With the Lynx ugly 71-58 loss to Los Angeles on Tuesday night (they shot a horrendous 26% from the field), the team’s record fell to a hideous 7-15. Despite their underachieving ways, the talented squad still remains in a virtual tie for the 4th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

One of the reasons for hope that this disappointing season could still be salvaged is the play of Rebekkah Brunson. The 28-year-old power forward, who came to the Lynx in last November’s dispersal draft from defunct Sacramento, is posting careers highs in scoring and rebounding and is by far the team leader in intensity.

The personable veteran chatted with me following Monday’s practice.

DZ: You’ve been here for a few months now, what are your impressions of the area, outside of the whole basketball scene?

BRUNSON: I’m enjoying it. I like being outside – you wouldn’t call me an outdoors type of person – but, I like going outside, I like the lakes, I enjoy stuff like that. I like going to parks. It’s really green; I think it is a beautiful city.

DZ: You guys are in 3 game losing streak right now – by a total of 7 points (before Tuesday’s game) – how is the team holding up?

BRUNSON: We’re fine. I think we need to keep things in perspective. I think we know we need to win. We hoped that some of those games would have turned out differently – in our favor of course – but, I think that we feel like we’re still in a pretty good spot. We know that it is time; we know that we can’t wait, we can’t continue to let these types of games slip away from us. We are keeping our sights on that. We are just going to go into the next couple of games and get some wins.

DZ: You’re a veteran, you’ve won a championship…what does the team have to do when you are losing close games like that?

BRUNSON: Right now, it’s your hunger; it’s your desire, the small things, the loose balls, possessions like that, the free throws. I think it is more so now a mental focus. I think that we know physically we can compete with anybody. You see that when you lose to Seattle by 2 or San Antonio by 2 and Phoenix by 3. We know that we can compete, so now we need to get that mental edge, that ability to take that extra step and do the small things.

DZ: Does confidence have a lot to do with that?

BRUNSON: We are all confident at this point, so I don’t think its confidence. I think we know that we can play with teams. When you are losing by 20, then you get a little bit unsure, when you are losing by 2 you know you are only a possession away. It’s not a confidence thing, it’s just a desire – we just have to be hungrier than everybody else.

DZ: You’ve always been a good rebounder, but this year your numbers are way up, what’s been the difference?

BRUNSON: Just attacking it. I think that I’ve always rebounded the same, I’ve always been someone who going to go after it and try to get as many as I can to help our team get some victories. So, I don’t think anything’s changed. My mentality hasn’t changed. I am the same rebounder that I have been, but I am having a good season so I am just blessed and thankful.

DZ: Because of your overseas commitments, you came to the team late – after the season had started – how did you assimilate to the team so quickly?

BRUNSON: I think it took time for everybody to get used to the team. I think it took a while for us to build our chemistry and you could tell if you look at the way we played together at the beginning of the season and look at the way we are playing together right now. I think it took us a little bit of time to jell as a complete unit. I think that I came in – even before I got here I knew what was expected of me and I was already going through that mentally. So when I came in I just did what I could to try to get into the flow of things and I loved the coaches’ philosophy and I loved my teammates – everybody helped me as much as they could. It’s working out.

DZ: Obviously you’re happy to be here, but the circumstances that brought you here you probably wish would have played out differently. Could you just talk about what happened in Sacramento?

BRUNSON: Everything happens for a reason and everybody who was on that Sacramento team has been given a great opportunity to continue to play or to continue to do something else that they love to do…I feel worse for the city and worse for the people who worked behind the scenes because all of the players – we were a great group and we loved playing together – we all had another opportunity. The city doesn’t have another opportunity. They’re the ones who are missing out, they’re the ones who are home right now, so I really feel for them more than anything.

(Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Lynx)

See more of David Zingler’s interviews with Lynx players and coaches:

July 6: Lindsay Whalen
June 18: Seimone Augustus
May 23: Hamchétou Maïga-Ba
May 15: Cheryl Reeve
April 29: Monica Wright

Lindsay Whalen’s homecoming has been anything but triumphant thus far. Her Lynx limped out to a 2-9 start before winning three straight and then dropping their next two. Thanks to a dismal Western Conference however, the 5-11 squad finds itself firmly in the playoff picture.

