The WNBA season has gotten off to a brilliant start. The Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, and Atlanta Dream have started well, while the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky have room for improvement. There have even been competitive duels, such as Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark having a coming together. The only issue is the injuries to the team’s star players. The Indiana Fever is a perfect example, as if they had not lost Clark through injury, they would perhaps have another win or two. Let’s discuss why the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty are the best two teams in the league and thus the favorites.
The Minnesota Lynx And New York Liberty Are WNBA Favorites
Both Teams Have Continuity In The WNBA
The other teams that could compete with the Lynx and Liberty have revamped their rosters. This has put them at a disadvantage thus far, as it has taken a while for the players to hit the ground running. The Indiana Fever is a brilliant example of this. They have won four of their first nine games despite bringing in DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, and Natasha Howard. This is a complete contrast to the Minnesota Lynx (9-1) and the New York Liberty (9-0), who retained much of their same squad. Those players know what it takes to go far in the WNBA and even win it all. They would know how to get the most out of each other since they have played with each other for a while.
Breanna Stewart And Napheesa Collier Could Be Difference-Makers
The Lynx and the Liberty have two of the top three players in the league. In Napheesa Collier (Lynx) and Breanna Stewart (Liberty), they have players who can win a game on their own. Collier won Defensive Player of the Year last campaign, and Stewart finished third in the MVP voting. Collier finished above Stewart in league MVP voting (second), which can be attributed to her defensive exploits. Given how well A’ja Wilson did last season, it was always going to be a tough ask for anyone to win the league MVP. Wilson averaged 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in what will go down as a historic season.
Both Teams Have Coaches Who Have Won The WNBA
Cheryl Reeve is arguably the greatest coach in WNBA history, while Sandy Brondello is making a name for herself. Reeve, who has been with the Minnesota Lynx for now 16 years, has won four championships. When she doesn’t win it all, she tends to go far in the playoffs. Last season is the best example of this. The Lynx lost 67-62 in game 5 of the WNBA Finals in overtime. She even won the Commissioner’s Cup final against the Liberty last year.
Brondello may not be mentioned in the same bracket as Becky Hammon and Reeve yet, but if she continues winning, she could be on that path. Brondello has won two championships in what is now her 13th year as a head coach, with her most recent one coming last year against the Lynx.
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