– Lynx’s Moore Picked to Repeat as WNBA Most Valuable Player presented by Samsung –
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The WNBA today announced that the Minnesota Lynx were picked to win the WNBA championship for the third time in five years and Maya Moore, was chosen to repeat as WNBA Most Valuable Player presented by Samsung in the 13th annual WNBA.com GM Survey. The Lynx, led by Moore and fellow All-Stars Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, and Lindsay Whalen, collected 66.7 percent of the votes as the team most likely to win the WNBA Finals presented by Boost Mobile. The Atlanta Dream, powered by All-Stars Angel McCoughtry, Erika de Souza, and Shoni Schimmel, was selected to win the Eastern Conference.
Moore, the 2014 WNBA MVP presented by Samsung, was selected to earn the league’s top individual honor again (66.7 percent, surpassing the 16.7 percent each for Delle Donne and Ogwumike). Moore also was named as the player GMs would select first if starting a franchise today (66.7 percent); the league’s best finisher (33.3 percent); and tied Delle Donne for the top spot as the WNBA’s best pure shooter (25 percent apiece).
The coaching category was dominated by Western Conference rivals Minnesota and Phoenix. The Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve was voted best head coach (58.3 percent) for the second straight year. Reeve and the Mercury’s Sandy Brondello tied for head coach who is the best manager/motivator of people (33.3 percent each).
Rounding out the survey was a new winner in the category of best home-court advantage. Minnesota (41.7 percent) wrested the mantle from the Storm, which had earned the nod for five consecutive years, and Phoenix finished second (33.3 percent).
The complete results of the exclusive survey will be posted today on WNBA.com in advance of WNBA Tip-Off 2015 presented by Boost Mobile. The WNBA tips off its 19th season on Friday, June 5 with five games, capped by a matchup between the San Antonio Stars and the defending champion Phoenix Mercury (10 p.m. ET), which will receive its championship rings beforehand.
The Lynx will tip off the 2015 regular season at home against Tulsa on Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. Full-season and half-season memberships are available by visiting www.lynxbasketball.com/lynxtix or by calling 612-673-8400.
About the WNBA
The WNBA – which features 12 teams and is the most successful women’s professional team sports league in the world – is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity. The league, which counts Boost Mobile as its leaguewide marquee partner, tips off its 19th season on June 5, 2015.