Sometimes, though, predictions are right on the money, and the 2008 Minnesota Lynx are a prime example. Back in April, it looked like their perimeter game would be just fine but their post game would be severely lacking – and as it turned out, those predictions were right on.
The Lynx could have looked to the draft to add a post player, but they simply could not pass on Stanford's Candice Wiggins. And of course, the posts coming out of college weren’t predicted to set the league on fire – and for the most part, none of them did, and certainly none Minnesota might have picked (Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper were the first two chosen, and neither was a starter).
And Wiggins did team with Seimone Augustus to give the team one of the best pair of wings in the league. Point guards Lindsey Harding and Noelle Quinn, however, were adequate at best, but still, there were options on the perimeter.
The post game? Simply put, it was one of the worst in the league.
Minnesota did get somewhat lucky in the second round of the draft when the Lynx grabbed Tennessee's Nicky Anosike, who started every game and put up solid numbers. But beyond her, there was little talent and less consistency – and no one was more disappointing than Nicole Ohlde. Ohlde has a reputation of being soft around the basket and was moved away from it to the power forward spot this season. Coach Don Zierden hoped that would allow her to improve her 2007 scoring average of 11.5 ppg. Instead she scored less than half that amount, averaging a career low 5.8 ppg. Her rebounds also dropped to 3.3 a game, which was also the worst of her career. Ohlde has now spent five seasons in the WNBA and she shows no signs of being even an average post player.
Also disappointing was Vanessa Hayden-Johnson, who returned from pregnancy leave in the best physical condition of her career. The improved conditioning along with her undeniable physical skills should have led to a breakout season. Instead, she spent the summer in Zierden's doghouse and did not contribute much. Hayden-Johnson is a restricted free agent and the Lynx are unlikely to make any attempt to keep her.
The only other free agent on the squad is guard Anna DeForge, who is an unrestricted free agent. DeForge had a solid season but will lose many of her minutes to Wiggins next year. Given her pay, she is unlikely to return, but that is a perimeter loss that the team can handle.
But if the Lynx are to improve, they must bring in better post players. They might make a run at Kara Braxton or Michelle Snow, although both come with baggage. The rest of the available free agents are either veterans at the end of their careers, like Chasity Melvin or former Lynx post Tamika Raymond, or are players who would not be interested in playing for a building franchise, like Tina Thompson.
Minnesota will again be in the draft lottery but, barring a breakout by someone, Courtney Paris is the only post player good enough to be drafted that high, and the Lynx will first, have to get a little lucky in the lottery to get her, and then, second, find out if her lack of height will limit her effectiveness in the WNBA.
If the team is willing to part with either Augustus or Wiggins, it could trade for a good post player. That would be a difficult deal to make but the Lynx are not going to get much better without better bigs and a trade may be the Lynx’ only real chance to acquire a quality post.