The Seattle Storm took a significant step forward in 2002 behind a balanced core led by Lauren Jackson, whose scoring, rebounding, and rim protection anchored the frontcourt. Rookie Sue Bird immediately assumed primary playmaking duties while adding reliable scoring, and Kamila Vodichkova supplied efficient interior production. Strong rebounding, interior defense, and balanced offense were key strengths, although inconsistent perimeter shooting remained a weakness.
Everything revolved around Jackson at both ends of the floor. Seattle’s offense increasingly ran through her scoring versatility, while independent coverage regularly praised the way she altered games defensively with elite shot blocking and growing confidence as the franchise cornerstone. (seattlepi.com)
WNBA All-Star (2002); All-WNBA First Team (2002); WNBA MVP Voting (Top 10)
Sue Bird
Starter/Star
35.0
High
14.4
2.6
6.0
1.8
65.47
Rookie point guard immediately became the organizer of Seattle’s attack, balancing tempo with playmaking. Coaches and reporters consistently noted her poise, leadership and ability to create quality looks late in games, helping drive the Storm to its first playoff appearance. (seattlepi.com)
WNBA All-Star (2002); All-WNBA First Team (2002); WNBA All-Rookie Team (2002); WNBA Rookie of the Year Runner-up
Kamila Vodichkova
Starter/Star
25.5
Medium
9.2
5.5
1.5
1.7
43.08
Reliable interior partner for Jackson who embraced the physical work inside. Season coverage highlighted her rebounding, efficient finishing and willingness to absorb difficult defensive assignments that freed Seattle’s stars offensively. (seattlepi.com)
None
Simone Edwards
Key Contributor
21.7
Medium
7.0
4.4
0.6
1.1
30.72
Physical reserve post whose energy often changed the tone of games. She provided toughness, hard screens and dependable interior defense while accepting a complementary offensive role throughout the season.
None
Amanda Lassiter
Starter/Star
23.1
Medium
5.3
2.6
2.3
1.9
29.77
Versatile wing who handled secondary ball-handling duties and defended multiple perimeter positions. Even when her shot fluctuated, Seattle valued her activity and willingness to fit around Bird and Jackson.
None
Semeka Randall
Key Contributor
21.8
Medium
6.4
3.2
1.4
1.0
27.72
Athletic slasher whose role shifted as Seattle’s backcourt evolved. Her best work came attacking closeouts and bringing defensive intensity against opposing wings, though injuries interrupted her continuity.
None
Sonja Henning
Key Contributor
25.9
Low
2.3
3.3
1.9
1.2
18.06
Veteran guard was valued more for defensive organization than scoring. Before being traded, she earned praise for shutting down elite opposing guards, including Jackie Stiles, illustrating the trust Seattle placed in her perimeter defense. (seattlepi.com)
None
Kate Starbird
Bench
20.7
Low
5.9
2.1
1.3
1.1
20.80
Limited appearances did not stop her from supplying instant offense and floor spacing. She fit naturally into Seattle’s movement-based attack before injuries again reduced her availability.
None
Felicia Ragland
Bench
13.9
Low
4.5
1.5
0.7
0.9
15.20
Rookie reserve guard supplied shooting and defensive activity in short bursts. Her role remained modest, but she showed flashes as a dependable perimeter contributor whenever called upon.
None
Jamie Redd
Bench
11.2
Low
5.2
1.3
0.7
0.2
14.80
Efficient scoring reserve who made the most of limited opportunities. Her ability to stretch the floor added useful depth during a season when Seattle’s rotation changed frequently.
None
Michelle Marciniak
Bench
12.2
Low
3.1
1.2
1.7
0.6
13.20
Experienced backup point guard who helped steady second units with smart decision-making. Contemporary independent reporting on her individual role was relatively limited.
