I tried to watch the NBA All-Star Game, Sunday. I really did. But after the first semifinal game to 40 points, I switched over to highlights of the 1-on-1 Unrivaled Tournament (available on Max). I was pleased to see Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier win the tournament, and doing so with defensive effort was delightful.

The $200,000 Collier won by beating Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards in 1-on-1 was the single biggest prize money in women’s basketball history. Each of Collier’s Lunar Owls got $10,000, too. The money wasn’t what made the tournament fun to watch, though. It was pride that made it quality entertainment.

Related: Has Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Solved the WNBA’s Overseas Issues?

MN Lynx superstar and Unrivaled co-founder solves NBA’s issues… again

NBA fans have longed for defensive effort to return to the NBA All-Star Game for decades. Hell, they’ve been waiting decades for it to be entertaining. Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier might have solved both problems with her 1-on-1 Unrivaled Tournament. You could tell the players were giving it their all. They were dripping sweat and gassed, and for good reason. The pace was grueling.

Napheesa Collier is the CHAMPION of Unrivaled 1 v 1 🔥🏆

pic.twitter.com/F2XFVlwc2b

— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) February 15, 2025

The format was very smart. They played make it, take it to a specified point total: 12 through the semis and 8 in the best-of-three finals. There was a seven-second shot clock, and players had the option to clear defensive rebounds to an outlet passer on each wing. That gave them time to catch their breath before getting open to receive the ball back for another seven-second run.

Each player had a timeout per game. Shooting fouls were awarded one free throw worth two points. Players drawing non-shooting fouls were awarded possession. Napheesa Collier was even smart about the situations in which she fouled, usually on the ground and usually to get a breather. It was a brilliant approach and an unrivaled effort.

Related: Minnesota Lynx Forward Rewarded for Incredible Month Overseas

Imagining an NBA All-Star 1-on-1 tournament

Imagine Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant playing 1-on-1 for money. The admirer versus the admired. The student versus the master. You could even throw some money at the winner’s teammates, because I do think the NBA’s new format of a four-team, single-elimination tournament works better than any other format they’ve tried to breathe life into a dead event.

If someone gets hurt playing 1-on-1 basketball at the NBA All-Star Game, it would be a bummer, sure. But it’s highly unlikely. It’d be one of those non-contact injuries that could happen in practice anyway. The NBA All-Star Game just needs the level of effort to approach that of NBA practices instead of pregame shoot-around.

Related: WNBA Insider Says Minnesota Lynx a Logical Fit for Former Finals MVP

Collier and her Unrivaled 1-on-1 competitors were obviously pushed, but not beyond the point of in-game competition. They controlled their effort, which was somewhere between practice and game play. Physical post play was on display. There were blocks and very few threes. The skills shown went far beyond shooting, from which the NBA would also benefit. That silly skills challenge is ridiculous and could go away.

The first day of NBA All-Star Weekend could still include the celebrity game and rising stars game. The three-point shooting contest could follow that, which should always include a WNBA shooter versus an NBA shooter, according to 5.4 million viewers. Then the first night culminates in the NBA Dunk Contest followed by the first round of 1-on-1 games.

STEPHEN vs. SABRINA WAS A MOVIE.

Sabrina Ionescu opened on fire and dropped 26… before Stephen Curry came through in the clutch to win it with 29!

Enjoy. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Sz104f95FZ

— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2024

Day two should be 1-on-1 semifinals and finals followed by the four-team tournament, or vice versa. Hell, the 1-on-1 tournament is more entertaining anyway. LeBron versus Steph. Luka versus AD. Can you imagine?

More must-reads:

• Minnesota Lynx Forward Rewarded for Incredible Month Overseas
• Lindsay Whalen Among the New Hires for Minnesota Lynx Coaching Staff
• Lynx PoBO Cheryl Reeve Will Become the First Female NBA Head Coach???

While the WNBA offseason winds blow deep-rooted players to new homes, the basketball continues for many overseas, including some Minnesota Lynx talent. The EuroLeague women are in the second round of their regular season. This will decide the teams that will compete in the EuroLeague Women Final Six in Zaragoza, Spain, April 9-13.

Minnesota Lynx teammates do battle in EuroLeague

The same day this writer addressed Minnesota’s need to add “muscle” in Emma Meesseman this offseason, one of the MN Lynx’ current centers won an award for her play overseas. Dorka Juhász was named EuroLeague Women January MVP. She led Beretta Famila Schio in Italy on a four-game win streak that qualified them for the semifinal play-ins of the Final Six tournament.

The six-foot-five Juhász posted 13.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game. She also gave Lynx teammate Bridget Carleton a black eye and her team its only loss. In the win, Juhász scored 12 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.

