Amber Jacobs is coming off a career year, which was one of the lone bright spots for the Lynx last season. Now, with the addition of number one pick, Lindsey Harding, Jacobs slides over to the shooting guard position, which is a more natural position for her. It would not be unexpected to see Jacobs have another breakout year quietly as the chatter around this team goes to teammates.
Earlier this week, I sat down with Amber Jacobs after practice to discuss training camp and the upcoming season.
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SL: How excited are you for the up-tempo style of play Coach Zierden is implementing?
AJ: I’m very excited about this season. I think Coach Z has a plan and he’s done great things already. We’re definitely going to be an up-tempo team. That’s what he wants from us, but yet, looking to get a good shot. Seimone and Ohlde are, obviously, going to be our go-to players, but, hopefully, this will take some of that pressure off of them. I think what creates an up-tempo team is the defense and he’s really been stressing that big time, you know? Just the fact that we gave up 80.4 points per game last year. Our defense is going to be much better this year, which will, hopefully, create our offense.
SL: So, what are your thoughts on Coach Zierden as a whole so far?
AJ: The first thing that just comes to my head is just his passion. His passion for the game and his passion for us ladies. He is an excellent teacher of the game and I think, not only does he have a great coaching staff around him, but he just brings so much knowledge of this game. He really likes to push us to our potential and just bleeds the most out of us. I feel like I’ve already gotten better and understood the game more as a player just in these last two weeks in camp.
SL: What has been the hardest part of camp so far for you?
AJ: You know, every day is not only physically challenging, but it’s mentally challenging. That’s what championship teams are all about. They’re in top shape, but they can also mentally stay focused and stay aggressive when time is winding down. That’s what Z is bringing to each practice. He’s pushing us to when we think we can’t go anymore, but yet, we jump over that hump and surpass it. That’s what great teams do and, obviously, that is where we want to be.
SL: OK, so now I want you to be a scout for me. Tell me what you’ve seen out of Lindsey Harding in camp so far.
AJ: Lindsey is our true point guard. I think she’s already stepped up into a leadership role and she’s feeling comfortable with running the point. She’s so aggressive for our team offensively and defensively.
SL: Noelle Quinn?
AJ: Q has really started to come into her own. She’s getting into the quickness and the strength of the game and she’s becoming more aggressive herself. She’s working hard defensively and offensively, she not only brings her passing ability, but she’s a great shooter too. She can also crash the boards as well. She’s doing little things for us, you know? Knocking down that shot when we need her to.
SL: Shay Murphy?
AJ: Shay? She brings a lot of spunk to this team. She’s always smiling, always in a peppy, great mood and, even though she’s been out this past week or so with an ankle injury, she’s been on the sidelines cheering us on and continuing to encourage us. I’m excited to see her back into things this week because she’s a great shooter and she works so hard. She wants it just as bad as anybody else on this team. She’s very competitive.
SL: Kathrin Ress?
AJ: I think Kathrin has been developing more and more every practice just understanding post play in the WNBA. I mean, it is physical and I think she’s doing a great job of getting boards and bodying people defensively. Offensively, she’s looking for her move or her shot and she’s doing a good job of getting position and finding the open person.
SL: Are you concerned at all about the lack of post players on the team?
AJ: We have solid post players. When other teams look at us, they see two things. Yes, we’re a young team and, yes, we are very guard heavy. I think Coach Z and everyone on this team has faith in our post play and, obviously, that starts with Nicole Ohlde. There’s a little pressure on her to start it off on the inside, but she’s working so hard. She’s been more aggressive and attacking the hoop more then I’ve ever seen her and she’s really striving to be that person inside for us. Then, the other post are doing a great job of working around her.
SL: This team won 10-games last season. You added Katryna Gaither and the rookies in the off-season. They’re all talented rookies, but are rookies nonetheless. What is a realistic expectation for this season?
AJ: Man, putting me on the spot! Well, realistically, we will be better this year then last year for one thing. Realistically, we should be over 0.500. We should be winning more games then we are losing. Realistically, everyone on this team wants to be in the playoffs and wants to strive for that championship this year. Whether that will happen or not, I can’t really tell yet, but I know it’s going to be a much better year then last year.
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