Despite the loss of Candice Wiggins with season ending Achilles injury, things are actually looking up for the Lynx. The team begins a stretch of six straight home games on Thursday against San Antonio. If Whalen & Co. are going to make a run to the post season and beyond, the time is now.

The former U or M superstar was kind enough to answer some of my questions last week:

DZ: You guys have been playing a little better lately, what do you think the difference has been?

WHALEN: I think we got a couple of wins there, got a little roll going - a little more flow, a little more rhythm to our game. The other night in San Antonio (June 26) was probably - we just didn’t play well, didn’t get the win. Now we’ve got to try to get it back again with the next game.

DZ: How about you personally, how do you feel your game is coming along?

WHALEN: I’ve felt really confident, really good since probably the Tulsa game at home (June 18). I am getting better, I still need to stay aggressive and look for everybody on the court, but also coach has been telling me to look for my shot, especially now with Wiggins out. On the defensive end, just pick it up like everybody needs to right now - pressure the ball - do a better job of that. Those are the things I have been working on in practice.

DZ: As a point guard, how long does it take you to get used to your new teammates?

WHALEN: It takes a while - it’s timing, it’s knowing where everyone is going to be on the court - those kind of things. It takes some time, but I think we got a nice little rhythm there with the 3 game (winning) streak, so we just have to try to get another one started.

DZ: With Seimone coming back - obviously she’s an important part of the team, someone you’re going to have to work with quite a bit - have you guys started to develop a rapport (on the court)?

WHALEN: Yeah, I think so. I am just trying to read when she is coming off screens and just understand when she is comfortable with the ball and when she’s open or maybe wants to get a post-up - things like that. I think things are coming along with me and her really well.

DZ: You’ve been home almost half a season - in Minnesota anyway - off the court, how has that been for you?

WHALEN: It’s been good. It’s good to be back…I love the state, the city everything. It’s been a lot of fun being back, of course. I am seeing more family - in June we weren’t home very much and I think one of the home games I was sick, so it will be good to get some home games in July and get that home court advantage going again.

DZ: Do you get a lot of tickets requests and that kind of thing?

WHALEN: Yeah, I get quite a few, but a lot of my family have season tickets and things like that. Not too many, but some request - of course - every game.

DZ: How about Target Field, have you been over there at all?

WHALEN: Yeah, I’ve been over there for probably two games - one got rained out - so that was too bad or got suspended or something. It’s a great stadium and hopefully I’ll get over there more in July when we’re home for a longer stretch and not on the road so much.

See more of David Zingler’s interviews with Lynx players and coaches:

June 18: Seimone Augustus
May 23: Hamchétou Maïga-Ba
May 15: Cheryl Reeve
April 29: Monica Wright

One of Minnesota’s best athletes is back in action after a year on the sidelines. Seimone Augustus may not be as rich or famous as Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau or Adrian Peterson, but relative to her peers she’s ranks just as high or higher than her male counterparts.

Augustus, whose 21.1 per game scoring average is tops in WNBA history, missed 37 games over the past two seasons with a torn ACL and surgery to remove benign fibroid tumors. Without their superstar and go-to scorer, the Lynx went a dreadful 12-25.

I caught up with the 26-year-old All Star on Thursday as she geared up for her first home game since June 16, 2009.

DZ: Right now you are backing action, which – obviously – is a good thing. How are you feeling?

AUGUSTUS: As good as I can feel right now. I am just excited to be back on the court playing with my teammates and trying to get some victories.

DZ: You’ve been through a lot in the last year, what was the toughest point for you?

AUGUSTUS: Just not being able to play last year and seeing the team fight as hard as they did and compete like they did to get that last playoff spot (and not get it). Then, coming into this year, I was prepared for May 15 and my return got pushed back a little bit. It was kind of discouraging, I wanted to be back.

Q: What are your thoughts and emotions returning home in front of your fans for the first time (in over a year)?

AUGUSTUS: I am excited; I wished I could have started with my first game here instead of in Phoenix, but I am just ready to feed off their energy, come out and get a win against Tulsa and just have fun tomorrow.

DZ: Is there anything you can learn, any new perspective you’ve gained having to watch the team and dealing with not playing?

AUGUSTUS: Yeah, definitely. I see what the coaches see now. When they tell us stuff in the huddle, sometimes we don’t see it on the court. So now we can kind of lock in on what they are trying to say and try to focus on their focal points.