Carleton shot just five-for-12 from the field with 12 points, one rebound and five assists. She hit two of seven three-point attempts. Remember, Carleton took a big jump in her development last season, earning a big boost to her minutes at the expense of Juhász.

Bridget Carleton a big part of Lynx improvement in 2024

After averaging just 15 minutes per game for the Minnesota Lynx in 2023, Bridget’s playing time skyrocketed to nearly 30 minutes per game. With those additional minutes, her scoring increased from 3.2 to 9.6 points per game, en route to a third-place finish for the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award.

EuroLeague January MVP ⭐️

Dorka averaged 13.5 PTS / 12.5 REB / 2.3 AST per game last month and her team went 4-0. pic.twitter.com/7LmazP5eJ7

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) February 4, 2025

Dorka Juhász was selected by the Lynx in the second round of the 2023 draft and made the 2023 WNBA All-Rookie Team. She averaged more than 24 minutes per game. In 2024, however, she averaged 16 minutes in the regular season. She played less than six minutes per game in the postseason and was the last player in Cheryl Reeve’s playoff rotation.

Dorka, “The Hungarian Princess,” is a MN Lynx fan favorite despite Carleton being Canadian and shooting 44.4 percent from three-point range in the regular season. That percentage dropped to 34 in the postseason. However, Carleton defended without fouling and turned the ball over less than Juhász. Dorka has averaged just one turnover per game thus far, though.

Related: WNBA Insider Says Minnesota Lynx a Logical Fit for Former Finals MVP

This could be the first battle of a foreign war for WNBA minutes this season. It’s good to see the taller, younger Minnesota Lynx player improving her game. The Lynx are in desperate need of a reliable big who can rebound and score paint points. Maybe Dorka can be the difference in a Game 5 rock fight.

More must-reads:

• Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Shows How 1-on-1 Can Fix the NBA All-Star Game
• Lindsay Whalen Among the New Hires for Minnesota Lynx Coaching Staff
• Lynx PoBO Cheryl Reeve Will Become the First Female NBA Head Coach???

Since the WNBA season ended there has been a plethora of movement on the coaching front. The Minnesota Lynx weren’t ever going to move on from head coach and president of basketball operations, Cheryl Reeve. But that doesn’t mean they won’t provide her with more help on the bench.

The Lynx would love a repeat bid for a WNBA Championship, something they nearly achieved last season, in a run all the way to the WNBA Finals, losing in heartbreak game 5 fashion vs the New York Liberty. And to help take Minnesota to the next level, Reeve has hired local basketball legend Lindsay Whalen to the staff.

Related: WNBA Deletes Shady Tweet Suggesting Lynx Were Meant to Lose vs Liberty

WELCOME BACK, WHAY. 💙 pic.twitter.com/Zytd6UyznU

— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) November 30, 2024

Whalen is more than a familiar face for Minnesota basketball. As a senior at the U of M, the Hutchinson native lead the lady Golden Gophers to the program’s first and only Final Four appearance (2003-04). Later that year, Lindsay was taken 4th overall in the WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun, where she spent the first six seasons of her pro career.

Minnesota Lynx provide new coaching home for Lindsay Whalen

On January 12, 2010, Whalen was traded home for a direct swap of Renee Montgomery and the teams’ 2010 1st round picks. The hometown girl spent her final nine seasons with Minnesota. Whalen is a four-time WNBA champion, and a member of the Hall of Fame.

During her 15-year WNBA career, Lindsay averaged 11.5 points per game and started 476 of her career 480 games. Now, she is back with the franchise that she helped bring so many championships to. Reeve addressed the hiring of her former star guard, on Saturday.

“I am excited to add both Eric and Lindsay to our coaching staff. Eric has vast experience coaching in the WNBA as both a head and an assistant coach and is a WNBA Champion. Lindsay adds a unique perspective as a Lynx legend and Naismith Hall of Famer. I look forward to working with both in our quest for another WNBA Championship.” 

Cheryl Reeve on hiring Lindsay Whalen and Eric Thhibault (Lynx Release)

As noted in the release, Eric Thibault is also joining Reeve’s staff as an associate head coach. He spent the past two seasons leading the Washington Mystics, and has been involved with the organization for more than a decade. Thibault has experienced the pinnacle of the league as well, winning a title in 2019.

Whalen looking to rebound from difficult start to coaching career

Lindsay Whalen spent five seasons as head coach of the Minnesota Gophers women’s basketball team, before stepping down in 2023 with a 71-76 record (32-58 in the Big Ten), and ZERO NCAA Tournament appearances.

The details around her exit are still a bit murky, but it’s clear the University wanted a change, which they got, in the hiring of Dawn Plitzuweit, who was 20-16 in her first season as Gophers head coach, and 8-0 so far in her second season.

