On Saturday during the Wolves' first preseason game at Target Center, a collection of Lynx—including Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson, Monica Wright and Erin Thorn—were on hand to return the favor. Technically sound, talent-laden and deep in coaching expertise, the Lynx’s style of basketball is something the Wolves respect and enjoy. Wolves forward Dante Cunningham has been acquainted with the WNBA for years—his sister, Davalyn, played in the league in the early 2000s. The league is very much set around fundamentals and smart play, and over the past two years no one has done it better than the Lynx. Wolves player development coach Shawn Respert echoed that notion earlier in September. Even in his short time in Minnesota, Cunningham said he’s felt the buzz around the Lynx squad as they try to become the first repeat WNBA champions since the Sparks in 2001 and 2002. No question the Lynx’s success is noticed in the Wolves’ locker room. “You walk around, you see the Road To Repeat,” Cunningham said. “That’s something that’s motivation. Not only for them but for us. As prideful guys, you kind of want that slogan also, so that’s something we’re striving for to kind of get to.” Across the WNBA, the Lynx have become a model franchise. They’ve put together back-to-back 27-7 seasons—their 54 wins the second most in WNBA history for a franchise in back-to-back seasons trailing only the Sparks in 2000 and 2001. They are 19-1 at home this season in the regular season and playoffs, and they led the league in points per game, point differential, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, assists per game, assists differential, rebounding and rebounding differential in 2012. They’re doing all of this as the defending champions, ensuring each night the Lynx are getting the opposition’s best shot.
