Alexander Shun

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“We had a good defensive game,” said Lynx forward Devereaux Peters when asked why Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve seemed more relaxed at practice. “I think that’s really what stresses her out, when we don’t act right on defense and the Phoenix game we really stepped it up and got back to what people are used to seeing from us,”

Peters is no stranger to good defense, especially in recent games, averaging 4.5 rebounds, two steals and 4.5 blocks through the last two games; which explains the recent jump in playing time for Peters.

After struggling to get playing time earlier in the season, Peters’ recent play has cemented her role off the bench for Reeve.

“I think you look at everywhere I’ve played and I’ve always played a role,” said Peters. “At Notre Dame I was playing with girls like Skylar Diggins and now here I’m playing with Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen. I just find a role.”

And find a role she has. After having some injury problems in her first few seasons, Peters struggled to remain consistent. Reeve says the previous inconsistencies don’t seem to be hindering her any longer.

“Going from a young player who just didn’t get it, to now being a veteran who has certainly got it, to this point,” said Reeve. “It’s that moment, as we say in life, you have some ‘Aha’ moments, I think Dev’ had an aha moment and I’m not sure exactly what it was…was it the threat of not playing or she just decided it was really important for her own personal growth as a player, and hopefully it was the latter.”

Peters says there was no real moment, but rather the major causes of her recent success are finding a role and feeling 100 percent healthy.

“I think I’m just being smarter about my play,” said Peters. “Honestly I think my knee being good has a huge deal to do with everything just because I feel more mobile, I feel like I got a little bit more bounce which allows me to block shots up high instead of trying to reach and get beat.”

Just by looking at the resurgence that a player like Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson has had when fully healthy, one can never discount the importance of complete health; Peters certainly doesn’t.

“My body feels great, my knee feels the best it has been since before any of my surgeries all the way back in 2006. I just feel really good right now and I think now since I’ve been here for a while, I know the system, I know where we’re trying to get and I’ve really found my place.”

Judging from the recent success that she has had on the court lately, Reeve can tell that Peters has definitely developed and settled into a bench role with the team.

“Dev’ has really made a nice jump in terms of understanding how the game is called and not putting herself in situations where she’s going for home-run plays that she either gets a great block or it’s a foul. She has been so solid at what she’s doing defensively, she’s not getting fouls called on her and her timing is really good. So I’ve been really pleased with her progress.”

Regardless of what her role may be or may become, Peters says she’s just happy having a spot on the team and will do whatever is needed of her.

“I’m coming in to do whatever anybody needs. We have a lot of scorers, we have that covered. We have a lot of great players and I think the best thing about this team is that everybody knows their role and that’s why gel and mesh so well and play well together”

When asked what exactly she thought her role was on the team, Peters responded without hesitation.

“I just feel like I’m here to come in and bring a lot of energy and bring defense so there’s no drop-off,” said Peters. “She [Reeve] knows that she can have another defensive stopper that’s guaranteed to play hard at every position like [Rebekkah] Brunson, and that’s really all I’m trying to be here.”

To vote Peters into the WNBA All-Star Game in Connecticut, click here and click vote for player.