Before the gold medal was even hung around her neck at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Seattle Storm point guard Sue Bird knew she would be spending the next few years doing something she had not yet done—playing overseas during the WNBA offseason.1
“That Olympics was a learning experience for me,” says Bird, 27, whose first USA Basketball experience was a gold medal with the 2000 R. William Jones Cup team.2 “I got to play in the games in the early rounds, but not toward the end. It was really a chance for me to see and watch and absorb as much as I could.
“I knew getting international experience was going to be extremely important for me as a point guard,” adds Bird, who won two NCAA titles at the University of Connecticut and a WNBA title in 2004.3 “Up until that point, I was not used to the international game. It caught me off guard. The style of play, how aggressive they can be. The way the refs call the game. All that stuff.
“Now that I’ve played in Russia for four years, not only do I know the style of play, but I also feel very comfortable playing in that setting. As a leader, as a point guard, I think it’s going to be important to keep my composure.4
“Because I’m the person with the ball a lot of the time, I’m making the decisions. Making sure my teammates are in position so they can be successful. The best compliment a player like myself can get is that I make people better. When people tell me that, it’s better than anything.”
Despite the experience, Bird, who’s bringing a family contingent with her to Beijing, admits winning another gold will be a challenge. “Do I think we have the most talented team? Absolutely,” she says. “But it’s not going to be easy. I’m glad I can be a part of a team that has a chance to really overcome some odds.”—Lois Elfman #40
Bonus Points
1. Bird has played in Moscow the past four WNBA offseasons.
2. She made her debut with the Senior National Team at the 2002 World Championship, where the US won gold.
3. Former Seattle Storm head coach Anne Donovan is the coach of the women’s Olympic team.
4. The first Olympic game for the US team was against the Czech Republic. Bird says she’s played against most of the players on that team five or six times prior to that game.
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