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WNBA playoffs semifinals preview podcast: Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury

By Ben Dull

SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 17: The Seattle Storm huddle up during the game against the New York Liberty on August 17, 2018 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 17: The Seattle Storm huddle up during the game against the New York Liberty on August 17, 2018 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs, the Seattle Storm will take on the Phoenix Mercury, who made it through two single-elimination rounds to get to this point. The Storm, after posting the league’s best record in the regular season, earned a double-bye into the semis which gave them an opportunity to get home, get some rest and prepare as they awaited their opponent.

In this episode of the Locked on Women’s Basketball Podcast, host Howard Megdal is joined by Ben Dull of High Post Hoops to preview the series and talk through some of the key issues that will be at play for both teams, including:

  • how well Diana Taurasi is playing and what the Storm will need to emphasize in defending her
  • how good Brittney Griner has been, and what Seattle will need to do to limit her effectiveness rolling to the rim and scoring with her back to the basket
  • how the Mercury should look to defend MVP-favorite Breanna Stewart
  • what the potential matchups may be for Phoenix defensively to also lock in on Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd on the perimeter
  • what Natasha Howard has brought to Seattle this year and what her imprint could be on this series
  • why DeWanna Bonner makes this year’s Mercury team so tough to guard at this time of year

Also covered at the end of the episode with regard to the Connecticut Sun, the team Phoenix had to defeat in Thursday’s second round matchup in order to advance:

  • whether or not the Sun should look to shake up their roster
  • what their frontcourt may look like, especially with regard to the trio of Jonquel Jones, Chiney Ogwumike and Alyssa Thomas

Also. Round 2 recaps, Mystics/Dream semifinal preview pod with Lindsay Gibbs. light

The semifinals begin Sunday. The action kicks off with the other series featuring the Washington Mystics at the Atlanta Dream (3 PM ET, ESPN2). Game 1 between the Mercury and Storm in Seattle will follow on ESPN 2 at 5 PM ET.

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