A Special Treat In A Lynx Loss

Friday night’s Lynx game versus the Sacramento Monarchs at Williams Arena was a special treat for me. Although I was in attendance last season for the team’s preseason game at the Pavillion, this was my first game at “The Barn.” I had always heard of the history and character in the building and was able to experience it firsthand for the first time.

Upon arriving, I felt as if I was given the seat of honor, as I sat center court straight across from the Lynx PA announcer. With the media seating lowered and the court raised, the court was at about chest level for me, so this was definitely a new experience and one that I will enjoy for a long time…even though the game ended up in a loss for the Lynx.

In my article for Downtown Journal (www.downtown journal.com) this past Monday, I wrote the following…

“The biggest change that needs to be made is to shift rookie Noelle Quinn from the point guard position to the shooting guard. Quinn has looked lost for a majority of the season and you can almost see her thinking when she’s on the court, rather then just being, just playing. Having the benefit of a veteran such as Amber Jacobs on the bench--who has been getting more playing time--the Lynx can now afford to play around with defining what the role players roles will be.

Noelle Quinn does possess some amazing passing skills, but with her confusion on the court to this point in the season, it may be better to take some of the playmaking pressure off of her shoulders. Because Lindsey Harding is playing a lion’s share of the minutes at the point guard position, Amber Jacobs should be used as her primary backup. By sliding Quinn over to the two or three position--with fellow rookie Shay Murphy playing the other position--the Lynx would have a much more balanced attack or, to be accurate, Quinn’s passing from a position outside the point would change up the attack.”

For anyone in attendance last night, it was evident that Amber Jacobs was the main reason for the comeback after the Monarchs had stretched their lead coming out of halftime. She was making beautiful cuts, hitting open shots, distributing the ball in the open court, playing great defense and generally “running the show” with a veteran’s presence.

Although Noelle Quinn was able to dish out some beautiful assists in the game, she did so when she was on the wing, rather then from the lead guard position. Quinn struggles to keep up with smaller and faster point guards, even though her speed is adequate to stay with shooting guards and small forwards.

It may seem as if I do not have faith in Quinn, which is not true. I have seen enough from her this season to believe quite strongly that she will be a more then solid WNBA player. The problem is that, to this point, Coach Zierden and his staff are not placing Quinn in a situation in which she is able to succeed. As the coaches continue to play with substitutions and rotations, they continue to stubbornly try to turn Quinn into a point guard. For this, I do not blame Quinn as she is doing her best with the situation in which she has been placed.

Coach Zierden has spoken countless times about how this year is an evaluation for the future of the team. Fans can certainly accept that optimism as long as they are evaluating each player fairly. Amber Jacobs has more to offer this team then she has been allowed, while Noelle Quinn is not being used in the correct manner.

Both players are valuable and should be a part of the future of this team, if the coaches can give them the chance to succeed.