But now, Whalen gets a fresh coaching start, and she gets to stay local to her roots. The Lynx newest assistant talked glowingly of her new role, via press release.

Lindsay Whalen will retire from the WNBA after 15 seasons ⭐️
5501 PTS (14th all-time)
2334 AST (3rd all-time)
5 All-Star appearances
4 WNBA Championships (w/ Lynx) pic.twitter.com/PCnMdXmzYE

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 13, 2018

“I’m so excited to be back with the Lynx and back with Coach and Becky [Rebekkah Brunson]. Eric and I have also known each other for a long time, and for me, I couldn’t imagine joining a better staff as I return to coaching and get my first opportunity to coach in the WNBA. We have a special group with this team and I can’t wait to get to work.”

Lindsay Whalen on joining the Lynx (Lynx Release)

More must-reads:

• Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Shows How 1-on-1 Can Fix the NBA All-Star Game
• Minnesota Lynx Forward Rewarded for Incredible Month Overseas
• Lynx PoBO Cheryl Reeve Will Become the First Female NBA Head Coach???

The Minnesota Lynx’s 2024 season just wrapped up a few days ago, and their shot at a 5th championship in franchise history fell short. If you didn’t catch it, there’s been a ton of criticism after the game, and it even led to Cheryl Reeve going off during the post-game press conference.

Cheryl Reeve: "This shit was stolen from us" pic.twitter.com/7p2Ie5vEsz

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) October 21, 2024

Minnesota Lynx coach and PoBO Cheryl Reeve to the NBA…?

Cheryl Reeve just wrapped up her 15th season as the Minnesota Lynx head coach. She’s got four championships under her belt, which ties for the most in WNBA history. Reeve is also the President of basketball operations for the Lynx.

She isn’t just making waves with the Lynx, she’s also leading the USA women’s basketball team. She brought home the gold at the 2024 Olympics this summer. At 58 years old, what’s next for Cheryl Reeve? Well, Charley Walters from the Pioneer Press just dropped an intriguing note in his most recent column, claiming, “No doubt the first NBA woman head coach will be the Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve”.

Walters is one of the most plugged-in insiders in Minnesota. This isn’t something he would just throw onto the internet, without hearing it somewhere else first. It’s gonna be really interesting to see how that unfolds. With the NBA season starting tonight and no head coaching spots open right now, what does exactly he mean?

Check Out: NBA League Pass Price, Plans and Bundles: Is It the Right Choice for Minnesota Basketball Fans?

If a NBA coach gets fired early, could she land that gig? It’s definitely a possibility. Plus, the WNBA season runs on a different timeline than the NBA, which opens the door for some double duty if she wants to stick around with the Lynx. Who knows what could happen.

Related: Minnesota Lynx Passed on Angel Reese Because Cheryl Reeve Did Not Want to Coach Her

She’s done it all, winning multiple championships and snagging gold medals in both the WNBA and the Olympics. So, could she actually make a splash in the NBA?

It might sound a bit wild, but with her impressive track record, it’s not entirely out of the question. In fact, Walters thinks she’s already on her way to becoming the first female head coach in the NBA.

It’s worth mentioning that Charley Walters, a longtime sports writer for the Pioneer Press, has been a well-known figure in the area for years. Is he spot on about everything? No. But he definitely has some solid connections and access to top-notch sources. Only time will tell if he ends up being right.

More must-reads:

• Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Shows How 1-on-1 Can Fix the NBA All-Star Game
• Minnesota Lynx Forward Rewarded for Incredible Month Overseas
• Lindsay Whalen Among the New Hires for Minnesota Lynx Coaching Staff

The Minnesota Lynx had the basketball world locked in on Sunday night. National Football League action was all but over for the day. The NBA doesn’t start the regular season until this week. For a few hours, it was the WNBA’s chance to steal the show. And that’s exactly what the league, and the New York Liberty did… with lots of help from the referees.

Minnesota Lynx done dirty by WNBA

The storyline should have been about how the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty were locked in a hotly contested Game 5 matchup to determine the WNBA champion. Instead, it’s been about horrible officiating and a mad Cheryl Reeve.

Then, the league posted this tweet to their official X account, which did not go over well. In fact, the “trophy is right where it belongs” tweet did so poorly that, earlier today, the WNBA deleted it…

WNBA deleted this tweet pic.twitter.com/BLvLizdDfm

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) October 21, 2024

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert decided to wear a dress with the New York skyline on it, too. Tough look. Lack of awareness, of this magnitude, is truly incredible. How bad was some of the officiating in last night’s contest? You take a look for yourself…

Not only did Breanna Stewart take about ten steps before dribbling, but the referees then incorrectly ruled a shooting foul on Minnesota forward Alanna Smith. After the game Cheryl Reeve talked about just how upset she was the game had been taken from them.

