Laimbeer says Moore ‘should get hurt’ for playing late in blowout
MINNEAPOLIS — Maya Moore and friends didn’t just revert back Sunday night to the form that once had them sprinting away from the rest of the WNBA.
The Minnesota Lynx and their MVP candidate had a former NBA star and colleague of their leader fuming, possibly to the point of regret, depending on the fallout — if any — from his postgame comments.
Maybe it was his team’s third loss in four outings. Maybe it was the absence of All-Star guard Cappie Pondexter. Maybe it was jealousy toward his former protégé, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve, who’s steering a course that appears destined for a third straight WNBA Finals appearance while his bunch fights for a final postseason slot.
Or maybe it was just that old-school, Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys” spirit rising to the surface.
Whatever his motives, Bill Laimbeer spouted off on Moore and Reeve following the Lynx’s 88-57, three-game skid-snapping victory. His displeasure focused on Moore’s playing time, given the fact his team trailed by 20 early in the third quarter and never sniffed a rally opportunity.
Injured Minnesota guard Monica Wright (bruised quad) is expected back before too long, and adding a sudden 3-point threat from Rachel Jarry to the mix makes the league’s No. 1 team in point differential even more formidable-looking. Jarry scored a career-high 11 points Sunday and was perfect on three 3 attempts, all in the third quarter.
The rookie small forward hadn’t scored since June 21, her team’s seventh game of the season. The last time she made three 3s in a single game was Oct. 15, 2010 with the Bulleen Boomers, a women’s club in her home country of Australia.
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