Finally, so many of their deficiencies in terms of effort and concentration were corrected.
“We were so engaged,” Minnesota coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve said.
The Lynx had “tremendous moments” of sticking to their schemes and executing the game plan. The Lynx looked like the group everyone expected to see this season en route to earning their first victory.
“I think it was just that we decided we were going to compete and battle,” guard Kayla McBride said. “We knew that we were going to have to battle each and every possession. We just kept fighting, kept fighting, kept fighting.”
The Lynx, now 1-4, countered likely their worst performance of the season — a blowout, 92-82 loss to Seattle last Friday — with their best.
Where did that come from?
“I do think desperation had a lot to do with it, and also just disappointment of our lack of performance in our last game against Seattle,” Reeve said. “I think a level of disappointment, and also the start we were off to and a home game. Being respectful to our fans and what they always bring for us, we had to make sure that matched their level of passion.”
It’s what was missing at various points of Minnesota’s first four games (all losses) and, frankly, even training camp. Reeve had to coach effort during the preseason. Which was so odd. The Lynx were a team that thrived last season as a direct result of their effort and will. Reeve makes a point to bring in players known for giving it their best on a nightly basis.
“I don’t do well with players that don’t play hard. So if there is a reputation of not playing hard, they wouldn’t be here,” Reeve said. “I think it was more a matter of they think that they were doing certain things, and then when they saw the video, there was recognition that they’re not.”
That’s been how the Lynx have corrected their course in that respect — video, recognition, accountability. If you don’t bring the necessary effort to win games, you’re going to hear about it.
“Just keep hammering with it,” Reeve said, “because you can’t be successful without it.”
You can be successful with it. The Lynx saw that Sunday. Guard Crystal Dangerfield noted it was Minnesota’s defense that sparked its late-game comeback.
Effort has to drive the bus for the Lynx always, but particularly as they continue to find their way as a unit. Yes, they’re learning the schemes and learning one another. But there are ways to cover for that early in the season.
“We know that it’s not going to be perfect,” McBride said. “We know that it’s going to take time. But the effort and the concentration and the focus has to be there all the time.”
Including Friday’s 7 p.m. home game against the Atlanta Dream. One game — one which the Lynx were desperate to win — doesn’t mean they are “back.” The Lynx have to carry that same level of play through Friday’s game and beyond.
That’s the formula for success. Without it, Reeve will continue to harp on her players all season. “It’s just not going to be how I spend the season. They don’t want to spend the season that way, either, so I think that’s what you saw in the last game,” the coach said. “Hopefully it’s not something we just did one time because we were desperate to win a game. It’s got to become our identity.”
It becomes your identity when you do it over and over and over again.
“Every team can do it every once in a while,” Reeve said. “It’s got to be consistent, for sure.”
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