Can we get personal? Seattle's is at Chicago's new home, Allstate Arena, and the facility has a great vibe. A real pro feel and, like Storm coach Brian Agler said, it's reminiscent of Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Arena. Only instead of great shopping, slot machines and yummy restaurants outside the door, there's a Target.

It's all fabulous unless you're media. We're tucked behind pseudo posh seating for VIPs and I'm hoping things don't get exciting for Chicago because there goes my view (and reporting for you).

But enough about me. Despite the polar opposite records after four games, the Sky (0-4) and Storm (4-0) are searching for the same things Thursday -- consistency. Both coaches spoke before the game about possibly tweaking what they run to shake the slugs. Chicago coach Steven Key said his team hits its lull after halftime while Seattle coach Brian Agler said it's the opening half.

"How to fix it is probably with energy and effort," Key said. "We're going to try to do something different, maybe speed things up. We've got to address the sluggish start because we don't want to take away any energy we have built up. Be a little bit more focused. To say we need to be more focused is redundant, but for us I think the most important thing is for us to be aware of it and we are."

From covering Seattle through the years, they have grown so talented that it appears the team just toys with its opponent through three quarters. And it's not like the fourth is a complete highlight reel, but the team is so experienced, they know what to do to win.

That's all that's important, anyway. Seattle used to own Chicago, winning the opening six games since the franchise was established in 2006. But the Sky swept the Storm in 2009. Then-rookie Kristi Toliver's three-point shooting coupled with All-Star Candice Dupree (28 points) ended the Storm's long-standing home winning (15) in July. Dupree had 14 while C Sylvia Fowles grabbed 15 boards in a June win against Seattle in Chicago.

Yet, since both teams have changed dramatically -- Chicago with its starting lineup and Seattle with its reserves -- the games are moot. We'll, err, you'll see how much of a difference it makes Thursday. I'll be watching VIPs nosh on a catered buffet.

Here's your starting lineups:

STORM
F Swin Cash
F Lauren Jackson
C Camille Little
G Sue Bird

SKY
F Shameka Christon
F Cathrine Kraayeveld
C Sylvia Fowles
G Jia Perkins
G Dominique Canty

View Original Post at seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/womenshoopsblog/index.html

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