None
Adia Barnes
Key Contributor
19.0
Low
3.5
3.9
1.1
1.5
21.00
Defensive-minded forward whose hustle consistently earned minutes. Coaches appreciated her rebounding, versatility and willingness to defend bigger opponents despite modest offensive usage.
None
Stacey Lovelace
Bench
9.6
Low
3.5
1.5
0.4
0.6
12.00
Athletic reserve wing who contributed defensive energy and transition play. Independent season-specific coverage of her role was limited beyond routine game reporting.
None
Kate Paye
Bench
6.0
Low
1.1
0.4
0.3
0.2
4.00
Used sparingly as backcourt depth, with very limited contemporary independent reporting because of her restricted playing time.
None
Takeisha Lewis
Bench
4.1
Low
1.3
1.7
0.2
0.1
6.60
Developmental frontcourt reserve who appeared only briefly during the season. Contemporary independent coverage was limited due to her small role.
None
Danielle McCulley
Bench
10.8
Low
0.5
1.8
0.3
0.3
5.80
Appeared in only four games, leaving little independent season-specific reporting beyond roster and transaction coverage.
Seattle’s offense stayed in Bird’s hands throughout the series, with the rookie point guard pushing tempo and creating nearly every clean perimeter look. Even after falling behind 1-0, she spoke about playing fearlessly, then answered with a 17-point effort in Game 2 despite the first-round exit. (seattlepi.com)
WNBA All-Star (2002); All-WNBA First Team (2002); WNBA All-Rookie Team (2002)
Lauren Jackson
Starter/Star
34.0
High
11.5
5.0
1.5
4.5
59.14
Los Angeles built its defensive game plan around denying Jackson deep catches, forcing difficult touches and constant double teams. Even with the offensive attention, she remained Seattle’s defensive anchor by protecting the rim and battling Lisa Leslie inside. (seattlepi.com)
WNBA All-Star (2002); All-WNBA First Team (2002)
Kamila Vodichkova
Starter/Star
30.5
Medium
12.5
5.0
1.5
1.0
48.16
Vodichkova quietly became Seattle’s most consistent interior scorer in the series. Independent game coverage highlighted her 17-point performance in the elimination game as she punished single coverage whenever the Sparks overloaded toward Jackson. (washingtonpost.com)
None
Amanda Lassiter
Starter/Star
23.0
Medium
5.0
3.5
2.0
2.0
30.49
Lassiter filled the difficult complementary role on the wing, spacing the floor and defending multiple perimeter assignments. Her willingness to handle secondary playmaking allowed Bird to attack without bringing the ball up every possession. (seattlepi.com)
None
Adia Barnes
Starter/Star
25.0
Low
5.0
4.0
1.5
1.5
26.40
Barnes supplied hustle plays more than shot creation, attacking the glass and matching up against bigger forwards. Her physical defense helped Seattle stay competitive despite the talent gap against the defending champions. (seattlepi.com)
None
Simone Edwards
Key Contributor
15.5
Low
2.0
1.5
0.0
0.0
7.35
Edwards was used primarily for physical interior minutes against the Sparks’ frontcourt rotation. Offensive opportunities were limited, but her assignment centered on defending the paint and setting firm screens.
None
Michelle Marciniak
Bench
14.5
Low
4.0
1.0
0.5
1.5
14.00
Marciniak entered to steady Seattle’s second unit with ball security and veteran decision-making. Contemporary playoff coverage focused more on her organizational role than offensive production.
None
Kate Starbird
Bench
11.5
Low
2.5
1.5
0.5
1.0
11.00
Starbird provided instant perimeter spacing in limited minutes. Her role was to stretch Los Angeles defensively whenever Seattle went to its reserve rotation. (
None
Felicia Ragland
Bench
9.5
Low
3.5
3.0
0.5
0.0
14.00
Ragland’s minutes came as an energy option off the bench, where she attacked rebounds and defended aggressively. Independent playoff reporting on her individual contributions was limited because of her reserve role.
