So, the Seattle Storm have an impressively well-organized fanbase, and they run the best WNBA fan site, Stormfans.org. These folks travel to games and greet the team and do all kinds of things. Great fans.
A few of them even made it to the first round playoff game last Saturday against the Lynx at the Target Center. Again, I’m impressed by their dedication and wish I had that kind of time and money to do the same for the Lynx. I’d be a season ticket holder if I could. If I lived in Seattle, I’d probably dedicate just as much time and effort to the Storm as I do now to the Lynx.
The biggest disappointment of the game was the loss. We played pretty well in the first half, and then we fell apart. The second biggest disappointment was the lack of attendance.
Katie Smith looked hot on the bench in her street clothes and I saw her give Sue Bird a big ol’ slap on the ass as the teams headed into the tunnel at halftime. Ooh. Aah.
Now, like I said, I’m impressed that Storm fans made it to the game and I applaud their vocal and visible support of their team in a hostile arena (as hostile as less than 5,000 attendees can be).
However.
Screaming into your pussy little yellow megaphone every time an opposing player shoots a free throw is childish at best and assholitry at worst. Turns out it was this Scott guy, apparently one of the biggest Stormfans there is.
I made it my goal to be as loud as possible for all the Lynx free throws and I think I may have actually succeeded in getting them to flinch at first. In the first half, they were on offense on our side of the court, so I was able to stand up and yell “Brick!” with my little yellow megaphone for every free throw. I was 3 for 4 for the first 4 shots – meaning they missed 3 times. Later, I think I had less effect and then when the second half rolled around I was sure that I wouldn’t have any effect at all. Well, that place was so quiet I think I was able to get Helen Darling to flinch and miss her first free throw. After that, Shed, Scowl, Leighway and the Lurker joined in and we yelled as a group the rest of the way. The Lynx got used to us, I think, because they started hitting their shots. We, or I, were pissing off the fans behind us. One total jerk came up behind me in the second half and screamed right in my ear. He wasn’t trying to yell and get the Storm player to miss, he only wanted to scream as loud as he could in my ear. Loser. If you don’t like us coming into your arena and making noise, try returning the favor by coming to Seattle instead of trying to burst my eardrum. Nice example for your little girl that was sitting with you. Anyway, we never stopped and hopefully had an impact. The Storm bench was cracking up and giving us thumbs-up signs.
If he thinks he had a hand in the win by messing up foul shots, then fine. Whatever you need to tell yourself, buddy. Scream and cheer and be loud and jump up and down and have your signs and wear your green and gold and whatever. Please do. Somebody needed to be enjoying that game. But that free throw screeching thing was obnoxious and stupid. I don’t think that guy objected to your making noise and cheering for your team. He objected to your being a dick. Because you’re a perfect example of sportsmanship for that little girl.
I remember passing him later in the skyway near where my car was parked in Garage A. Let’s just say he was, uh, easy to pick out. I know in my head I gave him a dirty look. Don’t know if it made it to my face. I was on the phone.
Anyway, I’m in one of his pictures. Look at the top left in the stands. See the two brown girls sitting together? I’m on the left in the blue shirt and my friend Renae is on the right in the red jacket. There’s also a scarily plastic and tan Andrea Lloyd Curry down there in the front row, right underneath Tamika Williams’ left elbow. There was a hilarious group of season ticket holders right in front of us, too. I bought cheaper tickets and walked down to sit sat behind them at every game I went to this season. They’re always entertaining.
I’m rooting for Seattle from here on out. And the Seattle-Sacramento game is on in 20 minutes. It’s win-or-go-home for the Storm.
