Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has a reputation for maintaining high expectations for all of her players. But above all, Reeve is known for being tough on her leaders.
“She’s really tough on her lead guards,” Lynx forward Napheesa Collier said. “Because, obviously, it’s a lot of responsibility. They are the ones who move the team forward.
But not everyone can handle tough love. During the years that Reeve developed a strong relationship with the Minnesota General, the Lynx tended to prosper. When this doesn’t happen, the team isn’t quite meeting organizational standards.
Enter Courtney Williams this season. The 30-year-old noted that she and Reeve had a good vibe during his free agent appeal, so she hoped that would spill over into the season. Sure enough, upon arriving in Minnesota, one of the first things Reeve said to Williams was how much the coach appreciated how black and white she was.
“Because I am,” Williams said. “I don’t like gray area things, and neither does she. She’s (also) black and white, so I think that’s why we get along well.
It was a match made in heaven, as Williams guided an offense that has demonstrated more cohesion and explosiveness this season while posting a top-10 offensive ranking. This, coupled with an elite defense, puts the Lynx just two wins away from a title heading into Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday.
Williams was informed by a reporter Wednesday that New York coach Sandy Brondello felt that even though the Lynx are led by Collier, Williams is the one you need to shut down to cut Minnesota’s water. The guard agreed.
“Yes, I’m the leader. So I think any point guard on any team is a big factor, especially at this point,” Williams said. “You are the head of the snake, you are the extension of the coach.”
A follower, at that.
But just because there’s been so much success doesn’t mean there hasn’t been plenty of interaction between the coach and the leader that Lynx forward Alanna Smith described as… “quite passionate”.
“And Courtney, her response is always, ‘Yeah, OK, I got you, Coach.’ I hear you,” Smith said. “And she does her best to implement what coach wants, and I know Cheryl really appreciates that too.”
Collier doesn’t believe Reeve is “prickly,” as can sometimes be the coach’s perception. She noted that Reeve “just demands excellence.” And requests cannot always be made in a friendly tone. It’s good for the leader.
“Courtney, this really falls on her back,” Collier said. “She can really pick on Courtney, which is funny because Courtney will accidentally say something funny afterwards.”
That’s why Collier agreed that Williams has the ideal personality to be the leader of this team.
“Because she’s like the least sensitive person ever,” Collier said. “She really is perfect, because there’s not much you can say that will hurt her.”
Or, really, shake her in any way. This trait has manifested itself during these playoffs, because when the going gets tough or the moment heats up, the point guard always rises to the occasion.
Minnesota rallied from 15 points down in the final five minutes of regulation in Game 1 to steal the contest into overtime, and it was Williams who made the biggest shot of the game, hitting a triple while getting fouled in the last 10 seconds. .
The Lynx almost erased a double-digit deficit again in game two. Collier said Williams’ confidence strengthened not only her, but the team’s as well.
“Her confidence in herself and in us,” Collier said. “It’s unwavering loyalty and the belief that we will win, whatever the odds.” Having this, especially in your head guard, is very important.
That’s why, even after dropping Game 2, Williams was undeterred on the Target Center court after Tuesday’s practice.
“How can you not feel good?” she asked, pointing out that Minnesota now had two home games after winning a game in New York. “That’s what a series is. You have to let it go. We move on to the next one. It’s a five-game series for a reason.
This is who she is. Smith – who was teammates with Williams in Chicago and now in Minnesota – noted that the guard was “not a negative person.”
Quite the contrary.
“She’s pretty positive, so in times where it’s tough and we’ve had a loss or whatever, she always approaches the situation in a positive way and with a growth mindset,” Smith said .
There’s no fear of failure in this 5-foot-8 frame. Just a lot of belief.
Perhaps that’s why, throughout his career, Williams has seen his scoring and efficiency skyrocket in the postseason.
“I mean, it’s the biggest stage. It’s win or go home, so why am I keeping it? she asked. “There is no reason not to save anything now. Whatever you have in your bag, it’s time to take it out.
This is the mentality that all players want to have, but few can follow through on it. The big stage and the big moment make many athletes shrink – even the best of the best. Why is Williams such a positive outlier?
“I don’t know, I guess I’m built differently,” she said. “Because I love the moment. I’m not afraid of this moment at all.
On the contrary, it thrives there. If you can handle the weight of Reeve’s expectations for her point guards, perhaps the bright lights of a WNBA Finals pale in comparison.
“My whole life, since rec league, I’ve always wanted to have the ball in my hand when it’s time to play,” Williams said. “That’s who I’ve always been.”
