Sue Bird led the Seattle Storm to their 3rd WNBA championship in 2018, but the following season would be a different story. Both Bird and Breanna Stewart sat out the entire 2019 season to recover from injuries. And although the Storm played well without their superstars, even managing to make it to the playoffs, they fell short, getting knocked out of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Sparks.
But I’m excited about the upcoming season. According to several WNBA Power Rankings, the Storm reclaimed the #1 spot back from the reigning champs (Washington Mystics). The Storm also get back their superstar point guard, Bird, and 2018 WNBA MVP and Finals MVP, Stewart.
As excited as I am to watch hoops this Summer, this season feels different.
Not only because of what’s going on around the world with the pandemic and national protests. Not only because the entire WNBA 2020 season will be held in the “bubble” in Florida. But because this might be the last season we see number 10 lace up her sneakers.
There haven’t been any talks of retirement yet, but oddly, it feels like this upcoming WNBA season could be Bird’s last dance.
Heading into the 2020 WNBA season, Bird returns in her 18th season and is the oldest active player in the league. Yet, she’s still in great shape and can still compete at a superstar level. But—considering her injury, her age, and the uncertain future of basketball with the worldwide pandemic—what’s left for her to prove?
She’s had a stellar career that arguably puts her in the Mount Rushmore of the WNBA next to other greats like Cynthia Cooper, Diana Taurasi, Lisa Leslie, and Tamika Catchings—all GOATs in my opinion.
Here are a few highlights of her illustrious career:
- 3x WNBA Champion (2004, 2010, 2018)
- 4x Olympic Gold Medalist (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- 4x FIBA Gold Medalist (2002, 2010, 2014, 2018)
- 11x WNBA All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018)
- 2x NCAA Champion at UConn (2000, 2002)
- All-time assists leader in the WNBA (2,831)
- All-time career starts leader in the WNBA (508)
- All-time leading scorer in Seattle Storm history (6154)
The 2020 season is still up in the air. But regardless if this is actually the last dance or second-to-last dance for #10, I want to be there to witness greatness.
It might be asking too much for a storybook ending, but I’d love to see Sue Bird go out on top, leading the Seattle Storm to potentially their fourth championship.
