Exciting game in Minny vs. LA... 92-84 good guys win...

[EricLA]

LA led thru most of the 3rd quarter, but Minny mounted a comeback in the 4th, got up by about 6, and turnovers by Parker (7 total) and Tolliver (3) late, doomed any comeback attempt. but a high scoring game as Minny won 92-84

 

[VAMike23]

Maya had a stretch there in the middle of the game that made me want to throw my computer monitor out the window and grab a bottle of scotch...... Her '+9' in this game is somewhat deceiving. However she delivered some big shots and big plays late, and sprinkled some timely rebounds throughout the game. Maya and los Lynx were resilient!

And as Jordan used to say, a "W" is a "W".

 

[MilfordHusky]

Maya has made big plays but is turning the ball over. Any sense of the causes for so many TOs?

 

[MilfordHusky]

That player from Palo Alto had 20 and 9 in 29 minutes for L.A. Rookie of the Year?

Nneka can really play.

 

[UConnCat]

Maya has made big plays but is turning the ball over. Any sense of the causes for so many TOs?

A couple were bad passes while trying to push the ball in transition, and a couple were poor ballhandling after getting the ball on the perimeter.

Maya made some huge plays down the stretch, including 3-4 offensive rebounds and a big jumper from the corner. The Lynx didn't play very well and were fortunate that the Sparks played poorly down the stretch. Maya still runs to the corner to spread the floor and the Lynx run isolation plays for Augustus. Seimone is a wonderful player but a lot of time is spent watching her go one-on-one. Part of the issue tonight was that Whalen played poorly, particularly in the 1st half. When Maya did get the ball, she seems to feel a sense of urgency to do something with it and ends up being too quick with the ball and turning it over.

 

[MilfordHusky]

As good as they are, I think that Seimone and Lindsay dribble too much. Seimone does not need to go one-on-one. Lindsay can get into the lane, but forces bad shots or turns it over too often when she tries.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Maya has made big plays but is turning the ball over. Any sense of the causes for so many TOs?

She is playing against other talented professionals.

 

[MilfordHusky]

She is playing against other talented professionals.

Yes, but she is committing about 4 per game, which must be one of the worst in the league.

 

[Goodies07]

Maya will rarely be the go-to for Minny that Augustus is right now. Her skill set just doesn't allow for that in my opinion. Can she score in other ways? Yes. But I think Maya is just fine with stepping aside and being Robin to so Seimone's Batman as long as they are winning.

That being said, I do think Maya can potentially end up being one of the best all-around players in the league. She constantly fills up the stat sheet (including that turnover column ). Her ability to shoot, pass, rebound, defend one-on-one and the passing lanes will make her one of the better do-it-all players the WNBA has (a la Penny Taylor or Catchings). She's an unselfish player (sometimes to a fault) who wants nothing but for her team to win and I think that unselfishness has gone a long way in contributing to Minnesota's success this year as well as last season.

As for this game, Minnesota had nothing for Candace or Nneka inside. I think Candace is one of the most fun players to watch in the WNBA. Extremely talented. Kristi Tolliver is having quite the breakout season herself. But Minny did a good job of sticking around in the midst of a drought and were able to pull it out in the end. Seimone was great throughout. Maya made quite a few plays in the 4th showing why she has won so many games over her career as a basketball player. She just knows how to win.

 

[easttexastrash]

Great stats for Nneka: 7-10 from the floor and 6-6 from the charity stripe...plus 9 rebounds.

I agree that Maya can be a little too unselfish. I would live to see her just take over but with Augustus and Whalen on the team that probably won't happen anytime soon.