This morning we quoted Head Coach Tree Rollins' observation about the Mystics: "We're very young. There's gonna be some nights where it looks like we don't know what the heck we're doing . . ."Well, unfortunately, this was one of those nights, as the Mystics struggled from start to finish against the Indiana Fever, managing to put up only 53 points, losing their season opener, 53-64. Yes, the Mystics were without All-Star Alana Beard. But the Fever were without their All-Star Tamika Catchings. So All-Star-wise, that's a draw.
Washington simply did not get sufficient offense from most of its starters to win this game. Unless you're Rutgers, you can't win many games either in D-I basketball or the WNBA scoring only 53 points. Indy's Katie Douglas led all scorers with 24 points. Nakia Sanford led the Mystics and recorded her first double-double of the young season (14 points and 11 boards). However, it wasn't until the waning moments of the game that a 2nd Mystics starter, Mo Currie, made it into double figures, finishing with 10 pts. Taj added 9 (along with 8 boards) and Coco had 7. Crystal Langhorne led the team in bench scoring, putting up 7 points in just under 13 minutes.
The Mystics didn't help themselves by committing 22 turnovers and hitting only 9 of 16 FTs. All in all, not their best effort. A work in progress. And not a particularly fun game to watch.
Coach Rollins warned us there'd be days like this. We were hoping, of course, that today wouldn't be one of them.
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For Maryland Fans . . . Laura Harper's Monarchs had a better opening night, defeating San Antonio, 73-64. Harp played significant minutes coming off the bench (21) and had an excellent first outing; she scored 10 points (hitting 3 of 5 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free throw line), grabbed 5 boards, and blocked 2 shots. Her contribution was such that the headline in the Sacramento Bee for the game story read "Harper Helps Monarchs Win Season Opener."
As we were watching the game, we thought: what a wonderful thing it was to be seeing both former Terrapins, Lang and Harp, on TV on the same night, each making her professional debut, each playing well. We only wish, of course, that like the Monarchs, the Mystics had won.
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Sunday Morning Update. The Mystics' own Sheila Johnson is the author of the "First Person Singular" feature in today's Washington Post Magazine.
posted by BasketCases @ 10:02 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Same BS, different season. Every year, the coaches tell us to hang in there while the Mystics get it together. How long do we have to wait to not be embarrassed? I'm sure there aren't coaches beating down the door at Verizon Center to be the Mystics' Head Coach, but come on! Tree??? And Dr. J needs to stick to her ownership position and stay off the sidelines with her trusy clipboard. Micro-manager much?
Same as it ever was....
Heck with bball. Gotta love Patti and her new attitude. She's the Taj of the dance floor. You go, girls
Yeah, very uninspiring game. I just think of all those chances we had to take the lead in the second half and when we finally did, the Fever went on that run and never looked back. Here's hoping the team can grow up fast, learn from its mistakes Saturday night and pull it together for Thursday.
All I could think while watching was thank goodness the Sparks/Merc game was broadcast on ABC that afternoon and not this one. That was not the Mystics or the Fever's finest performance, to say the least.
I know this is a little off-topic, but did anyone else see this story about the WNBA holding courses on makeup and fashion during the 2008 rookie class ORIENTATION to the league! I'm all for ladies getting foofed up if that's what they want, but shouldn't the women athletes be judged on their ability first? Orender says women athletes have to work harder to be accepted...blah blah blah yes we know. But come on, isn't she just making it worse? I never expected this from the President of the WOMEN'S NBA! The players who want to wear makeup on the court already do. I want the players to focus on their game on the court, not on their mascara smudging. At halftime they should be planning their game attack, not clamoring for mirror time. Honestly, when I go out to play a messy, sweaty pick-up game, I sure don't put my face on beforehand. Ridiculous. If Orender is bent on running this league into the ground she is sure on her way. Don't get me wrong...I've no problem with watching pretty ladies play ball in makeup...if that's their choice to do so without "prodding' from the league. What's next, pantyhose under their shorts to make their legs sleeker and sexier? Use your head, Mrs. Orender.
Article here:
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/sky/cs-080502-wnba-chicago-sky-rookies,1,32377.story
Is it me, or does it seem as if the Mystics management doesn't have a clue as to what they are doing. We cannot achieve championship status without strong guard play (exception AB). Laurie K. is no longer a secret and is unable to create a shot. Obviously there is a problem when we cannot get perimeter shots to fall. What are we suppose to do with Lindsey Taylor???? WE NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mystics need a good point guard, STAT. Does any of the players, besides Laurie K shoot from the perimeter? They are not going to win many game without a good PG and outsider shooters.
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