Tag: Cheryl Reeve

Cheryl Reeve had a scathing critique of WNBA Finals refs after botched Breanna Stewart foul

“This [expletive] was stolen from us.”

Cheryl Reeve went scored earth on the officiating crew overseeing Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, and she did not hold back.

The Liberty-Lynx series had been incredibly tight throughout the Finals. The margin of victory was tiny — less than five points in multiple games — and every basket and foul call counted. Late in Game 5, the Lynx were seemingly on the verge of locking up the franchise’s fifth championship when two fouls were called on the Lynx.

After the first foul, Breanna Stewart missed both free throws, which should have seemingly iced the matchup. But the second foul, called with just under four seconds left, sent Stewie to the line. She nailed both free throws, and the Lynx couldn’t get a shot to fall afterward, sending the game into overtime. That typically isn’t a huge deal until you see the play was called a foul.

As you can see, Stewie seemingly traveled before the foul. But that isn’t what caused an uproar. Many people, including LeBron James, quickly pointed out that the call wasn’t a foul at all. (Warning: NSFW language.)

Cheryl Reeve also thought the foul call was awful and challenged it in-game, but it was unsuccessful. As a result, she went IN on the refs during a fiery postgame presser. Here’s part of what she said:

“The officials, during the game, should have a third party because that was not a foul. That call should have been reversed on that challenge. If we sent that clip in … they would have told us that it was marginal contact. No foul. Guaranteed … that decided the game.”

But that wasn’t all Cheryl had to say. She acknowledged that the headlines would discuss her rant before adding, “This [expletive] was stolen from us.” (Warning: NSFW language.)

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A WNBA Finals in-game interview paid off with Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve reacting to a Courtney Williams 3-pointer

Okay, this was pretty great.

During Game 3 of the 2024 WNBA Finals, one of ESPN’s in-game coach interviews actually paid off in a really cool way.

As the broadcast checked in with Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve during the game’s third quarter, guard Courtney Williams drilled a 3-point attempt from the arc.

The in-game interview gave fans a close-up look at how Reeve reacted in the moment. She wanted Williams to try for the basket, as she said as much on the broadcast. Once she nailed the attempt, Reeve reacted with an emphatic “Boom!”

While most in-game coaching interviews don’t provide much, this was an awesome, real-time look at a coach reacting to a big moment and celebrating once it goes her team’s way.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN. 

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Who is Cheryl Reeve? Here’s everything we know about the Lynx’s head coach

Meet Cheryl Reeve, the head coach of the Minnesota Lynx.

The WNBA Finals are here, and when the Minnesota Lynx take the floor, head coach and president of basketball operations, Cheryl Reeve, will lead the team.

Reeve has been with the organization since 2010 and previously worked as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers and Detroit Shock before arriving in Minnesota. During her tenure with the Lynx, she’s helped the franchise secure four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) and has earned Coach of the Year four times. Reeve also has two WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year honors on her résumé.

The New Jersey native has rich basketball roots, including coaching in the college ranks with several universities and overseeing the USA women’s basketball team since 2021. Under her leadership, Team USA won gold during the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and another gold medal at this year’s Paris Olympic Games.

Here’s an idea of what Cheryl Reeve brings to Minnesota as a coach.

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Cheryl Reeve praised Caitlin Clark for her pace and passing ability ahead of Fever-Lynx

Cheryl Reeve had some strong compliments for Caitlin Clark.

Ahead of her team’s Saturday tilt against the Indiana Fever, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve praised Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark and the parts of her game that make her special.

After being reluctant to discuss Clark missing Team USA at this past Olympic Games (a decision she didn’t have a say in), Reeve pointed out what she really appreciates about Clark’s game past the obvious ability to make 3-pointers.

“I know the sexier part is probably the logo 3, but the pace and the passing is what makes her exceptional,” Reeve said in her remarks, per IndySports‘ Chloe Peterson.

