Only four games have been played, so Cheryl Reeve is in no way ready to make any definitive statements.
Still …
Reeve, the Lynx coach, was waiting for her bags at the Twin Cities airport Thursday when she was asked about her team. Minnesota has gone 4-0 with a ferocity even she couldn't have predicted. They have beaten Phoenix twice — ending a current 3-0 road trip with a victory there Wednesday — and recorded three victories against teams that won 20 or more games last season.
So Reeve was reminded about what associate head coach Jim Petersen had said recently. That this version of the Lynx could be the best one. Ever.
"There is no question that, on paper, talent-wise, this is the deepest team we've had," Reeve said.
So is Petersen right? Does this Lynx team have the potential to be the most talented she has coached?
"Yes," she said. "And we've had some great groups; you don't win championships without having that. But here is what I think is going to make this group unique: The players who are reserve players will be more involved, more invested. I remember when we looked at the early schedule, we said, 'We'd better be ready.' When the ball tipped to start the season, this group was ready to go. I attribute that to the vibe on this team. Everybody has respect for each other."
A difficult start to the season continues Friday when the Lynx host 2-1 Indiana in a rematch of last season's WNBA Finals. After that Minnesota will travel to New York.