Breanna Stewart traveling in slo-mo actually just makes me more mad.

I need to watch a rom-com or true crime. Anything but sports. pic.twitter.com/36Po4V9ORw

— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) October 21, 2024

Related: Minnesota Lynx Passed on Angel Reese Because Cheryl Reeve Did Not Want to Coach Her

Cheryl Reeve:

"I know all the headlines will be 'Reeve cries foul.' Bring it on. Right? Bring it on. Because this shit was stolen from us. Bring it on" pic.twitter.com/P5Ckhsv5H5

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) October 21, 2024

WNBA killing momentum with handling of Minnesota Lynx

Women’s basketball has never been more closely consumed. With Caitlin Clark redefining the sport, and a player like Sabrina Ionescu taking center stage during the finals, the WNBA is at a new peak. The league allowing all of the noise to be present as the Minnesota Lynx lost on Sunday night is truly a problem.

The vocal reactions to what transpired came from some very prominent names. It’s genuinely too bad that the Lynx didn’t have a more fair shot to close out a victory they had well within their reach. The official WNBA account has put the Liberty on a parade since the final horn last night.

I’m sorry but that wasn’t a foul! Let the damn players dictate the outcome of a close battled tested game. 🤦🏾‍♂️

— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 21, 2024

Missed a walk before the foul…

— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) October 21, 2024

Related: Lynx Coach, Cheryl Reeve Gets Extension and Additional Title: General Manager

I haven’t seen one HOOPER agree with that end of regulation foul call 😂

— alexis (@alexisfromvegas) October 21, 2024

While the most egregious tweet may have been deleted, a commissioner celebrating so obviously with the victors is a bad look for the league, especially after how bad it looked like the game was rigged for the Liberty to win. As women’s basketball grows in popularity, it would be wise for those that govern it to get out of the way.

More must-reads:

• Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Shows How 1-on-1 Can Fix the NBA All-Star Game
• Minnesota Lynx Forward Rewarded for Incredible Month Overseas
• Lindsay Whalen Among the New Hires for Minnesota Lynx Coaching Staff

The WNBA season is well on its way to wrapping up and the 18-8 Minnesota Lynx have the best record in the Western Conference. With 14 game remaining, Cheryl Reeve’s 2024 squad is in prime position to make the WNBA playoffs for the second-straight season.

This isn’t the dominant Lynx squad of yesteryear, though. We’ll see how the post-Olympic part of the season unfolds. But as of today, Minnesota has the third-best odds (FanDuel) to win the WNBA Championship, at +800. Those are longshot odds, compared to heavy favorites, the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty (both +155).

If only the Minnesota Lynx could have found a more impactful player in the first round of the most recent WNBA Draft, where they held the No. 8 overall pi…

Remember that time the Minnesota Lynx passed on Angel Reese?

Ope, hold that thought. I’m being told the Lynx actually started the 2024 Draft with the No. 7 overall pick. That they actually traded down one spot, to No. 8, where they drafted Alissa Pili, out of USC.

Who did the Lynx swap picks with? The Chicago Sky. Who did the Sky draft? Oh, just one of two far and away frontrunners for WNBA Rookie of the Year. You may have heard of her? Angel Reese, out of LSU… ring a bell?

Highlights from Angel Reese’s All-Star debut. #skytown #wnba

pic.twitter.com/QBoJqxd2ni

— Sky Lead (@SkyLeadSM) July 21, 2024

After the draft, Lynx head coach and president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve sidestepped questions about why she passed on Reese, but alluded to the idea that the 2023 National Champion may not have been a good fit on the Minnesota roster.

Angel Reese (6’3″) plays down low. It’s not like the Lynx are stacked with talent in the paint. Napheesa Collier (6’1″) is their best player (19.9 PTS, 10.3 REB), but she is a tweener SF, PF. In their last game vs the Mystics, Alanna Smith started at center. She’s averaging 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. That’s pretty good… but not as good as Reese.

Related: Paige Bueckers Chose UConn Over Being MN’s Caitlin Clark… But Don’t Tell That to the Internet

Even if Reese had to come off the bench in Minnesota, or fight for minutes, it’s impossible to argue the impact she would have made. Angel would have provided them more headlines, airtime and attention. That’s both nationally and locally. But more importantly, she would have given them more talent, both now and in the future.

Lynx passed on Reese because Cheryl Reeve didn’t want to coach her

Reese is averaging 13.2 points and 12 rebounds (WNBA leader) with the Chicago Sky, quickly becoming one of the most powerful post players in the league. So… why in the world would the Lynx pass on this girl?

Well, longtime local columnist, media personality and insider Patrick Reusse (Star Tribune) reported in Saturday’s paper that it’s because Cheryl Reeve didn’t want to coach her.

