Lynx: Augustus accepts challenge to do more

The Lynx star has taken it upon herself to be a more vocal leader, and the coach has goals for her as well.

By Dean Spiros, Star Tribune

Last update: May 2, 2007 - 10:59 PM

Seimone Augustus averaged 21.9 points per game last season en route to earning WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, leaving Minnesota Lynx fans to wonder what the 6-foot guard will do for an encore. How does reinventing herself sound for an answer?

After meeting with head coach Don Zierden, Augustus said she anticipates seeing playing time at both guard positions, but senses she'll get most of her time at small forward.

"He challenged me to get three offensive rebounds a game," Augustus said. "It is going to force a lot of teams to play me a little differently. I can post someone up or step out of the post. I can set things up for the one- and the two-[guards] and I can take some of the pressure off [center Nicole] Ohlde."

Augustus said the change has taken her back to her days at LSU.

"I came off a lot screens in college," she said. "I'm back in my comfort zone, just coming off screens and not having to have the ball in my hands at all times."

Zierden said he couldn't be more pleased by what he has seen of Augustus in practice.

"She has really exceeded our expectations," he said. "She has been a leader. When we first came in we heard that in practice she might cut something short, but not one thing has been that way."

Augustus said she told herself after last season that she would be a more vocal member of the team this year.

She's happy to report, however, that those tough times might be on the decline.

"The enthusiasm we didn't have last year is here this year," Augustus said. "We've shown some good chemistry so far, which says a lot of about what we can accomplish."

Added experience

Despite being guard-heavy, the Lynx have added point guard Kiesha Brown. She practiced with the team for the first time Wednesday.

Brown, 28, a five-year WNBA veteran out of Georgia, was a backup point guard for New York last season. She was released at the start of camp and was brought in to add some experience to a young backcourt.

"I'm an up-tempo point guard, and Coach Z is an up-tempo coach," Brown said. "I should be able to fit in perfectly once I get the system down."

The roster stands at 15, although veteran forward Svetlana Abrosimova has yet to report due to overseas commitments. The roster must be trimmed to 11 -- plus two players on reserve -- by May 18.

Game conditions

The Lynx were in Las Vegas Monday to take part in scrimmages against Detroit, Houston and Sacramento. Not surprisingly, Zierden saw things he liked and things he didn't like.

"I do think we play hard," Zierden said. "When you know you don't have to coach effort, you can coach technique.

Zierden said the team didn't shoot well, and "we've got work to do on the boards."

Injury concerns

Rookie guard Eshaya Murphy and guard Chandi Jones are "nicked up" and did not make the trip to Las Vegas. Navonda Moore, a free-agent guard from Alabama, injured a hand Wednesday. She was to have it X-rayed.

Dean Spiros • dspiros@startribune.com