Can Lynx extend unbeaten streak?

The main story on wnba.com is on the Lynx. "Lynx approaching history," the headline reads.

Their game on Wednesday against Seattle at the Target Center is the only one being played. So everyone else in the league will be watching to see if the Lynx (7-0) can extend their unbeaten string.

Three other WNBA teams have started with seven wins: the 1997 New York Liberty, the 1999 Houston Comets and the 2007 Detroit Shock and their streaks ended there.

Only two Los Angeles teams, the Sparks in 2001 and '03, have opened with longer winning streaks. Both started 9-0. Center Lisa Leslie, since retired, was the catalyst that made those teams so formidable.

* The Lynx (7-0) and the L.A. Sparks (5-1) are 11-0 against the other WNBA teams they have faced. ... Seattle (1-4) has played the toughest schedule in the league. The Storm has lost three times to L.A. and once to the Lynx.

* After the Lynx beat San Antonio by four points on Sunday, Seimone Augustus said she was upset at herself for missing two free throws near the end. But she needed to look ahead.

"We've got a game on Wednesday against a tough team," the leading scorer on the Lynx said. "We have an opportunity to get better that day."

POLL WATCHING

The Star Tribune put up a poll on its web site on Monday morning that asked the public what sports stories it was watching most closely. Now, it's obviously not a scientific poll, but more than 5,000 people voted.

And if your beat is the Lynx, I find the results fascinating. Here they are:

Twins baseball and amateur baseball came out on top. But just barely.

1,361 votes, 27 percent

That strong vote total is not too surprising. The Twins, even though they are in middle of a mediocre season, play every day and there is always something new with them. They have shown signs of respectability recently, too.

Vikings offseason moves came in a close second. It's the Vikings. Some people, I'm sure, wish the NFL season went year-round.

1,299 votes, 26 percent

I'm just thankful the stadium issue has been resolved. How tiring was reading and hearing about that day after day this spring, month after month, year after year.

Next, in the so-called State of Hockey, was the Stanley Cup playoffs. Big dropoff, though.

735 votes, 15 percent

Los Angeles' domination of the finals may be squelching the interest a bit.

Right behind the NHL playoffs, was the NBA playoffs.

597 votes, 12 percent

Turn on the radio and one of the local sports talk shows is discussing the NBA playoffs almost any time of the day or night. They think people care a lot about them. Do they?

I think having a bad NBA team in the local market -- after Ricky Rubio's injury the Timberwolves struggled -- which never makes makes the postseason kills some of interest in the playoffs.

Then, right on the heels of the NBA playoffs in the poll come the Lynx. Who stuffed the ballot box?

577 votes, 11 percent

That's a pretty good showing compared to the NHL and NBA playoffs. But the sports talk shows seldom discuss the Lynx and sometimes still take digs at them. Before an early game at New York, a sharp, hip, with-it radio sidekick asked aloud on the air if the Lynx fly to the game together or travel separately and just meet at the game? Ha, ha.

One Lynx fan, a man, sent me an e-mail recently asking why the team doesn't get better coverage?

My answer was, the Lynx still have to prove they deserve it. Draw more people. Create a buzz.

That happened in the playoffs last season and coverage improved.

Now at the start of the season? The crowd at the first game was great, 12,000-some. The crowds at the last three have been all just under 8,000 in an arena that holds about 20,000. The team last year averaged about 8,500. But I expect they will pick up when people what a special team they are watching.

It is making history of some sort almost every game with its unbeaten start, the basketball is entertaining for the most part, the players likeable, the cost for attending reasonable.

The one difference this year is there are less no-shows. So announced crowds are closer to the real number.

And, in last, but surprisingly close to the Lynx are the Minnesota Stars, the pro men's soccer team.

460 votes, 9 percent

The Stars won a title last year, too, but they get nowhere the media attention the Lynx do. But somebody seems to know they are still in Blaine, kicking the ball around.

LIBERTY WIN AGAIN

After a 0-5, New York has won two in a row. The Liberty beat Indiana on Sunday for its first win, then Tuesday won 79-74 over Atlanta (2-4).

Cappie Pondexter had 26 points, nine in the fourth quarter, and Leilani Mitchell, another guard, 18 to lead the Liberty.

Angel McCoughtry had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Dream.

* While the Lynx are alone at the top of the West standings, three teams share first in the East at 4-1. They are Indiana, Chicago and Connecticut.