After shedding the WNBA title this weekend in opposition to New York, coach Cheryl Reeve complained to the media by saying that the championship was “stolen” by poor officiating, and was very particular a few sure play by which rival Breanna Stewart suffered a disputed foul that gave her two free throws to tie the sport with solely 5.2 seconds remaining.
The legendary tactician is satisfied that the play wasn’t a troublesome one to name. “We all know we might have accomplished some issues, proper, however you shouldn’t have to beat to that extent,” Reeve stated after the competition. “This s— ain’t that arduous. Officiating is just not that arduous.”
When requested if she might deal with the implications of calling out the league’s corruption, she wasn’t prepared to bow down. “Carry it on,” Cheryl insisted, “as a result of that s— was stolen from us.”
“This shit was stolen from us”
Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve was heated over tonight’s officiatingpic.twitter.com/LiRHdlgzJ8
— Barstool Sports activities (@barstoolsports) October 21, 2024
Let’s take a look at the numbers. All through this Recreation 5 contest of the WNBA Finals, New York shot 25 free throws, whereas Minnesota solely received 8. After the league’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months Napheesa Collier fouled out, the Lynx had been referred to as for 21 fouls, in comparison with the Liberty’s 17.
Reeve believes the contact for the final play was “marginal” at finest. “This sucks,” she stated, recalling this wasn’t the one time refereeing has instantly affected her workforce in a Finals collection. “That is for a championship, for each groups. Allow them to resolve it. What contact is authorized must be the identical for each groups.”
Regardless of her frustration, she was additionally capable of ship respect to her rivals, jut like guard Sabrina Ionesco earned her reward. “We at all times respect our opponents,’’ Cheryl stated. “However, clearly, these are two nice basketball groups, I believe everybody can attest to that, to how nice the product has been from recreation to recreation.
It took New York 28 years to earn this championship, and now their gamers can lastly style the glory. “I’ve been manifesting this second for awhile, There’s no feeling prefer it,” Liberty’s Stewart stated. “Credit score to Minnesota, they gave us a troublesome collection. The followers have been wonderful in all places we’ve gone. To convey a championship to New York, first ever in franchise historical past it’s an unbelievable feeling. I can’t wait to proceed to rejoice with the town. It’s going to be bonkers.”
After shedding the championship, Reeve admitted for the primary time that she would entertain a possible teaching job within the NBA
Now that the season is over after struggling defeat in opposition to the Liberty in Recreation 5 of the WNBA Finals, Cheryl Reeve can relaxation and take into consideration the long run. There may be nothing she hasn’t conquered in her profession, as not too way back the Lynx had earned 4 titles in seven campaigns.
In the course of the time span, she was requested if she would ever think about accepting a training gig within the NBA, however refused it. Now, she appears to suppose otherwise. It appears that evidently her considering on the topic has advanced, and it’s actually shocking to listen to.
“The reply now could be I wouldn’t rule it out. However I do like what we’re doing. I just like the house we’re in,” the 58-year-old revealed in her postmatch interview. “It’s understanding that extra alternatives for girls to be in that house is an effective factor.”
Regardless of her insistence that the WNBA Finals was stolen from the Minnesota membership, the veteran coach wasted no time in praising her rivals. “Congratulations to the Liberty on their first championship,” Reeve expressed. “It took them 28 years, congrats to them. We had been that near our fifth, it simply didn’t occur.”