Katie Smith names the New York Liberty enemy: Turnovers

Tina Charles’ self-efficacy is as strong as her presence in the paint

Smith was asked about the 7x All-Star’s inconsistent season and what the approach is to  get Charles back on track. “We are always trying to figure out how to get her easier touches,” she said before tipoff on Sunday. “Watch how the defenses are going to play her, who they are leaving off of, when they are going to double, how they play other post players like Fowles and Griner in the past games. Always trying to find easier ways so it’s not a cross pick. She’s just doing it by running early or flashing to the ball. Always trying to throw things in for her to think about.”

Before Sunday, Charles hadn’t scored more than 13 points since New York’s July 5 victory against the Mercury. Father Rawiston Charles was in the building, and had plenty to cheer about.

On an overhead pass from Johannès with under five minutes left before halftime, Charles received the ball on a hop and crashed down onto the hardwood into triple threat position. She missed a step-back jumper from the strong side and Nurse flew in from the weak side anticipating a rebound. The sophomore tipped the ball away from Courtney Williams, which allowed Charles to get a second chance. Gotham’s Dark Knight charged through the wing and hustled through the lane to put the basket in over Jonquel Jones and Shekinna Stricklen. The Liberty were within seven.

In essence, that was the bread and butter of Tina Charles’ double-double on Sunday. 20 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks,  and that hook shot—the hook shot was back.

She did not waver and imposed her will on anyone not in seafoam green. She was patient while simultaneously aggressive. Her body language on the court told the story.

In the locker room after the game, Charles was motivated by the challenges that remain for her team. She has a one-track mind and that’s a playoff birth. Charles knows what it takes.

“It’s just believing that the end of the season isn’t over,” she said. “And believing that this isn’t just a summer job. This is your profession. After this, your job is done. You don’t see it as a summer job, you see it as personal, you see it as you are fighting for the playoffs.”

You’d think that after a third straight loss, 17 turnovers and duality plaguing this team all season long, Charles would sound deflated, but she wasn’t. The Olympian has set a standard for self-efficacy in this locker room. Just ask Brittany Boyd and Rebecca Allen who have both played with Charles since 2015.  Boyd acknowledged her team’s mistakes but was also confident in New York’s ability to rebound from the current losing streak. Her tagline in the locker room was: “We’ll be fine.”

Allen is motivated by the upcoming matchup against the Sky, and believes the full schedule in August has many benefits.

“[I’m] excited for our next game though,” she said on Sunday. “The positive is there is such a quick turnaround with games so when you do have a poor loss like this, at least the next game’s around the corner. So hopefully we will all rise to the occasion.”

This is something that has trickled down from Smith as well. She’s pointed to this idea that she grappled with as a player when she faced with a soul-crushing loss.  “…As a player, you get to say: ‘Alright, I get to lace it up again and show what I can do.'”

Now back to Charles for a moment. After being peppered with questions about the Liberty’s defense, New York’s playoff chances and the development of some of the younger players on the team, she was asked what her message is to her team and the fans. She chose her words carefully.

“It’s my team first,” she said. “Just keep having pride in yourself as an individual and what you reflect on the court. Once you reflect on what you want to see, it doesn’t matter about making shots. It’s all about your effort and how you carry yourself, and I think everything else will fall into place.”

I’ve wondered what Tina Charles has said to herself this season after some lackluster shooting performances. But I think the message she has for her teammates is pretty close, if not identical to what Charles probably communicates to herself as she maintains her mental toughness through self-efficacy.

At this point, a playoff run is a self-fulfilling prophecy for New York. Giving up hasn’t been an option for Charles this season. Giving up — according to Charles— is also not an option for her Liberty.

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