News of former Gopher Lindsay Whalen's trade to the Lynx this week brought two general reactions from Minnesota sports fans: "Woo-hoo!" or "It's about time!" Whalen, the Star Tribune's 2004 Sportsperson of the Year, initially confused Michael Rand when a 12-digit number showed up on his Caller ID. But from her couch in Prague (she's currently playing overseas in the Czech Republic), Whalen answered his questions. Q Many local fans surely would have loved to have you on the Lynx from the start of your career, but I'm wondering if you feel like it was good to start elsewhere.
A I think it was a really good opportunity to learn and, right after the Final Four and college, to just live somewhere else a while and experience a different part of the U.S. and now playing overseas. I think it worked out for the best.
Q That said, did you imagine this day would come along at some point?
A I kind of always had thoughts that it would be really fun to come back and play. I was just never really sure if it would happen or if things would come together. Obviously when I was in Connecticut I was focused on what we were trying to accomplish, but in back of my mind I thought about it.
Q Do you think you could get out of a speeding ticket in Minnesota just by telling the officer that you're Lindsay Whalen and you're awesome?
A (Laughs.) I don't know about that, but it's hard to explain. I've been gone for a while, and I know what we were able to accomplish brought a lot of popularity. It's hard to really tell. That was five years ago now, but I think people still remember the time well.
Q Remember when you wound up and smacked Pam Borton on the butt during a game? Are you still doing things like that?
A (Laughs.) The game is still fun, and there's still camaraderie and chemistry. It's a little different than in college. You go to work with teammates every day, working hard, and the games are tense. But you have to have fun with it, too, and really enjoy what you're doing. People tend to do well when there isn't a ton of pressure.
