The Seattle Storm are showing us how flimsy culture can be

USA Today

3 days ago

The Seattle Storm are showing us how flimsy culture can be
Culture is a simple yet powerful word. We use it to describe so much about ourselves, the things we do, the places we go and the people we interact with.
There's a sense of pride that comes with it. You're proud of the place you come from and the things that molded you — both good and bad. There's also a sense of ownership attached. You feel protective of it. Nobody can come for your culture, lest they want to face the ire of you and the countless others who are represented by it.
Yes, indeed, culture is powerful. But it's also flimsy. Something so strong and so deep can also easily be wiped away by time.
Unfortunately for the Seattle Storm, that's where this team that was once the crème de la crème of the WNBA finds itself.
For as long as I can remember, the Storm have been one of the best organizations in the WNBA. The team has made the playoffs in 19 of its 26 seasons. It only took Seattle four years to win its first championship in 2004. We're only four years removed from the Dan Hughes era, when Seattle won two more championships with a core led by Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd.
It's hard to establish winning cultures in sports — especially in the WNBA, where the league has traditionally lacked for resources. But it's always felt to me like the Seattle Storm have been a cut above the rest of the league. But after two back-to-back complaints filed against the team by players within the last seven months, it certainly doesn't feel that way anymore.
THE EYE OF THE STORM: The complaints against the Seattle Storm, explained
The WNBA is reportedly reviewing a complaint alleging that a confrontation occurred following the Storm's loss to the Aces, during which an assistant coach allegedly cursed at a player. Now, that sounds generally benign. Coaches surely curse at players at the time. For this to reach the level of a complaint needing to be filed, it had to be something incredibly vile that needed looking into.
News of the most recent complaint followed news of Li Yueru formally requesting a trade from the team less than three weeks into the season. There's no clear connection between these two things, but it's hard to feel like they're unrelated considering the circumstances. And this all follows the drama of the first complaint filed following the end of the 2024 season that was followed by Jewell Loyd's trade request.
There's something funky going on in Seattle. I'm not sure what it is but I am sure that it's a shame that this is happening.
This organization was winning championships just a few years ago. Now, it has more complaints filed against it in the last seven months than it does playoff wins in its last three seasons. The winning culture that was established in Seattle has faded.
Now, it seems, the team's culture is chaos.
Off to a good start
If there's one thing we can say about the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals this year, it's that it certainly isn't going to go the same way the 2024 version between the Panthers and Oilers did.
Thanks to this overtime goal from Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers won't start the series down 0-2.
That's a crucial win for Edmonton — one that certainly wasn't guaranteed. Florida held the lead for most of the game before Edmonton tied things up in the third period. Usually, when the Panthers strike first, they win. But not here.
The winner of Game 1 wins the series 76 percent of the time, according to ESPN. This series is far from over — there's a lot of hockey still left to be played. But the Oilers are in a good spot.
Derek Carr is a better man than me
Former Saints quarterback Derek Carr retired earlier this offseason because of a nagging shoulder injury that would've likely impacted his throwing ability for the rest of his career had he continued. Retiring was reasonable.
With his sudden retirement, though, Carr walked away from $30 million he was set to earn this season, according to Front Office Sports. So how'd he come to such a decision? Well, apparently, he just didn't want to take the Saints' money for nothing. Seriously.
Here's what he told FOS:
'That part was tough because I didn't want to have surgery and just sit there and—it sounds crazy but—just take the Saints money,' Carr said.
That's extremely noble and honorable. It's also very obviously coming from a man who is already rich in a way that I, and many of you, are not. Because — let me tell you something — if that was me? Ain't no way I'm leaving $30 million on the table. Heck, I wouldn't even leave $50 on the table.
Shoutout to Derek Carr, though. A real standup guy.
Quick hits: Stanley Cup travel ... Betting on the Madden Curse ... and more
— Here's Michelle Martinelli on the travel distance for the Stanley Cup Finals. This is insane.
— Blake Schuster has more on a bettor who decided to drop $15k on Saquon Barkley suffering from the Madden Curse.
— The Oklahoma City Thunder's path to the NBA Finals started all the way back in 2007.
— ESPN might be shaking up its broadcast crew after the Finals. Robert Zeglinski has details.
— Johnnie Bryant seems like the guy for the Knicks right now. Bryan Kalbrosky has more.
— The new wicked trailer is here, y'all!
That's a wrap. Thanks for reading, gang. Appreciate you.
-Sykes ✌️
This was For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Here's Mike Sykes.