Maya Moore's shooting woes hit career low, but she's still making an impact

Maya Moore says she's thinking more about the process than any perceived problem. Cheryl Reeve, normally a coach capable of obsession over any given issue, says she's not focusing on it.

This, too, will pass.

The Lynx enter Saturday's game in Seattle as the WNBA's only undefeated team. They are 6-0 despite having turned the ball over too much for Reeve's liking, and despite occasional lapses in play that have made some games closer than they probably should have been.

"I like that we're finding ways to win and not necessarily, quote, playing our best," said Reeve, who won the WNBA's inaugural coach of the month award for May.

The Lynx are also 6-0 despite Moore getting off to the most difficult start, at least by the numbers, of her seven-year career.

Through six games Moore is shooting 31.5 percent overall and 28.6 percent on three-pointers, both career lows. Her 13.3 scoring average and 2.8 free throw attempts are the lowest since her rookie season.

But, because it's such a small sample size, neither Moore nor Reeve are ready to label this a big problem.

"I obviously want to be as efficient as possible," Moore said. "That's always my goal. But there are so many ways I can impact [the game] than shooting the basketball. So I try to focus on my overall game."

Moore has played very good defense. She is getting 7.0 rebounds per game — second best in her career — and has had two six-assist games. She is the team's best plus-minus player as well.

But, for a former MVP of both the regular season and the league finals, the Lynx need Moore's offensive game. Starting Saturday would help. The Storm was ranked second to the Lynx in the Associated Press' most recent power poll. After losing the season opener with starters Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart out injured, the Storm has gone 4-0 since.

So far Lynx center Sylvia Fowles, the WNBA Western Conference player of the month in May, has been dominant and Seimone Augustus has been efficient offensively. But, after a May schedule that included three games against winless teams, the Lynx will need to up their game going forward.

"I don't want to overthink it," Moore said. "If the ball goes in, we're not having this conversation. I'm going to continue to play with poise. When I step on the court, no matter where you put me, I'm going to try to get a good shot."

Reeve said she doesn't know exactly why Moore is struggling with her shot: "If I did, I'd share it."

But she's not going to focus on it, other than to try to call plays that put Moore in position for good shots.

"It has to bug her," Reeve said. "Players like that, you have a healthy ego. So I suspect it eats at her a little bit. But Maya is pretty grounded. Centered, if you will. And the thing is, Maya at this level is better than how many players in the league?

"The hardest thing for Maya is you're evaluated at a high level. Sometimes it's hard to live up to."

The Lynx haven't scored much in transition yet, something Reeve stressed this week in practice. Improvement there would help Moore, who is deadly on the break.

And, as Reeve said, it's only a matter of time before Moore — a career 45.6 percent shooter — finds her rhythm.

"Every player is vulnerable to times like this in their careers," Reeve said. "We know this is not long-term."