Owner proud of Lynx's players, having fun at games

"It is really fun," team owner Glen Taylor said after one of 14 Lynx home victories this season. "You know the coaches, you know the players and you have success -- it's fun to see these young people do well.

" And I am really proud of them and it makes me feel good. I come to all the games either way, but it is sure more fun to go home when we win."

Taylor and his wife have front row seats near the Lynx bench.

The past six seasons, the Lynx have missed the playoffs every year, in 2009 and 2010 by one victory. Now it looks like second-year coach Cheryl Reeve has a strong nucleus of players and the Lynx can be a WNBA title contender for years to come.

One key addition has been rookie Maya Moore, whom the Lynx took with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft. She was a superstar at the University of Connecticut.

"I had the opportunity to meet Maya when they were practicing before the season," Taylor said. " First of all, you find out she is really a nice young lady and just very enjoyable to be around.

"Of course, I watched her in college -- but to watch her on the [Target Center] floor with her athletic ability and just common sense knowledge that she has been taught at Connecticut on how to play --" Taylor said. "It's just wonderful to see a young lady come in as a rookie like that and score under pressure.

Moore is probably a cinch for the Rookie of the Year award.

MOORE ALWAYS LEARNING

Moore, a 6-foot forward, was recently asked about her progress her first season in the WNBA.

"I have moments of feeling really good," Moore said, "and then I make a silly turnover or a bad decision and it will remind me that I have to continue to be focused and working and learn. I never want to stop learning. That is always my goal every day, to learn something and continue to improve every game.

"So it is a constant challenge and I am still with the mindset of having to work hard and not easing up at all."

Those five players all played at UConn as has Taurasi and Moore.

"[Moore] does a little bit of everything," Taurasi said, "and that's what you need to leave your legacy and, more short-term, to put a stamp on the game."

FOES ELEVATED THEIR GAME

Taj McWilliams-Franklin, the Lynx's veteran center, said opponents usually have played their best against Minnesota this season.

"When teams come into Target Center or we got there, we are the top team," McWilliams-Franklin said. "And the X on your back means people consider you a target. They are desperate to get a win on the Minnesota Lynx."