Before their season started, before the Lynx lost their first six games, Cheryl Reeve made one promise: Her team would try to win every game, but the most important thing would be developing the young talent on the team.
So, when assessing where the team is at the All-Star break, that has to be kept in mind.
One take: The Lynx have managed to rebound from that 0-6 start and — despite two very defensively challenged losses to Las Vegas and Dallas heading into the break — find themselves in playoff position while at the same time giving rookies Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász plenty of time to learn. Balancing competitiveness and development is not an easy job.
The Lynx rebounded from their slow start. They won five consecutive games at one point and went 9-5 after losing the first six. They did this despite injury and illness that has sidelined forward Jessica Shepard (illness) and guards Tiffany Mitchell (left wrist) and Aerial Powers (ankle). All should return shortly after the regular season resumes.
"We've really grown," said Reeve, the Lynx coach and president of basketball operations. "They're comfortable with each other, and what we're trying to do? When something goes well, we know why it went well. And when it doesn't, we also know what it doesn't."
Napheesa Collier has gone from being very good to being a star. Miller, since her return from an ankle injury, has played with confidence. Juhász, a second-round draft pick, has shown she belongs.
That's the good news.
But there are still issues. The Lynx are 1-8 vs. teams ahead of them in the standings, meaning they struggle against good teams. And, as the back-to-back losses at home going into the break highlighted, they struggle mightily on the defensive end.
