Why Does the W.N.B.A. #SayHerName? Ask Angel McCoughtry

“They’re hungry to get there. They want it,” McCoughtry said she thought at the time. “And I’m going to add some veteran leadership. It’s like, ‘This is the perfect place for me to be.’”

Laimbeer’s bluntness has not wavered since that first meeting, a quality McCoughtry said she had always “craved” in a coach. She said Laimbeer’s direct style most reminded her of Jeff Walz, her college coach at Louisville, and the legendary Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma, whom McCoughtry has played for with Team U.S.A.

“When she’s not engaged at the mental level or the physical level I think she should be, I will tell her in front of everybody else,” Laimbeer said.

Yet Laimbeer is also quick to praise.

The coach said McCoughtry was striking the right balance between imparting knowledge without being overbearing. She has taken a particular mentoring interest in Jackie Young, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2019, who plays the same position and is a spark off the Aces’ bench.

“As soon as she got here, she’s really just been someone that I can count on to just talk to,” Young said. “Somebody that motivates me. Somebody that’s just been in the league for a really long time and understands the game. So any time I have any questions or if I’m getting down or just whatever it is, she’s just always there to help me.”

McCoughtry’s off-court approach with teammates is translating to games. Laimbeer compared it with last year when the Aces acquired Liz Cambage, whom he said once had a reputation, like McCoughtry, as someone who too often took over games in a way that was detrimental to the team. Both have changed minds with their play in Las Vegas, he said.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/29/sports/basketball/Angel-McCoughtry-breonna-taylor.html