The Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces by 20 points last month, a couple of night later the lost to the Minnesota Lynx by a mere five points in Minnesota. On Wednesday evening at the Climate Pledge Arena, the Storm won their sixth game of the year, while handing the Minnesota Lynx their first loss of their season with their 94-84 win.
“Speaking with E (Erica Wheeler) in the off season, just wanted to be transparent and clear. From her experience in the league, that’s all she wanted was from a coach,” Storm HC Noelle Quinn said. “Be truthful and clear and she’s going to do exactly what I ask.”
“I am asking her to be 100%, authentically herself. I’m asking her provide us some energy and play at a high level at both ends of the floor,” coach Quinn added. “In this league you have to pivot, and our pivot has been big. E (Erica) has remained true to herself and true to the commitment of this team.”
Erica Wheeler has had some memorable moments this season, she recently became the first undrafted player to win All-Star MVP. She made her 1,000th field goal on 5/25 to go with 21 points and 7 assists. On 5/27, Wheeler become the first reserve in franchise history to record 30 points and 10 assists in a two-game span. She entered the starting lineup on 5/30 and became the first player with 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists in their first start with Seattle. Wheeler also became the first reserve in franchise history, and third in WNBA history, to record at least 10 points, seven assists, and five rebounds without a turnover.
Against the Lynx, Wheeler scored 20 points, handed out nine assists, pulled down two rebounds and recorded one steal. This season Wheeler is averaging 9.8 points per game, 3.6 assists per game, and a career high 3.6 rebounds. She hit what amounts to a game clinching three pointer at the 46.7 second remaining in the game to put the Storm up by four points.
“Noelle is pretty quiet, and I am not. I think for me, more so getting to know Noe, after every practice. I always tell her to give me five minutes; however, it don’t be five minutes; it maybe 10 minutes, it maybe 20 minutes,” Wheeler said. “Me just having them small conversations, just trying to figure out what she wants from me every day, in my role as connector in chief.”
“That’s a really great team. For us, it was more so about executing the things we’ve been working on the past two days, because we don’t get to work on in practice. Today we were locked in and it showed,” point guard Erica Wheeler said. “Just me, getting back to who I am. Being on a team that appreciates everything that I do, a coach actually believing in me and allowing me to be me, unapologetically. That’s why I was emotional, the love from Seattle has been crazy. I feel good here, everything is clicking right now.”
Coach Quinn has frequently referred to Wheeler as the connector in chief, because of her ability to communicate and bring out the best in her teammates. As the team work to achieves their goals this season, Wheeler will continue to be a significant part of any success this team looks to have. Starting with their matchup against the .500 Golden State Valkyries at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Please share your thoughts on this topic with me on X at https://x.com/whatsgoodnsport
