Ten Questions with Sue Bird
 SEATTLE - It was after practice earlier this week when we caught up with Sue Bird. She was seated on the floor of the Furtado Center, her ankle resting on a huge bag of ice. After an perfect 39-0, national championship and national player of the year season at the University of Connecticut, and being taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, Sue has taken taken quickly to the pro level. In her first six games, she has led the Storm with 17.0 points a game, 5.2 assists and 2.83 steals. She graciously answered 10 questions posed by girls basketball players - some from the Seattle area and, proving her immense popularity, some from around the rest of the country.
When you were growing up, did you always know that playing basketball is what you wanted to do for a living?
Christin Everson, 15, Kent, WA, Lady Blazers
Sue: "Growing up, there really wasn’t a women's league. It wasn’t until I got into high school. Once I knew about it, I went through my college career thinking there was a next level. The best part about it is that I’m doing something that I love, something that I’d probably be doing even if I wasn’t getting paid. I want to do other things eventually, but doing this for a while is a big thrill."
What do you think is the biggest difference between the East and West coasts? We really miss you on the East Coast because MSG refuses to show Storm games!
Diana Bossa, 15, Hillsborough, N.J.
Sue: "The pace of life is probably different. Since I’m from New York, I’m used to everything being fast paced, people in a rush, traffic. Even though there’s traffic here in Seattle, it’s much more laid back. It's growing on me."
 Can you tell me about your impressions on moving from rural Storrs, CT, to a city like Seattle?
Lauren Vannini, 11, Renton, WA, Seattle Magic Gold
Sue: "I’m not originally from Storrs, so it was a transition moving there. Seattle is great. I live down in Belltown and there is a whole lot to do. I’m from New York - well, 30 minutes outside - so I’m used to being in the city."
How do you feel about all of the attention you receive? Is it hard to lead a normal life when everyone wants to know everything you're
doing?
Erin Brown, 17, Waterloo, Iowa, Waterloo West High Wahawks
Sue: "The way I look at it is, one day no one will want my autograph, no one will want to know what I’m doing, so I guess I should enjoy it now. You can still lead a normal life. When you’re on the court, you concentrate on basketball. When you’re off, you still think about it, but I try to get out and go to things."
Sue, you are my role model for basketball. I love how you compose yourself on and off the court. You were awesome at UConn and will continue to be in the WNBA. Who was your role model for basketball and what influenced you to play the game?
Lindsey McDowell, 15, Bristol, CT, Bristol Central Rams
Sue: “I have a sister (Jen) who is five years older. She was always into sports, and I kind of followed in her footsteps. That was my initial influence – watching her, wanting to be like her.”
Have you ever been in love? Have you ever had a serious relationship, and are you in one now?
Lauren Kessinger, 16, Lexington, KY, Bryan Station High School Varsity
Sue: “I’m currently single, but yes, I’ve had a serious relationship, and yes, I’ve been in love.”
Is it hard for you because you are under a lot of pressure to always be such a good player?
Amanda Waldron, 9, Edmonds, WA, Edmonds Warriors
Sue (giggles): “I guess there is pressure, but it doesn’t compare to the pressure I put on myself to play well night after night.”
Getting to the WNBA was not an easy journey. How did the coaches at each
stage of your career contribute to your preparation for the WNBA?
Marcia Severson, 16, Tukwila, WA, Tukwila Reign
Sue: "My coaches, especially in college, definitely helped prepare me for the next level. They pushed me to keep improving my game."
 What do you do or say to yourself if you feel like you can't do something, whether it's basketball or school, etc?
Sassia Nelson, 14, Seattle, WA, Dragons
Sue: "That thought never really crosses my mind. Whenever there is a hard time, whether it was in school or on the court or whatever, I never feel like I can’t do something. I don’t even think about not doing it. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been able to overcome things like injuries."
I am 5' 8" tall and a pretty quick post player. My team has two really quick guards. What can I do as a post player to work together with and create confidence in the guards so we can have a great outside and inside game?
Alexandra Moore-Porter, 12, Kirkland, WA, Impact
Sue: "The best thing you can do is be consistent and prove to your teammates that, day in and day out, you are going to be there for them. They’ll have confidence in you, and that will make you better teammates."
Marcia Severson wins the drawing for the Sue Bird autographed t-shirt. Congratulations to Marcia and great job by all who submitted questions. Thanks to Sue Bird for her participation!
More on Sue Bird
Storm Watch
Storm Flies with Bird (Photo Gallery)
Connecticut's Perfect Season
|