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Young Drachma · 12-08-2024, 05:55 PM

1982-83 NBA Playoff Recap: Minnesota Lynx Claim Championship
The Minnesota Lynx captured their first NBA championship since 1972, defeating the Phoenix Mercury in six games behind a transcendent playoff run from MVP Mckinley Rager.

The Road to the Title
First Round

#1 Portland Talons defeated #8 Sacramento Monarchs (4-0)
#4 Los Angeles Sparks defeated #5 Seattle Storm (4-2)
#2 Chicago Sky defeated #7 Las Vegas Aces (4-0)
#3 Phoenix Mercury defeated #6 San Antonio Stars (4-0)
#1 Minnesota Lynx defeated #8 Milwaukee Violets (4-2)
#4 Atlanta Dream lost to #5 Cleveland Rockers (1-4)
#2 Detroit Shock lost to #7 Washington Mystics (0-4)
#3 Philadelphia Belles lost to #6 Orlando Miracle (2-4)

Conference Semifinals

#1 Portland Talons defeated #4 Los Angeles Sparks (4-3)
#2 Chicago Sky lost to #3 Phoenix Mercury (2-4)
#1 Minnesota Lynx defeated #5 Cleveland Rockers (4-3)
#6 Orlando Miracle defeated #7 Washington Mystics (4-2)

Conference Finals

#3 Phoenix Mercury defeated #1 Portland Talons (4-3)
#1 Minnesota Lynx defeated #6 Orlando Miracle (4-1)

NBA Finals

Minnesota Lynx defeated Phoenix Mercury (4-2)
Playoff MVP: Mckinley Rager (Minnesota Lynx)

The Evolution of Excellence: Mckinley Rager's Path to NBA Immortality

There's a small gym in Fouke, Arkansas, where Mckinley Rager's retired high school jersey hangs on the wall. It's a reminder of where this basketball journey began – but it hardly captures where it would lead. As Rager hoists the 1982 NBA Championship trophy, having just completed one of the most dominant playoff runs in league history (34.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.0 APG), it's almost hard to believe this is the same player who began her career coming off the Orlando bench.

"People forget she won Sixth Woman of the Year before she won MVP," says former Orlando coach Sasha Thompson. "Who does that? That's not supposed to be possible."

The first overall pick in the 1975 draft by Orlando, Rager's early career was a masterclass in patient development. She played just 11.7 minutes per game as a rookie, but by her second season had become the league's best reserve, capturing both Sixth Man and Most Improved Player honors while averaging 28.6 points off the bench.

Then came the breakthrough. Over her next two seasons in Orlando, Rager established herself as one of the league's premier scorers, earning All-League honors and establishing herself as a franchise cornerstone. But it was her decision to sign with Minnesota as a free agent in 1979 – a five-year, $21.6 million deal that raised eyebrows at the time – that would truly cement her legacy.

"We knew she was special," says Minnesota GM Theresa Kane. "But what she's become here? That's exceeded even our highest expectations."

In Minnesota, Rager's game reached new heights. Her playmaking flourished – jumping from 4.9 assists per game in her final Orlando season to 6.6 in her first year with the Lynx. The efficiency became otherworldly – she's never shot below 58% from the field during her Minnesota tenure, including an absurd 64.3% during their championship season.

The accolades followed: back-to-back MVPs in 1981 and 1982, three straight All-League First Team selections, and finally, the crowning achievement – the 1982 championship and Finals MVP. Her playoff performance during that run bordered on mythical: 57.7% from the field, 57.6% from three, 98.3% from the line.

"There are scorers, and then there are basketball savants," says Lynx teammate Zoie Kelly. "She sees the game in slow motion. The efficiency isn't just about making shots – it's about knowing exactly which shots to take, and when to take them."

Now, at 30, with two years remaining on her current deal, Rager continues to redefine what's possible on a basketball court. Her 2982-83 campaign (34.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.3 APG) suggests she's still at the peak of her powers. The decision to join Minnesota, which seemed bold at the time, has proven transformative – both for her career and for the franchise.

That jersey hanging in Fouke might represent where the journey began, but Rager's legacy will be felt wherever basketball is played. From sixth woman to MVP, from promising scorer to complete superstar, she hasn't just climbed to the top of her profession – she's redefined what's possible along the way.

