The aggression could still perk up more, but I love what Phee does within the flow of the offense with such minimal added movement. Showed off her bread and butter this game... Phadeaways, step-throughs, seal offs, and limited dribble scoring.

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · 7h ago

Napheesa Collier's scoring process vs Portland was so good.

4 steals and 1 block from Kayla McBride vs Portland last evening. — Tip steal playing in the gap. — Poke steal as a trailing on-ball defender. — Low-help block on cutter. — Clutch double-team steal. — Gap deflection to ice the game.

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · 8h ago

Kayla McBride's defensive disruption was impeccable vs Portland...

The offense and pure efficiency from Napheesa Collier since her return from injury has been incredible, but the foot speed and defensive rotations have still been shaky. 3.2 stocks per game, but the individual team defense woes still have flashed.

In terms of the Lynx blowing their lead last night, I think I was more concerned with the defense tapering off. I thought Portland did really well defensively too, taking away the flow of the Lynx offense, the missed opportunities def didn’t help either.

Napheesa Collier's scoring process vs Portland was so good.

The Lynx went to a classic ATO to open the 2H vs Portland. Wide pin for Napheesa Collier, hand-off to Kayla McBride, swing to Natasha Howard and then Courtney Williams, all while Phee gets the cross screen from Olivia Miles. Portland overloads the touch, Phee finds Howard.

Another look at the two fingers down signal from Napheesa Collier to initiate the Kayla McBride double pindown, this time vs Portland.

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · 4d ago

Napheesa Collier signals the Kayla McBride double pindown with two fingers down, which is what they have been doing all season. All it takes is a little miscommunication to get Kayla McBride the three vs Vegas.

Olivia Miles' manipulation and spatial instinct is just incredible. Loved these two 2Q drives vs Portland. — Pump in the corner off the catch, hesi to keep the defender off balance, finishing through contact. — Cross into the screen, then rejecting as BC abandons contain.

Kayla McBride's defensive disruption was impeccable vs Portland...

Cheryl is so funny

Two bonkers assists from Olivia Miles vs Portland. — Live dribble one-handed cross-court skip, right into Courtney Williams' shooting pocket. — Driving dump-off on a tough angle to Napheesa Collier.

I liked these connections between Natasha Howard and Dorka Juhasz in the 2Q vs Portland. Post-up dump-off from Juhasz, then a rolling dump-off from Howard.

Portland’s extended pressure on the inbound really sped up Olivia Miles last night. The ball did not always get to her, but she tried to beat the press and get a shot up early in the clock quite a few times in the 1H.

It did not finish in a made basket, but I thought it was sick to see all the optionality and how Lynx standard SLOB screen the screener set develops. Back screen for McBride, flare out for Court, back screen for Phee, pindown for McBride, finally down to Phee's seal.

The Minnesota Lynx announce they have signed guard Elena Buenavida to a player development contract. Buenavida joins the Lynx after most recently playing with Valencia Basket Club while averaging 7.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals in 34 contests.

Jaylen Clark shared the Lynx WNBA Championship rings and trophies at the Mayo Clinic facilities in downtown Minneapolis on his recent YouTube video, also a message about the Lynx loss to the Liberty lol.

Great defensive possession from Maya Caldwell vs Vegas. Aware of the DHO with A'ja Wilson working in the middle of the floor, then once A'ja turns, Caldwell pinches for the steal.

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · last wk.

Whether it’s her multiple stints in Atlanta, plenty of training camp battle, signings and realeases. Maya Caldwell has had a rollercoaster career. This week, I dove into the underrated impact of Caldwell, her story, and newfound comfort in Minnesota.

Very similar concept here on the Lynx BLOB vs Vegas. Kayla McBride gets a set of cross screens. Similar to Aliyah Edwards in the clip below, NaLyssa Smith leans just enough towards McBride, allowing Natasha Howard to roll and finish.

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · last mo.

Kayla McBride BLOB gravity. Double screens from Antonia Delaere and Natasha Howard. Delaere flares off Dorka Juhasz. Aaliyah Edwards leans just a bit towards McBride, which allows Howard to slip.

Love stuff like this. Jackie Young has her eyes locked on Kayla McBride on the free-throw, McBride taps her right shoulder. Young instantly looks to her teammates, also taps her right shoulder. The Lynx flow into a double drag with a back screen for Napheesa Collier.

Thought provoking possession on the Lynx coverage vs A'ja Wilson on Saturday. Cheryl pointing to a help point. Olivia Miles sliding well off her matchup in the gap. It might just be how the Aces were lined up, but curious as to why the aggressive help was to A'ja's right.

One thing I love about Cheryl Reeve's coaching is how she does not mess around with a lack of effort. Dorka Juhasz does not corral the 2Q rebound vs Vegas, Cheryl instantly gets Natasha Howard in the game.

yeahhhhhhhhhh that part

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · 2w ago

Kayla McBride is averaging 26.8 points per game on 73.6% true shooting in the month of July, however, her impact goes far beyond the numbers. Below, I broke down the film on high-IQ abilities of McBride + highlighted how immensely valuable she is off-ball.

Interestingly enough, now that I see this from a lower inbound location, it's really just a screen the screener, flex type look. Like this is pure flex action when it's out of the corner.

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · 4d ago

Minnesota Lynx - Cheryl Reeve UCLA Rip SLOB

Napheesa Collier signals the Kayla McBride double pindown with two fingers down, which is what they have been doing all season. All it takes is a little miscommunication to get Kayla McBride the three vs Vegas.

Minnesota Lynx - Cheryl Reeve UCLA Rip SLOB

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · 6d ago

Minnesota Lynx - Cheryl Reeve UCLA Rip SLOB

We once had the Bahama Wolves, we now have the escargot Wolves

Jonah Maves@hunchojman.bsky.social · 4d ago

Wolves take on France

Wolves take on France

I have so much Lynx film to catch up on man

Weekend back to back, both on national TV is not good for the extended film content man. That is the one thing I love about the WNBA is how much more time I have to sit down and lock in on the nuances of the game, in comparison to the NBA season where it can get really tough.

if we are going by last seasons logic, Liv should be the mvp favorite now no?