DZ: Obviously the team isn’t where you want to be in the standings right now, do you feel the pressure to come back and try to do too much – be the savior?

AUGUSTUS: No, I am just trying to fit in. I don’t think I did too much in the Phoenix game, just kind of went with the flow of the game. Same with the LA game, I just went with the flow of the game. It’s a matter of getting our chemistry down…now that I am back…so we can push forward?

DZ: Where would you say your game is at right now?

AUGUSTUS: It’s not where I want it to be. Definitely, I would like to be more aggressive, attacking the basket. I have been settling a lot for jumpers and 3-point shots. That will come with the burst of speed getting my explosion back - things like that. I have to get back to the free throw line. I don’t think I’ve shot one free throw since I’ve been back. I definitely need to change that.

DZ: How long do you think it will take before you are back to 100% - the Seimone we’ve seen before?

AUGUSTUS: I hope tomorrow (laughs). I hope tomorrow, but by midseason I expect to be back to my old self again.

DZ: One last thing, you cut off your hair (dreadlocks), it’s getting a little longer now; was that for a fresh start after the injury?

AUGUSTUS: There was a lot of bad karma going on. My dad fell with multiple sclerosis – he had his illness. I had the ACL and the fibroid so I needed to refresh myself so my hair is what had to go.

See more of David Zingler’s interviews with Lynx players and coaches:

May 23: Hamchétou Maïga-Ba
May 15: Cheryl Reeve
April 29: Monica Wright

Lynx guard Hamchétou Maïga-Ba (Hahm-Sha-to My-Ga Ba) is one of the more interesting people on the team’s retooled roster. And it’s not just her name that catches your attention; the 8-year veteran hails from the Central African country of Mali, she’s won a WNBA championship with the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005, wears No. 99 and plays with a frantic energy and hustle that’s won her league-wide respect.

I stopped by Lynx practice on Friday and got to know Maïga-Ba a little better.

DZ: You’ve been here for a few weeks now after coming over from (playing overseas in) France and you’ve played a few games, what are your impressions of the team and area?

MAIGA-BA: I would say it’s better than what I expected. I knew it was a very talented group…I am definitely happy to be here.

DZ: You guys have lost two in a row now, what do you need to do to turn it around?

MAIGA-BA: We’ve just got to finish it up, get better at our killer instinct. I feel like we play well for like (pauses) - in this league you are not going to win right away - you have to grind it out. That’s what in the last game (in Seattle on May 19) I feel like we could have done better - and take care of the ball. Just doing the little things will make a difference for us.

DZ: When you see a veteran team like Seattle, is that what they do?

MAIGA-BA: Yeah because they know each other and we are trying to figure each other out. They have been together for many years now, so they never let down so that’s what we have to build on. It’s going to take a couple of games, but hopefully we get it sooner than later.

DZ: You were a free agent this last offseason, what attracted you to the Lynx?

MAIGA-BA: I had a couple of other teams (interested), but at the same time, but I liked the Lynx - watching them and playing against them - they have a young group, very talented and I was hoping I could bring something to the team. Seeing what the team was made of and coach (Cheryl) Reeve calling me and telling me what she expected of me made the difference.

DZ: Obviously, you are from Mali - with your busy schedule how often do you get to visit home?

MAIGA-BA: I go home at least once a year at the end of the WNBA season.

DZ: You come from a very large family (15 children), did that help you become more competitive?

MAIGA-BA: In a way, yeah because - we didn’t all play basketball, some played soccer, but it was also in school. It was competitive, we all wanted to get good grades, so yeah.

DZ: Coming here from Africa, what are some of the biggest misconceptions you think Americans have about Africa?

MAIGA-BA: Honestly, when I first came here I used to get very frustrated because (laughs) Americans, honestly you guys (pauses) - Africa is poor. I personally come from a country that is very, very poor - one of the poorest countries in Africa. It’s peaceful, we have lights, we sleep in the house, we have high buildings and all of that. At first I used to get offended - I had a teammate from Africa and she told (Americans) that a giraffe is what wakes her up and they believed her. So, it was like, “OK, we are not stupid and stuff!” But, that’s what they show on TV - the jungle that you guys only see. So, that was one of the biggest things, but it’s OK.

DZ: The last couple of years you’ve played with the Comets and Monarchs, what was it like seeing those teams basically disappear?

