Eschewing Eschaton
by Stop-n-Pop on Oct 8, 2011 10:33 AM CDT
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The world is a complicated place right now. Everything seems to mean something else and, more often than not, even the largest and most obvious things in front of our noses are accessible at only the most impossible angles.
For me, the thing that I will remember the most from this year's Lynx championship run is that it was an uncomplicated thing that did not need to be dressed up in cynicism, needless extrapolation, or mindless fluff. The team was drawn up out of basketball central casting: A hard-nosed, no-nonsense coach who has it hitting on all cylinders--pre-game game planning, mental preparation, in-game adjustments, you name it; a home-grown point guard who plays like Steve Nash with a chip on his shoulder (i.e. rebounding and attempted defense); a silky smooth 2 guard returning from a career-threatening injury who can score from anywhere on the court while letting her opponent know that there is nothing she can do to stop it; an All-World rookie who is the prototype athlete for her position and whose willingness to do whatever it takes to win inspired her older teammates; a double-double dirty worker at the 4 whose early-season play got this thing off on the right track; a been-there/done-that vet to lead the way in the locker room, post season and the paint; a former college star adjusting to life as an energetic 6th woman; and a youthful bench full of inconsistent and promising players who always seem to come through with a big moment exactly when it is needed. If she exists, I swear they'll find a way to draft Jenny Chitwood.
If you love basketball, you know these stories; you know these players. They don't need to be dressed up in any way, shape or form.
For me, the fun part about this season was that it gave me something basketball-related to share with my friends and family. I got to be a fan again. There were no notes or game wraps. I just sat there with my wife, daughters, and friends and enjoyed world class basketball while being reminded of why I fell in love with the sport in the first place, way back in the 80s with Larry and Magic.
This team and season stands on its own.
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One of your best pieces ever S&P!
If I had to some up the lynx and the WNBA in a word it would be “unspoiled”. Unspoiled by the greed and by all the people out to make a name for themselves using male sports popularity.
Beyond the team's amazing achievements,
a few things stand out:
1. The Lynx have the new face of the WNBA in Maya Moore.
2. Glen got to hold a championship trophy earned by his second-favorite team a day before the most notorious owner in sports passed away. Combined with the fans showing up in droves for a likeable, winning team, and the dearth of anything else approaching this level on the Minnesota sports scene, I hope that these events conspire to motivate him to do whatever it takes to turn the Timberwolves into NBA champions.
3. The Lynx are remarkably loaded up with draft picks, and could turn a couple into a top pick in two years, when Skylar Diggins and Brittney Griner will be entering the draft.
I saw two games in person, and a dozen or so on TV. It was one of the most enjoyable sport seasons I have ever experienced.
TimAllen says I was "right all along," but I'm STILL waiting for an explanation of "the big picture."
"It was one of the most enjoyable sport seasons I have ever experienced."
It really was. And not just because they always win. The Lynx genuinely play a very entertaining brand of basketball. I mean I actually looked forward to Lynx games all year.
It's probably Taylor' favorite team
At the moment.
The Wolves team is full of interesting characters too and they will be very easy on the eyes if they consistently play close games.
Here’s hoping.
by fanslaststand on Oct 8, 2011 2:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
This may have gotten mention elsewhere, but one of the local news outlets did a brief feature on Taylor early in the finals, and the guy seemed genuinely happy. Giddy even. And it struck me (at least) as genuine, like he had forgotten how much fun it is to win. Here’s hoping it spills over to the Wolves a little bit.
Congrats Lynx!
Congrats to the Lynx
They earned this championship and played the game the way it was meant to be played. Hats off to them.
If the NBA was half as enjoyable to watch as the WNBA I might actually watch more games.
Oh and Maya Moore was a rookie. Just think about that for a little bit…………If they can keep the pieces together for a couple more years, this team will continue to dominate.
Ummmm
If the NBA was half as enjoyable to watch as the WNBA I might actually watch more games.
Ummm you clearly must not watch the NBA…The NBA IS enjoyable to watch. Last season was phenomenal and the playoffs were crazy with phenomenal games night in and night out. Now, you probably watch only the Timberwolves so it may be somewhat understandable that you believe it’s not enjoyable, but as an NBA fan in general I can tell you that you’re way off and are talking about stuff you don’t know. Hopefully the T-Wolves will turn it around (and I think they will because they have some interesting pieces) and they’ll make you realize you are wrong.
With that being said, congrats to the Lynx. Great job, ladies.
Congrats to them
All criticism aside, any team has a goal of winning the title, and they deserve accolades for that.
The good news is hopeful doesn't mean dumb. The bad news is cynical doesn't mean smart. -- Sarah Silverman
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 8, 2011 12:53 PM CDT reply actions
for accomplishing that
The good news is hopeful doesn't mean dumb. The bad news is cynical doesn't mean smart. -- Sarah Silverman
by pagingstanleyroberts on Oct 8, 2011 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Minnesota Championship #10 (Big 5 and including Lakers)!
Also, Nikola Pekovic supposedly scored 17 points and 9 rebounds against Zagreb today.
Lakers 6
Twins 2
Lynx 1
What am I missing?
by fanslaststand on Oct 8, 2011 4:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh that's right.
Technically speaking the Twins franchise owns the Washington Senators 1924 World Series title. So that’s an official 10 titles.
by fanslaststand on Oct 8, 2011 6:16 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Uh
I think Al Davis owns that one, just like he owned the Vikes almost every time they met (when it counted).
Seriously, mentioning the Lynx and the Vikings in the same sentence is an insult to the Lynx.
Basketball is basketball. – Oscar Robertson
Congrats on the ’ship. You guys deserve a winning franchise.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Though other teams were able to make them sweat at times,
That was an incredibly dominant season of pro sports!
Couple that with all those likeable players, who call each other sisters- wow, greatness.
Man I hope they three or four peat..
Great commentary. Great team. Great story.
Go Lynx! I hope their fans stick around. As has been mentioned, they play a very entertaining brand of ball. Most impressive, to me, is their combined will to finish out a game. May some of that transfer to MN’s other beleaguered franchises.
It has been nice
to not have the refereeing take center stage too. And when questionable calls take place, these ladies keep their mouths shut and play ball. So refreshing.
I think one of the most stupid things the Lynx org ever did was to pass on drafting Lindsey as she had every girl in MN thinking about Gopher BBall, and that would have continued for the Lynx. I’m glad they finally got it right.
They definitely swallowed their whistles late...
…and there were several instances where the players could have gone nuts with complaints.
Angel McCoughtry certainly doesn't shut her mouth...but for the most part, you're right
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
Good stuff SnP
Re:
For me, the fun part about this season was that it gave me something basketball-related to share with my friends and family. I got to be a fan again. There were no notes or game wraps.
Maybe you, Tim, big O, etc. can do rotating coverage of Wolves game wraps, assuming we ever have any games. That way you’ll get to watch 2 out of 3 (or whatever) as just a fan.
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
Or even, as Just A Fan
:)
"It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." -- Yogi Berra
by Wile E Coyote on Oct 10, 2011 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll Remember This Season
as a worst to first story. After we traded KG, I pole-vaulted onto the Celtic’s bandwagon. Their championship season, like this year for the Lynx, shows how many stars have to align to win games: front office, coaching, team chemistry, player psychology, free agency, the draft, player development, bench, vets, rookies, etc x 1 million. It shows how daunting it is to simply turn around a franchise w/ a culture-of-epic-failure, never mind compete, never mind make the playoffs, never mind win a championship.
To go from worst to first in one season is downright insane.
by Los Lobos Del Bosque on Oct 10, 2011 7:45 AM CDT reply actions
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