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Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Friday, August 23,
Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird dropped by to chat about the WNBA playoffs,
her rookie year in the league, and much more. Bird, the No. 1 overall
draft pick by the Storm, averaged six assists per game and was Seattle's
second-leading scorer during the regular season. She led the team
in steals and shot 40 percent from 3-point range and 91 percent
at the line. Bird helped lead the Storm to the playoffs, but were
swept by the Los Angeles Sparks in the first round. Bird scored
28 points and dished out 12 assists in the two losses.
Bird came to the WNBA following a dominating college career at
Connecticut. The Huskies reached the Final Four in each of her four
years, winning two championships. Connecticut lost only nine games
during Bird's career, five of which came when she was out of the
lineup.
The following is a transcript of the August 23 chat:
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monarchhater: What does Seattle have to do to stay in contention
for the west next year?
Sue Bird: We have to take what we did this season and improve
on it for next season. The West is a tough conference so hopefully
we can raise our level of play.
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pe21seattle: What were some of your favorite things to do in Seattle?
Sue Bird: I love Pike's Place Market. I have spent all my money
downtown shopping.
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Paul (sydney,australia): Hey sue i am a big fan of both you and
the storm. A lot of people have compared the duo of lauren jackson
and Yourself as the wnba's answer to John stockton and karl malone.
What do you think about those comparsions and your future with lauren
and the storm??.
Sue Bird: It's an honor to be comparted to those two. I do see
some similarities. I only hope that we accomplish what they have.
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dahippoofkent: In the last regular season game you sported your
socks high, what was up with that?
Sue Bird: It was a bet. I figured why not .. I didn't want to
lose!
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kristina (secaucus: Hey Sue! Great year! You are the real rookie
of the year! Do you think the trade for kate starbird had anything
to do with making he playoffs? Can't wait to see you play next year!
GO Storm!!
Sue Bird: Definitely. Kate helped bring another dimension to
our team. When she was added we went on a five game winning streak
so she defintiely had something to do with it.
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Jen (Connecticut): Your amazing! Congratulations on all of your
success! What do you hope to work on or improve during the off season?
Sue Bird: I will be working on my strength ... gotta hit the
weight room.
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SL (Boston): Hi Sue, Congrats on a great rookie season!!! You are
the ROY in my opinion. My question is who was tougher to play for?
Geno or Lin and what are the differences? Thanks.
Sue Bird: College coaches are different from pro coaches. So
I'd have to say Geno ...
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Cameron (Leesburg,Va): Hey Sue, I am a HUGE fan of yours! I wanted
to know what you are going to do on the offseason besides basketball.
Thanks!
Sue Bird: Just get some R&R and hang out with friends!!
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Roddney - Syosset: What do you think of your bobble head doll? I
like it
Sue Bird: It's cool .. I guess these days you are not someone
unless you have a bobblehead ; )
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Talisa (sydney): How was it playing with Lauren Jackson this year,
and did you guys get on well off the court?
Sue Bird: Lauren is great to play with. She is amazing on the
court as well as off. We get along great.
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Dilso (Syosset): Hey Sue, How long are you in town. Seen any good
movies lately?
Sue Bird: Yeah, I saw Austin Powers III the other day but it
was not as good as the first two.. the Danny Devito part was hysterical.
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Andy (DC): Will the Mystics beat the Liberty? Who did the Storm
have a tougher time with?
Sue Bird: I don't know.. it will be tough to beat them in the Garden.
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Biggest Sue Bird Fan, CA: Hey Sue, first off, congratulations
on your first season in the wnba, and what do you hope to accomplish
next season?
Sue Bird: We approached this year just wanting to make the playoffs.
Now that we got a taste of that, I think we all want more. So that
is what I am working towards.
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DT - Storrs: Do you ever check your fan clubs and the internet sites
about you?
Sue Bird: No! I haven't done that but some of my friends keep
me updated.
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Lindsey, CT: Hey Sue! All I have to say is AWESOME SEASON!!! It
was a joy seeing you play professionally! Can't wait for next season!
My question is, what do you want to do after your WNBA career is
over? Thanks and have a great day.
Sue Bird: I'm not sure yet .. hopefully I won't have to think
about that for awhile. Hopefully something in commentating.
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Karen21Honolulu: Hey Sue, how does it feel to come out in suck a
Great Rookie Class this year in the WNBA?
Sue Bird: It feels great to be a part of that. Hopefully we
can continue to be as successful as we were this year.
