Brunson and Whalen Enjoy All-Star Experience

By Lauren Hazuka

The Minnesota Lynx sent two team representatives to the "2010 WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun" game this past weekend in Uncasville, Connecticut. Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen and forward Rebekkah Brunson were part of the WNBA Stars team, as Team USA defeated the Stars, 99-72.

Whalen, who was named a last minute replacement for San Antonio guard Becky Hammon, scored eight points, hauled in four rebounds, and dished out two assists in 22 minutes of play for the WNBA Stars.

In 2004, Whalen participated in the first ever All-Star game that featured USA Basketball vs. the WNBA. On her third mid-summer classic appearance, Whalen had this to say, "It was a little bit different; little different format, but it was fun. Team USA had a lot to play for. The WNBA All-Stars coming in wanted to play hard, but you could tell the intensity on the other side was a little bit higher."

Brunson, who was selected on July 6 as one of six reserves on the WNBA squad, totaled six points, two boards and a team-high two blocks for the WNBA Stars.

When asked about her overall experience at the festivities, Brunson said, "Just to be in the environment where you have all of the best players in the league (was exciting). You know you had the US National Team, the best players in the country and you had the (WNBA) All-Stars, the best players from around the league. It was fun, I enjoyed it."

Both Whalen and Brunson spoke highly of USA Basketball's level of play heading into the World Championships this fall. "I think they have the best talent in the world and hopefully they can go there and win the gold medal," said Whalen.

Brunson added, "I think they're a great team; they have a lot of great, talented players on that team. They also have a lot of experienced players so going into the World Championships, I think they should be really confident."

Despite the core focus on Team USA, Brunson enjoyed playing most with hear teammate Whalen in the All-Star game.

"For me, I enjoyed being able to continue to play with Lindsay," Brunson said. "I really have a lot of respect for her and her game. She is fun so we went out there and enjoyed each other. We had some fun. We joked a lot and it was good to be in a stress-free environment with her," said Brunson.

In response to Brunson's comment, Whalen said, "Well that's good because we've got the rest of this season and hopefully a whole lot more after this. It was fun playing with her."

Over the past few months, Whalen and Brunson have gotten to know each other's style-of-play quite well.

"...I know where she is going to be, she knows when I'm driving, where to go. I think we have really just picked that up in the past two to three weeks. Just another opportunity for us to be on the same side and now we try to bring some of that intensity back here," said Whalen.

With five home games left this month, the Minnesota Lynx are going to need to bring that intensity to Target Center as the team is competing for a playoff spot this season and the 2010 WNBA championship.