Like in the WNBA, hype is a curious commodity. It is borne out of expectation which, as we all know, is nothing more than premeditated resentment. Be it a super team, superstar, or new facility, the proof is what happens on the court, not in the press releases or the media in general. Hype can be a double-edged sword, and it is often razor-sharp.
Tuesday night’s season-opening between the Seattle Storm and the visiting Minnesota Lynx came with its fair share of hype, not so much for the Lynx, but for Seattle. The additions of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike were heralded mightily.
Returning players like Ezi Magbegor, Sami Whitcomb, and Jordan Horston brought a certain anticipation with them, that, combined with the new additions, were going to make Seattle an immediate contender. Whether or not that is true isn’t really the point. In a highly anticipated debut, the bar setting is often unrealistically too high. So it was Tuesday night.
The Minnesota Lynx, on the other hand, secured some pretty damn good players of their own. Alanna Smith, who had a career scoring night, Courtney Williams, who provided something for the Lynx that they have been sorely lacking, a real point guard, and Natisha Hiedeman, whose presence gave the Lynx the kind of steadiness they need. What the Lynx have not had in their training camp, was hype. Perhaps that has worked in their favor, given their terrible start to last season.
Performance of Both Teams to Open the WNBA Season
The 2024 Minnesota Lynx walked onto the court with purpose, commitment, and most importantly, an identity. It isn’t an identity founded upon flash or on the shoulders of one or two players to save the day, but a team identity, which, after last night’s game, has the potential to grow into a very formidable opponent. Of course, sustaining and cementing that identity is a process, but I think we saw a team that not only showed what they are capable of but a team that was simply having fun.
It is also important to remember that every WNBA team had only two weeks of training camp, so that excuse holds no water. It is a fact, and the reality is that no team can accomplish what it wants to in such a short amount of time. Not being privy to what goes on in every camp, it would be foolish and presumptuous to speculate on how time was used. On opening night, you see what you see, you get what you get, you figure it out, and move forward from there.
OPENING NIGHT DUB. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mGL8RhuQu8
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 15, 2024
Both Seattle and Minnesota showed some good things and some not-so-good things. Each team had 17 turnovers and scored well off of them. Minnesota did better from beyond the arc and Seattle out-rebounded the Lynx 43-39. What seemed to work particularly well for Minnesota was their defense, which had been a focus in their training camp. The inclusion of several new players presented Minnesota with another obstacle, but the chemistry among the team was evident and palpable.
I think Seattle may have suffered some from expectations that the insertion of Skylar and Nneka would spell instant success. In this game, it did not, but given the collaborative talent on the Storm roster, it is likely not very far away.
Final Thoughts on Lynx – Storm WNBA Matchup
While it was disappointing that Nika Mühl could not play due to some visa snafu, and Alissa Pili did not make an immediate impact, it is a fair guess that both players will down the road. Diamond Miller will also build up some steam as she gets healthier. When the Lynx have their full roster available, which will add some needed size in Dorka Juhász and Sika Koné, we may very well see a team that presents quite a bit of difficulty to their opponents.
But this was the first game, and all we can do is wait and see, particularly as these teams will face off again on Friday at the Target Center. Hopefully, Mühl will be available, and Seattle will find what they need. Hopefully, the Lynx will build upon what was a good start, clean up what they can, and continue to build their chemistry and defense. Hope, not expectation. Reality, not hype. That’s what works for me.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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