She also said that she wishes she had either Clark or Lynx legend Maya Moore playing for Minnesota right now, the latter having her jersey retired at Target Center on Saturday evening.

It’s very likely Reeve will coach Clark on Team USA in 2028 in Los Angeles if she’s still leading the program by then. It would be fascinating to see how she uses the superstar rookie to help bring home the gold one day.

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Cheryl Reeve said she’s not second-guessing Caitlin Clark not making Team USA

Cheryl Reeve sounds ready to close the discussion on Caitlin Clark not making the Olympic team this year.

Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve might not be the one who puts the Olympic group together, but she doesn’t seem to have any late-developing qualms about Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark not making the team.

While Clark seems to be taking the Team USA omission in stride, questions are still being asked about her not making this year’s Olympic squad.

When asked about if there was any second-guessing on Reeve’s part for Clark not making the team, Reeve gave a very brief “no.”

Again, Reeve is not the one who makes the final call for who is on the roster; the Team USA Olympic committee has that. So her answer won’t really hold much weight either way.

It seems like it’s time to close the book on discussing Clark not making it to this year’s Olympics and focus on the very, very, very high probability that she’ll be on the 2028 version of Team USA.

Clark is having a terrific rookie season, and we’re sure the Olympics are on the horizon.

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Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve dismisses question on Caitlin Clark’s Olympic future

Cheryl Reeve dismissed a question about Caitlin Clark’s Olympics future ahead of the Minnesota Lynx’s matchup vs. the Fever on Sunday.

Ahead of her team’s game versus the Indiana Fever on Sunday, Minnesota Lynx and Team USA women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Reeve was asked about Caitlin Clark’s Olympic future and her status as a potential member of a future national team.

Reeve dismissed the question from ESPN reporter Myron Medcalf.

“Why the hell would I answer a national team question? I’m wearing Lynx. And I’m the head coach of the national team, but I’m not the chair of the committee. Anybody want to venture into anything else?” Reeve said.

In early June, it was revealed Clark had been left off the United States’ Olympic women’s basketball squad headed to the Paris Games at the end of the month.

That decision was met with plenty of angst from fans and analysts who believed Clark’s popularity and her talent merited a spot on the Team USA roster.

After the roster was announced, USA Basketball selection committee chair and Connecticut Sun team president Jen Rizzotti explained the decision to The Associated Press. Rizzotti said Clark didn’t satisfy the committee’s selection criteria.

“Here’s the basketball criteria that we were given as a committee and how do we evaluate our players based on that? And when you base your decision on criteria, there were other players that were harder to cut because they checked a lot more boxes. Then, sometimes it comes down to position, style of play for Cheryl and then sometimes a vote,” Rizzotti said.

The selection committee has a set of criteria to pick the team that includes playing ability, position played and adaptability to the international game. Rizzotti said marketing and popularity aren’t a part of that selection criteria.

“It would be irresponsible for us to talk about her in a way other than how she would impact the play of the team. Because it wasn’t the purview of our committee to decide how many people would watch or how many people would root for the U.S. It was our purview to create the best team we could for Cheryl,” Rizzotti said.

The 2024 USA Basketball selection committee included committee chair Jen Rizzotti, South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, Atlanta Dream general manager Dan Padover, WNBA head of league operations Bethany Donaphin and retired WNBA champions and Olympians Seimone Augustus and Delisha Milton-Jones.

Clark and the Fever erased a seven-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter against the Lynx on Sunday. Clark scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 17 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals.

The Fever outscored the Lynx, 28-14, in the fourth quarter in an 81-74 win that improved Indiana to 11-14 on the season. Indiana is 8-4 in its 12 games dating to June 13.

Fever forward Aliyah Boston had a terrific game, finishing with 17 points and 16 rebounds on an 8-of-11 shooting performance. Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell finished with a game-high 21 points, including 14 after halftime. NaLyssa Smith rounded out Indiana’s double-figure scorers with 11 points.

