Lynx aggressively defend their championship

Is there a dynasty in the making?

By Sheri Crockett

Contributing Writer

The Minnesota Lynx started this year on a 14-game winning streak, dating back to the Western Conference semifinals last year. This year’s team set a new league record — the longest undefeated start in league history at 10-0 — and three games later they became only the second team in WNBA history to open a season 13-1.

While the Lynx’s start has been nothing short of phenomenal, it’s only one more reason why the defending champs remain the team to beat again this year. They have the core group of women back from last year, save for two players: rookie Devereaux Peters and 10-year veteran Erin Thorn.

However, of late the team has found it a little difficult to win: At press time, Minnesota was on a three-game losing streak. Opposing teams collectively are on a mission to upset the reigning champs. The Lynx’s road to winning a championship last year was not easy, and this year a few of the players I talked to said that it was going to be just as difficult this year to repeat.

According to Candice Wiggins, “We are not only playing to defend the title, we are playing for pride.” When asked if they were still hungry this year, she responded, “Yes, we want the title more this year, and they are like hungry lions.” After watching them early on, they do look hungry and focused.

Both Seimone Augustus and Rebekkah Brunson have said that they feel the team chemistry has been great. Both have stated that it is good to have the core group of teammates back from last year.

I can’t name one outstanding player in particular as they are all needed on this team, and on any given night any one player can score in double figures. I have noticed that when two or more players are in double figures, the Lynx team is very hard to beat.

I have looked up the word “dynasty,” and it has two meanings in the dictionary. The one that I would use to describe the Minnesota Lynx is the second definition: “a family or group that maintains power for several generations.”

In the words of player Taj McWilliams-Franklin, “A basketball dynasty is made up of several key components: perstars (take your pick, Seimone Augustus or Maya Moore), other players that understand their roles (we have a super bench), a great coaching staff (can’t ask for a better one than we have), and a great organization.”

I believe that the Minnesota Lynx are truly building on creating just that in women’s professional basketball: a dynasty, a team that can play at a high level for quite some time. The Minnesota Lynx can do just that. They are a young team with players who look focused and intense. This can only mean that they want to carry on this type of play for years to come.

I truly believe this team can become a dynasty, and at this point, to several young girls and young college women players, they are the best. This team is their dynasty,  a team for the ages.

To every young woman and little girl, to every mother, aunt, uncle, father, cousin, and so on who is out there reading this article, remember that dreams can be realized and dynasties can be made. It may not necessarily be in athletics, but you can create your own dreams and dynasties.

Sheri Crockett welcomes reader responses to scrockett@spokesman-recorder.com.