Ignored by the mainstream media most of the season, the Lynx enjoyed wall-to-wall media coverage during the WNBA Finals this past week. I didn't have a whole lot to add to what you've been able to hear on TV or read in the newspapers. But now, let me return to my #1 Lynx theme of the year.
The Lynx' success in the finals, as all year long, has been characterized by killer runs that they've laid on their opponents. Against Atlanta in the finals, it went like this.
Game 1: 13-0
Tied at 62 after 3 periods, the Lynx scored the 1st 13 points of the 4th quarter. Lindsay Whalen scored the 1st 5 points of the 4th on a driving layup 2 + 1 and a "J." In between the 2 scores, Whalen blocked a Lindsey Harding shot, then tied up Harding and tapped the ensuing jump ball to Maya Moore. 8 more consecutive points, 4 by Rebekah Brunson, followed and at 5:44 it was 75-62. Game over.
Game 2: 16-2
Trailing 85-81 with just 4:53 to go, Seimone Augustus hit 2 throws, then a "J." A Moore "J" from Brunson, a Brunson throw and another driving 2 + 1 for Whalen, and suddenly the Lynx were up 91-85. Another minute later it was 97-87 as Seimone hit 8-of-10 FT down the stretch. Again, game over.
Game 3: 19-8
Trailing 37-33 at the half, the Lynx owned the 3rd quarter 19-8 including 11-2 in the 1st 3 minutes. Whalen opened the half with another of her specialty, the driving layup. Moore scored on 3 lay-ups, Augustus a hook and a "J," and Brunson and Wright a pair of "J's" and it was 49-43 Lynx. Entering the 4th quarter ahead 52-45, the Lynx never again trailed. Game and series over.
Da Runs: 48-10
In total, the Lynx enjoyed a ridiculous 48-10 edge over these 19 crucial minutes.
The Rest of the Way
Atlanta out-scored the Lynx a shocking 226-214 over the rest of the 3 game series!
No I in Team
Looking at individual stats, what comes through is the other major Lynx theme for 2011 which is team, team, team. Series MVP Seimone Augustus led the Lynx in scoring during the 3 big runs with 18 points, but 10 of them came on 12 FT attempts at the end of game 2. Augustus also tied for the team lead with 3 assists and added 3 boards, a steal and a block. Lindsay Whalen scored 10 points, including the 1st 5 points of the game 1 run, with 2 steals and an assist.
Rebekah Brunson scored 9 points on 6-of-7 shooting, with a team-high 6 boards plus 3 assists (tying for the team lead) and a block. Maya Moore scored 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting with 4 boards, an assist and a steal. Taj, Adair, Wiggins and Wright all scored during one or more of the 3 big runs, too.
The Future
Today's papers are full of speculation that the Lynx are well-positioned for the future and that additional WNBA titles are a reasonable expectation. Maybe. There's likely to be some fall-off among the 8 "regulars." Augustus and Whalen can't play any better than they did this year. Taj, 40, could be calling it quits, you'd think. And the team's health can hardly be better than the zero days lost to the disabled list in 2011.
Of course, Moore, a roll player this year, is likely to emerge as the team's star player by 2014 if not sooner. And the Lynx have a top 4 draft pick, which could end up as #1 in the 2012 lottery, thanks to the trade of Nikki Anosike to the Washington Wizards.
Seattle would seem to be the primary road block if 2010 MVP Lauren Jackson returns at 100 percent after her injury troubles this year.
But there's time enough for that. Right now, Twin Cities sports fans are simply enjoying the region's 1st professional championship since 1991, earned by a very classy group of young women, at that.
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