Minnesota lacked a key component a year ago when it was ousted by Phoenix in the WNBA’s Western Conference finals — and even through its stretch of dominance over the recent years.
“(They) just needed a back-to-the-basket post player,” Sylvia Fowles said.
The Lynx finally got one in midseason, when they acquired Fowles in a trade from the Chicago Sky.
Fowles provided the post presence Minnesota desperately needed down the stretch and into the playoffs, as she battled the likes of Phoenix’s Brittney Griner. But perhaps Fowles presence was felt most Wednesday night, when she led the Lynx with 20 points and tacked on 11 rebounds in their Game 5, series-winning victory over Indiana.
Fowles, who was named the Finals most valuable player, averaged 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds over the five games.
“It feels good,” Fowles said of the honor. “But without (my teammates), it wouldn’t be possible.”
The Lynx’s title run might not have been possible without Fowles, who was a pivotal cog for Minnesota this season. When players like Seimone Augustus — Fowles’ college teammate at LSU — and Lindsay Whalen went down, it was often up to Fowles and Maya Moore to carry the load.
“She was so important to our team because she’s so different than what we’ve had,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said of Fowles.
Still, it took time for her to find her niche here.
“But we were dedicated to it,” Fowles said.
Fowles said everyone had to adjust to one another.
“I had to adjust to them and knowing how they want the ball, where they’re going to be on the floor, where they need screens to be set,” she said. “And I think they also needed to adjust to me.”
Fowles had to adjust to just playing basketball upon arriving in Minnesota. She sat out the first half of the season — which she said she would not recommend to anyone — as she waited to be traded by Chicago. She said she felt as if she’d fulfilled her contract in Chicago and wanted to step out “and broaden my horizons.”
Specifically, Fowles wanted to be traded to Minnesota.
“Because everyone has that will of wanting to win,” she said. “Cheryl Reeve, she knows how to push her players past their limitations. I definitely came here to win a championship.”
Which she finally did Wednesday night. Fowles, who also has played in NCAA Final Fours and won an Olympic gold medal, said the WNBA title definitely ranks among her top three basketball achievements.
“This completes my resume,” she said.
Her arrival made the Lynx a complete basketball team and helped put Minnesota back on top of the WNBA.
“The dream scenario is just winning a championship,” Lynx general manager Roger Griffith said. “The fact that she was the MVP, I guess that’s just an added bonus. Trying to bring someone in in the middle of the season and they end up playing that prominent of a role in the finals, that wasn’t my plan or design or anything.
“But, hey,” Griffith said. “It was a great story the way it happened.”
