The four Minnesota Lynx captains and coach Cheryl Reeve met with the media one last time Thursday afternoon. For Reeve and three of those players – Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus – there won't be much rest for the weary. All four are slated to head to Annapolis, MD, where they will begin training camp with the U.S. team for the upcoming world championships.
Perhaps because of the strain of playing a WNBA season and then in the World Championships, Whalen indicated today that she is considering not playing in Europe this season. She said that after the tournament is over in early October she will take some time off. There is a chance she will play a partial season over in Europe. But, at this point, she is leaning towards taking the fall and winter off. As she said, she's looking forward to spending a Thanksgiving at home for the first time in a decade.
The other consideration, of course, is the wear and tear of playing year-around.
"Something has to give, especially if you're on the national team," Reeve said. "I'm pleased the give would not be during our season. Lindsay is smart. She wants to play a number more years. In order to have longevity in this league, you do have to start separating things out."
In that vein, Augustus said she will likely play in Europe this coming season, but it might be her last overseas stint. And Rebekkah Brunson, still rehabbing her knee, plans on taking the first half of the European season off.
That's about it for now. Have a good weekend.
