Alexander Shun

Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun 

I know that I say this all the time, but Minnesota Lynx fans are truly some of the most loyal and smartest fans in all of sports. They roll with the Lynx through the good and the bad and they seemingly know everything about the team. I’m not even kidding. Some of the things that I have heard from Lynx fans have truly terrified me, simply because they know more than I do and I’m afraid they’re going to take my job. Lynx fan Hector Roberts is no exception.

Roberts, a theater production manager, moved to Minnesota from California and, after catching a Lynx game on television one night, immediately fell in love with the WNBA and the Minnesota Lynx. Roberts says that Rebekkah Brunson,or as he calls her, “The Enforcer,” is his favorite player (he calls her the enforcer because of how physical she is when going to grab rebounds).

With the Lynx in Atlanta set to take on the Dream tomorrow night, I talked with Roberts and got his thoughts on the upcoming game, what the Lynx need to do to win and who is going to shine for Minnesota.

Give me your thoughts on the match-up against Atlanta. What stands out to you?

Hector: What stands out to me is that the WNBA is a very home-court friendly league and I think the Lynx should have the mentality that every game is a playoff game from now on because Phoenix is right on our heels. It’s just going to be tough to go in there and play on the road because it seems to be a trend that the visiting team is going to have it tough. So I think they have to prepare, they have to focus and they can’t take the team lightly just because [the Lynx] have the best record.

What must the Lynx do to beat Atlanta?

Hector: I think that it’s twofold. It’s both scheme and mental. I think Coach [Cheryl] Reeve always has those players prepared – she’s so good – but they have to stay focused and not get distracted and they also have to play better mid-range because we’re missing Seimone Augustus. So I think – and I’m not an expert – but I think it allows teams to focus on Sylvia Fowles and just guard more in the paint because they know we don’t have a perimeter shot, and our three-point shot being only Maya Moore and Tricia Liston. So we need to concentrate on the mid-range shots and have players like Anna Cruz and Renee Montgomery take more shots from that range so the defense has to be aware of that. Finally, transition. We need to get in transition and get those easy lay-ups that are created by turnovers that they seem to be getting more of lately.

If Lynx guard Seimone Augustus plays, what impact could she have on the game coming off her knee injury?

Hector: The defense would definitely have to adjust for her. She is so dynamic because she can pick-and-choose when she gets to the paint, she has a pretty perimeter shot – that beautiful jump shot she’s got – Atlanta will have to account for her at all times. Then with players like Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles and Anna Cruz, the defense has to pay more attention outside of the paint and on the perimeter and that’s why Seimone Augustus is so important because the defense has to account for her at all times. 

Who is going to be the surprise MVP of the game?

Hector: I think it’s a toss-up between Tricia Liston and Renee Montgomery. I think Tricia is due for a breakout game where she’s just raining down threes, but Renee Montgomery has a good shot and she’s so smart and she’s got a good mid-range game, so if Seimone doesn’t go and Renee gets more playing time, I think she’s a player that could definitely do it. So I think it’ll be either Tricia Liston or Renee Montgomery.

What is the key match-up for the game?

Hector: I think that’s an easy one and that’s [Dream guard] Angel McCoughtry and Rebekkah Brunson. I think the match-up between McCoughtry and Brunson is important because with Rebekkah guarding the paint –  Angel is just so good and so quick at taking it to the basket – so Brunson needs to just plant and prevent Angel from getting easy lay-ups and easy shots. Angel is so good, you know, she’s an Olympian, but Rebekkah is our enforcer and that’s what she needs to do on the road; she needs to step up and enforce.

What is your prediction for the game?

Hector: I think it’s going to be a tough game because, like I said, the WNBA is a home-court friendly league and very favorable to the home teams. I’m amazed at how these people unite when they face adversity and I think they’re going to have some adversity in Atlanta, but I think they’re going to pull it out. I think the score is going to be about 73-67. Like I said, I think Renee Montgomery is due for a breakout game. I think she might score double-digits and score 16 or 18 points, but, let’s be honest, Maya Moore is probably going to score over 20 and I hope she does. Without her points, we could be in trouble.