photo by Sophia Hantzes

Candice Wiggins takes a jump shot during a recent game pitting the Lynx against the Sacramento Monarchs.

By Stephen Litel

Armed with strong rookies, Lynx poised for stellar season

When the WNBA draft order was determined earlier this year, many were upset the Minnesota Lynx did not secure one of the top two picks. Yet, in the early going of the 2008 season, rookie Candice Wiggins, the Lynx selection in the third slot of the draft, is making everyone forget any disappointment.

Though nearly all critics believed the Lynx were destined for another underwhelming season, the front office, coaches and players knew differently. From the very beginning of the year, they brushed aside criticism and now find themselves off to the greatest start in the 10-year history of the team.

“I think the hardest part to adjust to is the schedule,” said Wiggins, the 21-year old first year guard. “It’s not like in college where you had a whole week to prepare for teams because, here, every other day there’s a game. That rigorous schedule is probably the hardest part, mentally and physically being able to get through that.”

What should simultaneously excite Lynx fans and frighten the team’s opposition is the fact Wiggins is still getting a feel for the WNBA. As a rookie, she has yet to play at the level she is capable of playing and, more importantly, expects of herself. Adding to the buzz surrounding Wiggins, her team and their historic opening month is the fact she is not the only new face paying huge dividends for the franchise.

Fellow rookies, the 22-year-old forward/center Nicky Anosike and 22-year-old forward Charde Houston, are also taking the league by storm while, at the same time, helping to change the culture surrounding the squad. Anosike, winner of two national championships while at the University of Tennessee, brings an intensity to the post unseen from the Lynx in years, if ever. Houston, joining the Lynx from the University of Connecticut, has become a sparkplug off the bench.

“I think with the players that have been here, and the players the coaches have tried to bring in, like Ras and Anna, as well as the people they drafted, we all know who we are on the court,” Anosike said. “We don’t have anything to prove. We’re just here to win. A lot of players come into the league and say, ‘I have to get 20 points and 10 rebounds’ or whatever. We come in like ‘we have to win.’ We know our roles, we know what the main goal is and that’s what we fight for every time we step out there.”

Feeling their immediate impact on the court, their maturity off the court also shines through equally. Absorbing the lessons regarding basketball as well as life from their college experiences, it should come as no surprise they continue to do so as professionals. After all, Minnesota brought in two wonderful coaches in Julie Plank and Jennifer Gillom during the offseason to help mold a roster of young players into a team.

“Looking at our coaching staff’s resumés, it just shows they are the best in the world,” Houston said. “They know what they’re doing, so why would you not believe in what they have to say? They were brought to this organization for a reason, so why rely on your own understanding when, in fact, they know what’s best? Also, we know that everybody on this team is special, everybody brings a unique attribute to this team that makes up our core. If something is working, why change it?”

With such an experienced and mature rookie class coming into the fold, it would be understandable if the veterans might feel some resentment. However, on this squad nothing could be further than the truth.

“We’re very excited,” said Nicole Ohlde, the 26-year-old forward and longest-tenured Lynx veteran. “We’re very unselfish, and it doesn’t matter who gets what. It’s just a total team effort. We’re more athletic than in the past few years, so I attribute that to the coaching staff and the organization bringing in great players. Lucky for us, we’ve all meshed very well.”

Since her own arrival in the Twin Cities two summers ago, Seimone Augustus shouldered the load alone of reviving a dead franchise. Although individual honors wracked up for the face of the franchise, her goal is a championship. As the talent level of her supporting cast increased, Augustus became infinitely more unstoppable.

“When you go through two losing seasons, everybody tries to find out what their role is,” said Augustus, the 24-year old-guard and team cornerstone. “The chemistry on and off the court has helped progress that quickly and everybody wants to understand what they need to do in order to make this team better. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

The players that have struggled through the past few seasons in the Twin Cities proudly embraced the amazing rookie class and, in return, the youth brought wins, fans and excitement with them. The ability to look past personal goals for the betterment of the team is the key factor in the seemingly magical turnaround taking place inside the Target Center.

“They’re just excited because I think they can feel a difference in chemistry,” Wiggins said. “They’ve given us advice, but they’re really just letting us be who we are and not really trying to change the energy that we have. Obviously, they didn’t have a very good year last year and they mention that, but this is a new year. It’s not the same as last year. If people approach us that way, they’re going to be in for some trouble.”

With the early season success, as well as a palpable change in attitude, expectations naturally rise. Could a team this young possibly put it all together, garnering a playoff berth and make noise in the postseason? At this point, anything seems possible.

“We have to keep it going,” Wiggins said. “I think the best thing about our team is that we’re just scratching the surface. I mean, the rookies are learning everyday because it’s a new test, a new lesson. We’re a young team, but we’re just trying to get better and better and trying to push ourselves.”

“The playoffs? The finals? That’s our goal, but right now, it’s about getting better and being as good as we can be today.”

Quite simply, a child will lead them and just might lead them to a playoff berth.

Stephen Litel writes commentary about the Minnesota Lynx for our blog, “The Exchange.”