12-08-2024, 05:55 PM	#9
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	1982-83 NBA Playoff Recap: Minnesota Lynx Claim Championship The Minnesota Lynx captured their first NBA championship since 1972, defeating the Phoenix Mercury in six games behind a transcendent playoff run from MVP Mckinley Rager. The Road to the Title First Round #1 Portland Talons defeated #8 Sacramento Monarchs (4-0) #4 Los Angeles Sparks defeated #5 Seattle Storm (4-2) #2 Chicago Sky defeated #7 Las Vegas Aces (4-0) #3 Phoenix Mercury defeated #6 San Antonio Stars (4-0) #1 Minnesota Lynx defeated #8 Milwaukee Violets (4-2) #4 Atlanta Dream lost to #5 Cleveland Rockers (1-4) #2 Detroit Shock lost to #7 Washington Mystics (0-4) #3 Philadelphia Belles lost to #6 Orlando Miracle (2-4) Conference Semifinals #1 Portland Talons defeated #4 Los Angeles Sparks (4-3) #2 Chicago Sky lost to #3 Phoenix Mercury (2-4) #1 Minnesota Lynx defeated #5 Cleveland Rockers (4-3) #6 Orlando Miracle defeated #7 Washington Mystics (4-2) Conference Finals #3 Phoenix Mercury defeated #1 Portland Talons (4-3) #1 Minnesota Lynx defeated #6 Orlando Miracle (4-1) NBA Finals Minnesota Lynx defeated Phoenix Mercury (4-2) Playoff MVP: Mckinley Rager (Minnesota Lynx) The Evolution of Excellence: Mckinley Rager's Path to NBA Immortality There's a small gym in Fouke, Arkansas, where Mckinley Rager's retired high school jersey hangs on the wall. It's a reminder of where this basketball journey began – but it hardly captures where it would lead. As Rager hoists the 1982 NBA Championship trophy, having just completed one of the most dominant playoff runs in league history (34.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.0 APG), it's almost hard to believe this is the same player who began her career coming off the Orlando bench. "People forget she won Sixth Woman of the Year before she won MVP," says former Orlando coach Sasha Thompson. "Who does that? That's not supposed to be possible." The first overall pick in the 1975 draft by Orlando, Rager's early career was a masterclass in patient development. She played just 11.7 minutes per game as a rookie, but by her second season had become the league's best reserve, capturing both Sixth Man and Most Improved Player honors while averaging 28.6 points off the bench. Then came the breakthrough. Over her next two seasons in Orlando, Rager established herself as one of the league's premier scorers, earning All-League honors and establishing herself as a franchise cornerstone. But it was her decision to sign with Minnesota as a free agent in 1979 – a five-year, $21.6 million deal that raised eyebrows at the time – that would truly cement her legacy. "We knew she was special," says Minnesota GM Theresa Kane. "But what she's become here? That's exceeded even our highest expectations." In Minnesota, Rager's game reached new heights. Her playmaking flourished – jumping from 4.9 assists per game in her final Orlando season to 6.6 in her first year with the Lynx. The efficiency became otherworldly – she's never shot below 58% from the field during her Minnesota tenure, including an absurd 64.3% during their championship season. The accolades followed: back-to-back MVPs in 1981 and 1982, three straight All-League First Team selections, and finally, the crowning achievement – the 1982 championship and Finals MVP. Her playoff performance during that run bordered on mythical: 57.7% from the field, 57.6% from three, 98.3% from the line. "There are scorers, and then there are basketball savants," says Lynx teammate Zoie Kelly. "She sees the game in slow motion. The efficiency isn't just about making shots – it's about knowing exactly which shots to take, and when to take them." Now, at 30, with two years remaining on her current deal, Rager continues to redefine what's possible on a basketball court. Her 2982-83 campaign (34.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.3 APG) suggests she's still at the peak of her powers. The decision to join Minnesota, which seemed bold at the time, has proven transformative – both for her career and for the franchise. That jersey hanging in Fouke might represent where the journey began, but Rager's legacy will be felt wherever basketball is played. From sixth woman to MVP, from promising scorer to complete superstar, she hasn't just climbed to the top of her profession – she's redefined what's possible along the way.