The Minnesota Lynx are the defending WNBA champions. They hold the best record in the WNBA this season at 22-5, and boast the best defensive rating (95.1 points allowed per 100 possessions) by a wide margin. They’re second in the league in turnovers forced per game (15.4), offensive rating (107.0) and field goal percentage (47.3). Four Olympians grace their starting lineup, and one patrols their sideline. They have one of the most talented and experienced bench units in the league. And in the coming days, they’re about to get even better.

How could that even possible? Well after the Olympic break, the team announced the re-signing of veteran guard Anna Cruz, who will join the team  in the upcoming weeks.

The Spaniard is well known around the league, but especially in Minnesota, as a key part of the Lynx’s championship run last season. In 10 postseason games, Cruz averaged 5.2 points, 2.7 assists, 2.1 rebounds over 22 minutes a game off the bench. But most importantly, Cruz brought non-stop energy, and provided excellent defensive pressure up and down the court.

That’s why, even though Minnesota’s back up guards Jia Perkins and Renee Montgomery have been stellar this year, everyone in the Lynx organization is excited for Cruz’ return.

The praise was flowing Sunday night after the Lynx’s victory over the Seattle Storm.

As head coach Cheryl Reeve put it, “Everybody knows, Anna puts pressure on the ball. Anna puts pressure on the defense because she flies up the court, and she puts pressure at the basket in a different way than what we have.”

Maya Moore echoed her coaches’ sentiments postgame, telling WNBA.com, “We’re excited to have Cruz. She brings that energy for us offensively and defensively…which is a great asset to have off the bench.”

Pregame, Lindsay Whalen, when asked what Cruz brings to the team, added, “Defensive intensity. She’s a great player, great teammate. She did a great job getting her team to the gold medal game in Rio. That experience, her ability to make a lot of things happen is going to be really cool for us, and we’re glad to have her back.”

Finally, Sylvia Fowles remarked that Cruz brings, “A lot of energy, a lot of intensity. Anna’s like that energizer bunny. I don’t really think she gets tired out there, so it will definitely be a good look for us.”

With her coach and teammates in full agreement on what Cruz will bring to their squad down the stretch and moving forward into the playoffs, let’s take a look at what those attributes look like in action.

Defensive Pressure

While Cruz puts pressure on the opponent on both ends of the floor, she’s most impactful on the defensive end, where she has excellent quickness, and can hound other guards up and down the whole court.

Last year during the postseason, she played about 22 minutes a game off the bench backing up Lindsay Whalen. The offseason acquisition of Jia Perkins, who has played well all season long, coupled with Cruz’s late arrival mean her minutes may be shortened.

That doesn’t mean her impact will be lessened, however. The sighs of opposing ball handlers when Cruz steps onto the floor are almost audible, because they know their job has just gotten exponentially more difficult.

Bringing the ball up the floor to initiate the offense is often a simple task, but with Anna Cruz in the game, it often becomes a dreaded chore. Just watch here, as Cruz pesters Kristi Toliver from the second the Sparks guard touches the ball.

Cruz makes Toliver so uncomfortable that she rushes to get rid of the ball, and passes it before her teammate is ready, nearly resulting in a turnover.

On this example, from last year’s Finals, Cruz wins before the ball is even inbounded, as Briann January decides she doesn’t want to deal with the pressure. The ball gets inbounded to Shenise Johnson instead, and the Fever have to initiate their offense through their small forward instead of their point guard.

One possession does not a series make, but this play shows how Cruz’ constant pressure can wear down opponents, especially over a multiple-game playoff series.

Even in the halfcourt, Cruz’ quickness and effort makes life difficult for opponents. Watch how Cruz–displaying sharp footwork–forces January out towards mid-court. Absolutely no offensive sets are designed to be initiated from the jump ball circle, but January has no choice due to Cruz’ pressure. If it wasn’t for a fine play by Tamika Catchings to corral the pass, Cruz’ work might have resulted in a turnover.

Of course, sometimes Cruz’ effort does result in steals. Here, she takes advantage of the Tulsa Shock’s lackadaisical approach, sneaking in for a takeaway.

And here, she stonewalls the Dream’s fastbreak at halfcourt, pilfering the ball and creating an easy basket for the Lynx.

Whether it’s in the halfcourt, or over a full 94 feet, Cruz’ tireless defensive work will make the Lynx’s league-best defense just that much better.

Offensive Pressure

Defense may be Cruz’ calling card, but of course it is only one half of the game. And while the Lynx don’t necessarily need Cruz to pour in the points, she is more than capable on the offensive end.

Unsurprisingly, the silver medalist’s high-pressure style doesn’t change when the ball is in her hands. She’s constantly probing the defense, looking for lanes to drive to the basket, or angles to feed her teammates for assists.

On occasion, she can get a bit out of control, or try to make too much happen, which resulted in her averaging 1.6 turnovers per game during the playoffs last season. Take this possession from Game 2, for example, where she drives into the teeth of the defense without much of a plan, and ends up throwing the ball away.

For the most part, however, Cruz’ penchant for pushing the ball and going full speed ahead creates positive opportunities for the Lynx. Whether she’s scoring or creating, Cruz can be a terror in the fastbreak.

Just watch as she bursts past two Fever defenders for a layup. Even though Cruz is the one who has to worry about dribbling the ball, the Fever defenders still can’t keep up with the Spaniard.

And here, she fires the pass the full length of the floor, putting it right on the money for Renee Montgomery to get an easy bucket.

In the halfcourt as well, Cruz’ downhill style causes problems for defenders. Watch here as she turns the corner off the pick-and-roll, dashing to the rim for an easy layup.

Or here, as she drives hard to the baseline, draws two defenders, and calmly kicks the ball out for Devereaux Peters for a simple mid-range jumper.

With the way they’ve been playing this season, the league-leading Minnesota Lynx don’t necessarily need Anna Cruz, but they’re also not going to turn down the opportunity to add a veteran guard with elite defensive abilities.

Sunday night after their win over the Storm, Reeve summed up the Lynx’s thoughts on adding Cruz for the remainder of the season well: “As you can tell, we’re excited to have Anna join us real soon.”

The rest of the league’s point guards? Not so much.