Saturday, July 28, 2007

Cellar Dwellers.

The Mystics began the game against the Shock this afternoon just as they'd left off on Tuesday against the Storm, with a well-played quarter of basketball that put them ahead, 22-16, after ten minutes.

Unfortunately, the Mystics then reverted to form, pulling what has become all too typical this season -- a disappearing act. They were absent for most of the second 10 minutes, a period in which they did not score a single field goal until there were 8.3 seconds left in the half. That 2-pointer and 4 made free throws gave the Mystics a grand total of 6 points (!!) in the second quarter, sending them to the locker room with Detroit leading 37-28.

The third quarter wasn't much better, as the Mystics scored only 14 points to the Shock's 24. Finally, as they have done repeatedly this season, the Mystics decided to play the last quarter, outscoring Detroit 22-15. But as it has been so many times, the effort was too little too late, and Detroit won, 76-64.

DeLisha Milton-Jones led the Mystics in scoring and rebounding today, with 17 points and 7 boards. But while Dee hit 50% from the floor, the Mystics as a team shot only 33.3%, which typically does not win ball games and did not win one today. Nor does failing to crash the glass or box out. Even though the Shock were playing without the human rebounding machine, Cheryl Ford, they outrebounded the Mystics 49-20, an astonishing disparity. Simply put, it was not a good outing for the Mystics, and the fans left depressed. While the BasketCases had hoped that Tuesday's terrific 45-minute effort against Seattle meant an end to only partially played games, it seems this was not to be.

Before today's game, the Mystics, the Sky, and the Liberty were tied for 4th place in the Eastern Conference. But this afternoon's loss sends the Mystics back to the cellar, alone, with a record of 10-14, while Detroit clinched a playoff berth.

6 Comments:

At 9:25 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just a very poor outing all the way around. We were much more aggressive on the boards against Seattle than we were Saturday night. I remember us building the 22-13 lead, only to get outscored 17-1 after that. Not good times, folks. :-(

 
At 1:48 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I give up ! After 10 years, I will not be buying anymore season tickets.

I was feeling like a fool anyway for paying $65 for a ticket that going for 1/2 price or less to anyone else.

 
At 2:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am depressed. The Mystics playing or lack of playing is the occasion.

 
At 5:13 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Past Mystic teams had less talent but they played with a heck of a lot of more heart. This team... tired??? I know that I'm tired of watching them slack off.

 
At 1:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I too am tired of Mystics losing seasons. I moved to Maryland in 1993 just in time to catch a run of 10+ years of UMaryland women's basketball misery. I kept on going to games and after many emails begging Debbie Yow to get a new coach, things have turned around.

Luckily, because of title IX, women's college basketball won't go away. But women's pro basketball in the USA needs our (financial) support or it will go away! I urge fans of women's basketball to keep buying tickets. Cheer for the other team if you must...but support women's professional sports!

Regards, Susan L (a.k.a., Kia Sanford Fan Club Prez., basketball head, multiple "fan-of-the-day" crazy.)

 
At 12:06 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Such a profusion of gloom and doom after the joy of last Tuesday’s win over LJ and the Storm! Beyond the anemic rebounding, two things occured to me in the aftermath of the latest loss: (1) the Mystics are a talented team, but lack depth & consistency; (2) there’s a lot of talent spread among the W’s 13 teams, and nobody’s unbeatable. The Shock are definitely the Beasts of the East, though. Even with Ford removed from the line and Kara Braxton, the ASG starting center (!) relegated to the bench, Detroit is really formidable.

AS Susan L. says, the W needs continued support. Candace Parker deserves to play on after her college years, and a player and person like Alana Beard should have a team that's truly worthy of her. Let's hope it happens someday.

 

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