The Unlikely Rise of the Minnesota Lynx
As the curtains closed on Sylvia Fowles’ illustrious WNBA career two years ago, the Minnesota Lynx were left with a void to fill. Fowles, the last of the core stars from their dynasty years, had bid farewell to the league, leaving Coach Cheryl Reeve with a daunting task: rebuilding a team that had dominated the WNBA landscape from 2011 to 2017.
A New Era Dawns
The Lynx’s 14-22 regular season record in 2022, coupled with a losing record for the first time since 2010, raised questions about their future. How would they reload? What did the future hold? The answers, it seemed, lay in patience and perseverance.
Fast-forward to 2024, and the Lynx have emerged as a title contender, defying preseason projections with a 30-10 record. They trail only the New York Liberty in the final standings and enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. As they prepare to face the Liberty in the WNBA Finals, the Lynx are on the cusp of their fifth title, which would be the most by a WNBA franchise.
Building a Winning Roster
Reeve, who doubles as the team’s president of basketball operations, attributes the Lynx’s success to their unique roster construction. Unlike other teams that have built superteams through multiple seasons of failure and stacked lottery picks, the Lynx have assembled a cohesive unit through shrewd free agent acquisitions and trades.
“We felt like after last season that we had a foundation,” Reeve said. “With that being said, we only brought five players back. We knew what needed to change. We weren’t good enough.”
The Mosaic of Talent
The Lynx’s roster is a testament to Reeve’s vision. Superstar Napheesa Collier, the MVP runner-up and Defensive Player of the Year, is surrounded by players who have fit seamlessly into the team’s fabric. Guard Courtney Williams and forward Alanna Smith, who came as free agents from the Chicago Sky, have been instrumental in the team’s success.
Smith, the No. 8 pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, has flourished in her new surroundings, posting a career-high 10.1 points per game in the regular season. Diamond Miller, the highest draft pick on the current Lynx roster, has been used sparingly in the playoffs, while Natisha Hiedeman and Myisha Hines-Allen, both second-round picks, have been valuable contributors off the bench.
The Constant in Success
Throughout the Lynx’s journey, Reeve has been the constant in their success. With 15 seasons under her belt, she is the longest-tenured coach in WNBA history. Her commitment to building a team with the right “personality fit” has paid dividends, as the Lynx have become a cohesive unit that is greater than the sum of its parts.
“We needed to right the mistakes we made in some past decision-making,” Reeve said. “Because every once in a while, you deviate from what you know you should be doing. You say, ‘This player can do this,’ and, ‘We’ve got other good people, so we’ll be OK.’”
Chemistry and Camaraderie
The Lynx’s chemistry has been a key factor in their success. Players point to the bond they share as a reason for their individual achievements. Collier, who played a crucial role in recruiting Smith, has been instrumental in fostering a sense of camaraderie within the team.
“I think it’s noted when teams watch us, they always talk about the Lynx chemistry,” Reeve said. “We didn’t get it right every year. We certainly have had our challenges, but we knocked it out of the park this year.”
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