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The 86-81 victory of the Phoenix Mercury in game 4 of the WNBA semifinals eliminated the Lynx de Minnesota from the Playoffs containment. An injured collier naphesa observed from the lateral line when the improved Lynx postseason race came to an end on Sunday.
Collier suffered an ankle injury in the final minute of game 3 of the semifinal series. The referees did not call a foul against Mercury Alyssa Thomas forward after she contacted the Lynx star. The non -spoil caused a strong reaction from Lynx chief coach, Cheryl Reeve.
After a confrontation with the officials, Reeve was expelled and then fined by the WNBA for criticizing the officials during a press conference after the game.
During its availability of seasonal media on Tuesday, Collier read a prepared statement. Collier, the vice president of the WNBA players association and unique co -founder, disagreed with the leadership of the league.
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Napheesa Collier was injured during game 3 of the playoff game of the WNBA of Minnesota Lynx against Phoenix Mercury. (Jordan Johnson/NBAE through Getty Images)
“Then, first of all, I would like to congratulate Mercury for advancing to the finals, and I want to be clear, this conversation is not about winning or losing,” Collier began.
“It is something much bigger. The true threat to our league is not money. It is not about grades or even lost calls or even physical game. It is the lack of responsibility of the League office.”
Collier also demanded changes in the way in which the League games were officiated.
“Since I have been in the League, you have heard the constant concerns about arbitration, and now it has reached levels of inconsistency that affect our sport and undermine the integrity in which it works. If the league matters the health of the players, but that also does not care about the product that we put in the true auto-auto-auth-on-on.
WNBA Penalizes Lynx Cheryl coach Reeve with a historical fine after the outbreak of the playoff game, ejection: report
Collier acknowledged that he would not have been healthy enough to take the court even if Minnesota advanced to the next round of the playoffs.
“The League has a fashion word that have been implemented as conversation points for the CBA on why they cannot pay the players what we are worth,” he said.
Napheaes Collier has demanded changes in the way in which the League games are officiated. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn images)
“That word is sustainability. But what is really unsustainable is to maintain a good product on the floor while allowing officials to lose control of the games. Fans see it every night. The coaches, both winners and lost, indicate it every night in the media prior to the game.
Collier then recalled an interaction he had with the WNBA Cathy Engelbert commissioner in February.
“I sat in front of Cathy (Engelbert) and asked him how I planned to address the officiating problems in our league,” Collier said. “His answer was: ‘Well, only the losers complain about the referees,” he said.
The eaves of Minnesota Lynx injured, Naphesa Collier, receives help outside the court during the second half of game 3 of the WNBA semifinals against Phoenix Mercury on Friday in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
“I also asked how I planned to fix the fact that players like Caitlin [Clark]Angel [Reese] and Paige [Bueckers]That they are clearly promoting massive income for the league, they are doing so little during their first four years. His answer was: “Caitlin should be grateful to win $ 16 million outside the court, because without the platform that the WNBA gives it, it would do nothing.”
“And in that same conversation, she told me: ‘The players should be on your knees thanking their stars of luck for the agreement of the rights of the media that I got them.” That is the mentality that drives our league from the top. “
Shortly after Collier’s press conference, Engelbert addressed All-Star comments.
“I have the utmost respect for Naphesa Collier and for all WNBA players,” Engelbert said in a statement. “Together, we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My approach remains to guarantee a brilliant future for players and WNBA, including collaboration on how we continue to raise the game.
“I am discouraged by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and the leadership of the league, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to players and this work will not hesitate.”
Collier then admitted that he would probably receive a fine of the league.
“I’m sure they will fine me,” Collier told journalists. “I mean, it seems that anything with freedom of expression is fined now.”
Collier’s comments are produced as the low season, a period that will focus on whether a new collective bargaining agreement can be reached.
