In the midst of her lengthy jersey retirement speech last weekend, Sue Bird took a moment to discuss the future of the only franchise she played for in her WNBA career.
And how that franchise, the Seattle Storm, is now in the hands of Jewell Loyd.
«To see your game grow, to see you grow as a person, as a human being, as a basketball player, I’m still so excited to have a courtside seat and to be able to watch it continue,» Bird said, directed words. to his ex-partner. «I’m so proud of you. You really are developing into such an amazing player to watch and such an amazing leader to watch. I watch your teammate interact with you and I’m impressed.»
For more than 20 seasons, Bird was the face of the Storm and for two separate stretches she was joined by arguably the best players in the world at the time: Lauren Jackson and Breanna Stewart.
Seattle Storm’s Jewell Loyd #24 looks on after the game against the Phoenix Mercury on June 13, 2023 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
But Seattle has now entered a different phase of the franchise after Bird retired and Stewart signed with the New York Liberty in free agency. It’s a Seattle rebuild that centers on Loyd, now in his ninth season.
And with this comes opportunity and responsibility that Loyd hasn’t been asked to take on in the past, especially with someone like Bird as his teammate.
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«Jewell is great when she scores for us and she’s very active defensively. So what I asked her this year in the leadership role is to do it by example, how she presents herself every day, how she works, that’s what this new team understands. what it takes to be successful in this league,» Seattle coach Noelle Quinn said. «And he’s done it at a high level. He’s come into camp fit and he’s in great space mentally, physically and I think he’s really honed what it takes to perform.»
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So far, Loyd’s example on the court is what Quinn wanted. Loyd leads the league with an average of nearly 25 points per game, nearly 10 more than his career average. His rebound and assist numbers are up and he’s playing 35 minutes a game, though he hasn’t translated into much success with Seattle going 2-6 after eight games.
Seattle Storm’s Jewell Loyd #24 poses before the game against the Phoenix Mercury on June 13, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
But that’s about as easy as it gets for Loyd, going out and playing with the same confidence and swagger that has made her a four-time All-Star.
It’s the piece of leadership that’s new to Loyd, and somewhat outside of what she’s comfortable with. Whether it’s Bird, Stewart or a litany of other veteran players who peppered Seattle’s roster in previous seasons, Loyd just hasn’t needed to speak up.
It has become a necessity, especially with a team looking ahead to a challenging season early in its evolution into the post-Bird, post-Stewart era.
«I’m definitely more vocal. I talk a lot more, I think,» Loyd said. «I mean, I don’t have to do anything crazy. I’ve always let my job do most of the talking and learning and demonstrating. I think now he’s using my voice here and there, but it’s not just me on this core team.»
Diana Taurasi #3 of the Phoenix Mercury and Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm after the game on June 13, 2023 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Loyd is quick to point out that Seattle has other veterans like Mercedes Russell, Sami Whitcomb, Kia Nurse and Yvonne Turner helping round out a roster with seven players with less than three years of experience.
Whitcomb, Nurse and Turner were decided additions from Seattle in the offseason, in part because they could take away some of those intangibles from Loyd.
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«It’s not just my burden, it’s for all of us to help,» Loyd said. «It just makes it easier because it’s not all up to me.»