First and foremost, not televising the Minnesota Lynx game in some form was an egregious error, considering the explosion of interest in women’s basketball. With three highly visible rookies, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Alissa Pili, all making their professional debuts and having a significant social media presence, it was foolish not to capitalize on that. Fortunately, an entrepreneurial X user, @heyheyitsalli, chose to livestream the game on X, attracting more than 173,000 viewers.
While it must have been enjoyable for those who chose to watch, it also highlights a lack of vision on the part of the WNBA, which needs to stay vigilant to the needs of the league and the needs of the audience, which will grow exponentially to the amount of coverage. Hopefully, this moment will not go unnoticed by those that make the decisions, and take the cue.
🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/6PxnRgDdnG
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 4, 2024
What struck me from the moment the game started was the abundant and immediate need not only for more teams but for bigger rosters. There are simply too many good and deserving players out there. I see no reason why additional teams and enlarged rosters cannot be achieved in tandem rather than separately. Simply put, if you want to win big, you have to spend big.
As a fan, there is no particular interest in statistics or the intricacies of play design. I don’t ignore them, but I am far more intrigued by style, chemistry, and commitment. From my perspective, I saw all three in action from both the Lynx and the Chicago Sky, even though the Sky got off to a rather shaky start.
Minnesota Lynx Unit in the Opening Preseason Game
Seeing Napheesa Collier, Diamond Miller, Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, and Courtney Williams take the court as a unit was indeed an impressive site. Not only were expectations high for the newcomers but also because this particular line-up provided an almost instant chemistry comprised of commitment and court awareness. It became apparent rather quickly that from the start, this was a game to be won, not simply one in which some players were auditioning for a job.
got the win at home. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yI6Cjupnue
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 4, 2024
Although Miller is the least experienced of the bunch, it didn’t matter. After a couple of turnovers by each team, the machine seemed to settle in. This is driven by Collier and Williams who, in particular, provided an offensive grounding that was lacking last season. For the Sky, the debuts of Reese and Cardoso were anticipated. Also, as expected, Cardoso provided a formidable presence in the post. She did leave the game after a shoulder injury.
Hopefully, it is not serious. Reese’s line of 13 points and 9 rebounds was a good start. I expect that as she works into the system, those numbers will increase. But as I am here to cover the Lynx, I’ll let someone else tell you what they thought about Chicago.
Takeaways from the Sky – Lynx Matchup
It isn’t so much a question of expectations for the first pre-season game. Rather, an assessment and eventual decision of which players will emerge as the most effective and in which combinations. Keeping in mind that Kayla McBride sat out, and Dorka Juhász, Sika Koné, and Cecilia Zandalasini were still overseas, the look of the Lynx will be measurably different come the season home opener.
Among the newcomers, Taylor Soule, Camryn Taylor, and Kayana Traylor stood out as legitimate contenders for a roster spot. Rookie Alissa Pili‘s first game was not, most likely, what she would have wanted. Pili did struggle from the three-point line. Although there were shots without any contest in the game, she will find her range. You could chalk it up to nerves, but as we all know, even great shooters have rough games. For Chicago, Marina Mabrey, always a threat, went 3-10 and only hit one three. It happens.
Final Thoughts on the Game
The addition of Smith, Hiedeman, and Williams gives the Lynx another strong piece of what could very well be a new and exciting foundation for the coming season. The defense looked significantly improved over last season, with better communication and an overall sense of purpose. One can garner whatever they want from statistics and analytics. Yet, as a fan, which I am, I am far more concerned with the big picture and the components therein.
I see the emergence of a team far better than last season’s. Moreover, I see possibilities, more options, certainly a stronger bench, and a greater focus on the tasks at hand. I asked myself on the drive home if I was seeing what I wanted or what was there. While seeing what was there and while I am eager to see those players who were absent from the game and who will in all probability be there for the season opener, I do think that the possibilities for the 2024 Minnesota Lynx will be formidable.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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