PAUL CRARY
Lynx Writer
After beating the Indiana Fever in an exhibition game, 71-66, the Lynx were right back on the practice floor at the Life Time Fitness Training Center on Wednesday morning. After finally playing a WNBA opponent, head coach Cheryl Reeve took note of what the Lynx have to work on before the season begins. The Lynx worked on everything from zone defense and offense to in-bounds plays to free throw shooting. After the preseason win and the countless hours in the gym, the Lynx are developing team chemistry every day.
"We've got great chemistry as far as the people," Reeve said. The chemistry on the court is definitely starting to come together the more we play together. We've got two new players in the starting line-up. We're just trying to get them together as much as we can and continue to grow every day. It's been a quality training camp, we have had nine good days of practice."
The preseason game allowed Reeve and the Lynx coaching staff to analyze what their players can do against fellow WNBA competition. One player that took full advantage of that oppurtunity was rookie forward Amber Harris. Harris recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Coach Reeve took note of Harris' play."I think yesterday was really good for her [Harris] because it gave her confidence. I think it was a good confidence day for her, for her teammates to see what she can do. I think more than anything Amber gives us size. Amber gives us a whole different dimension that we will be able to utilize." Reeve said.
While coach Reeve took note of her play in the Indiana game, Harris herself is excited about how she played in her first WNBA game.
"It really felt pretty good. I was nervous before the game. I was just excited to be out there," Harris said of her double-double performance.
It hasn't been all-easy for Harris, the rookie has had to adjust and learn to the fast-paced WNBA game.
"There are a lot of plays, they are coming a lot faster than normal. In college, we talk about each break-down but this you just do it or you don't," Harris said.
The veterans on the Lynx roster have helped Harris throughout the first two weeks of training camp.
"Taj [McWilliams-Franklin] has been helping me a lot," Harris said. "I really appreciate it. Taj was like 'Did you see how Rebekkah [Brunson] got that rebound? Go out there and do the same thing,' and that's exactly what I did."
The Lynx will play the Indiana Fever in their last preseason game on Tuesday, May 31 in Indianapolis. The Lynx will take on the Los Angeles Sparks on June 3 to start the 2011 WNBA regular season.
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