Lynx Give Fans the WOW Factor

by Tony Geer

All I can say after last nights game is WOW. As a fan I was shown how seriously this team is taking the term "TEAM" this year. Players not only stepped up their own games but they were ALL willing to help TEAMMATES shine as well.

What did I see that makes me say that?

Mostly the fact that the TEAM committed only 1 turnover in the first half and well into the 3rd quarter. I saw the potential for at least 4 more turnovers but they were negated by TEAMMATES hustling after the ball when mistakes were made thus saving the ball and turnover.

I also saw, get this, 25 assists on the 37 made baskets. This is a great stat because I have noticed that reaching 50% of assists to baskets made has been a chore in the WNBA in the past.

Holding the Mercury to 8 offensive rebounds, generating 31 free throws, and in the end holding back when they could have really put the hurt on. Yes, holding back.

The 29 point difference in the final score of 109-80 does not show just how in control the Lynx were in this game.

Now, how important was this game for the Lynx?

This was the second home game after the injury to Seimone Augustus. Even from the New York game to this one you can see growth within the team concepts. I know that as professional players it would seem easy to adjust to 1 injury on your team but it is not that simple. The Lynx were on a 3 games in 4 days road trip when the injury happened early in game 2. The results were a huge difference in the final scores of the last 2 games but it was a great opportunity to refocus while on the road with few distractions.

And on Saturday night they showed the hometown fans that focus.

It was important to show the 12 other teams in the league that the Lynx are more the just a 1 player team.

The Lynx are the first team to really be affected by the new roster rule of 11 total players. There will be no replacement for Seimone's injury. This is a major cost savings but it could very easily have been turned into a major cost by reduced attendance and interest in the team.

Granted it is only the first 2 games back home for the ladies but I have seen no reason in the 5 home games to believe that the ladies will slide backwards after a good start as they did last season. In fact, this team is willing to dive after looses balls, box out stronger then they have in the past, not be afraid to shoot or even make that pass into traffic, again, like they have in the past.

This team, this season has shown they will do whatever they can to win.

And WOW have they.