Charles, Boyd get Liberty back on track

A win over the Dream portends good things for the New York Liberty.

WHITE PLAINS, NY – JUNE 19: Brittany Boyd #15 of the New York Liberty talks to the media after the game against the Atlanta Dream on June 19, 2018 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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The New York Liberty returned home after a two-game road trip yesterday, and showed some encouraging signs in a 79-72 win over Atlanta.

The Liberty have struggled offensively in their first nine games. They shoot at a 42.5% clip from the field and average 78 points per game—good for ninth in the league. Opponents average 80 points per game against New York and shoot 42.6% from the field.

So, what is the disconnect?

“We’re running things sharp enough, we don’t get open smooth enough,” head coach Katie Smith told High Post Hoops at shootaround yesterday afternoon. The Hall of Famer went on to describe the Liberty offense as, “decent, but not great.”

Part of the reason is the defensive attention being paid to Tina Charles. “ 3/4 fronting, they’re wanting other people to beat them,” Smith explained. New York has struggled in the paint because of the attention paid to 2012 league MVP.

Heading into the game against Atlanta, Smith wanted to see her team get more aggressive and get to the line.

“One of the things tonight is being aggressive. We’re last in the league in free throws attempted and part of that is we don’t want to take the hit. We take jump shots when we sometimes should be driving to the hole. The aggressor usually gets the calls and that’s something we can add to our game.”