Buzzmaster

  (2:58 PM)

Minnesota Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen will be here at the top of the hour to take your questions!

Buzzmaster

  (3:00 PM)

Lindsay is here!

Charles (Columbia, SC)

Do you think the chemistry you've built on the court with Seimone Augustus and Maya Moore will help the Olympic squad in London?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:01 PM)

Yeah, I think that's definitely going to be a positive for us. Having a couple of players that have played together for a few years. That cohesiveness will help for Team USA.

Eddie (Maryland)

What is like playing on a team with so much talent at every position and how do you make sure your are facilitating to everyone on the court to get your team going in the right direction? Oh and can you follow our twitter blog @basketballminds ?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:02 PM)

It's one of my No. 1 jobs to do is to make sure everybody is involved and everyone is put into a good situation to be successful. As a PG, it's something that's important to me. It's a good balance. I feel like it's something that when we do that well, it makes us hard to guard.

Machen (Minneapolis, MN)

Are you approaching going into the Olympics differently than a WNBA season?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:03 PM)

I think there are some differences. We are in the middle of our season in the WNBA. It's the Olympics. It's my first Olympics. I think I will go in and try to help the team better every day. It's what I've done to make my way on the team, so I just need to improve and get better.

bryce jeffers (west des moines iowa)

with the league getting tougher with san antonio getting hot and seattle getting better how much harder do u think it will be to win back to back championships?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:04 PM)

I think it's going to be a good challenge. Those teams are getting better every game. We have some big challenges in front of us. San Antonio's on Sunday. We have to focus on what we need to do to get better and improve every day in practice.

Casey (Minnesota)

What is it like to be an Olympian? Are you ever taken aback by the slew of greatness you're around?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:05 PM)

Yeah, it's pretty cool. It's really exciting to see all of the great players on the floor. It's a lot of fun to play and practice every day. The practices are tough. There are a lot of good people there. For me, it's just to come in and do whatever the team needs each day.

Chris (dinkytown, mn)

How does your experience of leading the Gophs to a Final Four compare with helping the Lynx win a championship?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:05 PM)

I think there are some similarties to the teams. We had some good team chemistry. That's always big. It's a big piece and probably the biggest similarity between the two teams.

kevin (macon ga)

Everyone says you and Sue Bird are the two best PGs in the W. How much of a rivalry is there between you?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:06 PM)

I have looked up to her for a long time. Any time we play, it's going to be a challenge. She's such a great player. When we get together for the national team, we talk a lot on the court. When we play together it's always fun because I know she's always thinking the game.

Corey (St. Cloud, MN)

With all the success the Lynx have been having the past couple seasons, there is support and excitement from Minnesota fans that there hasn't been for a women's team since you were the enormously popular star of the Gophers' Final Four team. Therefore, how special has it being a big reason for the hometown Lynx's success?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:08 PM)

It's been great. In college, it first started to kick off. I feel the similarities in the crowd numbers compare to where it got to my senior year. It's really taken off and winning the championship helped, but I think these last few games the fans have really gotten supportive. If we keep winning, I think it's something the fans will want to see.

ML (Minneapolis)

What challenges must the Lynx overcome to continue to win on the road?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:09 PM)

Just sticking together on the road. It's just us there. We know we have each other's backs. It's just the team. Keeping to work on defense and working on our principles, making sure we're helping on defense and making the right reads on offense.

Troy (Oakdale, MN)

One of my favorite things about watching Lynx games is following your intensity. Where did you learn to stare down a ref? And what's your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:10 PM)

That's just part of the game, part of being into it and being competitive. I don't know it's one of those things that happens. I know when I'm doing it and I don't really mean to. Hopefully the refs don't get mad at me if I give them a look every now and then.

Justin Eckblad (Minneapolis, MN)

What motivates/drives/inspires you to perform at the top of your game everyday? If I can ask a 2nd question: Is there anything in particular that you're looking forward while in London?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:11 PM)

Just trying to get better. You never want to feel like you're as good as you want to be. You want to strive to get better. You want to have a long career, having fun. You want to do what you can to get beter.

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:11 PM)

I think it's being around the atmosphere of the Olympics. Seeing the city and the sights. Overall being in the Olympic spirit will be pretty cool.

Tina Payton (Saint Paul)

Is the 2012 Lynx team the best team that you have ever played on?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:12 PM)

Yeah, we have the right people. We have great coaches, great people. It's hard to compare team to team, but it can definitely be a team that you look at fondly, because everyone gets along, pushes each other and holds everyone accountable.

Michelle (H)

With who are you looking forward to play with on team USA?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:13 PM)

It's hard to pick out an individual. I haven't played with Candace Parker yet. I saw her in Seattle for a couple of days and thought we got along, but we haven't played with her yet. It would be fun.

Shades (Minneapolis)

Can a second WNBA Championship ever be as sweet as the first one?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:14 PM)

That's so hard to say. I'm just happy that we have one. It was really fun.

penkrick (burnsville mn)

What are you doing to keep the intensity up as the Lynx clearly seem to be well above the rest of the league this year?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:15 PM)

It comes from Coach. She really wants us to improve every day. She pushes us every day. We have coaches that push you and that makes you push yourself. I give her credit for that.

Andrew (Arcadia)

How has rookie Devereaux Peters added to your team?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:15 PM)

She's brought in some real serious energy off the bench and aggressiveness. She's fiesty and really into it and aggressive. I love playing with her and having her on the team. You know you're getting her best.

kevin (macon ga)

Many teams and players get complacent after winning a championship. What have the Lynx done to avoid that?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:17 PM)

It's the challenge of getting back and continuing to get better. We won last year so of course everyone is going to give an effort. The challenge of repeat hasn't been done in 10 years. And enjoying every moment. Every shoot around. You never want to take anything for granted.

Shanavia McFadden (Sumter, SC)

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:18 PM)

Yeah, I have a bunch, actually. I always have to have my left ankle taped before my right ankle. I always say a prayer during the national anthem, for no injuries for either team. Those are probably the biggest two. Then I have a bunch of others that just come randomly, but those are the two big ones.

Regina (NY)

What is the biggest thing basketball has taught you?

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:19 PM)

It's taught me a lot about being on a team and being unselfish. Being a part of something that you just want to help other people get better. Being a part of a group that has to come together to have a common goal. Being unselfish and doing the right thing by your teammates.

Lindsay Whalen

  (3:19 PM)

Thanks for the time out. I appreciate it!