Fever coach Dunn criticizes Lynx coach Reeve’s Game 2 antics
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Sometimes, the sun shines on you unexpectedly.
I attended Fever practice Thursday to collect info for both The Associated Press and my website and tracked down Indiana coach Lin Dunn. Nobody else was talking to her at the time, in part because Tamika Catchings had strolled onto the court.
I asked Dunn about Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve’s epic meltdown in Game 2, and she gave me one of the most blunt series of responses I’ve heard in my 16 years as a professional sports reporter. She criticized Reeve’s actions in my AP article (read it here), saying her antics were disrespectful.
Among Dunn’s best quotes:
“I guess the thing that concerns me is that after she got her first technical, then she proceeded to take her jacket off, throw her jacket. In my opinion, that should have been reason for a second technical and removal, and they did not do that, and of course, she was able to incite the crowd.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind that her behavior after the first technical warranted ejection, and I was very disappointed that the officials allowed her to in some ways, you know, just kind of a lack of respect for the game and lack of respect for them. I was disappointed in the whole affair.”
Here is the audio of the interview:
Reeve’s ploy worked on Wednesday, firing up the Lynx in an 83-71 win. It will be interesting to see how Friday’s Game 3 is officiated and if Dunn helped or hurt her cause by calling out Reeve and the officials.
Reeve later was fined an undisclosed amount for her outburst.
Oh, and if you didn’t see Mount Reeve erupt, here it goes:
I will be covering the game for both the AP and ISL. Safe to say, it will be an exciting atmosphere. Apparently, the series has the nation’s attention: it was announced Thursday evening that Game 2 was the most viewed and highest rated WNBA Playoff game on ESPN since 1999. There will be a red-out at the arena for Game 3.
Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cliffbrunt_isl.
