Following a successful home debut, the New York Liberty are set to return to action on May 27 against the 3-0 Connecticut Sun. Before then, The Local W was able to chat with Liberty guard/forward Betnijah Laney at a recent practice. Here is the conversation, which is lightly edited for clarity.
What stood out from the first two games?
I think all of our potential [has stood out]. I think we showed glimpses of how good we really can be. I think that we progressively got better just in those two games along with practice. So I think that this third game will be really good for us.
On the chemistry building process following the end of training camp:
It’s been really good. We’ve had the chance to figure out how each other plays, our strengths, who needs it where and the different things that we want to do. So I think it’d be really good for us. We worked on our communication on both both ends of the floor.
On the success she and the team had in defending the Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell:
I think just knowing that from the jump, you’ve got to stay on her. You can’t make her touches easy. Gotta be aggressive on her the entire time.
What are the early keys to guarding the Connecticut Sun’s DeWanna Bonner?
Just kind of the same thing, just stay aggressive, stay in her space, knowing her moves and everything. It’s just [knowing your personnel] at that point and just continuing to stay down and disciplined on defense.
On the importance of building on the momentum from the end of last season and the sold-out home opener:
I think just knowing that people are watching, that we are able to draw a crowd. People are enjoying the product that we are putting out. So I think as we continue to have that, it’ll just be growth for the league.