WNBA Post-Game Quotes
Minnesota vs. Los Angeles
May 31, 2006 @ Target Center

Los Angeles 71
MINNESOTA 114

Minnesota Coach Suzie McConnell Serio:
"Everything changes when you win -- the attitude in the locker room, the confidence in your players, the media. I just caught myself shaking my head. I was just watching them. This team tonight was fun to watch. It didn't matter which team we had on the floor -- what combination -- they played well together, moved the ball well and found the open shooters."

"We defended (and) were aggressive on both ends of the floor. We shot 15-for-22 from the three-point line -- tremendous for this team -- and we just got more and more confident as the game went along, and stayed aggressive the entire game. That's one thing we talked about the after the first three games, was being able to put together a complete game and having every player show up and contribute, and that's what happened tonight."

"It was a tough three games, no doubt, to start 0-3. It was good to be at home. A lot of the times I say it's who you play and when you play them, and obviously L.A. coming off of a back-to-back was a factor for them because Lisa Leslie has put that team on her back the first four games. She's a tremendous player and we were lucky to get her into foul trouble. They're a different team without her on the floor, and that was to our advantage with Lisa picking up her fifth foul."

"Coming back home after the Washington loss, we had a very good practice on Monday. We came in and were focused and worked hard, and then we had a good focus on Tuesday. We had a good energy at shootaround. The players were excited to get back onto the floor. They had good energy being back at home in front of our fans. They were excited to play tonight."

"I did attack their pride, challenge them... This has to be your focus the entire season. This has to be your number-one priority when you're in the WNBA, because of the travel factor, schedule, because of the fatigue factor, because of not being responsible and making good decisions. I made them aware that this has to be their number-one priority."

"Shona Thorburn, who didn't get off of the bench (at Washington), came in and had two great practices and was the first guard off the bench in the first half and was the playmaker that we had expected her to be. They never know when the opportunities are going to come. The players have the opportunity to go into the game and extend their minutes because of the contributions that they make on the floor."

"You can look at a stat sheet and see that we had three players off of our bench play 20 minutes plus. It's nice when you have those rotations, but hopefully they responded because they were challenged after the Washington game... We had played with teams for three quarters-plus the first three games, but couldn't find a way to put a run together and play with a sense of urgency."

Minnesota Forward Kristen Mann:
"It's a long season in a short amount of time. But we just had the mindset, coming in here, that we were back at home (and) we had nothing to lose, really. We're pretty much the underdogs. All the (preseason) standings, they picked us to finish last. So all the pressure is on them. We just kind of let go of the first three games and wanted to start fresh today... I think it's a great confidence-builder for us right now, going into our next game against Indiana."

"I never knew what the (league) scoring record was. I was kind of shocked when they announced it after the game. It's very cool to be a part of, especially this being the 10th-year anniversary. I think it's very, very cool... We've got a lot of scorers on our team. We're very unselfish with the basketball, as you can see with the 29 assists that we had tonight. And I think we're very capable of doing it again."

Minnesota Forward Svetlana Abrosimova:
"I think we started the game really well. Our starting lineup did a great job, and you can just see that it was our day. We couldn't do anything wrong. Everybody worked hard. It was just one of those days. We knew L.A. was going to be tired, so we wanted to push even more at them because they just had a game last night. We all watched that game and we knew we would have to take advantage of that."

"Of course, because we lost the last three games, it stays with you. You want to win. You want to win every game. Motivation is higher and higher. Finally, you're at home and you know you're good enough to be more than 0-and-3. And I think that's what really motivated us today."

"When I played here three, four years ago, I would never think that (scoring record) was possible. But with the team we have this season, I think we can even break our own records... It's good for the league, it's good for the fans who were at the game. It was just a fun game. When we play like that, we can break any records."

Minnesota Guard Seimone Augustus:
"It was a great night. Our first win and to set a record, it says a lot about our team when we come together and when we play competitive all night long... I think once we established ourselves offensively, getting the ball inside, it was easy for me to have good transitions and get to the paint or get my shots, all because of the work that the post players were doing inside."

"It was fun. (Leslie) wasn't out there for long. Our post players did an excellent job of getting her in foul trouble. But the time that she was on the floor was very interesting, because that was what our defense was focused on, stopping her."

"We knew that one day, everything was going to come together, and from that point on, we would gain momentum. So I'm glad (the first win) finally came... I always knew that, with the caliber of players we had -- the talent, the potential -- it was bound to come together. Now everybody knows what the Lynx can do when our game is on."

"I enjoyed being on the bench, watching my teammates go to work. It's a rare opportunity to get to see every player get off the bench and actually get in there and show what they can do."

Los Angeles Coach Joe Bryant:
"Lisa has been playing so well the past four games… So she's due -- I don't want to say run out of gas -- but she's due to have one off game. She's due that. Give her that honor. She's been a warrior for 10 years. But I tell you what, I feel sorry for the Liberty, because if we're a special team we'll come back. Liberty, you might be in trouble. Now that may be a score run up."

"I think (we were) leg heavy. We played in Chicago last night and we got back to the hotel about midnight, and most athletes can't go to sleep right after a game and we had a 5 a.m. bus to the airport. So we were playing in cement, and when you get leg heavy, mentally you're guarding a person, but physically you're not there."

"We had a chance to play some of the young players. We have two rookies -- Brandi Davis and Lisa Willis -- so we were able to give them a chance to get out there and play. And also we have a young lady from France, Emmeline (Ndongue), and she's young so we were able to give her a chance to get out there and get her feet wet. For us to be successful, we're going to need everyone a part of it."

"I'm just looking forward to getting home. We go to New York tomorrow. Not the day off, but the ladies will be going to the spa and the pool and get their bodies right and we'll tune it back up Friday. Some coaches might say, 'Since we lost, we're going to practice,' but I'm not like that. I think it's more about the human spirit and keeping the body right for the long run."

"We are missing Chamique. We're looking forward to seeing her Monday. That's kind of the timeline for her getting back. I told her to make sure that she handles all her personal business with her family and then she can come back home to her second home. We all miss her. That's 20 and 10 every night that you have to contend with on top of Lisa."

Los Angeles Guard Tamara Moore:
"My real career high was against Minnesota when I was a rookie, so it's nice to play well in front of your home crowd. I would have liked to have knocked down more of my free throws, but the most important thing is wishing that we got a win. To lose in front of your home crowd negates everything."

"Personally, I feel like if it's not here, it's nowhere. I've been on six different teams and I feel like I'm really putting all my effort into it. I really like coach Bryant. He really has shown a lot of confidence in me. I think if I play well, I will find my home in L.A.... From my rookie year to now, I've learned a lot. I've been on six teams, and each one has taught me something... But it's all a learning experience. Hopefully I can use those experiences to stick in L.A."

"Every player's goal is to win a championship. For me, a championship with this team would be great because I do want this to be my home. I don't put any pressure on myself to say, 'Well, after I do this, I'm going to retire.' I want to play as long as I can. I want to continue to play. I love this game. I'll never leave the game. Maybe I'll try to coach or mentor or something. I don't think I'll ever leave the game of basketball. Right now, I just want to win a championship and make an impact with the team that I'm on, which is L.A."