We were one, off-balance, rim-tickling shot away from getting a game three between LA and Minny.
I guess you could, as the headline on Smith’s piece says, the Lynx “overcame” Candace’s 33, but looking at the stats, you can also see that the Sparks didn’t have a bench — well, not a bench that could impact this game.
Yes, when Candace nailed an improbable (and TV pleasing three), I’m sure fans (and the Lynx) were having Seattle flashbacks. BUT, then Monica nailed the counter-three, (Flashback number 2:Minnesota Lynx coach: ‘We’re better’ than last year, thanks in part to talented reserves) and the ball ended up in Beard’s hands. Great defense by the Lynx (who may have had fresher legs) and Alana couldn’t carry her team back to Minnesota.
It hurt to see Candace bent over in pain. But that’s the blessing and curse of sports, isn’t it — all but one end up losers. Said (congrats coach of the year, though I still would have voted for K) Ross:
“Either it wasn’t a good play or it wasn’t executed very well,” Ross said. “You are so frustrated with every decision you make in a one-point [loss]. I will probably spend way too much time scrutinizing it.”
Interesting to read Nate’s Notes on watching the game on tape.
It’s 72-71 with just under 6 minutes left after a Whalen layup and this has been a great game: outstanding individual performances, the Sparks playing some of their best defense for about five minutes, and both teams seizing momentum for extended stretches before the other team grabbed a hold of it. The question down the stretch is who will have more energy left to dig in and win this game with championship-caliber execution at both ends.
Heartache aside, it was a great game to have on national TV. Thank you, players & coaches.
Oh, and congrats to Mama Taj on her 500th game.
That being said, LA, and the rest of the West, better work on getting a bench — ’cause right now, Minny’s got the young legs to carry them for a while.
Next up: Can Connecticut’s mix of young and new take down the Indy vets.
From the Courant: Sun Hope To Keep Bottling Up Catchings, Playing Up Charles
From the Norwich Bulletin: Connecticut not underestimating Indiana
The lesson has already been delivered to the Connecticut Sun this season by the Indiana Fever: underestimate us at your own peril.
On June 19, the Sun were feeling pretty good about themselves after an 88-85 win over Indiana at home. The two teams both packed up and left the Mohegan Sun Arena together, bound for Indianapolis where two days later, the Fever smoked Connecticut by 34 points, the worst loss of the season for the Sun.
For a while the other night, they could have darkened the scoreboards at Mohegan Sun Arena and measured the first game of the Eastern Conference finals by first downs.And so while the venue changes tonight (to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 8 p.m., ESPN2), the narrative changes (only one team’s season could end) what remains steadfast is this: The Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever will use each other for punching bags.
Did you catch this by Graham after the first game? Charles’ true value shines in third
On those nights it’s not in use by the Connecticut Sun, Mohegan Sun Arena is a stop for musical acts that, frankly, often saw their best days long before the WNBA came on the scene.
Eddie Money, Journey (with special guest Loverboy, no less), Meat Loaf, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, all will pass through this corner of Connecticut in the next few weeks alone. They are safe bookings, familiar names that will draw crowds who don’t really care if they are any good now, happy to pay for the memories of when they were.
But on nights when they lay down the basketball court and leave the lights on, Tina Charles offers reminders of what it’s like to see a star ascending, a performer growing into the role each time she takes the stage. And her performance in the opening game of the Eastern Conference finals between the Connecticut Sun and the Indiana Fever deserved an encore, never more than when she let loose with a solo in the third quarter.
Graham also added this: January meets challenges head on
What’s left to do won’t be easy for the Indiana Fever. Should inspiration be required, they might do well to look to the difficult path Briann January trod simply to have a season she can put on the line.
More importantly, they will look to her for the points, assists and defense that could make all the difference.
From David Woods: Indiana Fever’s Tamika Catchings will try to snap a cold spell
As the WNBA’s five-time Defensive Player of the Year, Tamika Catchings can stop almost anyone.Conversely, everyone tries to stop Catchings. That is, if she is not stopping herself.
Also, from the NY Times: Amid Successes, W.N.B.A. Is Still Facing Challenges
With all the good news that it has to shout about, the W.N.B.A. may be the quietest professional sports league in the United States.
The challenge, we all know, is rooted around narrative. Remember how important it was when ESPN — hate’em or love’em — decided to broadcast ALL the NCAA tourney games? The W needs to actively court bloggers, writters, videographers and ESPN. And when they GET a game on national TV, they need to make sure that every single seat is filled — whatever that takes. The story on the court — and off the court — has improved. We’re just not telling that story to enough audiences.
Part of that is reminding them that the W exists. It’s pretty awful that the NYTimes doesn’t carry the W on their scoreboard, and Laurel should be crawling up their butt about that. But what about SB Nation, home of Swish Appeal? Their banner lists the major men’s sports, golf, fantasy… there’s no WNBA. There’s no listing for women’s college basketball (even though the link title is CBB). Heck, the W ain’t even listed under “More.” But “Horse Racing” is. That needs to be changed.
Hey, Nate — need some help making your voice heard? Holler! I’m sure we can get enough fan response. Right?