Your Day in Women’s Basketball, July 23: Lynx, others concerned about conditioning
WNBA teams not in perfect shape ahead of season-opener Saturday
Head coach Cheryl Reeve and other players are concerned about the Minnesota Lynx’s fitness ahead of the team’s season-opener, which is not all that shocking considering they’ve only been in the bubble for three weeks now. And it’s not just the players who are grinding: trainers are working around the clock to make sure players are healthy for the bubble season.
At least the Lynx aren’t as bad off as the Aces, who had just seven players for its most recent scrimmage in what we can only imagine was extremely gassing.
Reeve also said she’s confident in Glen Taylor’s interest in selling the franchise, although no decision has been officially made.
The Storm are entering the season as the title favorites and will have to get to the promised land with a new head coach in Gary Kloppenburg. Coach Klopp struggled as a head coach back in Tulsa but thrived in Seattle (I mean with Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird, it’s hard not to thrive in Seattle).
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Klopp received praise from players for his defensive focus and amicable personality.
“Throughout the process of Dan being the head coach we’ve always heard Kloppy’s voice,” said Jewell Loyd. “He’s goofy and allows us to be our own coach, but also understands that he needs to step in and say certain things, so it’s a pretty smooth transition.”
In the college world, new Duke head coach Kara Lawson added Tia Jackson to her coaching staff. This is a return for Jackson, who worked as an assistant from 2005 to 2007.
Despite offensive woes in her previous years, the Dream’s Betnijah Laney is blossoming into a promising two-way player after successful practices and scrimmage this pre-season. The Dream could surprise some team’s this season if Laney’s progress translates to the regular season.