Got a New Atti-tude!

The new Mystics are starting the new season today with some new attitude. Forget about the dismal slow start to last season. As Alana Beard told Mike Fratto of the Washington Times

"For us to even think about what we did last year towards the beginning is an insult. But we can remember what we did towards the end because we did keep fighting. If we bring that same attitude this season we will be good to go."

But Head Coach Tree Rollins suggests that with such a young and relatively inexperienced roster, the fans may need to show a little patience as the team grows into a playoff competitor, "finish[ing] what they started" last season:

"We're very young. There's gonna be some nights where it looks like we don't know what the heck we're doing, but there's gonna be other nights where you say 'Wow, they're going to win the championship.'"

Speaking of new Mystics and new attitude, "Mama Taj" McWilliams-Franklin embodies both. Though new to the Mystics, Taj brings a veteran's skills and attitude to the young team. Nakia Sanford told Katie Carrera of the Washington Post ". . . McWilliams-Franklin will help the team mature in a way that only her experience can provide." Meanwhile, Taj seems very happy to be surrounded by so much youth: " . . . all of these young ladies [work hard] . . ., and that makes me excited. I see so much potential here. Potential like Washington hasn't ever seen with the Mystics."

So a new season, with a new attitude, and hopefully a new and better result begins tonight. To follow all the action, tune into NBA.tv beginning at 7 PM, or watch the webcast online at WNBA.com. [See yesterday's post below for details.]

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For Maryland Fans . . . Laura Harper and the Monarchs play their season opener tonight, against a very strong San Antonio team. This game will also be shown on NBA.tv as well as webcast on WNBA.com. Tip off is at 10PM.