The Lynx lost to the Seattle Storm last night 65-62 in Seattle for their first setback of the season, as they fall to 7-1 on the year. You could sort of feel it coming, as the Lynx finally had an off night offensively. They made only 1 three pointer all night, and shot 42% from the field, a shockingly poor number from the best offense in the league, one that regularly eclipses 50%.
Not tonight, as they got off to a slow start before finding their game a bit in the 2nd quarter. When they took a 40-32 lead into halftime, mostly due to staunch defense, they felt in control. However, only 11 points in each of the final two quarters doomed them, as Seattle was able to find just enough to slip past them late.
Nobody had a big game for the Lynx, as Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus were each held to 12 points, which led the team. Moore was held without a three for the first time in I don't know how long. The bench once again was not a source of help; after scoring 10 points in the 1st half, the reserves managed only three in the 2nd. They really could have used the energy and scoring ability of Monica Wright in this game, as the offense just didn't have it.
It happens. Next game is Sunday in L.A. against the Sparks. Should be a good one.
Meanwhile, here is a link to the Flip Saunders presser introducing him as the head coach in case you missed it.
I wrote about this already, and so did Key Dae, but a couple of remarks. Wow. That presser was not filled with enthusiasm. Looked more like a dentist's appointment. Glen Taylor said he would have preferred not to go this way, but has been convinced it's best for now. Um...OK.
The dissonance with this franchise is amazing to me. Glen essentially said this: The guy I hired to do things like find coaches failed miserably. So I'm happy to give him more responsibility because I'm so comfortable with him and trust him so much.
Ack.
One more thing: rumblings abound that Flip still wants to bring in David Blatt as an assistant, presumably with the idea (perhaps when Glen insists) that he will take over as head coach. I do not understand why they didn't just offer him the head coaching job now if they like him.
He's been a coach for a long time, and there is no reason not to start letting him establish a culture. If he needs help with the transition, that's what experienced assistants are for. And of course, Flip would still be around to "help' as needed. Look: last year the Boston Celtics--a team with a much more valuable brand than the Wolves, hired a guy straight out of a mid-major college program. Gave him a good contract, and said: We think highly of you, that's why we hired you. We're going to be patient. Do your job. But the Wolves aren't in a position to do that?
In addition to his presser, Flip did the rounds on local media yesterday. You can find his appearance on Dan Barreiro's radio show at the KFAN page.
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have hired Quin Snyder to be their head coach. Snyder played at Duke and was an assistant there under Coach K before becoming head coach at Missouri, where he ran into some problems. He rebuilt his career in the D-League and as an NBA assistant, and will now get a shot at a head coaching gig. Apparently, the Spurs guys, including Gregg Popovich, spoke very highly of him (he coached the D-League team the Spurs own). Most recently, he has been an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks.
Jobs are still open in Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York, and Phil Jackson has apparently focused in on Derek Fisher as his coaching candidate of choice. Another guy straight from playing to the head job.
LATE ADD: Looks like Blatt may be a candidate for the Cavs job.
In more important news:
Breaking: ACLU of Wisconsin wins #FreedomToMarry in #WI! More details to follow! http://t.co/1DH8MhZn6Q
— ACLU of Wisconsin (@ACLUofWisconsin) June 6, 2014
A Federal District Court judge (Barbara Crabb!) ruled that Wisconsin's marriage amendment is unconstitutional. As a result:
The Dane County Clerk plans to stay open late to issue marriage licenses. #news3 http://t.co/94ksrStJZi
— WISCTV News 3 (@WISCTV_News3) June 6, 2014
As you might imagine, I don't have many friends. But I'm very happy for a few of the ones I do have and every other same sex couple in Wisconsin that wants to get married.
In World Cup news, Bayern Munich and French star Franck Ribery will miss the tournament with a back injury. This might mean the end of Ribery's World Cup career, as he is currently 31 years old. It's sad, as he is a tremendously exciting player to watch.
Elsewhere, the Germans might have suffered an injury blow as Marco Reus had to helped off the field yesterday after hurting his ankle in a match with Albania. Despite the Germans' impressive depth, and their barrage of goals after Reus left the game, things are beginning to look a little dicey for die Mannschaft.
The U.S. play their final friendly (apart from a scheduled closed-door scrimmage with Belgium in Brazil) today in Jacksonville, when the take on World Cup bound Nigeria. The game kicks off at 5:00 pm Central time and will be televised on ESPN2.
Today in History
1099: First Crusaders reach Jerusalem
1494: Spain and Portugal sign treaty of Tordesillas dividing America
1654: Louis XIV crowned king of France
1864: Abe Lincoln re-nominated for President by Republican Party
1905: Norway dissolves union with Sweden
1942: Battle of Midway ends in Japanese defeat
1965: Supreme Court decides Griswold v. Connecticut, which began to define a "right of privacy," in this case surrounding the use of contraception.
1972: Grease opens on Broadway for the first of over 3,000 performances
Several good musical birthdays today. The obvious choice would be Prince, born in 1958, but for some insane reason, all of his music has been taken off Youtube. Very protective of that copyright. So tough luck Prince. Instead, we'll go with Tom Jones, born in 1940.
Have a great Saturday.