First Article in Print

For those of you who are in the downtown area, be sure to pick up your copy of Downtown Journal. My first article is printed in the Monday, May 7 issue.

I will post the link as soon as the link has been created.

Lynx/Stars-Breakdown

The first preseason game is in the books for the Lynx and, looking at the box score, there are both positives and negatives for Coach Zierden’s team. Although this was only the first preseason game and there are still two weeks of training camp, scrimmages and one final preseason game, it is never too early to break down the stats.

Minnesota won the rebounding battle with San Antonio with the final tally being 34-27. The Lynx were also aggressive on the offensive glass, pulling down 11 offensive boards to set themselves up for second-chance points. The new coaching staff must be doing something correctly in this area as all 12 players who stepped on the floor for the Lynx grabbed at least one rebound. It is certainly a necessity for this team to have all five players rebounding with the lack of bigs and it seems, at least at the onset, that the team is doing just that.

Yet, looking at the rebounding as a positive, one negative that stands out is the inability to move the ball well. This resulted in a grand total of 7 assists for the game, with four coming from the starters and three off the bench. This will not get it done, to say the least. What is also concerning here is that the team’s two stars, Seimone Augustus and Lindsey Harding, combined for 20 shots to zero assists. At this point, the stars either do not have trust in their teammates or their teammates let them down by missing shots that would have given them a mark in the assist column.

The bench for Minnesota had a nice performance off the bench from the field. With the starters combining to shoot 13 of 35 from the field, the bench players shot an even 50% with their 9 of 18 shooting. As numerous players have told me throughout training camp, it is with efforts like this that this team proves it’s motto of “We’ve got each other’s backs.” On this night, the starting unit did not have their “A-game” and, although rust is somewhat excusable at this point, the second unit was able to come in and hit shots when needed. This needs to continue.

The defensive effort was evident in the Lynx ability to force 20 turnovers in this game. Watching this team so far in camp, the focus has been on the defensive end and the ability to communicate effectively with each other to achieve defensive dominance. The 20 forced turnovers, as well holding San Antonio to 38.5% shooting and 62 total points certainly shows that this team is buying into this focus…and that they have the ability to do so when they are focused.

The problem? Minnesota turned the ball over themselves an astounding 25 times. Again, this is only the first preseason game, but it is an alarming number. What jumps out of the box score here is that 19 of those turnovers came from the starting five alone, led by Nicole Ohlde’s six alone.

Eleven of the 12 players for Minnesota scored in this game, with Keisha Brown being the only one not to score a point. Yet, of the nine players who played double-figures in minutes, only Augustus and Harding were able to break double-figures in points. Rookie Noelle Quinn did end up with nine points on 3 of 5 shooting, but, at this point, those numbers seem to show the same dependence on Augustus to do a lion’s share of the work in this area.

On a night when Nicole Ohlde returned to Kansas, her line for this contest is the most concerning of all. In 27 minutes of action, Ohlde shot 2-9 from the field, scored 7 points, pulled down 6 rebounds and 6 turnovers. Haven’t we been hearing how Ohlde was working on not being so nice once she steps foot on the court since camp began? This was an opportunity for Ohlde to announce to the WNBA world that she isn’t the same old nice player that has been around for awhile now…this is a new Nicole Ohlde.

Hopefully, after another week of her teammates force-feeding her the ball and telling her to punish lesser defenses, she will be able to show this new player that we’ve heard so much about in Baton Rouge.

A Chat With Kristen Mann

Kristen Mann is somewhat of a question mark for the Lynx this season, but that’s a good thing. Will she play predominantly at the three position or will she, almost out of necessity, have to play at the four? Certainly possessing the talent to play either spot, Mann is searching for her niche on this team and will, most certainly, play a pivotal role in the Lynx success or failure in 2007.

After Thursday night’s scrimmage, I spoke with Kristen Mann on the upcoming season and training camp so far.

SL: Can you speak on how excited you are to play the up-tempo style of play that Coach Zierden is implementing?

KM: Wow. Well, I can tell you that I’m exhausted after every practice and that’s just showing you how hard we’re working and is completely different from last year. The new coaching staff is getting to the point from the get-go and they’re holding every single person on this team accountable. We’re scrimmaging against guys almost every single night and that’s definitely going to help us improve our game.

SL: What’s been the hardest part of camp so far?

KM: It’s been physically challenging and mentally. We’re doing a lot of tough, a lot of demanding drills. We can, obviously, do everything that’s physical, but everything is mental and that’s the hardest part. Just telling yourself ‘You can do it’ and ‘Don’t give in.’ I feel like we’re almost back in college just from all the running and everything that we’re doing. I’m not complaining at all. I mean, it’s great. We’re going to be in really good shape and even our strength coach, he’s phenomenal. That’s definitely been the hardest part.

