Tumbling Down
What a day. Tuesday started off with a root canal for Matee Ajavon, followed by an early afternoon Earthquake that sent thousands of people all over the DMV scurrying out of office buildings, Metro stations, museums, and monuments. And all this was quickly followed by the gut-wrenchingly terrible news of Pat Summitt's pre-Alzheimer's dementia diagnosis (*see links below). So should we be surprised that the Mystics' day ended badly, with yet another tumble down the standings . . . this time from an overtime loss to the visiting LA Sparks, 86-82? No, nothing surprises us anymore.
With their 21st loss (their 6th in a row, a season high), the Mystics have now been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Not that any Mystics fans, this late in the season, expected anything different. But now it's official. The Mystics' streak of play-off berths ends at two: 2009: yes. 2010: yes. 2011: no. All that remains this season for the Mystics is to play for pride.
Frankly, as we sat there in an almost empty arena watching last night's game (reported attendance 8,441), it was hard to understand how the Mystics could lose yet another close, winnable game, at home no less, to a struggling team. The BCs have never claimed to be great basketball minds, but that doesn't mean we weren't at times scratching our heads over some of GM/HC Trudi's substitutions. For example, in the first quarter, we wondered why Marissa Coleman was sent to the bench just after (following a bumpy start) she seemed to find her groove. Then later, Kelly Miller seemed to have a hot hand from beyond the arc, hitting two big 3-pointers midway through the 4th Quarter. Yet, in the final minute of regulation, Kelly was parked on the bench, where she remained for most of the OT period. Less than a minute after re-entering the game (at the 2:00 mark), Kelly nailed her 3rd three to give the Mystics a short-lived OT lead. (For the record, Victoria Dunlap was again a DNP; we're beginning to think GM/HC Trudi has given up on her first round draft pick.)
The BCs kinda feel like yesterday's was the second earthquake we've experienced in the last year. After the October massacre, Mystics fans (the BCs included) felt like the earth moved under our feet. We were completely thrown off balance by the decision of Sheila and her cohorts that GM Angela and HC Julie no longer figured in the Team's plans. And then we were rocked again by the aftershocks of Lindsey and Katie deciding that they no longer wanted to play for such a franchise. But even after all that bad news, we didn't anticipate that the Mystics would tumble down all the way from first to worst in the East. Even we couldn't imagine things being this bad.
There are so many people to feel sorry for here. We feel sorry for the long-time, long-suffering Mystics fans. And we really feel sorry for the players. How can we not feel for Crystal Langhorne, who's proven herself to be a consummate professional and competitor, carrying the Mystics on her (aching) back all season. Last night, she played all 45 minutes, put up 28 points, pulled down 9 boards, dished out 3 assists . . . and still her team lost.
Ironically, the Mystics' front office began their season ticket renewal campaign last night. Good luck with that.
* * * * * *
*Links to articles about Pat Summitt: Here, here, here, here and here.
posted by BasketCases @ 10:28 AM
21 comments
21 Comments:
I agree that the Mystics have had an earthquake of sorts which has been belabored here and many other places. I liked the effort we made against LA, but the team this year, even though I can see that they're trying hard, well, it's also apparent that their souls were just ripped out of them after what happened last October. I hope we can finish strong, because our draft pick is helping the best team in the league right now...
If each of those renewal invitations taped to the seats represent one STH account, the Mystics may have more sponsors than STHs next year.
This has been a really horrible season for us fans and our players. We had just finished two great seasons with a competent general manager and coach who were so positive and informative as to the direction of our program. Angela Taylor brought in new players who didn't take a whole year to adjust. The rookies and the experienced players alike readily became a part of Coach Plank's system. Why? - Likely because of hard work and knowledge of the game. We could see growth in sucessive games and were always given concrete statements as to coaching decisions; player substitutions; game plans; reasons for losses; scouting reports;etc. wheb asked. This year I really dreaded our team timeouts because nothing good ever came from the coach's calls. Coach Lacey has blamed player execution and lack of experience as to the losses in her postgame interviews. Any experienced basketball fan will readily admit that this year's coach hasn't produced or made good game adjustments. It has to be obvious as well to our players. Post game interviews all year has sounded like a broken record: "We are young; We have heart; We are getting better; We never give up, etc. Our coach has used this season as a "Poor Us" season when really it reflects her lack of good coaching. I know it will be too expensive to make coach changes for next year, but now we are stuck with a general manager/coach who I am afraid will continue to produce more of the same. I will not be in attendance next year.
I'm just sick about this season. I love the players. My concern is that Sheila's buying the excuses, but the fact that so many games have been close shows why Trudi's NOT the person for the job.
I'm really torn between wanting to renew to support the players and not wanting to renew because it feels almost unethical to support the management.
Does anyone have a sense of whether Sheila will be considering a coaching change? Or does she still think it's just a crap shoot?
