Coach Reeve vs Coach Sides
Coach Cheryl Reeve and Coach Christy Sides have coached their teams to outstanding seasons but only one can win WNBA Coach of the Year.
The Lynx and Fever have eclipsed their win totals from last year and have both clinched a playoff spot. Coach Sides and Coach Reeve have done an outstanding job guiding their respective teams to winning seasons. As they go head to head in Indianapolis tonight, the coach of the year competition is also up for grabs.
Coach Sides
Coach Sides has faced much criticism this year. These critics range from national media to every person with a social media account. At the beginning of the year, her squad struggled as they attempted to meet the unrealistic expectations that were thirsted upon Indiana after drafting Caitlin Clark.
When she stressed that her team needed to shoot more midrange shots, the media took shots at her. For example this Barstool blog. Instead of everyone realizing that the Fever won only 13 games in the prior season and that it would take time for Clark’s teammates to adjust to her, they called for Coach Sides to be fired.
Instead of looking at the schedule, like I did, and realizing the Fever would make a late-season charge for the playoffs, everyone got caught up in the Clark Mania. See the opinion piece I put out on X/Twitter earlier this year.
Coach Sides has done a great job with the Fever. She has figured out the right starting lineup and has not been able to mix things up. She has gone from a three-guard lineup to a two-guard, and finally, a three-guard that is clicking at a high level.
Indiana is an absolute force on offense but continues to struggle defensively. Their in ability to matchup defensively will cost this team in the long run and will lead to a first round playoff exit. But Coach Sides deserves to be commended on the job she has done in year two in Indiana.
Coach Reeve
The Minnesota Lynx have had a great year from start to finish. This team can score with anyone and play defense as hard as anyone.
The job that coach Reeve has done with this roster is coach of the year worthy. Minnesota only won 19 games last year and currently sits with a win total of 24 games. The best part, her GM didn’t go out and make some big trade or splashy signing. Coach Reeve has empowered and elevated this squad.
Not sure how much this will play into coach Reeve’s candidacy but the Lynx are 7-1 post-Olympic break. Impressive by itself but let’s remember she coached Team USA to gold.
To me that speaks volumes to the assistants she hires, to keep things going during the break without her and her best player, Napheesa Collier.
Also, Minnesota only has two All-Stars and one Olympian on their roster but sits in the three-seed only three games behind the Liberty. Oh by the way, the Liberty they beat in the Commisoner’s Cup. This team is a well-oiled machine.
If I had a vote, I would vote for Coach Reeve for WNBA Coach of the Year. The job she has done with this roster, the way they play defense, and Minnesota won the Commisioner’s Cup against the Liberty in New York. But if the Fever are able to beat the Lynx tonight, I may start leaning toward coach Sides.
