Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Seattle Storm relied on Lauren Jackson’s dominant all-around production in 2007, with the star forward leading the team’s scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence. Sue Bird controlled the offense as the primary playmaker, while Betty Lennox and Iziane Castro Marques added complementary perimeter scoring. Strong offensive efficiency and interior play remained team strengths, but inconsistent defense and rebounding limited Seattle’s ability to sustain success.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Lauren Jackson Starter/Star (1.1) 32.9 High (1.2) 23.8 9.7 1.3 3.0 99.79 The Storm offense revolved around Jackson’s inside-out scoring, with Anne Donovan regularly using her as the focal point in half-court sets and late-clock possessions. Independent coverage throughout the season highlighted how opponents routinely sent extra defenders yet she still controlled games through efficient post work, face-up shooting and elite rim protection, finishing as both the league’s dominant offensive force and defensive anchor. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA MVP (2007); WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2007); All-WNBA First Team (2007); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2007); WNBA All-Star (2007); Peak Performer – Scoring (2007); Peak Performer – Rebounding (2007)
Betty Lennox Starter/Star (1.1) 27.6 High (1.2) 13.4 4.7 2.7 1.2 57.02 Working as Seattle’s aggressive secondary scorer, Lennox attacked gaps instead of waiting on the perimeter and frequently handled difficult defensive assignments on the wing. Season coverage often noted that her confidence and willingness to create shots relieved pressure from Jackson whenever defenses overloaded the paint. (seattlepi.com) —
Iziane Castro Marques Starter/Star (1.1) 28.3 Medium (1.1) 12.3 2.8 2.8 1.1 45.98 Castro Marques gave Seattle an attacking slasher who stretched defenses with improved perimeter shooting while injecting pace in transition. Contemporary reporting regularly described her as an increasingly important member of the starting unit whose athleticism complemented the Bird-Jackson partnership and expanded the floor offensively. (seattlepi.com) —
Sue Bird Starter/Star (1.1) 31.7 Medium (1.1) 10.4 2.0 4.9 1.8 45.50 Bird’s influence extended well beyond assists, as she dictated tempo, organized Seattle’s spacing and consistently put teammates in favorable spots. Writers covering the Storm emphasized her decision-making and leadership, particularly her chemistry with Jackson in pick-and-roll actions and late-game execution. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA All-Star (2007)
Janell Burse Starter/Star (1.1) 24.4 Medium (1.1) 8.8 5.3 0.8 1.4 39.45 Burse filled the physical interior role by setting hard screens, protecting the paint and handling the toughest post matchups. Coverage from the period frequently praised the balance she brought to Seattle’s frontcourt because her defensive work allowed Jackson greater freedom offensively. (seattlepi.com) —
Wendy Palmer Bench (1.0) 13.9 Low (1.0) 4.6 4.3 0.5 0.6 20.00 Palmer provided experienced frontcourt minutes, focusing on rebounding, interior positioning and steady defensive play rather than offensive volume. Limited touches never changed her responsibility as a dependable reserve big. —
Tanisha Wright Key Contributor (1.05) 16.1 Low (1.0) 4.1 1.3 2.0 1.0 17.64 Wright earned trust through perimeter defense and ball pressure, gradually taking on tougher backcourt assignments despite a modest offensive role. Observers viewed her defensive instincts as a foundation for a much larger future role. —
Katie Gearlds Bench (1.0) 13.2 Low (1.0) 4.0 1.6 0.7 0.6 13.80 Gearlds primarily spaced the floor with her outside shooting and supplied energy off the bench. Her role stayed specialized, giving Seattle another perimeter option when the offense needed extra shooting. —
Ashley Robinson Bench (1.0) 12.4 Low (1.0) 1.5 3.0 0.4 1.3 12.40 Robinson’s minutes came almost entirely because of her length and interior defense. She contributed through shot contests and rebounding while rarely being asked to create offense. —
Astou Ndiaye-Diatta Bench (1.0) 14.5 Low (1.0) 2.5 1.8 0.0 0.6 9.80 Limited contemporary coverage was available because of her brief stint. Available reporting portrayed her as experienced frontcourt depth brought in to reinforce the rotation when needed. —
Shyra Ely-Gash Bench (1.0) 9.7 Low (1.0) 2.2 1.3 0.4 0.3 8.40 Ely-Gash filled reserve wing minutes with defensive energy and occasional transition scoring. Her responsibilities were situational rather than offensive. —
