as a roller in pick and roll, facing up slower bigs, occasionally posting up, and eating on the offensive glass.

Listed at just 6’2, Howard’s relative size will likely always factor into bigger picture discussions when setting the Storm’s ceiling. Some of those questions are fair. But there is no magic bullet to use in slowing Brittney Griner, Liz Cambage, Sylvia Fowles and Tina Charles down. They’re bigger and stronger and more skilled than just about everybody. You have to double them most of the time.

Howard and Stewart give Seattle as good a duo to pull that off as anybody. Both are long and can cover ground in a heartbeat. If and whenever they do manage to force those players into some tough shots, it shouldn’t be all that surprising. The added bonus on is on the other end, whenever Howard manages to go right into the chest of bigger centers to finish at the rim, seen in Friday’s third quarter against Jonquel Jones:

Stewart had a monster game against the Sun as well, going for 23 points on 7-for-10 shooting along with nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals. She and Howard combined to shoot 14-for-15 at the free throw line. The thought of that duo getting that many chances at the stripe will also give opponents headaches.

To make matters worse, Stewart is so much more than a tall human that can nail open jumpers. She’s one of the most fluid players (not just a standout among bigs) in the world attacking closeouts.

2. Mosqueda-Lewis collecting easy buckets

The efficiency didn’t stop there, as Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis went for 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting (3-4 3PT). Friday was the third time already this season that Mosqueda-Lewis has hit three triples in a game — a feat she matched just once in 18 games last season. The sharpshooter is averaging 11 minutes per game in 2018, right on par with the first three seasons of her career.

The shooting, especially around Jordin Canada-led bench units, adds a ton of value. But it’s plays like these that remind you that Mosqueda-Lewis is more than just a spot-up shooter.

Any bucket you can muster from a two-man game, a give and go, or any sort of read and react action against a set defense matters. Late in games or in the playoffs, teams those spot-ups may completely dry up. Any action like that can happen at any moment.

3. Laney, Brown ready for the call

Betnijah Laney and Lexie Brown each logged their season-high in minutes to date. With Alyssa Thomas out (shoulder), the Sun went to more three guard alignments. Brown stuck a three-pointer at the end of the first quarter and helped to push the pace off of Seattle misses. Laney shot 4-for-5 from the field, including a strong finish in traffic and a quick release three-pointer from the corner.

Courtney Williams and Shekinna Stricklen did not play well in this one, and Alex Bentley and Rachel Banham combined to go 0-for-7 off the bench. Who knows how much we’ll see of Brown and Laney moving forward. Perhaps that depends on the timetable for Thomas’ return, which is still uncertain as of Saturday.

4. JT, Chiney go off for 59

Jasmine Thomas and Chiney Ogwumike each had incredibly efficient nights to shoulder the load offensively for Connecticut. Ogwumike brings an element inside as a finisher that this team flat out did not have last season, and she’s flashed the same signature footwork and polish to score with her back to the basket. Thomas has looked even quicker and more confident from the jump, especially in getting to the rim this season.

If asked to poke a hole in this team, I’ll continue to point to their guards not putting enough pressure on the rim. Thomas gives their offense more balance when she’s looking to turn the corner, which may make all the difference for the Sun down the line.

5. JJ, doing her best AT

Jonquel Jones threw a few slick interior passes Friday night. That hasn’t necessary been a staple of her game, though she also isn’t regularly required to do it all that often. Provided Alyssa Thomas’ injury isn’t all that serious, it’d be good for Jones to pile up some reps making plays as a roller to help round out her game.

Next: Friday Drop Off: Aces sweep b2b against Fever, Liberty

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