Which begs the question: could Reeve, also the team president, really afford to not draft talent because she didn’t want to coach someone? That is what occurred in the mid-April draft, when she traded down to avoid taking Angel Reese with the seventh pick, leaving the Lynx to take a flier on Pili at No. 8.

Patrick Reusse – Star Tribune

This wouldn’t be the first time that Reeve proved she has something against young, talented rookies, who could possibly outshine the stars she has on her current team. Not only does Cheryl run the Minnesota Lynx, but she is head coach and top decision maker for Team USA, too.

Nothing new for Cheryl…

Reeve, Collier and the rest of the veteran USA team took home the Gold Medal from the Paris Olympics this week, but it was much harder than it should have been. Part of that was due to an obvious decline in play from veterans like Diana Taurasi, who averaged one point per game in France… lol.

Related: Team USA Has to Fire Cheryl Reeve, Right?

Those same veterans were picked over Angel Reese and the most popular women’s basketball player of all time, phenom rookie, Caitlin Clark. At the time, Cheryl Reeve scoffed at the idea of picking two rookies over all the talent assembled for Team USA. In retrospect, that’s even funnier than it was back then.

If Cheryl Reeve can’t make objective decisions that make the Minnesota Lynx (and Team USA) better, then why does she have her job? I thought this was about winning?

More must-reads:

• Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Shows How 1-on-1 Can Fix the NBA All-Star Game
• Minnesota Lynx Forward Rewarded for Incredible Month Overseas
• Lindsay Whalen Among the New Hires for Minnesota Lynx Coaching Staff

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics are right around the corner and this has to be the least hyped Olympics of my 35-year-old life. Even with the sports world sitting in offseason abyss purgatory, nobody is talking about Paris ’24.

You know what would have helped the Olympic hype train here in America, though? Caitlin Clark, the 22-year-old phenom Indiana Fever basketball player, who is single-handedly selling out NBA (not WNBA) stadiums days before she plays in them. Unfortunately, she wasn’t asked to be on the 2024 Team USA.

She’s not established enough, apparently. At least, that’s what the Team USA selection committee has claimed. Early on, the tried to argue that she wasn’t good enough yet. Of course, that argument that didn’t hold water long.

Clark has been mostly fantastic all WNBA season, so far. She is on pace to break just about every rookie record on the league’s books, and she’s only getting better with more experience.

Cheryl Reeve gets weird about Caitlin Clark (again)

Minnesota Lynx head coach and president of basketball operations, Cheryl Reeve, doubles as the head coach for Team USA. She does not appear to be a fan of Clark’s. One thing is for sure, she definitely does not like being asked about he. Cryptically tweeting about her on occasion? Now, that is different.

Prior to the Lynx playing the Fever on Sunday, and the PoBO got weird (again) when asked about Clark’s affect on the very large Target Center crowd, saying she doesn’t “give two shits” about the Fever having more fans than the Lynx. When asked if she gives one shit, Reeve doubled down. “Not even one shit”.

Cheryl Reeve was blunt when asked about fans cheering for the opposing team in Indiana during a home game for the Lynx.

“Not even one s***.”#Lynx #WNBA pic.twitter.com/RxbMAKDcdw

— Andrew Cornelius (@AndrewCorn03) July 14, 2024

Alrighty then…

Reeve was also asked asked about Clark’s exclusion from Team USA. As noted above, she really doesn’t like questions about the 6’0″ former Hawkeye. Apparently, asking the head coach of Team USA about Team USA isn’t permitted when the Olympics are a week away, especially if it’s about “you know who”.

“Why the hell would I answer a national team question? I’m wearing Lynx. And I’m the head coach of the national team but I’m not the chair of the committee. Anybody want to venture into anything else?”

Cheryl Reeve (per ESPN)

Is Caitlin Clark good enough for Team USA? (Yes)

In 25 games this season, Clark is averaging 16.8 points, 7.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds, in 35 minutes per night. She’s 14th in the WNBA in points, 1st in assists, 9th in steals and 5th in minutes. She’s even top-15 in blocks and top-20 in rebounds.

Related: Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve Mad at WNBA for Spotlighting Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Yes, her turnover numbers are super high (5.6 per game), but so is her usage. Indiana pretty much runs everything through her, at this point, just like Iowa did while she was in college. Caitlin is far and away the best player on the team, so it makes sense.

The young rookie phenom has played all of the hate off really well all season, and you can tell she is really starting to rub off on her teammates, who didn’t seem all that accepting of her early in the season. But it’s pretty clear she is starting to take all these unnecessary shots from Reeve personally.