Doneeka Lewis Bench (1.0) 4.7 Low (1.0) 1.4 0.3 0.9 0.1 5.40 Limited contemporary coverage was available because of her short appearance with Seattle. She functioned strictly as emergency backcourt depth. —
Shona Thorburn Bench (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 3.00 Thorburn only appeared briefly, serving as developmental guard depth with very limited opportunities to establish a defined role. —
Tye’sha Fluker Bench (1.0) 3.4 Low (1.0) 0.1 0.8 0.0 0.1 2.00 Fluker’s appearances were confined to reserve frontcourt minutes, where rebounding and physical play remained her primary responsibilities despite scarce playing time. —
Seattle Storm Totals — — — 89.1 40.1 17.4 13.1 380.18 Jackson’s MVP campaign anchored the roster, while Bird’s playmaking and a balanced supporting cast helped Seattle return to the postseason despite an uneven regular season. MVP (2007); Defensive Player of the Year (2007); 2× WNBA All-Star (Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird); All-WNBA First Team (Lauren Jackson); All-Defensive First Team (Lauren Jackson)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Lauren Jackson Starter/Star (1.1) 34.0 High (1.2) 19.0 11.5 0.5 2.5 88.18 Seattle continued to run virtually every important possession through Jackson, but Phoenix’s aggressive doubles forced difficult decisions and limited her usual offensive rhythm. Even so, independent postseason coverage praised her interior dominance, rebounding and rim protection as she remained the Storm’s clear two-way centerpiece despite the series loss. (Basketball Reference) WNBA MVP (2007); WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2007); All-WNBA First Team (2007); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2007); WNBA All-Star (2007); Peak Performer – Scoring (2007); Peak Performer – Rebounding (2007)
Betty Lennox Starter/Star (1.1) 31.0 High (1.2) 18.0 6.5 2.0 1.0 72.07 Lennox attacked confidently off the dribble throughout the series, taking on a heavy shot-creation role whenever Phoenix crowded Jackson. Although her efficiency dipped, her willingness to generate offense against constant defensive pressure kept Seattle competitive on the perimeter. —
Sue Bird Starter/Star (1.1) 35.5 Medium (1.1) 16.5 2.0 5.0 2.0 61.71 Bird controlled Seattle’s tempo and looked for early offense before Phoenix’s defense became established, mixing pull-up threes with patient playmaking. Reporters covering the series noted that much of the Storm’s execution depended on her ability to organize the offense under relentless Mercury pressure. WNBA All-Star (2007)
Ashley Robinson Starter/Star (1.1) 26.0 Low (1.0) 4.0 8.0 3.0 3.5 40.70 Robinson’s impact came almost entirely without the ball, providing physical interior defense, help-side shot blocking and strong rebounding against Phoenix’s frontcourt. Her activity around the rim gave Seattle valuable extra possessions throughout the series. —
Iziane Castro Marques Starter/Star (1.1) 25.5 Medium (1.1) 10.0 2.0 2.0 0.5 35.09 Castro Marques brought pace and shot-making from the wing, looking to attack before the defense settled while stretching the floor with perimeter shooting. Her aggressive style remained an important change of pace even as Phoenix tightened defensively late in possessions. —
Tanisha Wright Key Contributor (1.05) 21.0 Low (1.0) 9.0 2.5 2.5 1.0 31.50 Wright earned meaningful playoff minutes because of her perimeter defense, staying attached to ball handlers while also providing timely drives and secondary playmaking. Coaches leaned on her versatility more than pure scoring. —
Wendy Palmer Bench (1.0) 13.5 Low (1.0) 8.5 4.0 0.0 0.5 26.00 Palmer supplied productive reserve frontcourt minutes by finishing around the basket, battling on the glass and bringing veteran physicality whenever Seattle rotated its post players. —
Katie Gearlds Bench (1.0) 11.5 Low (1.0) 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.5 10.00 Gearlds filled a limited reserve role as a floor spacer, with her outside shooting creating occasional offensive balance despite modest playing time in the short series. —
Astou Ndiaye-Diatta Bench (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 2.00 Limited contemporary playoff coverage was available because of her brief appearance. She served as experienced emergency frontcourt depth during the series. —
Seattle Storm Totals — — — 86.5 38.5 16.5 12.0 367.25 Phoenix’s defensive pressure consistently disrupted Seattle’s half-court offense, leaving Jackson and Bird to shoulder most of the creation while the supporting cast fought to generate enough secondary scoring in a two-game sweep. WNBA MVP (2007); WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2007); WNBA All-Star (2007); All-WNBA First Team (2007); All-Defensive First Team (2007); Peak Performer – Scoring (2007); Peak Performer – Rebounding (2007)