Liberty Provide Spectacle For Kids In Win Over Atlanta

New York Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer (Photo by Jeff Auger – Double G Media)

Michael Cooper, a year ago saw a team that would return to glory and restore the Dream to Eastern Conference prominence. But the Liberty, one of only three WNBA teams with winning, abeit the best three records, sent Atlanta (9-9) to average-ville while displaying their growing depth in an impressive 86-62 win on Camp Day at Madison Square Garden.

The Liberty (16-6), simply have learned how to win, in any place, scenario, or with any player. Tanisha Wright organizes the attack. Sugar Rodgers is the long-distance carrier. Tina Charles is the battleship with all the big guns.

“The first unit is to set the tone and I think they (the bench) have been doing a great job to follow after us or to pick up where we left off or to do what we weren’t doing out there,” Charles explained.

This bench has seen excellent play from Kiah Stokes and Brittney Boyd, seasoned with a quality year of experience behind them. Zahai B is bringing athletic size to the mix and Aussie Rebecca Allen is showing that she can just play the total game. Let’s not forget the glue of the second attack, veteran Shavonte Zellous, who is looking smooth now and very much like the player who helped lead Indiana over this same Liberty team and to within one game of a WNBA championship.

“I thought our bench played very well and that they made great strides,” Liberty Head Coach Bill Laimbeer proudly pointed out.

The difference was the 15-2 third quarter run that opened a tenuous ten point lead at the half to twenty as Tina Charles scored eight of her 18 game high points.

“I thought we were very active on both sides of the ball,” Laimbeer said. “We did to them what they usually do to us: get second chance points.”

Amanda Zahui B, scorer of nine fourth quarter points and frustrating Atlanta enough to lose their composure, continues to amaze.

“Setting a defense is always important and it just helps a team build a lead,” Amanda summarized.

The Liberty did just that and now travel Minnesota to battle the defending champion Lynx, the team New York is chasing for the second best record in the WNBA.