Caitlin Clark jokingly responded to @minnesotalynx coach Cheryl Reeve after Reeve took jabs at Caitlin before the game. #fevervslynx
via: Matthew Byrne pic.twitter.com/PiPPTgpEbm

— GertyMac (@GertyMac15) July 15, 2024

Clark grew up a Lynx fan so she was asked if moving to No. 2 on the all-time WNBA rookie assists list at Minnesota meant more. She responded, “Not really… probably something I won’t remember. I don’t know, it’s cool…”.

Caitlin Clark pumping up Reeve’s own crowd while staring her down, I know she gotta be sick

Good thing CC isn’t going to the Olympics cause Reeve would not have let her see the court for a second 😭 #WNBA pic.twitter.com/nSjdCmRBoq https://t.co/d3mn1r4MuO

— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) July 14, 2024

Team USA needs to fire Cheryl Reeve

Look, Reeve’s hard-headedness and refusal to accept Caitlin Clark could have gone on for awhile and been forgiven. But after last night, there is not a world in which Clark and Reeve hold hands and sing Kumbaya on the FIBA or Olympic podium anytime in the near future.

If Cheryl thinks answering questions about Caitlin’s exclusion from Team USA is annoying now, wait until she gets in front of international reporters in Paris. There are going to be 10 questions about Clark, for every one question about anything else.

Related: Final Team USA Roster Proves Cheryl Reeve Hates Caitlin Clark More Than She Loves Women’s Basketball

Women’s basketball needs Clark WAAAAYYYYYY more than it needs Cheryl Reeve or the Minnesota Lynx. Maybe that’s why she is so upset. Either way, this ridiculous fued almost certainly ends in the 4-time WNBA champion no longer being head coach of Team USA, after these Olympics in Paris.

USA needs Caitlin Clark on its women’s basketball team and she needs to get along with the head coach of that team. Clearly, that isn’t going to be Cheryl Reeve.

More must-reads:

• Minnesota Lynx Star Napheesa Collier Shows How 1-on-1 Can Fix the NBA All-Star Game
• Minnesota Lynx Forward Rewarded for Incredible Month Overseas
• Lindsay Whalen Among the New Hires for Minnesota Lynx Coaching Staff

Caitlin Clark is possibly the biggest name in all of sports right now. It’s probably the first time in my 35 year history on this earth where I can remember a female athlete taking over the sports world to the degree she has.

Of course, female athletes have had their moments. But most of them have come from Olympic sports like gymnastics, figure skating, swimming and track. Women’s basketball had Maya Moore, Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie, names that lifted the female game to new heights during their time.

Caitlin Clark has star power that women’s sports has never seen before

Locally, we saw that with Lindsay Whalen, especially while she was leading the University of Minnesota to a Final Four back in 2004. But never, ever, has women’s sports seen an athlete that raises an entire sport… hell, an entire gender of athletes like Caitlin Clark has.

There is no way to calculate how many little girls around the world will now try basketball because of Clark. Many of which will fall in love with the game, but only because they first fell in love with her. Caitlin Clark is pretty much the Taylor Swift of the women’s basketball world.

For example, the 0-12 Washington Mystics had to move their game vs Clark’s Indiana Fever this week from a 4,000 seat arena to a 20,000 seat arena, to help fill demand for tickets. The extra 16,000 seats sold out in 30 minutes.

The Washington Mystics moved tonight’s game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever from their normal 4,200-seat arena to the 20,356-seat Capital One arena.

However, the 16,000 extra seats weren’t a problem, as tickets sold out in 30 minutes. https://t.co/ZHvKqBqQdJ

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) June 8, 2024

How did Clark payoff the 20,000 people in attendance (a 17-year WNBA record) who were all there to see her? Oh, she put up 30 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. The Fever won 85-83.

Related: Paige Bueckers Chose UConn Over Being MN’s Caitlin Clark… But Don’t Tell That to the Internet

But the real winners were the Mystics, Capital One Arena and the WNBA, for hosting possibly the largest organic revenue generating regular season game in league history. It’s the type of thing that doesn’t happen in any sport for any player. Men, women… it doesn’t matter. That sort of fanfare is unheard of.

Largest WNBA crowd in 17 years—20,333—sees Fever beat Mystics, 85-83.

Caitlin Clark makes 7 threes, scores 30 points, adds 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals.

The two teams are a combined 3-20. pic.twitter.com/zqlNMMXyht

— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) June 8, 2024

But this sort of thing isn’t even surprising anymore. Whenever Caitlin Clark is involved, history is going to be made and an unhinged amount of interest is going to be generated. And when there is unhinged amounts of interest being generated, the dollar signs follow, and that is undoubtedly the case with Clark.

Cheryl Reeve leaves Caitlin Clark off Team USA roster

So what was much more surprising than Clark setting another attendance record, was when news started breaking that she was going to be left of the 2024 Team USA women’s basketball Olympic roster, which became official on Saturday.