SL: You touched on this a little bit, but, obviously, the coaching staff is new this year besides Carolyn Jenkins. What are your thoughts on Coach Zierden so far?

KM: I love the guy already. From day one when I first met him, he’s very upfront and honest with me and I think that’s what this team needs. We need someone who is going to look you dead in the eye and tell you what your weaknesses are, what your strengths are and what he believes you can do. That’s another big thing is that he believes in every single person who is on the floor and he has a lot of trust in us, just like we have a lot of trust in him. He’s an awesome guy and I think he’ll have a great career here as head coach for the Lynx.

SL: Are you concerned at all about the lack of post players on this team this season?

KM: Not at all. I mean, if you look at us, we’re definitely undersized in the post, but we’re definitely fighting. We’re going up against big time guys out here who are a lot bigger then us and we’re finding ways to work around them and use our strengths against them. I’m not concerned at all. Like I told you before, I knew our coaches were up to something and I trust their decisions.

SL: It may be a little tough at this point in camp, but have you begun to define what your specific role will be for this team?

KM: Yes and no. I mean, I can tell you right now that they want me to be more of a presence on the court and not, kind of, be out there. They give us feedback after almost every scrimmage and that’s been a common thing for me is that when I’m out there, they want me to do something. Whether that’s crashing the boards and getting a rebound, being a defensive stopper or scoring, just anything like that. I think, for me personally, is to just get better defensively. That’s always been something in the back of my mind since college.

SL: You are coming off a ten-win season and the big acquisitions are Katryna Gaither and the rookies. They’re certainly talented rookies, but are rookies nonetheless. So, what do you believe is a realistic expectation for this team this season?

KM: We are definitely not going to finish last, I can tell you that. You know, I can’t blame anybody, outsiders, media or whoever because we had a terrible year last year and we just haven’t had a very good track record lately. I can tell you that after our scrimmage we had in Las Vegas that Sacramento, Detroit and Houston can tell that there’s a difference and so do the referees. I don’t know what number we’re going to finish, I don’t know if I can say that we’ll go out there and win a championship because that’s looking too far ahead, but we’re going to take it one game at a time and, hopefully, come out with more wins then losses.

A Chat With Lindsey Harding

Next up on this “Get To Know Your Lynx” is one that you’ve been waiting for. The number one pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft, Lindsey Harding immediately steps into the role of running mate to last year’s number one pick, Seimone Augustus. A true point guard, who can control a game by setting up teammates or scoring the ball herself, Harding is a welcome addition to the Minnesota landscape, as we have not seen above average point guard play since Sam Cassell was wearing a Timberwolves jersey.

After their scrimmage on Wednesday night, I sat down with this future and current franchise player to discuss the upcoming season and her thoughts so far into training camp.

SL: How excited are you to play the up-tempo style of play that Coach Zierden is implementing?

LH: I’m pretty used to it. I’m coming from a program at Duke that loved to run and run and run, so that’s strength of my game. I think that this has been a perfect fit for me, being drafted and then traded here, being able to come in and contribute right away and then run the court to my strength. It’s been an adjustment as far as coaching styles, playing with players and knowing what they like to do, but as far as pushing the ball and running, I love it.

SL: What has been the hardest part of camp so far for you?

LH: I think the hardest part is learning your teammates. Learning who to get the ball to, how to get them the ball, whether they can handle bounce passes, high passes, low passes, crazy passes because players like Seimone you can pretty much pass her anything and she can get it. It’s just learning situations and who you want to get the ball and, as a point guard, I’ve got to know that. I’ve got to know my player personnel extremely well, so that’s always been a challenge.

SL: Coach Zierden is also new to the Lynx this season. What are your thoughts of him as a coach so far?

LH: Well, he brings a lot of experience to us from the NBA. His knowledge of the game is without question and I’m excited to kind of get in his brain and pick at it. It’s fun to listen to everything he has to say. I was lucky that I came from a college that taught fundamental basketball and that’s what he’s big on, fundamentals. You can do whatever you want to do. If you can score, score, but he’s really big on fundamentals as well and that’s strength of mine. We get along great.

SL: Are you concerned at all about the lack of post players on this team?

LH: Winning a championship, you need five good starters and people off the bench, but you do need a strong post. Nicole Ohlde, I feel, can be that. She has moments where she is outstanding and amazing. Her name just isn’t out there as much as other players, so we’re pushing her and giving it to her. The main thing, though, is playing to our strengths and making the opponents play to their weaknesses. So, we’re probably going to do a lot of player-personnel, guards helping inside--we have a lot of bigger guards who can play inside as well--so we’ll see when we start playing how that works out.

SL: Noelle Quinn compared this Lynx team to the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, who are giving the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks all they can handle in the first round of the playoffs. What do you think of that comparison?

