Did Sue just play her last game? | The Boneyard

Did Sue just play her last game?

Sad 90 Day Fiance GIF by TLC


Love Ya Sue!
 
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eebmg said:
My guess is she will want one more crack with Stewie to set the record for most WNBA championships at 5.
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Maybe but I’m getting a different vibe. Could depend on what the Storm team links like next season. Jewell is an unrestricted free agent as is Stevie. I expect Stevie to stay but not sure about Jewell.
 
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If today was Sue’s swan song, she can be incredibly proud of all she gave to the game of basketball, and all of the success she achieved in the process.

Don’t know what lies ahead for Sue. If she tries her hand at coaching, it’s hard to imagine she wouldn’t be equally successful.
 
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Like Stewie, Sue froze her eggs too, right? I’m thinking that’s her next journey. With baby girl Taylor-Taurasi on the way, and Ruby a few months old, the 2039 signing class may be the best yet.
 
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oldude said:
If today was Sue’s swan song, she can be incredibly proud of all she gave to the game of basketball, and all of the success she achieved in the process.

Don’t know what lies ahead for Sue. If she tries her hand at coaching, it’s hard to imagine she wouldn’t be equally successful.
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She'd also be a great analyst, she knows the game and how it should be played.
 
I hope she comes back 1 more year, she definitely has the skills and physical ability to play another year or 2. She hasn't slown down productivity wise. Plus Storm could compete for a title with Loyd/Stewart back.
 
IMHO I think Sue Bird steps aside and goes out with her body as healthy as it's ever been.
At 41+ there's no sense to push it where a serious injury could be in the cards.
She accomplished all that any player could hope to accomplish in a career!
A future Hall of Famer, in both the Women's BB Hall of Fame and in Springfield, MA!
One of the top 5 WBB players of all-time!
 
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At age 43 I hiked 80 miles on the Appalachian Trail in one day which broke a 20 year old record. Unfortunately, it was then broken by Dave Horton a few months later. Bad timing, but it shows that forty-somethings are not yet decrepit.
 
I have no doubt that Bird could come back next season and be an impactful player but I hope this was it for her. I don't like to see any athlete play until they physically cannot go any further. Several come to mind but watching Bird some this season and during the Olympics it was obvious that while she still had a lot to contribute there were signs she was starting to wear down. Bird overcame numerous injuries that would have ended some careers prematurely and came back strong each time. Whatever miracle cure with diet and exercise she took a few years back no doubt gave her enough energy to extend her career a few more seasons.

Bird (and Maya) are my favorite Huskies because it was clear on day one how good they were and how they basically just went out there and played great basketball without drawing attention to themselves. Bird is without a doubt the most accomplished point guard and one of the best to play regardless of position.

I wish her well and her playing one more season won't diminish my high opinion of her but I just think it's time.
 
UConnCat said:
Maybe but I’m getting a different vibe. Could depend on what the Storm team links like next season. Jewell is an unrestricted free agent as is Stevie. I expect Stevie to stay but not sure about Jewell.
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Me, too. When Sue announced she was finished with playing for the USA National Team, it just hadn't dawned on me that she'd also contemplate calling it a day for the WNBA, as well.

So when I saw the end of the game, I look at it through a different kind of lens. And that looked like a person who may have decided the journey has been (very) good enough. Time to get off the bike and let someone else pedal.

Whatever she decides, she's earned it...ultimate class act.
 
It's not the years, it's the mileage. On the body and in the mind.
Case in point:
Was just watching the Big East Tournament Final from 2001.
Tournament was held in Gempel that year.
Sue had suffered a back injury in the Semi-final against Rutgers the night before. Was obviously in great pain and only about 50-75% of 'Superbird"
But she was in the starting lineup against Notre Dame. Since ND had handed the Huskies a surprise thumping in South Bend earlier in the year, I imagine there would have been quite an interesting conversation if someone had told Sue to "sit this one out".
She was very quiet and tentative, and was playing limited minutes in a close, grinding contest (Ruth Reilly was mostly the grindee) when two issues arose in the 2nd quarter.
1) Diana T. got into some mild foul trouble that took her off the court for a few minutes
2) Worse, Shea R., playing with her usual "Tasmanian Devil"intensity that was always worth the price of admission, was giving the Irish all kinds of headaches and indigestion, on both sides of the court, when she suddenly went down with a knee injury that took her out of the game.
Swinn, Adja, Tamika, etc., were keeping the Irish at bay at this point.
As Shea was being walked off the court, Geno and CD huddled with the obviously rattled troops to settle them down.
I didn't see anyone talking with Sue or even looking at her in any special way. Nor did she try to cheer lead or pep talk the other ladies.
But when play resumed it suddenly seemed like there or 2 or 3 #10's in blue uniforms on the court. Blocking, forcing turnovers, hitting 3's, making pinpoint passes into the post, you name it.
The only time Geno felt it necessary to coach at all was when he loudly berated Sue for some sort of real or perceived defensive lapse.
I guess the whole S.O.B. thing has proven to be quite effective, but I couldn't help a $#&*!! upon seeing that one. Sue didn't bat an eye, being too locked in.
Guess it's called leading.
She capped it off with a leaping half-court shot that, somehow, went in the basket as time expired in the half.
Did someone say "Storr-ybook" scenario?
The crowd at Gempel and the Husky bench went crazy as the team, led by Sue, went into the locker room.
The rest is, of course, part of the ongoing "UCONN Mystique".
I thought of two things.
1) How special Sue was and is on the court, and how she can pretty much accomplish anything she sets her mind to.
2) How much I hope some or all of the current Huskies will watch that game and some others to see what kind of commitment and dedication it takes to be part of the UCONN "League of Extraordinary Ladies" and overcome any obstacles or adversity to reach the top of the mountain.
I think, just maybe, Paige is off to a promising start and on her way, but only time will tell. Let's reconvene in 2024-2025 and compare notes.
 
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