It May Have Been Extremely Hot here in Washington today, but the Mystics' 3-point shooting in Seattle was even hotter. This afternoon (while "multi-tasking" at the office), the BCs (and others watching via Live Access) saw the Mystics shoot 58.8% from behind the arc . . . 10 for 17! Impressive.With that kind of long-range accuracy, the visiting Mystics gave themselves an opportunity to knock off the defending WNBA champs in Key Arena. But, once again, they were unable to pull out the win, as the Storm prevailed, 79-71.
This time, it wasn't turnovers that sealed the Mystics' fate, it was their failure to knock down shots when they really needed them. With two minutes left in the final period, the Storm were up by only five points. The game was still winnable. But the Mystics missed five consecutive shots: four jumpers (including some good looks) and one drop-dead lay-up. So while Washington held Seattle to just three more points in those final two minutes, instead of closing the gap -- and pulling off the upset -- the Mystics fell further behind by the time the buzzer sounded.
Lang was back, that was good. But she didn't seem to be quite 100%. She finished with 10 points, but was shut out on the boards. (When has that ever happened before?) The player who led the Mystics today was Marissa. Playing 39 of the 40 minutes, Marissa put up a team-best 16 points (including 4 of 6 three-pointers), and also led Washington in rebounding with 9. Riss is now beginning to look like the WNBA player we Maryland fans thought she would be when she joined the pro league 3 summers ago. She's playing with a confidence that we haven't seen since those first few games of her rookie season, before she was hurt. Matee also finished in double-figures with 13 points, but needed 14 shots to get there. Not one of her best days.
Still, the Mystics were in the game today right up to the final couple of minutes. But despite a good effort, they drop to 2-9 on the season and remain in last place in the conference standings. Their next chance to reverse this trend comes on Friday in Phoenix, when they take on the Mercury at 10 PM ET.
posted by BasketCases @ 11:17 PM
17 comments
17 Comments:
I don't think Beard is coming back this season. I just heard that Kerri was signed for the season. I was thinking this since the begining of the season. I don't see her back with the team. This team has gone down the drain. welp, what can we do?
I feel sooo bad for Lang, she is/has put in work for this franchise. Just had to get that off my chest.
Where did you hear that Gardin was signed for the season?
AB is traveling with team and could be cleared to play in the next game in Phoenix.
I heard the same thing--AB could be cleared next game. What I see from this team is a lack of ball movement. Seattle moves and it results in great cuts, etc to the basket. Glad the 3's were falling for us--kept us close but the reality is, we just aren't a good offensive "team". I like Matee, I like her aggressive play, but often she dribbles around too much and then shoots a crazy shot. She should just drive to the basket--that's what she does best. We just don't move great as a team and it hurts us. Great to see Lang back. Lang at 50 percent is better than nicki at 100 percent.
Our team still looks disorganized and lacking in solid play calls. Our defense is not even close to being WNBA quality. Too much randomness and scattered shooting, rebounding, etc. Is it a lack of communication between players??? Maybe a move like LA and Tulsa took might be necessary.
I was one of those people who commented, after a couple of games into this season, that Marissa just didn't seem like she could step up. I'm really glad to be proven wrong and am happily eating crow. (My comments on the management stand, however!)
Did anyone watch the game on NBA TV? What an awful broadcast! They cut away from the beginning of the game to a news conference announcing the firing of the NBA Timberwolves coach. Stayed way too long covering that--missed almost the entire first quarter. Then the male commentator repeatedly called Ajavon, Annosike and vice versa. They were late coming back from commerical breaks so action was always missed. And in the middle of the game, all of a sudden they would cut to commercial!
I later watched LA versus San Antonio on NBA TV and wasn't as bad as our game. The WNBA needs to begin demanding professional coverage. We no longer need to beg and be happy with whoever shows up with a camera!!
Thanks - I needed that rant!!
I'm just thankful that a network is broadcasting away games. I have yet to understand why Comcast Sportsnet only broadcasts home games. What happened to the blackout rule? And isn't Comcast all over the country, so why can't they show away games. And NBA-TV could show more games, but they keeping showing the NBA playoffs over and over and over again. In the game, with 2 minutes to play the score was 76-71. the final score was 79-71. So neither team played well in the final 2 minutes.
Marissa still needs to learn to drive to the basket. If her shot is falling, great. But you can't be a great player in this league and depend on a jump shot. Because she has such a good looking shot, it should give her an advantage to drive to the basket. That's what Monique Currie learned and it's what made her so good last year. Dual threat--jump shooter and can drive to the basket. Swin Cash also....it's why she is so good. Swin had to learn to shoot those jumpers/3's but now she can. Marissa needs to learn and I think she will over time. It is what is missing though in her game now and it's the next level for her.
Dear Readers,
We've deleted several recent comments because we really don't want our blog to turn into a site for coach-bashing.
-- BC
None of the deleted comments were mine, but I have to express my disappointment in this. The players and the former coaching staff are/were subjected to bashing, I respectfully disagree with the current staff being exempt from criticism. Especially after it's become public knowledge that the head coach has intentionally lied.
ditto
ditto for me too.
Now the Mystics are having a meet with Ted and Sheila, but it costs $40 to attend. I guess they don't really want to see anyone there.
Folks, we have no problem with expressions of criticism of current coaches or players. The short series of comments we deleted, however, was headed in the direction of a coach-bashing back and forth exchange between readers that was more appropriate for message boards, not our blog.
Thanks.
-- BC
Thanks, BCs, agreed! There's a fine line between discussing and bashing. I'm a fan of this blog because you walk that line really well.
If I didn't already have plans before the meet and great with Ted and Sheila I would definitely attend--even for $40. I have to give them some credit for this. They have to know it won't be fun.
Does anyone think we can still make the playoffs?
We could make the playoffs with the players we have playing at this time. (The No. 4 spot in the East is up for grabs They have shown that they can hang.) But we won't - due to the coaching staff. I hope this is not considered bashing.
Michelle voepals comments on the mystics event was comical. 70 dollars to see the jokers talk. 40 if you are a swain ticket holder. Ridiculous....
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