•••
I grew up watching the Lakers, Pistons and Bulls in the Finals. The Timberwolves emerged when I was 11; the Lynx, age 21. My childhood basketball camps and Saturday leagues were always with boys. So it is a moment of gratitude for me to reflect on where women’s basketball is today. To witness the Minnesota Lynx’s championships and playoff runs have been pure joy and inspiration. As a mother of three girls, I have been motivated to bring them to games and championship parades (some in strollers). Thank you to coach Cheryl Reeve for being the reliable strength and leader for so many women in this world. You are an incredible trailblazer, and it gives a boost to my belief in the possible because of what you’ve proven exists. For a little girl wanting to play basketball, you are the epitome of greatness.
Sue Magnuson, Brownton, Minn.
•••
On Aug. 18, in a 92-75 win against the Seattle Storm, the WNBA referees assessed Caitlin Clark a technical foul for hitting the backboard with her hand. The referee told her she was “being disrespectful to the game of basketball.”
The true disrespect to the game of basketball came from the referees in the Lynx’s Game 5 Finals loss to the Liberty this Sunday. Respect to the game of basketball consists of paying enough attention in the last six seconds of a two-point game to call a blatant travel. Respect to the game of basketball means overturning a phantom foul call, not doubling down. If the referees respect the game of basketball, the Lynx win in regulation.
Liberty fans claim the Lynx shot poorly, scoring only two points in overtime, and so deserved to lose. But the Liberty shot much worse in regulation — the only somewhat legitimate part of the game.