That’s right, women’s basketball, whose leaders have consistently begged, scolded and downright guilted sports fans into thinking they didn’t care enough. Those same people who demand that NBA owners invest more money into the WNBA, who expect TV networks to put their games in primetime even though nobody watches…

Those same people are now choosing an Olympic backseat to just about every other sport on the 2024 Paris roster. They had a chance to lead Olympic coverage in this country and exponentially grow the game they claim to love so much, at an international level.

They could have had the cameras and paparazzi. The massive crowds of fans and media members crowding their team bus every time it stopped somewhere. They could have had the lines of little girls begging for autographs and crying as they walked by. Instead, they made the conscious decision to be mostly non-existent while in France later this summer.

Why? Jealousy, envy, bias… take your pick. While the WNBA should be welcoming Caitlin Clark into their league with open arms, they have turned a cold shoulder to their first real superstar. Barstool founder, Dave Portnoy, pretty much nailed it on Saturday, after hearing the news (transcript below).

Rant incoming. – leaving Caitlin Clark off the women's Olympic team is the dumbest shit I've ever heard pic.twitter.com/RXg0XwFwtN

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 8, 2024

“These women, and I love women, I’m a pro woman guy, [but] they complain and they cry about equal rights, equal wages, blah blah blah blah. Hey dummies, for the first time in the history of basketball, you have arguably a player who is the most popular player in the world. You could argue, right now, Caitlin Clark is the most talked about, discussed, most popular, most puts asses in the seats, single basketball player in the world. You could argue that.”

“And you leave her off the Olympics team? It’s not only a showcase for her, it’s for the sport and the other WNBA players who are on this team. How dumb, how brain dead, how idiotic do the people running this thing have to be? It’s one thing after another with her. The business part of my brain is like… These people, whoever it is, I don’t ever want to hear you complain about flying commercial or not getting salaries or this that. You’re too dumb, you’re too dumb, you have a cash cow.”

“Women’s basketball would be like the number one thing people watch [during the Olympics], with Caitlin Clark. As it is, I would rather watch grass grow, I’d rather watch paint dry, I’d rather watch dirt just be moved around. If she’s there, it’s appointment TV. You people, whoever did this, take your brain, put it in a museum and study it for how dumb you are.”

Dave Portnoy on Caitlin Clark being left off the Team USA women’s basketball roster

Current players are targeting Clark during games and in press conferences. Former players are talking down to those who bring her up, as the next great in women’s basketball. Oh, and opposing coaches might be the worst of all. For whatever reason, it seems most of the WNBA sees Clark as a threat instead of the ticket, which makes no sense.

And leading that anti-Clark cause is Minnesota Lynx president of basketball operations and head coach, Cheryl Reeve, who moonlights as Team USA head coach and their main talent evaluator. Here’s what she tweeted during the WNBA preseason, after the league social media account dare spotlight Clark’s game instead of the Lynx.

ALSO in action tonight – @minnesotalynx vs @chicagosky 7pm CST. Though fans won't be able to watch, #Lynx fans can go to the Lynx app to follow along via play by play. Or if you are in market, come to the game…as we start the season off right ✅#12teams #theWismorethanoneplayer https://t.co/Wp5vwt8ucK

— Cheryl Reeve (@LynxCoachReeve) May 3, 2024

Read More: Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve Mad at WNBA for Spotlighting Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Not convinced? Take the above tweet however you want. Reeve has made it very clear how she feels about the Caitlin Clark craze more than once.

Cheryl Reeve hated on Caitlin Clark right along with WNBA’s commissioner, the vets on that team who have influence and the Olympic committee isn’t incompetent, they’ve agreed to keep her out. It’s jealousy. They want to prove that any success they get won’t be because of Caitlin… pic.twitter.com/Nr4EGYgY3Q

— WBB and some other topics (@WBB_GLORIOUS) June 8, 2024

The most laughable part about this is that Reeve has been one of the lead drum beaters and guilt trippers, calling for more attention to be paid to women’s basketball (see the bottom of this article). No matter the cost.

Now, here is an opportunity to grow the women’s game at a level the sport has never seen before. More money, more popularity, it’s literally sitting there, one common sense decision away. And what does Reeve do? SHE says no, instead choosing personal vendettas over growing the game she claims to love so much. It’s hypocrisy at the highest level.

Reeve won’t be the only one who takes blame for leaving Clark off Team USA. She is aided by an Olympic committee that is made up of those who have competed against Clark. No Hawkeye or Fever coaches are included on the Team USA Olympic committee or staff.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, whose team beat Iowa in the National Championship this season, along with former Lynx star (now LSU assistant) Seimone Augustus and Connecticut Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti are among those with the most pull. But Cheryl Reeve, as head coach and a WNBA President of Basketball Operations, has final say.

