A Shocking Development
Before tonight, the Tulsa Shock were generally considered to be the worst team in the WNBA.
Before tonight, the Tulsa Shock were generally considered to be the worst team in the WNBA.
Tonight, in Tulsa, the Mystics lost to the Shock, 77-59.
posted by BasketCases @ 10:31 PM
47 comments
47 Comments:
Pathetic.
Wheels came off in the 4th quarter.
I feel sorry for the players. They seem lost.
This season is getting worse by the minute.....
Anybody actually watch it? What did the team look like?
They looked terrible, but considering the coach, what do we expect!
I don't know enough to know whether its Trudy or the players or both. From best to the worst. We don't have enough scorers and our defense appears bad.
The Mystics shot 33% against 46% for the Shock, they are 40% on the year against 50%.
That is not going to win games.
I'm shocked that Trudy isn't excelling at coaching a WNBA team (oh...what's that? Look at Charlotte? Hmmm, I guess as a business woman Johnson knew that past performance is never an indicater of future performance).
I'm tired of watching Trudy run the same losing plays every time.
I'm tired of watching Trudy scream at the players (there's a reason it's called "coaching").
I'm tired of watching the players look more and more defeated with each game.
I'm tired of the bozo management moves, like not having 2 sets of cards for the Kay Jewelers' game, which left one partipant just standing there until someone strolled out with the second set of cards.
I'm tired of intereviews where Alana says she's no longer obsessed with basketball (is she ever playing again?).
The only thing I'm not tired of is the players on the court. But now I just feel sad when I watch them. They deserve better.
Our team is in shambles. This can't be counted as a building year either. Because of last year's management decisions, we lost a very competent and hard working general manager, a talented and knowledgeable coach, and great players who didn't want to stay. The Mystics organization gets what they deserve. I feel sorry for the players first and the ticket holders second.
I wonder if the GM has met with the owner to discuss replacing the coach?? :)
Yeah, just not a good shooting team (besides Lang). Defense is poor. Without Mo and Harding--2 all stars--we just aren't a good team. Most of the team's starters are really backups. The only true starter is Lang and possibly (not convinced yet) Nicki. Matee is better coming off the bench. Coleman--backup if that, miller-solid backup.
Wow, the team that beat us in the 1st round of the playoffs is 1-4. Lindsey is averaging 6 points a game. Katie is averaging 5.3 ppg. Kelly Miller is averaging 12.4. Phoenix is 0-3. Are these other teams demanding to replace the coach? Are they panicking? And those teams returned almost all of their starting players. God, I hope the players do not read this blog. Why would you want to play for fans who are so negative on this team.
well said Not A Fair Weather Fan!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
My sentiments exactly, Not A Fair Weather Fan!!
Dear Not a FWF & friends:
The implication that anyone who is critical of the team's direction on or off the court this year is simply a "fair weather fan" is unfair and offensive. Many of us have been through hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes with this team for more than 13 seasons, and we are entitled to our opinions, as are you. But to suggest this makes anyone who disagrees with you a FWF is inappropriate.
-BC
Well said, BCs. I hope the players ARE reading this blog. Everyone adding comments is doing so because we love the team (it's possible love the players but hate the management--just look at Redskins fans). But the reality is that WNBA teams fold all too often, and repeating the mistakes of Charlotte just doesn't bode well.
Last year we finally had the magic that makes a team click, and Sheila Johnson tossed it away. Now we're also losing the fans who got interested after last year's successes. How does that help the financial bottom line?
I want to continue spending my summers scheduling vacations and time with friends around Mystics games. I want to keep watching the players I've come to respect so much--but I want them in a Mystics uniform. And that's why I'm so frustrated this year.
The facts are the fact. This team will not succeed with Trudy. I was disappointed when I found out she was going to be the coach because I remember her from Charlotte. I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, and 4 or 5 games to show that she had improved. Nothing has changed. The team should not be playing that poorly. There are 4 rookies on this team. Don't forget her nickname - Rookie Killer.
When Monumental Sports and Entertainment took over the Mystics we were told there was a plan to make the franchise a success. A couple of seasons ago we were told that the personnel were finally in place to execute that plan. We were led to believe that last season's success was the foundation upon which a bright future would finally be built.
And then, it was blown apart; for whatever reasons. After 13 years of promises made and not kept, we are understandably leery and weary.
