The Toronto Tempo are eager to put their historic but disappointing debut behind them as they prepare to host the Seattle Storm on Wednesday. Following a 68-65 loss to the Washington Mystics, the team has identified key areas for improvement to secure their first win.
Learning from the Opener
Head coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the need for a faster pace. Film review revealed the team was too slow in transition. "We were really, really slow," forward Nyara Sabally admitted. "We felt fast, but clearly we weren't." Brondello echoed this, noting that players lingered as the ball came up the court, allowing opponents to set their defense.
Ball Movement and Shooting
In the opener, Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes dominated the offense, combining for 36 of 63 shots and 41 of 65 points. Brondello stressed the importance of sharing the ball and getting other players involved. Only seven field goals came from the rest of the roster, a stat that must improve. "There are always primary scorers, but complementary scorers are essential," she said.
Natural Growth and Chemistry
As an expansion team with limited practice time, the Tempo expect natural improvement. The jitters of the first game should fade, and an upcoming eight-day, four-game road trip will help build chemistry. "Time together in a hotel or plane builds chemistry," Brondello noted.
Shooting and Defense
The team shot just 27% from the field and 20% from three-point range in the opener. Brondello believes familiarity with the home rims and surroundings will boost confidence. Defensively, the Tempo aim to stay aggressive, leveraging players like Sykes and Laura Juskaite to create takeaways. "This team was built with defense in mind," Brondello said.
The Tempo face the Storm at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Wednesday, looking to turn lessons into a victory.
