I disagree. The Sparks did compete with Minnesota and at times during the series looked like the better team. The Lynx were able to gut out another championship but the cracks in the back court showed and next season it may not matter that Sylvia is still dominating the lane. The Sparks won the championship last year and likely will be favorites to win next year. I love Whalen and Augustus but I don't know how many more miles are left for them. The Lynx need an infusion of youth and athleticism, particularly in the back court.
I agree on your other points. LA was the better team in games 1 and 3. Had they been able to match those efforts in game two, they would have won the series. The fact remains that the Sparks don't have a big that can match up against Fowles. Nneka gives up 4", and cannot stop or contain her. She gave a valiant effort last night before fouling out with about 5 mins left. Once she went out, the game was over, and the Lynx pulled away. Agler had no one on the bench that could come in a guard Fowles. Parker does not like to bang down low, she can't stop, slow down or contain Fowles either. She was not an option. I don't recall anyone besting Fowles on a regular basis this year.
The Sparks were out-rebounded 46-29 in game 5. Fowles had 20 of them. Remember what then Laker head coach
Pat Riley said during the Lakers' show time era: "
No rebounds, no rings". Rebounding is very important.
Side note - Miss St out-rebounded UConn 37-31. Winning the rebound battle can make the difference in a close game.
In game 2, LA was out-rebounded 36-29. Nneka is good, but she can't consistently out rebound 6'6".
Note - LA was out-rebounded in all 5 games. Before last year, the Sparks had not won a championship since they won two back-to back in the Lisa Leslie era of 2001 & 2002. That's 14 seasons.
Yes, LA did compete. I've been a Sparks fan since the team's inception in 1997. Their best chance to win the series was to win game 2, however they let that one slip away. If this series had been the best of 3, the the Sparks would have won. I still maintain that the Sparks need a competent post player if they want to win another championship. For the foreseeable future, it appears that they will have to get by the Lynx to do it.
The Lynx are getting long in the tooth, and no doubt some changes should be made.
I'm sure you know how reluctant GM's are about breaking up a team that just won a championship. Some feel they (the team) have a right to defend it the next season. Whalen (35 years old) may retire soon. I recall someone reporting she was making overtures to that effect.
Time will tell if the Lynx bring in younger players next season. Recently their roster has been the hardest in the league for a draftee/undrafted FA/free agent to make. Their 5 starters have been together for a long time. Reeves (like Geno) does not go deep into her bench in the post season.
Appearing in the championship round every year results in them drafting 11th or 12th. The 1-3 "franchise" players coming out of college are always gone by then. It's doubtful they'll get anyone in the first round that can break into their starting lineup.
Free agency or a trade will most likely be the way they address their "aging" problem.
Maya (28) is the only Lynx starter under 30. Brunson (the oldest) will turn 36 in December. Fowles is 32. I think she can continue to play at this level for another 3 years. I commented earlier that the Lynx's success is due to their maturity, and good coaching.
All of their starters are wile seasoned veterans, all of whom have won multiple championships. UConnCat, I've read most of your posts over the years, and have a healthy respect for your knowledge and opinion. You know basketball. I'm afraid we're going to have to disagree on this one point.
It's been a rough week for LA teams. The Lakers lost their first two games, The USC (football) Trojans lost to Washington State, and the Sparks lost the series. O for 3.
