Cheryl Reeve And Sandy Brondellowho respectively coach the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty, have alternated criticisms against the refereeing in these WNBA Finals, to the rhythm of the defeats of their teams.
Obviously, after the final victory of Jonquel Jones and company, at the end of a particularly tough Game 5, marked by general clumsiness (31% shooting success for the Liberty, 37% for the Lynx…), it is the first, at the head of the losing team, who closed this ping-pong game about the referees…
“We know we could have done some things better, but we shouldn’t have to compensate so much” explains Cheryl Reeve. “It’s not that complicated, the refereeing isn’t that difficult. »
The 58-year-old technician, already a four-time WNBA champion with Minnesota (2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017), thus aims for the gap in free throws (21/25 for the Liberty, 7/8 for her team), the exit on six faults from Napheesa Collier and especially the fault on Breanna Stewart, which allowed the latter to snatch overtime.
Refereeing, the common denominator of his team's defeats?
Despite the “challenge”, the referees validated the contact, and therefore the free throws of the New York star, while Cheryl Reeve remains convinced that the contact was “marginal at best”.
Particularly upset, the Team USA coach explained that the refereeing had been the common denominator of her team's three defeats during these WNBA Finals, ending with a final tackle on her opponents.
“We gave hope to all the teams who don’t want to cheat with the salary cap or take illegal flights.” she blurted out in reference to the controversies surrounding the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty. “There is no need to have a “Super Team” to have a competitive team. »
Well aware that her criticisms were going to make the headlines and play on repeat on American sports channels, Cheryl Reeve took full responsibility: “Go ahead, this title was stolen from us…”
