The Seattle Storm relied on Lauren Jackson as their dominant offensive and defensive force in 2009, with Sue Bird orchestrating the offense and Swin Cash providing versatile scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. Camille Little added efficient frontcourt production, giving Seattle a balanced interior rotation. Strong rebounding, efficient shooting, and disciplined ball movement were clear strengths, although inconsistent defense limited the team’s overall success.
Everything still flowed through Jackson when Seattle needed a basket, with Brian Agler using her in the post and on pick-and-pop actions to stretch defenses. Independent coverage consistently described her healthy return as the biggest reason the Storm re-emerged as a contender after an injury-plagued 2008. (seattlepi.com)
All-WNBA First Team (2009); WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2009); WNBA All-Star (2009); Peak Performer – Scoring (2009)
Sue Bird
Starter/Star (1.1)
35.5
High (1.2)
12.8
2.5
5.8
1.6
59.14
Bird directed one of the league’s most balanced offenses, willingly shifting between distributor and scorer depending on defensive coverages. Reporters frequently pointed to her chemistry with Jackson and her command of late-game situations as a defining strength of Seattle’s attack. (seattlepi.com)
All-WNBA First Team (2009); WNBA All-Star (2009)
Swin Cash
Starter/Star (1.1)
34.2
Medium (1.1)
12.2
6.7
2.6
1.4
55.90
Cash gave Seattle a physical two-way forward who defended multiple positions while relentlessly attacking the glass and running the floor. Much of the season coverage focused on how much healthier and more explosive she looked after battling back problems the previous year. (seattlepi.com)
WNBA All-Star (2009)
Tanisha Wright
Starter/Star (1.1)
32.5
Medium (1.1)
12.2
3.5
3.9
1.8
51.09
Wright’s defensive assignments rarely changed, but her offensive confidence continued to grow as she attacked the rim more decisively and handled secondary playmaking duties. Coaches trusted her to guard elite perimeter scorers while keeping the offense organized beside Bird. (seattlepi.com)
WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2009)
Camille Smith
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.7
Medium (1.1)
10.0
6.5
1.0
1.5
45.98
Smith quietly became a dependable interior complement to Jackson, finishing efficiently around the basket and embracing the physical work that allowed Seattle’s stars greater offensive freedom. Her steady development gave the Storm valuable frontcourt balance throughout the season. (heraldnet.com)
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Janell Burse
Key Contributor (1.05)
15.9
Low (1.0)
6.1
3.1
0.3
1.5
23.10
Burse supplied rugged reserve minutes, setting hard screens, defending opposing post players and protecting the rim. Her production rarely grabbed headlines, but her physical style fit exactly what Seattle wanted from its second unit. (seattlepi.com)
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Shannon Johnson
Key Contributor (1.05)
18.2
Low (1.0)
4.0
1.8
1.5
1.0
17.43
Johnson stabilized the second unit with veteran decision-making, giving Bird occasional relief while maintaining offensive pace. Her experience proved valuable in a deep rotation built around championship aspirations. (seattlepi.com)
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La’Tangela Atkinson
Bench (1.0)
23.0
Low (1.0)
2.5
9.0
2.5
5.5
39.00
Limited contemporary coverage was available because Atkinson appeared in only two games. Her brief opportunities showcased defensive activity and rebounding more than offensive involvement.
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Katie Gearlds
Bench (1.0)
12.2
Low (1.0)
4.1
1.3
0.6
0.5
13.00
Gearlds filled a specialist shooting role off the bench, spacing the floor and providing instant offense when perimeter scoring was needed. Her minutes were tailored to specific matchups.
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Suzy Batkovic-Brown
Bench (1.0)
7.4
Low (1.0)
2.4
1.5
0.2
0.6
9.40
Batkovic-Brown provided experienced frontcourt depth, supplying physical interior minutes and efficient finishing in a limited reserve role.
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Ashley Walker
Bench (1.0)
6.9
Low (1.0)
1.8
1.8
0.3
0.4
8.60
Walker’s role centered on developmental frontcourt minutes, bringing energy on the glass while adapting to the professional game in limited opportunities.