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Armando Somerville, MA: Hello Sue Bird., I know you probably wanted
the year to end a little different but Congrats on a good season.,
Also I wanted to ask U after finishing your 1st pro season, what
was the greatest adjustment you had to make from the college game
to the pro game., Thanks and have a good off season.
Sue Bird: It was an adjustment to move to a strange city but
my teammates and caoches helped me a lot and it made it much easier
than I expected.
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Lapsley - Syosset: Do you miss the neighborhood?
Sue Bird: Yeah, I miss playing wiffle ball on your front yard
.. ha ha!!
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Dilso (Syosset): My Friend Joe adores you. We saw a home movie the
other day, and we never realized how many pictures of you he has.
Do you have a huge male following.
Sue Bird: What kind of movie's is Joe making? There are all
different kinds of people who follow women's basketball .. our fan
base is really growing.
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Patricia (Tossalad, TX): Is Diana Taurausi going to make the transition
to the WNBA as easily as you did?
Sue Bird: Yes. She is the type of player who could easily make
that transition. Her game will continue to get better.
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Brit (Chicago): Where did you get you number 10?
Sue Bird: Both my sister and I were born in October ,, the 10th
month. She's five years older so when she picked it I just followed
in her footsteps.
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Kara (Dildoinass): Sue, love your game! What was the most fun part
of All Star Weekend in DC?
Sue Bird: Being able to play with some of the best players in
the world. Also, meeting them and seeing what they are like as people.
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KP21HawaiiWNBAFan: Hi Suw was wondering what is your pregame ritual?
Sue Bird: Can't say .. it's a secret ; )
Thanks for writing.
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Barnett - Syosset: Do you think you can beat me one on one? I got
game
Sue Bird: Barnett.. I've already beaten you in one-on-one.
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Liz, CA: If I were to play you at horse, could I do a between the
legs move?
Sue Bird: Sure Liz .. but I don't think you will be able to
match my behind the backboard shot. Ha ha ha!!
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Oakville: Sue - I enjoyed watching you play - I just wish more Seatlle
games were on Tv on the East Coast. Will you stop by any UConn games
this year?
Sue Bird: Thanks for writing .. definitely will have to work
on getting those Storm games on TV more. And yes, I will be attending
many UConn games this year.
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Sue Bird rox!: I read your Outtakes with Dan Patrick in ESPN Magazine.
Did you get in trouble for any of the stuff you did? :-)
Sue Bird: So far so good .. but I haven't talked to coach Auriemma
lately.
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Frank, Trenton: Is pro ball more fun or more demanding than college?
Sue Bird: It's just different .. the season is a little more
demanding physically but you have more free time.
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TPfan21Chicago: What's your position when you played soccer?
Sue Bird: Center midfield ..
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Amy (Europe): Hi Sue!You´re amazing!Have you ever thought
about playing in Europe?Hope so!
Sue Bird: It's definitely a possibility but not this year ..
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Kayan(New York): Did Swin Cash ever try to teach you how to do the
Harlem Shake?
Sue Bird: Swin teach me??? I can do the Harlem Shake better
than her .. and ask Tamika Williams where she learned heel-toe ..
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Sue (per) Birdy: Do you and your sister get along?
Sue Bird: My sister is five years older and so not until recently
have we started to get along .. I was always the annoying little
sister.
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sacha-Hempstead: yo, i heard you learned your crossover from a girl
from your old CYO team, whats her name and do you still talk to
her?
Sue Bird: Actually, I did. Ashley Colucci is her name. I see
her all the time!
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UConnlvr123(Connecticut): I play point and want to play in the WNBA
(I got game), but I am 5'5 and I am afraid i am going to stop growin....
So how tall are you?
Sue Bird: Height doesn't matter.. it took me awhile to get to
my height of 5'9". I found it very valuable to have to learn
how to play, being a short player.
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Kougars808: Hey Sue, what is your favorite kind of food?
Sue Bird: I love french fries ..
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daz (orlando): how well do you think uconn will be next season?
Sue Bird: I think they are going to surprise a lot of people.
They are young, but very dangerous.
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Sarah (Michigan): Congrats on a great first year. I was just wondering
what is the most rewarding thing you have experienced in your career?
Sue Bird: The most rewarding thing was probably winning the
national champ. in high school and then two in college. Hopefully
I can add a WNBA championship soon.
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Jasmene (Maryland): How do stay grounded with all your sucess?
Sue Bird: Because there is still a lot more that I want to do.
I'm always striving to reach those goals.
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TripleThreat21: What's your favorite move to do and watch in basketball?
Sue Bird: I love the crossover pullup jumper .. I love watching
players like Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury ...
Thanks for all the questioins... see you guys here next time!!!
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