The Minnesota Lynx have won four WNBA championships in this decade, more than anyone else in the league's history except for the Houston Comets in the 1990s. They are excellence personified in a sports market where every other pro franchise (Vikings, Twins, Wild, Timberwolves and United) have had their hand-wringing moments.
But now it's a new season. All the regulars are back--Seimoine Augustus, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Rebekkah Brunson and Lindsay Whelan--along with new faces Lynette Kizer, Danielle Robinson and Tanisha Wright. The Lynx have said goodbye to Renee Montgomery (traded to the Atlanta Dream), Natasha Howard (traded to the Seattle Storm), Jia Perkins and Plenette Pierson (both retired). And after a sojourn in St. Paul last season, the Lynx return to their newly remodeled digs at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Coach Cheryl Reeve has seen her status rise too, having also taken on the role of being the tean's general manager, which means she's now responsible for her players on and off the court.
Forgive Whelan if she's sometimes distracted this season. She recently became head coach of women's basketball at the University of Minnesota (her alma mater), replacing Marlene Stallings, who has moved on to Texas Tech. Whelan has never coached before, so the Gophers must see something in her besides boosting the program and selling tickets. So far it's not a problem, since she's playing basketball during the summer and coaching it during the winter.
The challenge for the Lynx this season is not just to repeat as champions, but to do so in consecutive years. They've won WNBA titles in 2011, '13, '15 and '17--all odd numbered years. Which is why most basketball pundits are looking at the Los Angeles Sparks (the most recent champion besides the Lynx), Connecticut Sun and Phoenix Mercury as possible title contenders. And the San Antonio Stars are now the Las Vegas Aces.
So what does the Minnesota Lynx do for an encore? It comes down to how much longer they can delay Mother Time, and how much they want that one for the thumb. We'll see what happens.
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