If This Evening's Performance was any indication, it looks like the newly redesigned Mystics still need some work, as they lost their season opener to the Connecticut Sun, 89-73.With Alana in her all-too-familar spot on the bench due to a sprained foot (and Mo out for the season), the Mystics' backcourt struggled to generate any offensive output. In the early going, the young frontcourt tandem of Langhorne and Anosike kept the Mystics in the game, as the two combined for 19 first quarter points. However, the Mystics' guards didn't score a single field goal until about 12 minutes into the game.
Without backcourt production, and with less than stellar defense, Washington trailed at the end of the first 10 minutes. Connecticut increased the margin in each of the remaining three periods to claim the victory by 16 over the Mystics.
With their next game on the road Thursday against the Atlanta Dream, the Mystics need a healthy Alana, and they need improvement in a number of areas if they are to avoid an embarrassing loss on national TV (ESPN2). The team we saw tonight sure didn't look ready for prime time.
posted by BasketCases @ 9:54 PM
24 comments
24 Comments:
There's a report out of Connecticut that Alana is out for a couple weeks.
Doom and gloom, babies.
It's just one game....
But I think it'll be the first game in what will be a very long season.....
Let's agree that we won't be shocked and surprised if - at some point in the not too distant future - someone in the Mystics organization refers to this as a "rebuilding year" and acts as if they had nothing to do with dismantling our great team (and coaching staff) from last year.
Ted's already got the blog post written and ready.
Marissa Coleman took 6 shots. 6 shots! She needs to be more aggressive. Lang can't carry this team. She needs help.
Coleman's +/- was +4 which was the only positive number for any Mystic player.
But she does need to take more shots and make more shots.
I wonder if Beard will ever play again - I mean play at a high level every game for a whole season. I kinda don't think so.
And yeah they'll be talking about it being a "rebuilding" year tomorrow.
So, who's the top player coming out of college next year?
Don't forget, the Mystics traded their first round pick next year for Anosike. All they have now is Atlanta's first from the Harding deal.
God, one game against a team that has mst of its players returning and a rookie get hot with 4 3s. I think there are too many people hoping this team loses. I saw positives. My one negative was Matee. Come on girl, play team play. Quit trying to make all the shots. Where's the passng game. She was what, 1 for 8.
Your posts looked fabulous. Lang looked good, Nicky looked good, even Ta'Shia Phillips got in on the action.
But your guards... y'all really need Beard back. (However, I think you'll have the fewest shot clock violations in the league with Ajavon on the floor. ;))
Atleast Matee takes shots. I know her shooting percentage wasn't good but that's the way it goes sometimes. Matee is aggressive and that's the way you need to be. She needs to whisper in Marrissa's ear and tell her to be the same way. If it doesn't go in, it doesn't go in but at least try.
Man, I forgot we traded our first round pick for Anisoike. that's too bad.
What's going on with Beard? Hopefully she won't be out long. Do the BC's know what her injury is?
Anonymous,
All we know about Alana's injury is what we read in the Washington Post: "...she [Alana] sprained her left foot. Coach Trudi Lacey said the injury is unrelated to Beard’s ankle problem..." and what was reported by AP in yesterday's game summary: "Lacey said she [Alana] suffered a bruised left foot in the preseason and is “day to day.”
--BC
I read somewhere that Alana is likely to be out 2 weeks.
During the game my husband, who obviously hasn't been listening to me rant all winter, said "Maybe this is a rebuilding year." It absolutely is, and that's the point. It didn't need to be.
I've decided to enjoy the summer of watching women's basketball--without being emotionally invested in the Mystics.
Really sad commentary from a longtime season ticket holder--and I won't be renewing for next year.
Mel Greenberg:
Beard, who made the trip from Washington, spoke of her latest misfortune.
“It’s getting better. Same ankle, same foot (as last year), Beard said. “This is nothing compared to what I went through so that’s why I’m taking it as it comes and I know eventually I’m going to be back. It’s a seven to 14 day recovery and considering it’s an ankle injury you don’t want to force things and rush back.”
I doubt that AB will make it through the season. We need a shooting guard that makes shots!
we do need guards that can make shots. I feel like the 2011 could be the 2011 Terps....good inside play but poor guard play (not counting A Thomas of course). Everybody will just pack in the paint....
I feel bad for Alana Beard. A great player and I hope for her sake she can shake all of these injuries.
Mystics Insider Update on Beard's Injury and Phillips current injury:
http://is.gd/GtJwtF
Dear Anonymous,
Thanks for the link. We're certainly hoping Alana gets healthy enough to play . . . SOON!
--BC
I'm wondering if Alana's best days are behind her with all of these injury woes. Of course, I hope not, but I can't help but wonder. She didn't look all that great in the pre-season, before this latest injury.
The Mystics are able to add a player under the "hardship clause" (having only 8 players able to play). So, having only one Center on the roster (Anosike), do the Styx find a tall player? Possibly one who's been on the team before (Monroe) or one who's been in training camp(Frazee or Robinson)? Nooooooooooooo. They pick up a reserve forward waived by the Sun - Kerri Gardin.
The Mystics have now defined 'hardship.'
And, I think it's pretty clear why Trudi Lacey's WNBA record has been dismal. This is downright pathetic. Nolan Richardson has set a pretty clear path for dismantling a successful franchise. Too bad the Mystics decided to follow the same path.
Why didn't they pick up Melvin?
Or maybe that bridge was burned.
Gardin is a truly undistinguished player.
Dear Sue/Durham and Section 100,
The BCs were busy drafting a short post about this emergency roster move by the Mystics at the same time you were posting your comments.
As you will see, we too wondered why Kerri was signed, and not a true "Big" like Jacinta Monroe.
Thanks for your comments!
--BC
If Marissa doesn't start to play better, she is endanger of being released. If Gardin outplays her, it's not out of the question.
Post a Comment
<< Home