Game Five of the semi-finals between the Minnesota Lynx and the Connecticut Sun was much more than a game of statistics and such. It was a tale of two cultures, the cultures that had a great deal to do with the outcome of this game.
Both teams can score, have great defense, and have excellent coaches. But the cultures of these teams are different, and those differences were fully on display Tuesday night at Target Center.
I have often thought that the Sun is, in many ways, their own worst enemy. They are a team that believes they should win, and in some ways deserve to win. They play with a huge chip on their collective shoulder and have often stated that they feel disrespected. My question is why? Because you’ve not been able to win a championship? Neither has New York, one of the original teams.
Their excellent start to the season garnered a great deal of respect. However, somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought, wait. After Connecticut’s first loss, which was to New York, that chip began to show. Starting the season 9 – 0? Yes, I’d say that was worthy of respect.
A Vast Difference Between The Lynx and Sun
The Connecticut Sun wears every ounce of their frustrations and their pride on their sleeves. Questioning a call is common, but the Sun takes it to the level of a soap opera, with fingers twirling for a review, constant barking at the refs, and allowing their discipline to break down. Whether they are on a run or are dealing with a run by another team, there it is in full view, every ounce of emotion they have, and when you show it all, it becomes a little easier for the opposing team to take advantage of it.
Minnesota, by stark contrast, is a more composed and focused team with only one goal – to win. Every game, they come out with that one objective. Whether they win or not, that doesn’t waver. Bad shooting night? Doesn’t waver. Great win? Doesn’t waver. So when do you fully see the emotions of the Lynx? After the game. Celebration in victory, and dignity in defeat. They work as a collective, which I think in many cases gives them an advantage.
short and sweet. 🧁 pic.twitter.com/lYisQtmDHW
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 9, 2024
Each team has excellent players. The legacies that DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas will leave will be stellar. One cannot deny their skills, basketball acumen, and sheer strength. That is not the issue. DiJonai Carrington, should she stay with the Sun, is a big part of their future. While Marina Mabrey is as volatile as they come, her contributions to this team are undeniable. A healthy Brionna Jones is a dominant weapon. Minnesota has no shortage of great players either.
Napheesa Collier is a future MVP, without question. Newcomers (to the Lynx) Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith brought a level of discipline and professionalism that slipped right into the Lynx culture. Bridget Carleton has had a breakout season. Kayla McBride is well, Kayla McBride. It doesn’t matter who is having an off night. Someone is always there to step up, and if not, this team takes it as a collective loss and walks off the court with pride.
Minnesota Faces Another Tough Test In The WNBA Finals
Make no mistake – Connecticut is a damn good team. Their record shows that. They have been to the finals. Minnesota is also a damn good team. This season, they were the team that nobody saw coming. Now there may be those who will say “oh yeah, I knew they could do this.” Whether or not that’s true, the Lynx knew they could do it, and it was that determination, chemistry, and skill that got them to the finals. When you take away all the media chatter, you start to see that is really there.
In fact, neither the Sun nor the Lynx are victims of drama. They go about their business. Good or bad, it is all left on the court. Did either team deserve to win? No. Deserve isn’t part of basketball terminology. This round, Minnesota just fought harder and earned the win. The Sun fought hard and got beaten. It’s that simple.
So now the Lynx will face the New York Liberty, a team they went 3 – 1 with over the course of the season, including the Commissioner’s Cup victory. We’ve seen how these teams play each other. Don’t expect anything different except maybe a level of intensity. They know each other well, their strengths and weaknesses, and it should prove to be a great series. There is no way I’m even going to try and predict who will raise the trophy. I will predict, though, that it has the potential to be a memorable series. It all starts tomorrow in Brooklyn.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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