LET THE GAMES BEGIN:

The Lynx have done their homework winning 22 regular season games, which makes them the best in the West with home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They take their swagger and confidence into the playoffs with the theme ‘That’s How We Roar.” They meet up with their West Coast rivals the L.A. Sparks who they beat three times in the regular season. The Sparks theme for the playoffs – “One Mission. One Team. One Goal.”

I’m anticipating that it will take all three games for the Lynx to win this series. To get out of the first round the Lynx will need their veterans to run the show. Lindsay and Seimone, who are anticipated to play, will need to shake off any rust from sitting out with injuries. They will need to look like the Lindsay and Seimone of old. This means attacking the basket and setting the tempo for Lindsay. Seimone will be relied upon to create her exciting offense that gets her teammates playing better and the crowd involved. What will have people around the country tuning into to NBATV to watch the tilt? It will be the battle of two of the league’s best, Maya Moore and Candace Parker. Moore was my pick for MVP of the league for consistently carrying her team and keeping them at the top all season long. She was allowed to rest for the last game of the season. Parker took time off at the start of the season to rest her body and mind and returned ready to go. Her return was impressive. The Sparks went 11-5 with Parker in the lineup and they are playing great team basketball. Both of these two greats will have amazing moments and will do whatever they need to do to carry their teams. However, this is where Maya Moore thrives, big games that bring big moments. She is mentally and physically ready for this challenge.

Lastly, the Lynx love playing at home in front their beloved Lynx fans where they have only lost four times this season. The Sparks have been removed from their home court at Staples Center so Game Two will be played at Long Beach State. There is not a lot of room to make mistakes in a three-game series. So the injuries have to be forgotten, the leaders will need to be their best, and the power of home court advantage has never been more important.

LISA LESLIE:

Being that we have the L.A. Sparks on our minds, I thought it would only be appropriate to give a shout out to the original and the best L.A. Spark ever, Lisa Leslie. Leslie was just inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. She has made such an important impact on the game by being one of the greatest players on the court and one of the classiest players off of the court. I have had the opportunity throughout my years working in the WNBA to interview Lisa on many of occasions. She would always say yes to the interview request. If the interview was after a practice she would make sure that she had dried the sweat on her face, threw a little lipstick on and presented herself in the best light. She was thoughtful in how she wanted to present herself to the world. She was also thoughtful in how she answered questions. I always walked away thinking “wow is she a classy woman.” During her Hall of Fame speech she brought to the stage many former players and coaches who helped her through her amazing career. She goes out the same way she came in: humble, classy and a great role model. I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to meet and interview one of the game’s best. Congratulations, Lisa!

LEA LIKES:

• Big crowds at playoff games!