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WNBA season preview: Breanna Stewart’s injury alters Storm’s 2019 plans

By Russell Steinberg

FAIRFAX, VA - SEPTEMBER 12: Jordin Canada #21 and members of the Seattle Storm celebrate after winning the WNBA Finals against the Washington Mystics at EagleBank Arena on September 12, 2018 in Fairfax, Virginia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
FAIRFAX, VA - SEPTEMBER 12: Jordin Canada #21 and members of the Seattle Storm celebrate after winning the WNBA Finals against the Washington Mystics at EagleBank Arena on September 12, 2018 in Fairfax, Virginia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The outlook

FAIRFAX, VA – SEPTEMBER 12: Sami Whitcomb #33 of the Seattle Storm reacts against the Washington Mystics during Game Three of the 2018 WNBA Finals on September 12, 2018 at Eaglebank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
FAIRFAX, VA – SEPTEMBER 12: Sami Whitcomb #33 of the Seattle Storm reacts against the Washington Mystics during Game Three of the 2018 WNBA Finals on September 12, 2018 at Eaglebank Arena at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The defending champs were a reasonable pick to repeat up until a few weeks ago. Now, the playoffs are still realistic, but anything beyond that seems like wishful thinking. Still, everything could break the Storm’s way, the players who need to make leaps can do so, the veterans can stay healthy, and they can be a factor in the postseason again.

“It’s tough to go back-to-back in this league,” Quinn said. “Every season is different but taking care of those little things that we weren’t great at least year, I think we will do that plus add a little bit of emphasis on certain things like rebounding and defending without fouling.”

That still may not be enough. Seattle fans should take anything beyond a playoff appearance this year as a bonus, hope Stewart can get healthy, root like hell for Hughes in his fight, and look forward to what is still an exceedingly bright future. In the meantime, the extra reps from the bench can only help.

The Storm have some nice pieces, but for this team to repeat, the total will have to be far greater than the sum of its parts.

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