Part Of The Problem Is Surprising

Recently the script to Minnesota Lynx games can be written one of two ways. The first option is that Seimone Augustus and company will play their opponents tough for the first quarter, allow the opponent to run away from them in the second quarter and then fight for the entire second half to make the final score respectable.

The second option is similar. Minnesota again plays their opponent basically even in the first quarter, followed by the second quarter swoon. The difference in this option is that at halftime, Seimone Augustus feels the need to attempt to take the game over by scoring the ball.

On nights like tonight in Seattle, it does not work. Certainly for the Lynx to have any success this season--as well as in the future--Augustus must fill up the box score with points. The problem is that when her shot is not falling, Augustus continues to force shots up, helping to dig a hole in which Minnesota can not climb out.

After a good first quarter in Seattle, the Lynx started the second quarter tied with the superior team at 26 points. At the half, the Storm were up 51-42. That is a 9 point edge to Seattle in a 10 minute quarter. Although nine points is not an insurmountable deficit, the Lynx laid another egg in the third. In the third quarter alone, they were outscored 23-13.

It is on nights such as this that I believe Augustus herself needs to take her share of the blame for the loss. Minnesota is not going to win many games when Augustus and Harding combine for 15 points on 6 for 25 shooting. Yet, the “bad Seimone” showed up tonight, unable to help her teammates get going themselves, dishing out only three assists in 27 minutes. The biggest weakness in her game is that when she is not scoring the ball, Augustus is basically ineffective.

This Lynx team is showing the fight that they have as the supporting staff has continued to progress. Nicole Ohlde, although she has flaws of her own, is nearly always in double-figures scoring. Lindsey Harding is as well, although tonight in Seattle she had a “rookie night.” Kristen Mann and Svetlana Abrosimova both continue to find their place in this offense…and Noelle Quinn is coming along slowly.

Which is why I believe Coach Zierden needs to make another change to the starting lineup. Tiffany Stansbury needs to be inserted into the starting lineup in place of Kristen Mann. This is not a “demotion” to Mann, who--as I’ve stated numerous times--is coming along nicely and making the best of the tough situation in which she’s been placed. Stansbury’s inclusion with the starting unit would be due to her ability to bang down low, allowing for Nicole Ohlde to play more off the block and utilizing her skills to their maximum.

This also gives Mann a better opportunity to become a solid threat to score the ball, as she would face more second-unit players from the opposition. On most nights, Mann should be able to dominate those second-tier players. Svetlana Abrosimova continues to play well of late, but I would like to see her be the first substitution out of the game. I say that because she can help the Lynx get off to a good start and, once they have, allow for Noelle Quinn and Shay Murphy more court time with the first unit. Abrosimova, teamed with Mann off the bench, should be able to hold the fort as Augustus and Harding rest on most nights.

Coach Zierden has stated repeatedly the phrase “Stay the course” and, as a whole, I do agree. However, by tweaking the rotations in a few places, he could give more balance to his team’s attack, allowing for fewer swoons in the middle two quarters.