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Ashley Robinson
Bench (1.0)
6.4
Low (1.0)
0.5
0.9
0.1
0.6
4.20
Robinson was used almost exclusively for defensive possessions, where her length and shot-blocking remained more valuable than offensive production.
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A’Quonesia Franklin
Bench (1.0)
10.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
4.00
Limited contemporary reporting was available because of her brief stint. She served primarily as emergency backcourt depth during her appearances.
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Seattle Storm Totals
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—
—
97.0
51.1
26.8
19.7
409.30
Seattle re-established itself among the league’s elite behind Lauren Jackson’s healthy return, Sue Bird’s floor leadership and a far deeper supporting cast that defended consistently and entered the postseason with genuine championship expectations.
All-WNBA First Team (2009): Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird; WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2009): Tanisha Wright; WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2009): Lauren Jackson; WNBA All-Stars (2009): Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird, Swin Cash; Peak Performer – Scoring (2009): Lauren Jackson
Cash became Seattle’s offensive catalyst during the series, relentlessly attacking the basket and embracing the toughest defensive assignments. Postgame coverage praised her willingness to carry the scoring load while matching Phoenix’s physical style possession after possession. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2009)
Sue Bird
Starter/Star (1.1)
36.3
Medium (1.1)
11.3
3.7
4.0
1.3
48.16
Bird focused on controlling tempo against Phoenix’s pressure defense, looking to create quality looks before the Mercury’s help rotations could form. Series coverage emphasized her leadership and decision-making even as Seattle struggled to consistently generate offense. (WNBA)
All-WNBA First Team (2009); WNBA All-Star (2009)
Tanisha Wright
Starter/Star (1.1)
32.7
Medium (1.1)
11.7
5.3
5.3
1.7
57.32
Wright handled a demanding two-way role, defending elite guards while also taking on extra playmaking responsibilities beside Bird. Her all-around effort was one of Seattle’s brightest spots as the backcourt carried much of the workload. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2009)
Suzy Batkovic-Brown
Key Contributor (1.05)
28.7
Low (1.0)
12.7
3.3
0.0
3.6
40.32
Batkovic-Brown supplied valuable scoring punch off the bench, stretching Phoenix’s defense with confident perimeter shooting while protecting the rim on the other end. Her production gave Seattle needed frontcourt depth throughout the series. (WNBA)
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Camille Smith
Starter/Star (1.1)
34.0
Medium (1.1)
7.7
3.3
1.0
1.4
32.67
Smith accepted the difficult interior matchup, battling for position and doing much of the screening and defensive work that allowed Seattle’s perimeter players room to operate. Her impact extended well beyond the shooting numbers.
—
Shannon Johnson
Bench (1.0)
13.0
Low (1.0)
2.3
1.7
1.0
1.0
12.00
Johnson steadied the second unit with veteran ball handling and composure, helping organize possessions whenever Bird rested. Her role remained centered on experience rather than offensive volume. (heraldnet.com)
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Janell Burse
Key Contributor (1.05)
10.7
Low (1.0)
0.7
2.7
0.7
0.7
10.08
Burse contributed through physical defense, screens and interior hustle despite limited offensive opportunities. Coaches relied on her willingness to battle bigger frontcourts during short but meaningful stretches.
—
Ashley Robinson
Bench (1.0)
6.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.3
0.0
0.3
1.20
Robinson appeared briefly as a defensive reserve. Limited contemporary coverage was available, with her minutes focused almost entirely on protecting the paint and adding size.
—
Ashley Walker
Bench (1.0)
1.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Walker saw only a brief appearance in the series. Limited contemporary reporting was available because of her minimal playing time.
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Seattle Storm Totals
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—
—
67.4
25.6
17.4
13.3
283.12
Seattle pushed the defending conference champions behind Swin Cash’s aggressive scoring, Sue Bird’s floor leadership and Tanisha Wright’s all-around backcourt play, but Phoenix’s explosive offense ultimately proved too much over the three-game series.
All-WNBA First Team (2009): Sue Bird; WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2009): Tanisha Wright; WNBA All-Star (2009): Sue Bird, Swin Cash
