It’s a regular theme in postgame news conferences for Washington Mystics head coach Tree Rollins.
After talking about why the Mystics won or lost, he’ll offer yet another explanation of his desire to get more playing time for third-year reserve shooting guard Laurie Koehn, who averages the second fewest points (1.5) and minutes (4.4) on the team.
“[She’s] really going to help us in the second half [of the season],” said Rollins after Tuesday’s overtime win against Minnesota. “That’s one of the reasons I want to try and get Laurie in every game, just let her grow as a player on the court. Because in practice, you watch, she just takes over in practices.”
Koehn (pronounced KANE) is deadly from outside — she shot 52 percent from 3-point range in 2006, and 47 percent as a rookie — but most of her exploits this season have been resigned to the practice court. And when a 5-foot-8 sharpshooter checks in at the end of a quarter, it’s not difficult to figure out the Mystics’ game plan.
“I’ve been a little bit frustrated,” said Koehn. “I don’t feel like I’ve been as good as I could’ve been when I’ve gotten opportunities to get in games. When I get minutes, I just want to make the most of them.”
The rural Kansas native will get a chance this weekend to work herself into a rhythm — and state a case for more playing time — when she participates in the 3-point shootout during Sunday’s WNBA All-Star Game festivities.
“A joke I have with her is I’m going to take her home with me and go the playground, and we’re all going to win some money,” said Rollins. “I watched Reggie Miller, coached him for two years and played against him for a number of years, every day she’s making shots. I’ve seen shooters when they’re on. Even with a great shooter like Reggie Miller, he’s on some days, and some days he’d be in practice and not be able to make them. But with Laurie, she never misses.”
