The Lynx’s #1 Draft Pick Lindsey Harding

Following Tuesday night’s women’s NCAA championship, the WNBA draft was held yesterday. I attended a draft party for season ticket holders sponsored by the Lynx, watched the first round, and got some running commentary from players and staff.

For the first time in the WNBA’s 11-year history, the #1 draft pick got traded away and landed in Minnesota! We acquired Duke guard Lindsey Harding from Phoenix in exchange for center Tangela Smith, whom we had picked up in a dispersal draft last fall. Which means we now have two #1 draft picks on our team, between Harding and last year’s Player of the Year Seimone Augustus.

We also picked up UCLA forward Noelle Quinn with the #4 pick. She’s not well known up here, but she’s a big name if you follow the Pac-10 at all and is widely regarded as one of the best passers in college basketball.

I’m excited that we drafted so well, but this doesn’t really solve the two big problems the Lynx have.

One, this is an incredibly young team. Two, we really need some help in the post. We’re very guard-heavy, but true point guards are pretty tough to come by in the WNBA so picking up Lindsey Harding is certainly nothing to sneeze at. So many 2-guards are forced to play the point, so it’ll be nice to allow the ones we have a chance to play at their more natural position. What it does mean, though, is that probably one of the ones we have might ultimately not make the roster. Kind of sad, but that’s the way it works.

Coach Zierden referenced Joe Dumars and his use of the word “vision.” I’m a born-and-bred Detroiter, so that kind of talk scores a lot of points with me. I’m willing to have some faith.

Practice starts Aprill 22. First home game is May 20. Can’t wait!

[Strib interview with drafted players, coach Don Zierden, COO Roger Griffith]
[Lynx BBall forum, where the locals are talking]
[lynxbasketball.com]
[Women's Hoops Blog's take on the draft]

Related posts:

1. Lynx Draft Day Grade: A!
2. I’m giving away three free tickets to tonight’s Lynx game.
3. The New Lynx Coach
4. Could Janel McCarville play basketball in Minnesota again?
5. No, really. The Lynx are fun to watch!