No grease board is needed, no reference to a playbook that may or may not be the size of the Manhattan phone book.
Sometimes the best alterations are simply verbal. Sometimes that is all that is needed to turn things around, exhibit A being the New York Liberty trailing the Minnesota Lynx 33-28 at halftime Sunday afternoon.
Following halftime, the Liberty came out on the Madison Square Garden floor energized, especially on the defensive end. The result saw Minnesota limited to eleven third quarter points as the Liberty went on to post a 70-61 victory.
What transpired at halftime in the Liberty locker room? Simple, no diagramming of plays or major adjustments on the offensive/defensive end, just a subtle reminder or two from head coach Bill Laimbeer, a reminder that his club lacked energy and was out there playing rather than trying to win. For 20 minutes, his team was not who they really are. He probably added a mention that a better effort could take down a Minnesota team that is very much an elite ballclub.
As noted, whatever was said worked. It was all done without diagramming a solitary play during intermission. They tell us this is a simple game, but there are times coaching can be difficult. On this gorgeous Sunday afternoon, Bill Laimbeer had the perfect answer to his situation. The results were proof.
A panoramic Madison Square Garden view as Minnesota goes on the attack:
Official Natalie Sago during a free throw:
One of Ray's personal favorite images, as depicted in the Garden lounge: Mick Jagger meeting the late great Chuck Berry prior to a 1969 concert:
The scorers' table at halftime, with the remnants of some in-game cuisine:
Minnesota's Maya Moore at the free throw line:
The Garden jumbotron after the win:
A visibly satisfied Bill Laimbeer meets the media following Sunday's victory:
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