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| Friday, May 14 Updated: June 7, 6:42 PM ET Inside the Minnesota Lynx |
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ANALYSIS BY NANCY LIEBERMAN  OK, so the Lynx failed to maneuver a trade that would keep hometown hero Lindsay Whalen in Minnesota. But it's time to move on, because the Lynx are a club on the rise and will be just fine.
Minnesota might have surprised a few critics last season, when, in coach Susie McConnell Serio's first year, the Lynx took the Sparks to three games in the first round in their first playoff appearance in franchise history. This season, veterans Katie Smith, Teresa Edwards and Tamika Williams are ready to emerge and try to advance even further in the difficult West. Though Minnesota wasn't able to draft Whalen, the Lynx did score a good pre-draft trade, sending Sheri Sam and Janell Burse to Seattle for the Storm's sixth overall selection. Coupling that with its No. 7 pick, Minnesota really strengthened its inside game, adding centers Nicole Ohlde from Kansas State and Vanessa Hayden from Florida in the first round. McConnell Serio also is looking to boost Minnesota's scoring. That could be a tall order with Sam, Burse, and perhaps small forward Svetlana Abrosimova -- three of the Lynx's top five scorers last season -- gone. Sam (11.0), Burse (7.1) and Abrosimova (10.6), who might opt to remain in Russia training for her country's Olympic tryouts in early June, combined for 28.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists last season.
STARTING FIVE
Teresa Edwards, PG: Edwards, who turns 40 in July, might have to be more of a scorer with such a young team around her.Katie Smith, SG: One of the best in the league and world, she will appear in her second Olympics in August. She shot a career-best 45.7 percent from the field last season, and her 18.0 point career average ranks second all-time in the WNBA. Amanda Lassiter, SF: The likely replacement if Abrosimova doesn't return, Lassiter is more of a defender than scorer. Tamika Williams, PF: Very confident and very smart, Williams is a dominant and skilled force inside. She'd like to continue to expand her game out away from the basket. Nicole Ohlde, C: With her ball-handling skills, she's a point guard in a post body. Ohlde can run the floor and rebound, and has a nice face-up game.
BENCH
Helen Darling is a superb backup point guard for Edwards, and could start at the 1 and push Edwards to the 2 and Smith to the 3 as one option to make up for Abrosimova's absence. Darling is smart and a tough defender who can hit the short jumper. Michele VanGorp presents a big presence in the middle. The 6-6 center has improved every year she has been in the league, and her defense is important off the bench.
QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ANSWERED
In their playoff loss to Los Angeles last season, the Lynx's inexperience was exposed. This year, after trading Sam and Burse and then relying on two rookies to boost the inside game, Minnesota actually is younger. While it's important to build for the future, do the Lynx have the experience necessary to be a serious contender in the West?
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