Cheryl Reeve did not waste much time in challenging Olivia Miles. The Minnesota Lynx drafted the TCU phenom at No. 2 in the draft and Reeve was all praise for Miles, for the most part. But she did send a clear warning shot. “Bring your defense y’all, bring your defense,” Reeve told Miles, who responded, “I’ll pack it in my bag. ” With Miles geared up to be taken well beyond her capacity, the reality has been rather tame for Miles. 

Cheryl Reeve is known to be rather strict when it comes to players. She is always hard on her team, but especially towards her best players, trying to push them to their limits. “Hold them accountable to standards even beyond their wildest imagination for their own abilities,” Reeve once said. “Great players want to be coached and great players never think that they’re good enough.” Few coaches can replicate her intensity. However, her mythology turned out to be more daunting than the reality for Olivia Miles. 

“I expected a little worse, so I guess great. She’s been in my ear positively, telling me to take care of the ball, look for reads, wait for my timing, and get my spacing right,” Miles said in a training camp press conference. “Coach Reeve is one of the greats, so I can learn from her as well. The two of them are teaching me how to be a quarterback.”

Reeve has already committed to changing how she treats the rookies on her team as far as their playing time is concerned. “Maybe I can shed some of this idea that we don’t play rookies,” Reeve said. “You will see Miles on the floor.” There is a possibility she has molded her process behind the scenes as well, sprinkling in some positivity while maintaining her mantra of accountability. She further praised Miles in her press conference as well. 

“Energetic, she was a good leader. Pace was great,” the 59-year-old said after Miles’ first day at camp.” A lot of times, that can be challenging. Understanding the difference, like it’s a really big jump from college to the pros. I mean, I think obviously she knows how to play. We didn’t do a whole lot today, but what we did do, she excelled at.”

It’s still only the beginning. Miles still has an uphill battle as more challenges will crop up. Like mentioned, her defense will be tested by more athletic, heavier and stronger players. Teams will scout her better. As the floor general, she will need to understand every player’s movements and their game. And in this process of adapting to the pros, Miles is being helped by one of the best guards in the league.

Olivia Miles Reveals The Veteran That is “Probably Tired Of Her”

Cheryl Reeve called Olivia Miles the first “pure point guard” they have had since Lindsay Whalen. She immediately clarified, “No offense to Courtney Williams. ” And none was taken, as Williams was later full of praise for Miles. “I went into the locker room, I was like, yo, you cold… like she’s gonna be a problem,'” said Courtney Williams. Despite sharing the same position, Williams is becoming the mentor rather than the competitor for the youngster. 

“I’ve been going to her a lot. She’s probably tired of me because I’ve been asking so many questions, but she’s that type of vet,” Miles said regarding Williams. “She’s open and willing to give me advice. On the court, it’s fun and full of energy. She can pass as well, so we’re bouncing off each other.”

The personality of Williams is magnetic. The Stud Bud is unfiltered and leaves everything out there regardless of whether it’s a teammate or an opponent, as she even advised the No. 1 pick, Azzi Fudd, during a discussion. In addition, with Miles on the team, Williams could even benefit. She considers herself more of a combo or “lead” guard. 

With Miles on the roster, Williams can play off the ball and focus on her scoring and defense. Miles has elite vision and passing ability, arguably even better than Williams. The former TCU star had an assist rate of 36.4% in her senior season, ranking among the best in college basketball. 

On the other hand, Williams had an assist rate of 35.4% last season. So, Williams could return to being the primary or the secondary scorer with Miles handling the ball distribution.  Cheryl Reeve has a potentially league-leading duo on her hands. The Lynx, despite losing multiple stars, remain firmly among contenders to start the season.