Off season management actions raised questions as to the place of the Mystics in the Monumental Sports hierachy. Are resources being made available to really support this business?
As a Founding (not fair weather) Fan, who has been a season ticket holder every single season, it is not the employees I question, it is the bosses and their actions.
Coaching is questionable. Julie Plank was obviously the best choice for coach. But, Julie TURNED DOWN THE OFFER. We've got to stop acting like she was fired. This team is losing money and what appears to be a sensible business decision was made - combine GM/Coaching duties ala Atlanta to save money. Julie Plank did not want to be a GM so you move on. Maybe a better coach than Trudi was available and we should have gone that route but to keep hyping this Julie Plank thing makes no sense to me.
I am disappointed in both the players and coaches. There ate things you do as a player no matter who the coach is. You go hard for rebounds, box out, set good screens. They are playing uninspired basketball and while they may be unhappy, this is their job and they need to suck it up and leave it on the floor on everynight. That's the way you make yourself valued in this league. Coaching staff - what are you doing? Defense is poor and offense is non-existent. It looks like a pick-up game. I know we've lost a lot of fire power and are very young but last night's performance was embarrassing.
I can be critical of the team and not be a "fair weather fan". I was just stating the obvious. Ajavon, Coleman, and Miller are backups. Nicki was a backup--her shooting percentage is nothing to write home about. I think Ajavon and Miller are good players and would be on any team in the league as solid backups. Coleman is my favorite player but I'm sorry, she is a backup at best to me. She hasn't proven otherwise. We lost 1 all star to another team, and 2 all stars to injury. As far as the Coach, she hasn't won anywhere else, so what did we expect?
To the last person who commented about Coach Plank. Do you really think they said be the GM and Coach or see you later and she said see you later? You must be the person I saw on the side of the road who fell off the turnip truck because that really doesn't seem to make sense. There has got to be more to the story that has never come out.
I agree, clearly there was something about the Mystics org that caused Plank to pause and say, maybe not...
I agree. What happened after a great year and a jolly Sheila Johnson. Why did Angela Taylor leave and why coach Plank. There is more to this story that the fans and the team as a right to know. We were on a roll and then the rug was pulled out from under this successful 2010 team. I don't blame the likes of Harding and Smith to leave. They are savy players and understood that something was going to be wrong. Why would anyone hire Lacey with a terrible coaching record to be the new GM and Coach. Two big mistakes and who is this Mary. St.
She was gone and now back???????????
Ditto. I was glad that she was fired. We were glad to see her go>
Trudy Lacey and MaryAnn Stanley have been proven to be losers. They should never had been considered after the departure of Coach Plank. Who agreed to this decision???? Poor players.
In looking ahead. How can we go against Indiana and/or any other team? Wait until we are out West. Who do we have a chance to beat. I can't bare to go to another game. The team doesn't seem to have a direction.
Atlanta is now 1-6 but at least Lindsey had 14 points, so they are tied with Tulsa.
To put the record straight, I have been through the same ups and downs, yes mostly downs with the team for the same more than 13 years as you. Maybe calling myself what I did is not correct for all people complaining on this blog. You are allowed your opinions, as I am. But I do not share your opinion and your reply to my comments made me feel like what I said you feel is inappropriate. So what makes us different, except that it is your blog....
There are fans of the team who are not fans of the owners. I love the Redskins, but I wish snyder would sell them. But I still root for them. But without attendance this team will fold, and I would hate to see that happen. We don't have enough teams anyway and if we lose this one, that would break a lot of hearts. I have no desire to go to New York in the summer just to watch a live game.
Smith could have started and made the league maximum if she had stayed in DC. The fact that she chose to come off the bench and earn the veteran minimum in Seattle instead should tell you a lot about the Mystics franchise. That's about 50 grand given up by a player who doesn't usually earn another paycheck overseas.
Who are some top players coming out of college next year? Looks like we will have a chance at the #1 pick, right?
Well I didn't fall off the turnip truck and it's not unreasonable for a person who feels their strength is in coaching to decide they did not want to do double duty as a coach/GM. They are tow different positions and not everyone has skills for both. There may be more to the story but the story that's been written is that Plank did not want to do both. Until she shares more information or someone else has additional info. to go with then that's all I am other fans have to go on. If you have more info. please enlighten us.
To Anonymous at 7:29 PM:
We traded the 1st round pick to Minnesota in the Nicky Anosike trade. If we fail to make the playoffs this year, then that pick won't be coming to us, regardless of what it is and it could hamper the Mystics for a long time.
