The Mystics Arrived at the Target Center in Minneapolis last night -- in sole possession of the WNBA's longest losing streak (8 games) -- to play the red-hot, league-leading Lynx. Not surprising, that losing streak was extended to 9, as Minny routed Washington, 73-56. Also not surprising, Crystal Langhorne (13 points) was the Mystics' leading scorer in yet another losing effort.
The only real surprise last night was that GM/HC Trudi shook up her starting line-up -- giving the nod to Gardin, Thomas, and Walker in place of Coleman, Miller, and Anosike. That change made watching the first half of the game marginally more interesting, that and the fact that the game was fairly close for most of the 20 minutes played before halftime. But the second half was a different story. The Mystics completely fell apart, scoring just 6 points in the third quarter. Ouch. In the final period -- mostly playing against Minny's bench -- the Mystics were somewhat more respectable, putting up 17 points (versus Minny's 20).
The Mystics' 9-game losing streak is not only their longest of this season, it's also their longest since the Vortex of Doom season of 2008. Who can forget that season of despair? It was horrible. But there was a silver lining; that abysmal season finally brought about real and positive change to the Mystics in the form of Angela Taylor and Julie Plank. (We keep looking for a silver lining to this abysmal season . . . but all we can see at the moment are more dark clouds.)
About the only thing we enjoyed last night about the Minny game was that Alan Horton, the Minny announcer, repeatedly commented on how successful Angela and Julie were in Washington. Although Horton was off-camera, you could almost see him scratching his head in bewilderment, trying to make sense of why they are no longer with the Mystics. (In terms of bewilderment, Alan, you're not alone.)
It's hard to believe, but the Mystics (5-24) still have 5 more "garbage-time" games to play this season. How discouraging it must be for the players. And we know it's discouraging for Mystics' fans. The Mystics' next game is at home on Thursday against the Atlanta Dream. The Dream have won 8 of their last 10 games, including consecutive victories over the Eastern Conference-leading Fever. Atlanta, which got off to a slow start this season, is seeking to solidify its claim on the fourth and final playoff spot in the East, and possibly move up to 3rd or even 2nd place. In other words, Atlanta is playing for something, while the Mystics are playing for . . .
posted by BasketCases @ 9:12 AM
22 comments
22 Comments:
Coleman benched.... wow. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm sorry, but I hope I only have 4 more games to see Trudy Lacy on the Mystics bench. Sorry BC's--I had to say it.
Ditto for me. What a disapointing season and definitely more to come if we don't get rid of Lacey. You have to look at coach's records. History will keep repeating itself with Lacey.
It was great to hear the MN commentators tell it like it is. The commentators clearly didn't understand not resigning Taylor or Plank. At one point the guy said "you have to look at how your players are playing on the court". Clearly indicating that Lacey is not a good coach and Plank was--with 22 wins last year. Then all of the dumb moves--Harding for Miller, Nicki for nothing...oh yeah, that first round pick.
This is my 3rd season being a Mystics fan. Yes, it was because of my favorite college player, Coleman. I have to say being a Mystics fan is really really tough. REALLY TOUGH. I'm not sure how you guys have stuck with them for so many years.
Anonymous 10:15: I agree! I also became a fan because of Marissa. The first part of this season was at least engaging. Now it's just awful. I do like Thomas and Walker (and certainly Marissa has had way more opportunity to grow on this team than she might have had elsewhere). But geez, this is not how I want to spend future summers. I really feel for the BCs and other long time fans who finally had a glimmer of hope, only to see it dismantled.
I do disagree that Sheila is
micromanaging. I think she's just ignoring them. I'd like to see an apology for a poor decision, with some action for what's going to change. If I were Inova Health I'd be demanding that. And at this point, how much worse could it be to give Dunlap some floor time?
at least then she'd have some stats going.
If I were Inova Health, I'd pay a nice salary for a new GM. Problem is that there may not be many or maybe ANY qualified candidates for that job because the other WNBA teams' players, coaches, and front office staff think we are a joke.
I'm not in the fire Lacey camp yet. Lacey also did assume for most of the offseason that Harding and/or Smith would be back and it's not her fault that both of them wanted out. I would think that this is why she did the Anosike trade. That's the only way I could have seen it make sense.