The Fever have one final game before the All-Star and Olympic break. That comes at the Dallas Wings on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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Cheryl Reeve says WNBA needs to take advantage of watershed moment with Caitlin Clark

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said the WNBA needs to take advantage of its “watershed moment” with Caitlin Clark.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever rallied from seven down to start the fourth quarter and beat one of the WNBA’s best teams on Sunday.

The Fever used a 28-14 fourth quarter to turn the tide and top the Minnesota Lynx, 81-74. Clark scored 10 points in the final frame and finished with 17 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals.

Indiana improved to 11-14 with the win and is 8-4 in its past 12 contests since June 13.

At times, Clark and the Fever had the Target Center in Minneapolis looking and sounding like Carver North during the win over the Lynx. It harkened to memories of Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes marching to three straight Big Ten Tournament championships during Clark’s time in Iowa City.

Before the game, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said she didn’t care that it could be a pro-Fever crowd.

“I don’t give two (expletive). Not even one (expletive),” Reeve said before the contest.

Afterward, Reeve was asked what the league can do to have this type of crowd and environment be more consistent in the regular season.

“I mean, I don’t know that I quite understand the question in that everybody knows that the reason why our teams around the league are having sellouts are because Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are coming to town. Angel Reese has impacted their attendance at the Chicago games. I suspect on the road as well. So what the league can do is be ready to capitalize on the moments, but it’s much like when we saw Bird and Magic come in the league, right.

“The league has been building for a watershed moment and we’re here. Now, you’ve got to take advantage of it. It’s beyond just kind of saying, OK, well the Indiana Fever and they’re selling out and you’re just sitting back and watching it. How, (what) other ways can you monetize and capitalize on it. That’s obviously a business-layered thing, but that’s how I think you could capitalize,” Reeve said.

Teams around the league have been capitalizing on the momentum. The Phoenix Mercury wasted no time in marketing their first matchup against the Indiana Fever as the “GOAT vs. the Rook.”

Multiple Fever games have been moved to different venues to accommodate the type of crowds that follow Clark and the Fever.

The WNBA has more momentum than ever before and it’s fun to watch as the stars continue to be embraced.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.

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Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve blasts media after WNBA Commissioner’s Cup win

“We don’t really care what you think except for right now…”

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve has had it with people overlooking the team’s performance this season. After the Lynx’s WNBA Commissioner’s Cup win, she told a room full of media members that they had to write about the team now.

Minnesota is riding pretty high after beating the New York Liberty on Tuesday. The Commissioner’s Cup was a tremendous display of talent, and everyone from Breanna Stewart to tournament MVP Napheesa Collier was dropping buckets.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve took time postgame to let it be known that she isn’t too fond of what the media has (or hasn’t been) writing about the team. These are the comments she shared with those in the room:

“It was an incredible game, and what I’m proud of is we answered every run on the road, and that tells you everything about our basketball team…We have a level of toughness. I know that when we show up, people aren’t afraid of us, but our level of toughness, I’ll put up against anybody.”

“What does it mean to them? We want a championship…[Napheesa Collier] has dealt with, I think, marginalization, if you will, of our team at times where she’s going…’What do we have to do before you guys really start to believe in us?'”

“And, we don’t really care what you think except for right now…where we get to say to you, ‘You gotta talk about us’…We just beat a super team. Let’s talk about it.”

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For years now, former WNBA star Becky …

For years now, former WNBA star Becky Hammon has been top of mind when it comes to “who” should first take that role. She’s worked as assistant for Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs since 2014 and last year became the first woman to work as acting head coach. But all she ever gets in a head coaching search is “almost there.” Minnesota Lynx general manager/head coach Cheryl Reeve doesn’t see that changing soon, calling the exercise of naming a woman she believes should be an NBA coach a “waste of time” because “the men aren’t going to allow it.”