A 30-10 record, second-best in defense throughout the season, and winners of the Commissioner’s Cup, Minnesota Lynx had a lot to present this year. Though they would fall short of the New York Liberty in the final minutes for 62-67, Lynx proved to be the best they have in recent years. But for Sheryl Swoopes, never backing down from voicing her observations, the roster missed something that even all the feats could not cover-up.

On the latest episode of Queens of the Court, the Hall of Famer bluntly criticized Cheryl Reeve’s roster, “When I looked at both teams, both rosters, I got to Minnesota and I said this, because someone else said this to me. They said, I had no idea Napheesa Collier was a baller like this. I knew Phee was good. But she was just on a completely different level this year.” But the roster would get the real jab. 

“But when you look at that team, this was really the first year people were talking about Napheesa Collier, as a real, the girl can go. But when you look at that team they don’t really have superstars,” she asserted.

But she might just have a point. Phee has always been that underappreciated star. Despite being a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time All-Star, it was this season the eyes turned to her. This has been the lore since the very beginning of her career. 

During the college days, she graduated with ranking No. 3 all-time in Husky scoring, No. 4 in rebounding and No. 7 in blocked shots. Still, she was picked No. 6 in the WNBA draft. Although there’s no doubt that she did a great job leading Lynx into the Finals, there were a few lacks. With players like Kayla McBride, Minnesota had a great defense throughout the season. However, their offense and three point shooting could’ve done better. Hence, the star power might just be everything they need to get out of the elite 4-time title winning club and be the sole 5x champions. 

Coming back to the WNBA legend, this isn’t the first, and it won’t be the last, Swoopes has taken a shot at the Lynx. After all, she is loyal to the Houston Comets (now disbanded), and they have four WNBA trophies, too. Hence, she can’t see any other franchise surpassing that.

She has made her feelings clear in the past. Remember when Cheryl and Co. questioned (basically blamed) officiating for their loss? The 53-year-old insisted that “the refs don’t even come into play on that.” Even though she acknowledged that the officiating was questionable throughout the season, she believed Liberty’s win was fair. “you can’t have Stewie and Sabrina have those types of games and you not win,” she had countered Reeve on Gil’s Arena. 

But you know what? While the legend does not side with Lynx, she doesn’t support Liberty, either.

Sheryl Swoopes didn’t want either team to win

During the ‘Queens of the Court’ podcast, she admitted it is “hard for me to say congrats to New York.” Her co-host even mentioned how she loved that Swoopes was playing both sides, considering the Liberty fans don’t exactly love the Comets star “because those finals that they came up short were on the hands of Sheryl Swoopes.”

“But, on the other hand, you still want to keep that lore,” she added. This is very much surprising especially at a time when the hooper world is split on who to root for. Previously, in a Gil’s Arean podcast, she straight-up said, “Uhh… Like, I’m happy for them. But I never want New York to win anything. That’s the competitor in me.” 

She went on to explain, “But the other side is I’m glad they did because I also didn’t want Minnesota to be the first team to win five championships.” 

Now, as the dust settles on the 2024 WNBA Finals, it’s clear that she isn’t happy with the win. But as she puts it, “Somebody gotta win.” Her opinions might sting, but they come from a passion for the game. Whether you love her or hate her, you have to respect her honesty and the legacy she brings to the table.