From Swish Appeal: For Tulsa Shock, the “quick group” is a key to success
An integral part of Tulsa Shock head coach Nolan Richardson’s hellish forty minutes is the speed at which he pushes his team to play.
And in their 80-74 home loss to the Minnesota Lynx yesterday to open the 2010 season there were two speeds that were somewhat evident to those who saw the game: The fast five and the not-so-fast five. Those on the not-so-fast list are the starters for the Shock – Plenette Pierson, Alexis Hornbuckle, Scholanda Robinson, Shanna Crossley and Kara Braxton.
The starting lineup of veterans got Tulsa in the early 10-4 deficit before being switched out four minutes into the game. After another rotation from the bench back to the starters, the Lynx lead grew while playing against the Shock starting five. The switch to the fast lineup was made again with the scoreboard reading 30-17 in favor of the visitors and 7:46 remaining in the half.
The fast five consisted of Natasha Lacy, Chante Black, Amber Holt, Shavonte Zellous and a combination of rookies Amanda Thompson and Marion Jones in the fifth spot of this line.
These bench players fast-tracked this 13 point deficit into a tie ballgame heading into the midway point – not exactly a small feat.
To read more about the key of quickness, click here.
Other coverage: postgame quotes and game thread
