MINNEAPOLIS - Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream got knocked around in Game 1 by the Minnesota Lynx and the star guard said today her team can't let it happen again.
"We're too nice," McCoughtry said as she was lacing up for practice today. "We can't be nice. I know we've got a great group of nice girls, but we've got to be monsters and we can't let them push us around."
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McCoughtry took a nasty fall to the ground in Game 1 running into a hard screen set by the Lynx's Janel McCarville (video above). The Lynx center was asked today what occurred from her vantage point.
"Her people didn't call out the screen and unfortunately she got rocked pretty good," she said. "It was our advantage and we were able to capitalize on that possession."
McCoughtry said instead of complaining about the physical play, her team needs to step it up and get even.
"I got on my teammates, you just don't let anybody do that and just stand there and let them score," she said. "I would knock somebody on their (butt). That's just the atmosphere you have to play in the playoffs. That's not being dirty. That's just fighting and clawing to win and making a statement.
I get beat up, I get demolished every game. Why are we not beating up other teams too and tearing them down physically? Why not?"
Coach Fred Williams said he wasn't surprised about the physicality of the play and expects all his players to step it up in Game 2.
"It's the Finals," he said. "It's about if you want that trophy, you've got to battle and fight for it. You've got to push, shove and if you get knocked down, it's a matter of getting back up."