Whalen announces retirement

[VAMike23]

Lindsay Whalen says she will retire at the conclusion of this season with hopefully a deep playoff run for her last go-round.

What a run it's been !!!! Maybe she will have a few tricks up her sleeve and surprise some folks in the playoffs. Here's hoping.

Lindsay Whalen to retire from Lynx: Storied career comes to a close for Minnesota's homegrown talent

 

[eebmg]

One of Geno's favorite players.

Lynx: Coach Auriemma, Sue Bird Talk about Whalen's Impact

 

[UConnCat]

I'm glad she made this announcement now. Two of the Lynx's final three games are at home including the last game of the season. Lynx fans will have a chance to honor a Minnesota native who became a great player, a Gold medalist and a four-time WNBA champion.

Congrats on a brilliant playing career that's not over yet . . .

 

[UConnCat]

 

[Charliebball]

well that worked out..............didn't think the player/college coach thing was going to be easy..............now she can spend all of her time pleading her school's case to Paige Bueckers..........in a purely unselfish way, it would be kind of neat if she could convince her to stay there

 

[UConnCat]

The Lynx and Whalen will be at Mohegan on Friday night. How appropriate that her final regular season road game will be played in the arena where her WNBA career began.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Lindsay Whalen has always been a favorite of mine, going back to her days at MN!
She's as tough as nails and never gave an inch in competition!
She'd rather make contact with the opponent than go around them!
She'll make a great HC at the University of MN as she has a great BB mind!
A future Hall of Famer in both the Women's BB HofF in Knoxville, TN and Naismith BB HofF in Springfield, MA!

 

[Orangutan]

For anyone who hasn't already read it, I highly recommend Steve Rushin's profile of Whalen for Sports Illustrated - Lindsay Whalen adjusts to life as college coach, pro player

 

[Vowelguy]

2nd Olympian retirement

 

[HuskyFan1125]

HUGE CONGRATS to Whalen. Any basketball fan can appreciate her tenacity and hard play each and every game. Good Luck to her in her new coaching journey.

 

[UConnCat]

A trip down memory lane. Whalen and McCarville burst on the scene in wcbb while leading the Gophers to the Final Four in the 2004 NCAA tournament. UConn ended the Gophers's run in the semi-finals before winning championship #5 against the Vols. I was at that game and remember the exhausting back and forth late in the 2nd half when neither team could score and UConn was up by 3. With less than 4 minutes to play Whalen drove to the basket and missed (she thought she was fouled) and on the ensuing possession Ann Strother nailed a 3. Game over.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[VAUConnFan]

Somewhat expected. Hope she goes out a champion.

 

[lne001]

"Has anyone, male or female, done more for Minnesota sports?"

Off the top of my head - Kevin Garnett, George Mikan, Joe Mauer, Kirby Puckett, Kevin McHale, Herb Brooks.

Of course I have no idea what Rebecca means by 'done more for'. Certainly does not mean brought more revenue, more enjoyment or more fame. Another example of why it is problematic to compare male and female athletes. They are non-overlapping magisteria.

 

[CocoHusky]

"Has anyone, male or female, done more for Minnesota sports?"[/B]

Off the top of my head - Kevin Garnett, George Mikan, Joe Mauer, Kirby Puckett, Kevin McHale, Herb Brooks.

Of course I have no idea what Rebecca means by 'done more for'. Certainly does not mean brought more revenue, more enjoyment or more fame. Another example of why it is problematic to compare male and female athletes. They are non-overlapping magisteria.

Randy Moss, Fran Tarkenton , Alan Page ...

 

[UConnCat]

Mohegan should be quite the scene Friday night. Playoff seedings at stake and a chance for Sun fans to honor a former player and great champion.

 

[Dillon77]

Randy Moss, Fran Tarkenton , Alan Page ...

Baseball players Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew and the football coach -- still alive and kicking - of the Purple People Eaters, Bud Grant (who needs an overcoat...it's only minus 20 degrees? )

 

[Shades]

Maya Moore

 

[Ozimoto]

She may have meant University of Minnesota sports, rather than sports in the state of Minnesota?

 

[Shades]

She may have meant University of Minnesota sports, rather than sports in the state of Minnesota?

That was one or two years a long time ago. I’m pretty sure she was talking about her career in its entirety. She was hyperbolic but reporters have that tendency.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I never stopped being amazed by her tenacity and seemingly inexplicable nifty slashing moves to the basket. Just the definition of a Gamer.

 

[Bigboote]

Congratulations to Lindsey. She's earned her retirement. She personifies toughness. I hope she makes the transition from playing legend to coaching better than Katie Smith has.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

A great player who had a terrific career. Whalen was one tough competitor and floor general. I am not surprised by this and wish her well at Minnesota.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

Also that leaves 3 players from the 2004 draft (Taurasi, Beard and Brunson). There are none from 2003 and of course just Bird from 2002. I'm starting to feel my age.......I remember when these ladies were playing college ball.

 

[UConnCat]

This news won't help extend Whalen's career.

 

[UConnCat]

Whalen didn't cry during her press conference, but her coach and teammates did.

 

[willtalk]

Too bad she didn't retire last year. She could have gone out a Champion. That will not happen this year. She hung in one year too long. Hope some other players take heed.

 

[eebmg]

I don't see the virtue of trying to retire on top. As long as you are not embarrassing yourself or hurting the team, keep playing. I imagine the only reason she is retiring is that it is unfair to both to try to coach and play full time.

 

[Shades]

Whalen didn't cry during her press conference, but her coach and teammates did.

I don’t think anybody is crying in these pictures. If you’re talking about Augustus, notice how the players are cracking up around her? I’m pretty sure that’s the point at which Whalen said her 2004 draft class was arguably the greatest of all time.... way better than 2006 draft class.