Minnesota Lynx 2014 Season Preview

For Lynx fans, last year was fun.

Not only did Minnesota's lone pro sports powerhouse come away with the WNBA title, they did so without much of a fight from the opposition, going 7-0 in the playoffs, never showing much of a sign of weakness. In the finals, the Lynx beat the Atlanta Dream by an average of 19.6 points per game, the closest coming in the 86-77 series-clinching victory.

With the limited roster turnover over the offseason, it shouldn't be a surprise that many are expecting the defending champs to make a strong push to win their third title in four tries.

Returning is their entire starting lineup, which in includes 4 All-Stars, featuring 2nd-place finisher in the MVP voting, Maya Moore.

Here's how their offseason has shaped up thus far:

Starters:

C- Janel McCarville

PF- Rebekkah Brunsun

SF- Maya Moore

SG- Seimone Augustus

PG- Lindsay Whalen

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Key Additions:

Tan White

Tricia Liston

Key Subtractions:

Sugar Rogers

Amber Harris

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The key thing to take note of here: very little roster turnover. Not only is the starting 5 intact, the key bench contributors (Monica Wright, Devereaux Peters) are back as well. If the team wasn't able to get it done on talent, their familiarity with each other generally got it done.

Though, it should be noted that Monica Wright has been listed as out indefinitely, after going arthroscopic knee surgery in late April. That's a big blow, and is likely the reason behind the signing of veteran 5'7 guard Tan White, who averaged 11.3 ppg and 4.3 apg in the preseason. She'll likely take Wright's minutes in the meantime, with youngster Lindsay Moore also available to fill in if needed.

Rachel Jarry was also injured this winter, re-aggravating a repaired meniscus. Her return, to this point, is unclear.

To start off the 2014 season, they have already played in and won a small, 4-team preseason tournament in Walt Disney World, that also featured the Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever, and Phoenix Mercury.

The Lynx will start off their regular season campaign this Friday on the road, as they take on the Washington Mystics at the Verizon Center.

With the season less than a week away, even with the injuries to Wright and Jarry, it's a safe bet that Minnesota will have competitive basketball again this summer, and will likely see a strong push for another title.

A few final notes:

• Today is media day. I am not able to attend, but you can watch it on the Lynx website.

• Many Lynx (healthy) players did not make it for the start of training camp Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson and Devereaux Peters, were all finishing their offseason duties for their teams in Russia. Janel McCarville is in Poland completing her offseason play.
• The finals rematch between the Lynx and the Dream will take place Friday, June 13. That's right, Friday the 13th. Uh oh.

• I'm going to try to cover as many home games as I can, but with my schedule set as-is, it may not be until June that I get out there. Stay tuned for that.
• On that note, props to Eric for his activity since the end of the Wolves season. I've been getting acquainted with a new job, but I should be posting more regularly now. Expect a fairly unique Wolves post in the coming days.