The Chicago Sky Spoiled the Mystics' home opener tonight, beating Washington, 84-77.
The Mystics dug themselves a very deep hole in the first half, allowing the Sky to score 51 points (to Washington's 33). Ouch. And while the Mystics put on a ferocious charge during the second half -- narrowing the gap to a single possession -- they just could not get over the hump and now drop to 1-2 on the season.
Matee Ajavon (one of the trio who had BIG games in Atlanta on Thursday) had another BIG game tonight. The relentless Matee led all scorers with 24 points in the losing effort. Kelly Miller and Crystal Langhorne put up 15 and 14 points, respectively. And Marissa Coleman finally broke out of her slump, scoring 13 points -- all in the second half. Marissa was a major contributor to the Mystics' not-quite-but-almost-comeback.
While the second half of tonight's game was exciting, it might be better to see a little more defense early in the games, even if it means a little less drama down the stretch. In the first half of their three games so far this season, the Mystics have given up 45, 47, and 51 points, respectively. That's just too many! If they are going to win more games than they lose this summer, the Mystics need to turn up the heat defensively on their opponents . . . well before halftime.
A final comment: before tonight's game, the Mystics unveiled their 2010 Eastern Conference Regular Season Championship banner. It was a bittersweet moment for the BCs. We were there last season, just as we were for each of the prior 12 seasons. And we cheered for the team that earned that banner. We were thrilled for the players for that franchise-record-setting accomplishment. And we were happy for the longtime fans, like us, who had supported this team through thick and thin. But as we watched the spotlight illuminate the new banner tonight, we could not forget that the two people who led the Mystics to that great success, Angela Taylor and Julie Plank, were not there to celebrate as well. And that . . . well, it made us profoundly sad.
The Mystics dug themselves a very deep hole in the first half, allowing the Sky to score 51 points (to Washington's 33). Ouch. And while the Mystics put on a ferocious charge during the second half -- narrowing the gap to a single possession -- they just could not get over the hump and now drop to 1-2 on the season.
Matee Ajavon (one of the trio who had BIG games in Atlanta on Thursday) had another BIG game tonight. The relentless Matee led all scorers with 24 points in the losing effort. Kelly Miller and Crystal Langhorne put up 15 and 14 points, respectively. And Marissa Coleman finally broke out of her slump, scoring 13 points -- all in the second half. Marissa was a major contributor to the Mystics' not-quite-but-almost-comeback.
While the second half of tonight's game was exciting, it might be better to see a little more defense early in the games, even if it means a little less drama down the stretch. In the first half of their three games so far this season, the Mystics have given up 45, 47, and 51 points, respectively. That's just too many! If they are going to win more games than they lose this summer, the Mystics need to turn up the heat defensively on their opponents . . . well before halftime.
Next up for the Mystics: a rematch with the Connecticut Sun on Thursday at the Verizon Center. Washington lost to the Sun on the road last Sunday in the season opener. Thursday's game will give the Mystics an opportunity to avenge that loss and even their season record.
A final comment: before tonight's game, the Mystics unveiled their 2010 Eastern Conference Regular Season Championship banner. It was a bittersweet moment for the BCs. We were there last season, just as we were for each of the prior 12 seasons. And we cheered for the team that earned that banner. We were thrilled for the players for that franchise-record-setting accomplishment. And we were happy for the longtime fans, like us, who had supported this team through thick and thin. But as we watched the spotlight illuminate the new banner tonight, we could not forget that the two people who led the Mystics to that great success, Angela Taylor and Julie Plank, were not there to celebrate as well. And that . . . well, it made us profoundly sad.
posted by BasketCases @ 10:29 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Regular Season Championship?? A/k/a, top seed in one side of the playoff bracket? Query whether any other WNBA team has seen fit to hang a banner for this non-existent "title."
I believe the Liberty has regular season championship banners.
What the Mystics did last year is the equivalent of the Wizards and Caps winning the Southeast Division in the NBA and NHL; the Nats winning the NL East and the Redskins winning the NFC East, so a banner is certainly warranted and well deserved. There's no nicer way to name it since the WNBA has no such thing as divisions unfortunately.
The conference championship banner is legit. The Terp women hanging up banners for getting into the sweet 16 or elite 8 is more of a stretch. However leading the pack on specious is the WNBA "attendance" banners. Ours were all conveniently removed. Perhaps a message that just showing up is no longer valued.
Good game last night. A little D earlier in the game could have made the whole game more of an even match. We're going to regret these close ones.
Very glad to see Marissa being aggressive last night. Even though the shots weren't falling in the first half, she took it to the hoop a couple of times. Hoping this is the player we see the rest of the season.
After I got home last night and saw the other scores, I feel that the East is wide open this season and we won't know who is going to be in the playoffs until the final day.
Dear Rissa,
Welcome back. We missed you!
The Liberty's Eastern Conference Championship banners are all playoff titles, Anonymous @ 12:51. It's been a while, but I remember that much. (It's easy to tell when they're your only ones, sigh, bleep you Nikki Teasley, bleep you Cynthia Cooper.)
I thought I was going to have something on topic to say, but I don't. Sorry. :(
Dear Rissa:
Please stay awhile.
Coleman finally played like she belonged on a roster. Even though all of her scoring was in the second half, she was holding on the rebounds throughout the game, so earned her keep.
What a shame that we don't have Julie Plank coaching and Angela Taylor taking care of business. I don't know how one person can excel in both positions. Sheila started the team destruction when she let those two go. At least we still have Crystal.
I am so impressed with Crystal Langhorne. She really has turned out to be such a great player. Her range this year is impressive. The key is Marissa and Mattee. One playing well this season won't work. They both have to step up. Mattee has so far this season. Hoping the last game is a sign of good things to come for Marissa. They just don't have the bench. All 5 starters have to be really good. I've been impressed with Miller also. Her hairdo is horid but her playing has been very solid.
That banner will turn out to be very important as this year's team, staff, and owner may never see another.
As a Founding Fan, the Mystics home opener used to be a joyous, hopeful occasion every season, it didn't matter how the previous season ended. Saturday has to be the first time I just sat and watched a game- no passion. Even when I had a broken foot, I would hop up and down. My spirit is broken, but I love the players and their efforts so I keep going.
These sentiments are exactly why Sheila Johnson's move was so destructive. There just isn't a fan base to support this team if all the founding supporters start to jump ship.
Of course running a team is expensive, and she may have been backed into a corner. But to blow off the fans as irrelevant in the process was worse than a rookie mistake. It was a slap in the face--and it still stings.
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