Lindsay Harding has been playing so good lately. I hate watching us play ATL for that reason. We lost a top 5 point guard. PG's make so much of a difference on any team. They run the team--get them into their plays, etc. The loss of LH for me was the single biggest loss from last year. Well, actually, 2nd behind Angela Taylor. You need a GM that makes smart trade/player decisions.
Lacey DOES need to take some blame for Harding and Smith leaving. They were well aware of her history in the league (and the experience they had with her on the staff last year) when they made their decisions. If she assumed they were going to play for her, she's an idiot.
Is it true that Mo Currie is playing tomorrow? If so, whyyyyy?? There are 4 games left--what is the point? I hope she doesn't reinjure herself. Maybe she is doing it so teams overseas see that she is healthy? I don't understand!
Looks like it's true! I'm a huge Mo fan, so I'm pretty excited to see her play this season, if only in a couple of games. They've been saying all along that she progressed faster than expected, and I'm sure she'll start off slowly. Wow, I sure didn't think I'd be looking forward to any more Mystics games!
Yes, here's a link to the Mystics' announcement:
http://www.wnba.com/mystics/news/monique_currie_return_083111.html
--BC
I like her also--I just think it might be risky and therefore I don't understand the point. 4 games left.
Actually, there are 5 games left: Atlanta at home on Thurs., at Atlanta on Friday (though the Mystics have already announced Mo won't play in that game), Conn. at home on Sunday, and then at Indy next Wed. (9/7) and at San Antonio the following Sat. (9/10).
-- BC
Obviously Currie is healthy, has been practicing and has been cleared by doctors....I think it is great that she is playing the final few games. Lets see how she blends with some of the other players....let her get her confidence from playing in a real game....for all the work she has put in, let her be rewarded by seeing some live action.
Strasburg is pitchig again on Tuesday at Nats Park....same thing.
I realize that he's not the most trustworthy person, but what about Bruce Pearl as a replacement coach for Trudi, who needs to be dropped kicked out of there. If you can look past the recruiting violations and lying, Pearl took a crummy team and made it into team worthy of a trip to the Elite Eight. By all accounts he doesn't seem to be a nice person, but he does seem to be quite an excellent coach. Just sayin'...
Hopefully Mo is really healthy but I was figuring coming back now is so the teams overseas could see her. The Mystics season is certainly not worth the risk!!
I think that Trudy wants Monique to play to make her look good-- Hoping that with Monique they could maybe get a win, so she could say that the reason she didn't win many games is because of the injuries to Monique and Alana, and all she had to play with were young players. I hope she doesn't put too much pressure on Monique. I worry that she will reinjure herself and then where will we be next year. I'm not a coach, but I would not take a chance on letting Monique play.
I don't think Bruce Pearl want to coach the Mystics. hahahaha! I wish, but that's a fantasy. Give him a couple of years and he will be coaching at another school.
I wasn't that crazy about some of Angela Taylor's moves (signing Melvin to a 3 yr contract, for example).
But what she gave the Mystics was credibility in the WNBA.
We need someone like that for GM.
Marianne Stanley would be a fine Head Coach, IMO.
Uh, didn't we go down the Marianne Stanley head coach road once before?
And I love the idea of bringing in Pearl (sarcasm font). It's his recruiting violations and other underhanded moves that gave him a successful team.
Monique has always been a favorite of mine on and off the court so I am glad to hear that she is well enough to play a little ball. Can't help but feel that this is just a move by Trudie to give the fans hope for next season and also get those fans to renew their tickets. Not sure I can renew if it means looking at Trudie next summer. Sorry to say I am not a fan of hers. She has not made good decisions for this team. The organization as a whole is just not on track. Good luck to Mo-hope she is not coming back too soon.
http://www.swishappeal.com/2011/8/24/2382292/random-thoughts-of-a-mystics-fan-for-the-2011-season-does-ownership
Thoughts?
http://www.swishappeal.com/2011/8/31/2394146/suggestions-for-the-washington-mystics-in-the-2011-2012-offseason
Don't know that I agree with every point.. But I LOVE that fans are putting thoughts and feelings out there.
Let Ted know: washingtoncaps@aol.com
Let COO Greg Bibb know: gbibb@monumentalsports.com
"like" mystics- vote of no confidence on Facebook
Regards,
Soozn
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