MAIGA-BA: It was tough, definitely. Houston had a lot of history behind it and so did Sacramento. I was there for two years, so I kind of liked the place. I wish (the team) was still there more than anything because for me Sac is home in the U.S. It hurts to know that the team is gone.

DZ: You won a championship there (in 2005), do you think you’ll have any reunions?

MAIGA-BA: Yeah, we are still in touch. We talk and stuff and that’s never going to be taken away from us. That’s one of the best parts about basketball; you meet people and you keep those relationships on and off the floor.

DZ: One last thing, you wore No. 9 (in Sacramento) and then you came here and Quanitra (Hollingsworth) had it, is that why you took No. 99?

MAIGA-BA: Yes, in a way. She was very nice, she (would have) given me 9 if I wanted to. I am Muslim and Allah has 99 names and I feel like she deserves to keep 9 because she is young and I wore 99 before in Houston.

See more of David Zingler’s interviews with Lynx players and coaches:

May 15: Cheryl Reeve
April 29: Monica Wright

When the Lynx introduced Cheryl Reeve in December, she became the franchise’s 7th head coach in 12 seasons and 5th since 2006. Reeve’s WNBA journey began with Charlotte in 2001; she spent two seasons with the Sting, had a pit stop in Cleveland in 2003 and returned to Charlotte for two more years in 2004.

Reeve however, is most known for her time in Detroit where she helped Bill Laimbeer’s squad reach three consecutive WNBA Finals and win two titles. The Lynx hope Reeve can bring her championship pedigree to the Twin Cities and lead the team to its first postseason birth since 2004. I caught up with the rookie head coach after Friday’s practice and discussed her team, experience and more.

DZ: You’ve been here through the off season, training camp has pretty much wrapped up; what are your impressions so far of the area and the team?

REEVE: The biggest impression is that we have a team full of players that are eager to win and eager to do the right things, so that’s been fun to work with. We are getting ready to start our first game and I don’t expect us to play our best basketball right now. We’ve got some time to come together, but overall their eagerness and willingness to do what we need to do has been impressive.

DZ: You’ve been around the league for awhile, but this is your first head coaching job, how is it different heading into the season?

REEVE: You know, it doesn’t feel different and obviously it is different because everything is my call. I was in a situation in Detroit with Bill (Laimbeer) where he gave us such free reign to be ourselves - I have a strong personality, Rich (Mahorn) has a strong personality, Bill has a strong personality - we all were able to take a part in this thing so it doesn’t really feel that different.

DZ: No extra nerves or anything like that?

REEVE: More excitement. Now it starts - just like the players - even (with) a 6-year veteran like Lindsay (Whalen), there’s anticipation for this thing, to get the season started. Not so much nervous, but excited and ready to get things rolling.

DZ: With Seimone (Augustus) and Candice (Wiggins) being out, do you look at it as a situation where maybe they’ll be some pain short term, but you’ll be a deeper, better team in the long run?

REEVE: No question. Anytime you get opportunities for other people that they maybe would not have had if Seimone and Candice had been in there, they are better for it, our team is better for it.

DZ: Is there any player besides the big names that has impressed you during training camp?

REEVE: We are pretty deep, we’ve got a lot of good players….probably the player who has been here from the start of training camp and who has been the most consistent performer over the long haul has been Rashanda McCants. She has had a great training camp, I am really happy with where she is. Obviously Nikki (Anosike) and Charde (Houston) - all those guys - have played well, Rashanda has just been here since day one and participated in all 21 days of training camp so I have been impressed with her progress.

DZ: This team has gone through a lot of coaches in the past few years, how do you come in and sell your program? What are the challenges to that?

REEVE: I don’t look at those types of things. What happened in the past really doesn’t matter to me. In terms of what our players think - hey, I’ve been in the league - gosh what is this, my 10th season - I’ve been in seven playoffs, four WNBA Finals and I have two championship rings, so I think what I am selling they are interested in buying.

DZ: One last thing, I have to ask you about the Detroit situation. They didn’t have to fold, but they had to move; that had to be sad for you to see them leave.

REEVE: Really hard. That was a group that was extremely close knit, we all cared about each other. Much the same way when Houston folded or Sacramento folded. We won championships together, it was a close knit group - the love runs deep. Now we are in new places and we are trying to establish new things.