Photographic Memory: Connecticut’s Lindsay Whalen

WNBA.com's "Photographic Memory" asks players to look at a photo of themselves and talk about what it captures -- what was going through their mind at that moment of the game and what the photo reveals about their style. Here, Sun guard Lindsay Whalen talks about being chosen to the 2004 WNBA All-Star Team and playing against the U.S. Olympic Team in The Game at Radio City.


Whalen had a busy rookie season, playing in both The Game at Radio City as well as the WNBA Finals.
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
Q.: You've played against some good basketball players in your life, but what was it like playing against the Olympic team?
“It was a great experience. They were a great team and that night, they played well and took it to us for awhile and beat us pretty badly. But it was really fun to be there at Radio City and take in that whole atmosphere.”

Q.: Was it hard being on such a good team with great players but having so little time to practice
“I didn’t really know what to expect. We had one day, so it was hard to come in and try to compete with them not knowing the team. It was definitely hard, but that’s all the time we had, so that is all you can really expect.”

Q.: Do you think with more time together and you personally getting more time on the floor, it would have been a different outcome?
“(Laughs) I think I could have done some good things and gotten people the ball, but I don’t know if the result would have been much different. That was a tough team we were playing against.”

Q.: Have you ever played in an atmosphere like that?
“Definitely not. I haven’t played in many All-Star games, but to have it at Radio City and against the best players in the world, it was a pretty cool experience. It is definitely something I will never forget.”

Q.: So not only were you selected to the All-Star team, but you were the one fan’s choice. What is it like to be the fans' vote?
“It was a great honor. It was very cool. The fans know a lot about this game, and to be voted in by them means that they have a lot of respect for me and my game and my team.”

Q.: So you're only 22 years old... Do you think you’ll get to participate in a few more of those types of games?
“I hope so. I hope to improve and get better as the years go on, so, yeah.”