In Sheila Johnson's famous conference call about the Taylor/Plank departures, I recall her saying that how coaches perform is a "crap shoot." Clearly she doesn't have much regard for the profession or she would have sought someone other than Lacey.
It's a lamentable situation, but how is our team going to get better? Maybe if Beard can play this year, and everyone else stays healthy, they can win a few games. Maybe next year Currie and Beard can play and the rookies will have developed and they can win some more games.
But will that be enough to keep the franchise from folding? I just don't see people turning out to watch this team get slaughtered every game. I can't imagine what the score will be like when they play the Lynx or Sparks!
The only hope I see would be to get a really good coach. Does Beard have influence with Sheila Johnson? Could she convince her to cashier Lacey? And who of quality would come here to coach?
OMGosh, I didn't know about the Anosike trade/1st round pick deal. That is terrible for us.
This all makes me very sad. I understand where all the emotions, anger and disappointment are coming from, and I'm having many of those experiences every time I watch the team. But I still get to watch the team. I'm going to have my butt in the seat at every game possible this season because I fear that all the negativity is going to lead to the end of the franchise. At least, the way things are, I get to watch good basketball in person (even if it is the opposing team playing it). With what I read from all these formerly enthusiastic fans, I'm not sure I'll have this luxury next season.
What could the organization do to win back the enthusiasm? They've screwed all this stuff up, but is there anything they can do now? Would it be enough if the team started winning, or is even that not enough?
I don't think the team will fold at this point. Of the recent teams that did fold, for the most part, they did so because their owners they were losing even more money with other bigger enterprises. Our ownership has more resources available to them than any other team except NY, so I don't think we'll get there. It's just a matter of how the owners intend to spend them on the Mystics.
I'm as bummed as anyone about the offseason, but continuing to complain about it now isn't going to change anything. If this season turns out to be a complete dud (and it can), then yes, Ted (not Sheila) should give us a statement.
Someone mentioned on the Mystics facebaook that they think it is the hope of the front office that the team sinks and they will have the excuse they need to fold. I have been thinking the same thing and just not mentioning it out loud. BC's do you think his statement has merit or is totally off the wall?
Coaching is only part of it. Players have to realize that this is their job. Poor coaching is no excuse for not doing what you can as an individual player. At this level everyone knows how to box out and rebound, set solid screens, play tough defense and communicate. I don't see the players doing this at all on a consistent basis.
Just to change the topic a bit has everyone been watching Kristi Tolliver? She is getting the job done in LA. Last year folks were saying she couldn't play the point at this level and that she couldn't play defense. Kristi put the time in and worked on areas of weakness. Her defensive play has improved so much and her turnovers are way down. I watched the LA game last night and thought - that's the Kristi we know. Those that wanted to cut her are now talking about her getting the most improved or 6th player award. Hmm, what other former Maryland player can learn from Kristi has done?
That's what is so weird about this season so far. The lousy teams from last year are doing great and the playoff teams are doing lousy. Kristi has been the high scorer for the Sparks a couple of times. Congrats Kristi.
Obviously there is a lot passion here for the WNBA and the Mystics. Otherwise there wouldn't be so many comments- we care about the team, and the sport in general. I wish the team success but we have seen that even success does not guard against change. Maybe we live in the moment, this season, and cling to the improvements we do see. After all, we've done it before!!
Anonymous 4:11pm
You have summed up the feelings of so many people. Thank you. We've done this for so many years. We can do it for one more. However I do believe good things will happen this year, eventually.
Just checked out photos from 6/20 Mystics practice (on the Mystics website). Body language of both coaches and players is pretty bad -- heads down, shoulders slumped.
Earlier today Beard tweeted several times about keeping up spirits under adversity. Sounds like she is going to be out for awhile longer.
Gonna be a tough game tomorrow night against Indiana.
Really impressed with kristi so far this season. She is such a great shooter. Good for her. As for the mystics, they are painful to watch right now, but I will keep on watching. I would hate for this team to ever fold. Feel bad for beard. Don't think such a great player will ever be as good as she once was again. Too bad she has been on such a crappy team all of these years.
Did anyone see Toliver's no look, behind the back pass in last night's Sparks/Storm game? Looked like a play by Ticha Penicheiro.
So nice to see her playing well.
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