LH: They’re surprising people and that’s something that we want to do this year. We’ll kind of follow that and be Golden State, you know? Nobody thinks we’re supposed to do anything this year, just like the past couple years, and that’s fine. We don’t have a problem with that. We don’t have a target on our backs. We’re probably going to have teams not even pulling out there best games against us because they’re thinking ‘Oh, it’s Minnesota. What are they going to do?’ We have a lot of room to grow and we can only go up. We’re young and we want to play together for years and years…and that could make a great team.

SL: What’s the best advice you’ve received since draft day?

LH: I have a quote that’s one of my favorite quotes. It says ‘Good things come to those who wait,’ and everyone knows that’s been huge for me. Whether it’s been in school or in basketball because in college it wasn’t my time to shine just yet. Then I hit my senior year, that was my time and I was picked number one. I think coming to the Lynx, if we’re down, you can’t force it. You’ve got to just let it come and let it come and, I think, with hard work our time will come and we’ll shine.

SL: This team is coming off a ten-win season, the off-season acquisitions are Katryna Gaither and rookies. You’re all talented rookies, but rookies nonetheless. What do you think is a realistic expectation of this team this season?

LH: I don’t know. I mean, I’ve watched some of the other teams play on TV, but I don’t know. When we went and had our scrimmages, we would play well, but they didn’t have all their people and we were missing Svetlana. Honestly, I don’t know, but my freshman year at Duke, I was a point guard at the Final Four. I have high expectations. Rookie? So? I can play with them, I play with USA basketball. As far as being experienced, yeah, I’m not as experienced as any of these players are, but honestly, I don’t know. We’ll win more then ten. Like, way more then ten, in my opinion, because there are a lot of little things that they did last year that we’re kind of correcting now. Attention to detail is a big thing and that’s what we’re doing. I can say more then ten…definitely way over ten.

A Chat With Kathrin Ress

In my continuing effort to introduce you to your 2007 Minnesota Lynx team, I spoke with rookie Kathrin Ress Wednesday night after practice. As stated before, the concerning area regarding this Lynx team is the lack of post players, especially after the team cut fellow rookie Brooke Smith.

After watching the second half of Saturday’s scrimmage, along with attending a few other practices, I am convinced that Ress will be a more then welcome addition to Minnesota this season…as well as for many seasons to come.

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SL: How excited are you to play the up-tempo style of play that Coach is implementing? Do you prefer to play a fast pace like this or are you more comfortable slowing it down?

KR: I love the way coach is running practice. Time goes by quickly and we are all getting better. I know I'm not the quickest player, but I love just throwing long outlet passes or just being down in the post already knowing that it's coming.

SL: Coach Zierden himself is also new to the Lynx. You touched on it a little, but what do you think of him as a coach so far?

KR: I think he is great. He keeps it real and he comes into practice everyday with a purpose and that spirit is contagious. He just wants you to get better, no matter who it is.

SL: Sure...I've noticed that in the limited amount of practice I'm able to see.

KR: Yeah, I really like him and the whole coaching staff.

SL: Are you concerned at all with the lack of post players on this team?

KR: Well, I think five is a good number and we all compliment each other. We know Nicole is the veteran in this situation and she will have to bring a lot this year, as well as Tamika. They are doing a great job keeping us together and making sure we are all working hard…and as coach Z says, we have each other's back!

SL: OK, so now, be a scout for me...tell me what you think of Lindsey Harding now seeing her up close in camp?

KR: Well, I've played against Lindsey for 2 years in the ACC and she is one of the greatest point guards out there. She is great because she can create for others as well as for herself…that is what makes her good.

SL: How is she as a leader?

KR: She is good and she has been speaking up a lot now that she is comfortable. We have become good friends so she is helping me out too.

SL: What is the best advice or words of encouragement that you've received since draft day?

KR: well they have been the same I've gotten before that too...to just let it come to you. I'm known by my old coaches to be really hard on myself. Actually, Nancy Darsh, who is the assistant at BC, now always tells me "Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't tell to a teammate.”

SL: Why are you so hard on yourself?

KR: Because I tend never to be happy with my performance. I always want to get better.

SL: Although you are about a week into camp, what do you feel your specific role will be on this team this year?

KR: To be consistent with what I bring everyday, whether it be in practice or in a game. One day it might be rebounds, the other it might be helping off my man…anything I can do for the team that specific day is what I will have to do.

SL: So, you'll do all the dirty work?

KR: I'll do whatever my coach and my teammates need me to do.

SL: This team is coming off a 10 win season last year. The big acquisitions this off-season are Katryna Gaither, along with the rookies. You are all talented rookies, but rookies nonetheless. So, what is a realistic expectation for this team this season?

KR: The sky is the limit. With such young talent we will get better everyday and every game. Nothing is off-limits for this team...and we are looking high.

SL: How high? Being competitive? Playoffs? Championship?

KR: Anything…all the ones you've listed.