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Lunch Break Chat with Sue Bird
Super rookie Sue Bird came into the 2002 season with a hefty reputation
and high expectations. She didn't disappoint. Bird was stellar on
both ends of the court, scoring over 14 points per game and ranking
No. 2 in the league in assists (6.0 apg), while also averaging 1.72
steals per game, good for eighth in the league. Even more impressive,
Bird helped lead the Seattle Storm to their first-ever playoff berth.
In the postseason, Bird continued to step it up, maintaining her
scoring and assists averages, while upping her defensive stats to
2.50 swipes per game. The Storm, however, could not overcome defending
champion Los Angeles, who claimed a two-game sweep.
As part of WNBA.com's Lunch Break weekday chat series, Bird stopped
by on Thursday, August 22 at 4 p.m. ET*.
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Joey : So what was your favorite playoff experience so far?? You
Rock!! Take Care, Joey
Sue Bird: I guess just making it in my first year. It was a
lot of fun.
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Shae, Walker: First off I wanna say I am a BiG fan of yours, I have
watched you since UConn. What do you think the Utah Starzz have
to do to beat LA in the Confrenece Finals?
Sue Bird: It's gonna be tough to beat a team like L.A. cause
they have so many weapons. i'd try to limit the touches for Lisa
and Mwadi. and you have to try to outrebound them.
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Alex ( UpperDarby): Hey Sue, Congradulations on making the playoffs!
What are your expectations for next year? Do you think you'll make
it there and even farther again?
Sue Bird: I think since we've made it the first I'm there, we
expect to get back. But it'll be tougher. Sacramento will be healthy.
The Western Conference is no joke.
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Robyn (Virginia): Hey Sue, congratulations on a great year. We all
know that you, Asjha, Swin, and Tamika have kept in touch in the
WNBA, but have you talked to Diana Taurasi lately? Any advice to
D regarding UConn's upcoming season?
Sue Bird: Yeah. I talk to Dee every now and then and I saw her
in L.A. The only advice I'd give her is play her game. She knows
what to do.
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Mike (Seattle): Rumor has it you dated a Backstreet Boy? Is that
true? And if so, which one?
Sue Bird: I do not date a Backstreet Boy but Nick Carter and
I have the same agent and therefore he accompanied me to the ESPY's.
We're just friends.
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tammy (seattle): have you ever seen michelle marciniak dance?
Sue Bird: Not before this year. But now I can say that I've
had the honor of seeing her do the Harlem Shake.
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Meg [Hartford]: Sue great season. Geno was in the paper denying
the manicures, are you going to let him off the hook on that one?
But seriously, do you have any plans to return to Storrs to work
out with the team?
Sue Bird: Definitely not letting him off the hook. And yes,
I hope to be in stores this year to help the team out.
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Kayan (New York): Hi Sue. Big Fan of yours. I watched you play all
through your UCONN years and I try to watch as many of your WNBA
games as I can. Will you play in the NWBL after the World Championships?
What do you think of your teammates for the World Championships?
Sue Bird: I'm not sure what I'm gonna do but the WNBDL is a
definite possiblity. It's going to be an honor to play with so many
great players. Hopefully I can keep up.
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Rich [Seattle]: Sue, great season, we are all very proud of the
Storm and you. Are you looking forward to playing Lauren in the
Worlds. It seems as if you too especially formed a close bond this
season.
Sue Bird: I'm definitely looking forward to seeing her. I don't
know about playing her. Hopefully she won't block my shot like she
does everyone else's.
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Marianne (Dayton): Good job this year! I just want to know what
was up with your socks in your game against Sacramento?! Thanks!
Sue Bird: It was something I've been .... There was a bet to
see if I would do it. So I wore my socks high for the final game.
Which means I won the bet.
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SUE RULES, PA: Hey Sue! Congrats on a AWESOME rookie season, you're
the rookie of the year in my eyes! If you could be trapped on a
deserted island with anyone who would you want it to be?
Sue Bird: Thanks for writing. I'd have to go with ... Brad Pitt.
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Annie: Hey "sue"per bird. haha. What's your favorite F*R*I*E*N*D*S
episode and DMX song? Did you and your teamates do anything while
you guys were in L.A.? Great job this season. Good luck with USA
ball.
Sue Bird: My favorite Friends episode is where Ross is moving
his couch into his apartment. (Pivot.) And my favorite DMX song
is "How's It Goin' Down." In L.A. we ate at Roscoe's and
went to the Beverly Center. But that was after. Before the series,
it was all business.
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Lindsey(Kansas City): First I would like to say that I think you
got jipped out of the ROY award. I know you are a huge movie fan,
and you like to recite movie lines. Do you have a favorite?
Sue Bird: It's hard to pick a favorite. But I love Adam Sandler
movies, so I quote them the most.
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Jen, MN: Hey Sue! I loved watching you play for the 39-0 Huskies!
I was just wondering what does it feel like to play against your
old teammates? And also what does it feel like to look in teh stands
and see all those people wearing your jersey? Well keep up the great
work! Go Storm!!
Sue Bird: At first it was a little weird playing your old teammates.
But after we hang out and see the city they play in. It's strange
seeing all those people in the stands with my jersey. But it's great.
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Brittany (NC): Hey Sue! Congrats on a great rookie season! You seemed
to fit right in with your team and it made a HUGE difference. Who
would you say has taken you under their wing and helped you out
the most? Thanks and good luck!!
Sue Bird: I would have to say Terri Graf. She's our assistant
coach and our guard coach. So she helped me out most in making the
transition.
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mary: Hi, Congratulations on making it to the playoffs! What was
your most embarrassing moment at uconn and at seattle? Cant wait
to see you play next year!
Sue Bird: I don't think I have any. I was most embarassed FOR
Swin when she shot at the wrong basket in college. And Lauren when
she did it this year.
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UConnfan: Hey Sue- Congrats on making the playoffs!! You had a great
season this year. What do you miss most about college? How often
do you talk to your fellow rookies and former teammates at UConn.
Have a great summer! Good luck next year!!
Sue Bird: Probably just the people. I got used to seeing them
every day. The coaches, support staff. ANd the fans were awesome.
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Simon, Somerset: Sue you a great player, and you laed the Storm
to the playoffs like you said you would, and was while doing it.
So what do you thik gave your team the extra boost they needed and
make their first playoff apearance? And what do you need to make
it farther next season?
Sue Bird: This year we had our backs against the wall and we
wanted to go 9-0 to close out. But we went 7-2 including a franchise
record five in a row. And I think that'll help us out going into
next year.
Sue Bird: I want to thank everyone who logged on and asked questions.
Thanks for supporting me, the Storm and the WNBA. Looking forward
to seeing everyone next year. Take care!
Copyright 2002 WNBA Media Ventures, LLC
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