Normally you wouldn't think these two sports have much in common, but lately, after watching the Mystics slide downhill fast, we're beginning to wonder.
Tonight, at home, the Mystics lost their 5th game in the last 6; and they lost to a team they really couldn't afford to lose to. Nonetheless, San Antonio -- a Western Conference team that's only managed to win about a third of their games so far this season -- exited the Phone Booth with a "W,"while the Mystics earned another "L." Final score: Silver Stars 79, Mystics 75.
And although the score was close, it's not like the game was even a particularly enjoyable one. It was sloppy and somewhat lackluster. Twenty Mystics turnovers (including 17 steals by the Silver Stars) leading to 23 San Antonio points . . . that's not pretty basketball. Perhaps the Mystics, with their short bench, are showing some signs of fatigue; or perhaps other teams have seen the Mystics enough by now that they've figured out ways to disrupt the flow. In any case, the playoffs (which seemed a near certainty a few weeks ago) are beginning to slip and slide away.
This evening's game was the first half of a back-to-back for the Mystics. They head to Indianapolis in the mornimg to face the first-place Fever on Friday night. If ever a team needed a big momentum-shifting win, this would be it. The Mystics, for the most part, have fared well against the Fever this season. Let's hope they can play better basketball tomorrow and put an end to the slide. (BTW, a Mystics loss tomorrow coupled with a Liberty win -- they host the L.A. Sparks -- would mean that this time tomorrow, New York and DC would be in a dead heat for the 4th playoff position.)
Go Mystics (end the slide) . . . Beat the Fever!
posted by BasketCases @ 10:44 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
The only thing I can hope is that they were saving it for tomorrow. Monique did pretty well, and I think Houts with some minutes managed to get some points and give Lindsay some rest.
Katie - what a trooper - I could see the welt on her head from the 200 section (slight exaggeration) and she shook off going to the bench.
The Mystics have got to bring their A game (no turnovers, well 1/2 the turnovers would probably do it) and get the next 2 games.
Go Mystics!!! You can do it!!!! You kind of have to!!
What is missing? Katie was playing amazing defense - at one point she faced a two-on-one fast break and somehow prompted the offense to pass the ball off to a third trailing player. (Does she have a force field?)
Houts looked decent, and gave Lindsey some well-earned bench time.
I'll assume that Coach Plank had a reason for going with the short lineup - it led to some odd match ups, but the only height advantage came when Michelle was limiting Nakia, so extra height wasn't the answer for us.
We were proud that Nakia went without fouling for so deep into the game. Our section normally jokes that we will stand up until the first basket or the first Nakia foul. That would mean we would be sitting down within 30 seconds.
Mo scored good points, but it doesn't look like she's triggering offense from anyone else.
The look bad right now. Very sloppy and a lot of one on one. Not sure what's happened. Sanford and Melvin have not come through like the did in the first half of the season. It's disappointing.
In the beginning of the season it seemed like wwe would have a game and then be off for 5 or 6 days. Then we would have several games in a week, and then nothing. And 2week of during the All-Star killed us. Now the longest break between games has been 3 games. The scheduling and the officiating sucks. When Alana went down, we hoped were would make the playoffs. Then I heard talk of championship. We have 8 active players and you can see some of them hurting. WNBA officials need to re-think the no IR clause. I agree with the person who said that other teams are learning about us. But you know, I would rather have a small slump now and then peak ourselves into the playoffs.
Can the Cases explain again why the Mystics couldn't pick up someone to replace Beard? That has got to be the most ridiculous rule - a player is out for the year before the year starts and you can't replace them. It makes absolutely no sense.
As long as an injured player remains under contract with the team, she counts as part of the 11-player roster. The Mystics could only have replaced Beard if they released her, which they obviously were not about to do. This is of course just an explanation of the rule, not a defense.
-- BC
Sigh. We look like a tired team. Coaches have to "nurse" every semi-healthy body's minutes in practices and games! I don't envy them!!Interesting line ups, but we have to try to throw new looks at folks. Hopefully we'll get our swagger back with some rebounding, blocked shots, steals---defense ladies, defense!
Kia only played 11 minutes last night. It felt to me like she was injured or sick... any knowledge out there?
I was wondering about Kia too. They announced her as a starter, then put Chas in. Marissa looked pretty good last night. Why didn't they give her more minutes? Great job by the rookie, Houts. That's looking like a good trade. Katie Smith is amazing!! Last night a golf ball size lump on her head, Sunday a bloody nose, and she still plays amazing defense. I hope she comes back for another year.
Go Mystics!! Beat Indy!
I forgot to mention, probably the best thing that happened at the game yesterday, the musical interlude by the Mystics (Alana, Kia, and Matee). What talent!! :)
That was funny...Alana and mattee were very funny in that skit. Kia only played 11 mins because she wasn't playing well. Melvin and Kia are not playing the same and it's hurting the team. Marissa was okay last night but like the rest of her teammates, turned the ball over too much.
You're right. The best thing about last night was the musical interlude. Very funny. They need to put it up on their web site. I agree with your comment about Marissa turning the ball over too much, but she did get a few good shots and rebounds. I would have left her in for awhile longer.
A mysterious special guest for the Sunday game that requires security measures. Perhaps Michelle and the girls will FINALLY get to a Mystics game?
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