Settled, relaxed, Whalen playing at high level

At 29, Lindsay Whalen appreciates order in her life.

The Lynx point guard has had the stability she covets this season and the results are evident. "She is playing great," coach Cheryl Reeve said.

Whalen is averaging 6.5 assists per game, tying her for first in the WNBA. She is second in the league in free throws made and attempted (18-for-23) going into the Lynx's fifth game against Atlanta at Target Center.

"Just coming in, knowing how everything runs -- the familiarity is big," Whalen said.

She played for Connecticut her first six years as a pro before the Lynx (3-1) traded for the former Gophers All-America from Hutchinson, Minn., in January 2010.

"Having [this] be my second year was really nice," she said. "I knew the drills and offenses. Knowing everybody on the team, that stuff was really good."

And in sharp contrast to last season. A year ago, Whalen arrived in the middle of the first week of camp. By then, Seimone Augustus (abdomen) and Candice Wiggins (knee) already had surgeries and Rebekkah Brunson had not yet reported. After playing in Europe, Brunson did not join the team until the fifth game.

That meant a lot of public appearances for Whalen. She enjoyed them, but ... "Those are things that take energy from you," she said.

This season, Maya Moore, the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA, is the player most requested for appearances. Whalen can focus on practicing, being a captain and staying well-rested.

"When you play year round," she said, "and this is my eighth year, that's a huge thing, making sure you are getting sleep and getting rest. That is something you learn when the years go on."

Reeve has noticed a more determined, in-command Whalen. "She said it took her a long, long time to really get comfortable with her new digs [last season], with being around new players," Reeve said.

The Lynx started 2-9 in 2010 as Whalen struggled along with everyone else, shooting 31.3 percent from the floor in that stretch.

Her couch and everything else at home were already where she and Ben wanted it.

The couch is her spot to relax and watch shows like Pawn Stars, Storage and Parking Wars, sports or a movie on demand.

On the court, Whalen has directed an offense which has scored a league-high 64 points off of fastbreaks. "She attacks the rim better than any point guard in the league," Reeve said.

"[Rebekkah] Brunson is getting the rebounds," Whalen said, "and we are getting some steals. I run fast, Maya is fast. Seimone is running up there and she is fast. Everybody wants to get out there and run and we are looking for each other, passing the ball. All those things are keys."

Along with rest. Even when she and her husband do go out, it's usually just to try a different restaurant like Crave or Zelo.