Now, you can listen to what some WNBA writers are echoing, which are the excuses that Reeve and Team USA officials are making. They’re saying that Clark isn’t good enough to be on the 2024 Team USA roster, that she has to wait her turn. Or, my personal favorite, that she wouldn’t get enough playing time to make her rabid fanbase happy…

I will say this about the reports of Caitlin Clark being left off the Olympic team…If true, especially this on👇
Then, Cheryl Reeve, her staff, and the committee need to grow up. #caitlinclark pic.twitter.com/hAOhLe27Gx

— Scott Pearson Eberly (@PearsonEberly) June 8, 2024

But all of that is nonsense. There is no logical reason not to have Clark on that roster. Team USA women haven’t lost an Olympic game since 1992. They are 70-3 in their history and haven’t lost a FIBA World Cup matchup since 2006. They pretty much never lose and beat most teams by 50 points.

International women’s basketball is still closer to what it was like in the 1990s for men’s basketball, back when The Dream Team faced other countries who were just starting to find their footing in the basketball world.

Related: Psst… Caitlin Clark is a Closet Minnesota Lynx Fan

So if you think keeping Caitlin Clark, one of the greatest young players in league history, off the roster may have been the difference between winning and losing for the US this summer, then you are kidding yourself.

This happened because the people leading the team and women’s basketball in the year 2024 — especially Minnesota Lynx and Team USA head decision maker, Cheryl Reeve — are giving into their own jealousy, envy and bias, instead of leaning into growth and business. Dumb.

So where is this energy at, Cheryl? Funny, we don’t see a lot of these tweets anymore for some reason…

Now show us the 💰!! https://t.co/RNvFPaquY9

— Cheryl Reeve (@LynxCoachReeve) April 2, 2023

#Bargain Time to up the rights fees for women’s sports. Stop settling for less dealmakers! https://t.co/ZIXoTCcRdG

— Cheryl Reeve (@LynxCoachReeve) April 5, 2022

#InvestinWomen https://t.co/Bc1QX4IiEy

— Cheryl Reeve (@LynxCoachReeve) February 22, 2022

So many people, like Michael Lyon in this editorial piece, have a surface view and fail to recognize the deeply rooted systems that marginalize women’s sports. Read the NCAA gender equity review (https://t.co/2xu0onRS5t) and apply to all women’s sports everywhere and every level. https://t.co/UyvWHIGbJg

— Cheryl Reeve (@LynxCoachReeve) March 2, 2022

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The Minnesota Lynx have a lot of fans scattered across the globe, and the newest No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft is reportedly one of them. According to the former Iowa basketball legend herself, Caitlin Clark grew up “loving the Minnesota Lynx.” Join the club, right?

Caitlin Clark: Huge Minnesota Lynx Fan

While Clark’s introductory press conference with the Indiana Fever basketball media featured plenty of talk about her future and her admiration for the team’s current and past stars, she also couldn’t help but reveal her passion for the Lynx.

Caitlin Clark: “I grew up loving the Minnesota Lynx. I probably shouldn’t say that anymore”

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #WNBA #Fever pic.twitter.com/3B82yzmWDm

— Vanshay Murdock (@VanshayM) April 17, 2024

“I grew up loving the Minnesota Lynx. I probably shouldn’t say that anymore. That was obviously the closest WNBA team from where I grew up. Minneapolis was four hours from my house and obviously they had a dynasty there that was obviously really easy to cheer for.”

Caitlin Clark on being a Minnesota Lynx fan

With four WNBA Championships to their name, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Clark was drawn to the Lynx at an early age.

Related: Paige Bueckers Chose UConn Over Being MN’s Caitlin Clark… But Don’t Tell That to the Internet

Clark has also highlighted her respect for former Lynx legend Maya Moore, whom she gave a shoutout to during her recent appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Here’s Clark getting a chance to meet her childhood idol back in March.

It's 9:30 a.m., but the stars are out in Iowa City. @MooreMaya x @CaitlinClark22 #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/0tc7xzLeTm

— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 3, 2024

She’s never been shy about being a big fan of Moore’s throughout her childhood, even witnessing when her new team, the Fever, defeated the Lynx in the 2012 WNBA Finals. While she was only 10 years old at the time, it’s clear the Lynx left a lasting impact on the basketball icon.

Clark will get her first chance to go toe-to-toe with her former favorite team on July 14, when the Fever visit Minnesota to battle the Lynx on ESPN. Clark will play Minnesota two more times during the 2024 WNBA season.

Related: Caitlin Clark Shows Off Her Non-Basketball Talents, And Fans Can’t Get Enough

More must-reads:

• Insider Calls MN Vikings Draft Class Another Flop
• Twins Make Managerial Changes on the Farm
• Vikings DC Taking All Types of Coaching Interviews