Confounding all reason

The WNBA strains my sports psychology sensibilities.

Last year there was hardly a game when the Los Angeles Sparks didn't look disjointed and out of sync on the court. But after they lost in the playoffs, All-Star forward Candace Parker told reporters that she'd never been on a more close-knit team in her life.

Yesterday Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve and her four team captains had a three-hour "get it together" meeting, in lieu of practice. Tonight the Mystics routed them, 79-61.

For whatever reason, team chemistry, cohesion and winning patterns in the WNBA remains elusive, and contradictory to any sports study I've read, or produced in getting my Master's degree.

The playoffs are wide open, and so are the conference titles. The next few weeks will be truly interesting.

In tonight's other match up, the red hot Liberty hammered the Stars, 73-45.

Sky:

How Elena Delle Donne is handling the pressure of her monster season.

Sparks:

Candace Parker is filling the box score like few have before her.

Shock:

The Shock are still in good shape for the playoffs.

Storm:

Rookie forward Ramu Tokashiki will miss four games to play for the Japanese National Team in Asia's championship.

Fever:

Amid personal and professional tragedy, Jeanette Pohlen has persevered.

College news:

Martina Wood is a new assistant coach at Bucknell.