It wasn't a "crapshoot" to hire a coach with a losing record--with no history of winning. No, just stupid. Clearly Sheila JOhnson has no respect for the game of basketball or she is a complete idiot when it comes to basketball with a comment like that. It's either one or the other. So you went cheap on a GM/Coach but ended up losing money because your team is sorry and therefore, attendence is down. Smart move. I've been to 1 game all year. I went to 7 last year. Why, because I don't like to see them losing all of the time. It's hard. Last year was exciting. The game against NY at the end of the year was incredible. And, it was heavily attended--a real 10-11k (not the 10k made up numbers I always see this year) fans which made it so much fun.
Is Sheila even attending any games this year? I wouldn't know because I've only attended two games this season. And I'm another season ticket holder (3 rows up from the floor) who will not be renewing for next year. It is disgusting what the owners did to this team and its fans. The argument that the team was losing money does not fly--there are more sponsors this year and, heck, just look at all the expense that went into changing the uniforms and printing those flashy season tickets. I hope they're happy...you get what you pay for.
The Mystics organization does make up the attendance numbers (10,000+). Yeah right. The TV looks like 4-5,000 at best.
Ha--last night 2k at best. When I was there on sat, maybe 5k.
We come down from Frederick for games and decided to skip last night because we thought the earthquake aftermath would mean just sitting in a traffic and/or Metro mess and missing the game. I figured attendance would be way light.
I just want to stop feeling sad about this organization. This is supposed to be fun.
The Mystics count the STH in attendence whether they show or not, they have paid.
Yeah, me too. I'm just so mad at Sheila Johnson for what she did to this team. Therefore, every time they lose I am reminded of the last 2 yrs and i get mad all over again. Oh well, I will keep supporting because I know it's the dream for these ladies to have a league like the men do. And of course, my terps are on the team.
Wasn't Ajavon a champ for playing after that root canal?
Ajavon and Lang are always champs no matter what they do. I am so depressed watching the team with no coach to help them. Sheila bought a coach at the dollar store, and tried to sell it to the fans at Nordstroms. I'm not buying next year.
Lang is absolutely incredible. I have to admit I didn't know if she would do that well in the league. Wow- has she proven me wrong. I am so impressed with her ability to finish against taller players. She is quite the star. Mattee though not as consistent, her ability to get to the basket is amazing. I just think at times she could make better decisions. But again, an impressive player with her ability to get to the rim--and most importantly, she can finish at the rim. Also, I love her personality. She is darn funny.
I'm sorry about the Mystics losing,but I am still impressed that they are still trying so hard. But to me the most important story of the day is Pat Summitt battling what I know is a horrible disease. I watched my mother go from an active person, to a person in bed, not remembering anything present (Although she will be 90) My heart truly goes out to Pat and her wonderful son Tyler. Blessings on you Tyler, you have got a tough job ahead of you. But you have had the best of coaches for your entire lifetime. Pat, keep up the faith. You are going to bring more awareness to this disease as you coach your Lady Vols from the sidelines. You are going to show people what someone with the disease can do. I respect and admiration for you goes a long way. My prayers are with you and Tyler. No Pity Party, fight this disease and come on Congress, give more money to curing Alzheimer's and Breast Cancer.
Despite wins, losses, coaches, owners, etc., the overall theme of women's basketball is strength, determination, and courage. I'm always amazed at the contrast with the men's teams (even college), who get so much more attention and money, but often behave like spoiled brats. I am always proud to be a supporter of women's basketball. No one exemplifies what I love about it more than Pat and her Lady Vols. Sally Jenkins' piece in the Post was a wonderful tribute to who she IS, which is not easy to do with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
I have two words to sum up Sheila Johnson and what she's done to this team: whomp whomp.
Is there anyway the Mystics could be better next year (aside from the fantasy of bringing back Julie as coach)?
It's likely Mo will be back and that could help a bit, though Coleman has been doing a pretty good job as SF lately.
It's unlikely but possible that AB will be back. If she can't come back, they need to get another SG but who would come here?
BCs, got any ideas?
Mo absolutely will make us better if she returns to all star form. She is a starter if that's the case. I think Alana is done and if she can make it back, I don't think it's the Alana we know. Yes, we need a backup for Matee and help for Lang down low.
We agree that Mo's return should improve the team.
-- BC
I am a founding STH and received my renewal packet yesterday. I am struggling with the decision to renew or not. I think the problems with the Mystics start at the top with Sheila Johnson and her total lack of experience in owning and managing a basketball team. Next is Trudy Lacey - also seeming to lack any experience....so many close games were lost - in my mind - due to ridiculous coaching decisions. Trudy conveniently blames her 'young' team. Seems to me there are only one or two rookies on the team - and they rarely get playing time. Maybe she's expecting the players to self-coach. Since Ms. Johnson thinks the coach doesn't really matter, I don't expect to see a coaching change anytime soon. As for AB returning - she may but after being off for two years and being two years older...can't see how she could be an asset any longer. Monique has always been a so-so player in my opinion so having her back isn't going to get me excited either. If we can't get a coach of Julie Plank's caliber, let's pick a name out of the hat and replace Lacey with just about anyone. Hope they do something before Sept 9 when I have to decide about my renewal.
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