EMBRACE CHANGE:

I have come to realize that each and every Lynx season takes on its own identity.  Past years have been about the emergence of a star player like Maya Moore or the unselfishness of many great players coming together.  Sometimes it’s about injuries and their impact on the game. This season has taken on an identity of embracing change.  From the start of the season when word was out that Janel McCarville would not be returning and the constant rumor that Syl Fowles wanted out of Chicago and to play in Minnesota.  Waiting for the arrival of Anna Cruz.  Welcoming back former Lynx player Renee Montgomery.  Saying goodbye to Monica Wright and Damiris Dantas and eventually welcoming big Syl onto the team.  The latest addition is another University of Connecticut guard, Kalana Greene.  The Lynx are in need of guards right now as Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen are out with injuries.  Both of them are expected to return to play for the start of the playoffs. Greene won a championship with Maya Moore and Renee Montgomery so hopefully she will quickly acclimate to her new home and teammates.  The Lynx players know that they need to quickly get comfortable with new players as they come and go.  For those of us watching from the sidelines we need to understand that change is constant and that the Lynx have done a tremendous job handling it all season long.

MONTGOMERY STEPS UP BIG:

I really enjoyed going to the Lynx game vs. the Phoenix Mercury as a fan.  ESPN was in town for the call, which tells you that people around the country were expecting this to be a big game. The game did not disappoint the viewers as both teams were playing with a sense of urgency.   Both Minnesota and Phoenix had been pushing through the last few weeks of August. The Lynx struggled on the road but the Mercury were unable to take advantage of it so they never gained on the Lynx in the standings for the best in the West.  The game was exciting as it is always fun to watch Brittney Griner try to dominate a game with her shot blocking; she had 9 total blocks in the tilt.  Even more fun to watch was the way Maya Moore owned the first half with her quick release shot, which was unstoppable  In the second half the Lynx needed scoring and they relied on newcomer Renee Montgomery. Renee was waiting for her breakout game.  She got it in a game that mattered.  Minnesota  protecting home court and not allowing Phoenix to gain a game in the standings.  Renee’s 15 points came on big momentum changing shots that made a huge difference to the Lynx in the second half. That was definitely a confidence game for Renee and in the coming games without Seimone and Lindsay she can hopefully build off of her fantastic play in the win against Phoenix.

LEA LIKES:

• Flew into Minneapolis last week with Rebecca Lobo who was coming in to broadcast the Lynx Mercury game. Fun to talk a little hoops with the former UConn star.
• Oliver Knox Reeve making his first modeling debut at Catwalk for the Cure
• Lynx honoring the Gopher Women’s basketball program at the Phoenix tilt.