BY TODD DYBAS / SEATTLESPORTSONLINE.COM

The tears came despite Sheryl Swoopes trying to slow them down.

Wiping them away with well-manicured right hand, Swoopes sat next to her locker overwhelmed after the first regular-season game in her new home.

Her legs and back were 37 years old now, and eight months after literally receiving a knife in the back during offseason surgery, Swoopes didn't know how her body would respond.

But she made it through the opener when the Storm beat Chicago. Spent nearly 27 minutes on the floor. A year had past since she'd done that. Only able to play three games in 2007, Swoopes was left to wonder if she still had it. At least some of it. She did, and it was relief.

This year was bumpy after that. Various injuries shackled her throughout the season. The latest ding, an elbow to the head, coming from Minnesota Lynx guard Candace Wiggins. The resulting concussion giving Swoopes headaches, taking her out of the mix much of September.

Then, there she was Sunday. Back as a starter, all her wits about her, the back not having betrayed her all season.

The Storm faced elimination and needed a jolt. A bruising crew from Los Angeles in town, looking to take another playoff step toward justification after being preordained as league champs, took Game 1 and could end it.

But that will have to wait at least another game, much of the reason being Swoopes.

She scored 16 points, had four rebounds and four steals.

She made a 3-pointer, two actually, an act that has been a season-long struggle. It never hurts confidence when you bank one in, as Swoopes did Sunday.

Defensively, Swoopes was parked in the passing lane all night. The Storm once again dropped to harass the Sparks frontline, at times sending two or three players at Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker.

When the ball moved out of the manic post area, Swoopes was there to pick it off.

When the Sparks started a halfcourt trap, Swoopes was there to bring the ball up.

At one point, Swoopes went coast-to-coast, laying it in over Parker who was waiting with young, springy legs for the veteran to dare put it up. She did. She scored. Parker look bewildered.

Swoopes bellowed after made shots. Previously stifled emotions finding an outlet.

Versatile, leading, but most important, present.

A leader stripped of the agility and swiftness of a decade ago, but not the presence associated with her name. Swoopes swatted away a defender's hand at one point, appearing offended by the opposition's arrogance in getting so close to her, seemingly asking, Don't you know who I am?

Again Swoopes proved a person always built for the big moment. The stage changes, it's the WNBA playoffs or international at the Olympics. It's as the star, or, now, as a piece of the puzzle. But she's always there with the answer. Provided enough of them Sunday to prompt standing ovations.

Her offseason signing greeted with wows in Seattle received head shakes elsewhere. Swoopes now ran with choppy steps, less flow and gallop. The three-time MVP no longer able to dominate a game.

But Sunday she shouted defensive instructions from under the hoop. Slapped at the ball and collided with Sparks players. Led by example, pushing toward the game she expected of herself all season.

Legacy alone starts to the level the playing field for Swoopes these days. Her feet have become more leaden, but her persona remains stable.

"She's Sheryl Swoopes, you know?" Sue Bird said after the game.

Sunday, those who had forgotten received a reminder.

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. Contact him at tdybas@seattlesportsonline.com