Tonight at the Verizon Center, the Mystics finally put an end to their 9-game losing streak, as they upset the Atlanta Dream, 85-81.
The Dream, currently in 4th place in the tightly contested (that is, if you exclude the Mystics) Eastern Conference, arrived at the Phone Booth hoping to solidify their playoff position (and possibly gain some ground on the teams ahead of them in the standings). Instead, the Mystics played the role of spoiler.
In front of a sparse but enthusiastic crowd, Washington pulled ahead late in the final period, and sent the Dream home to Atlanta with another loss.
The fans at the Phone Booth had another reason to smile . . . the return of Mo Currie. With about 2 minutes left in the first quarter, Mo made her first appearance since last season. As our readers know, Mo tore an ACL playing overseas during the WNBA's off season, and underwent surgery early this year. She was greeted with cheering and a standing ovation when she entered the game. Mo played only 10 minutes, but given that she was playing her first WNBA game in nearly a year and playing on a surgically repaired knee, the BCs -- and others in the arena -- were impressed. Mo scored 8 points and pulled down 3 rebounds during her brief stint on the court.
Of course, without Old Faithful, Crystal Langhorne, the Mystics' losing streak wouldn't now be in the rear view mirror. Lang led Washington (once again) with 25 points and 10 boards. (She never ceases to amaze us!) Crystal got significant help this evening from Matee, who scored 19 points off the bench, 11 of them in the final period. And the aggressive play of rookie Jasmine Thomas (12 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds) also contributed greatly to the Mystics' win.
For the second game in a row, GM/HC Trudi tried a different starting line-up. Tonight, Trudi started Jasmine and Kelly, along with Kerri Gardin, Lang and DeMya. Matee subbed in along with Mo, but played extended minutes, while Mo's minutes, by necessity, were limited.
Speaking of limited . . . what the heck's going on with Marissa? As she did in Minny, Marissa spent most of tonight's game on the bench in her warm up suit. She entered the game late in the 3rd period, played a total of 8 minutes, missed one shot, committed one foul, but otherwise recorded zeros in her stat line. Is she hurt, sick . . . or just in Trudi's doghouse? In any event, she was pretty much a non-factor in tonight's victory.
The Mystics and the Dream will both be catching a flight (hopefully not the same one) to Atlanta tonight or in the morning. The same two teams play each other again tomorrow in Philips Arena. (WNBA scheduling drives the BCs nuts!) This means the Mystics will have another chance to play spoiler, and the Dream will have another chance to keep their playoff hopes alive . . . just in another venue, tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30 PM.
posted by BasketCases @ 10:59 PM
18 comments
18 Comments:
Glad we won! However, my question is will Marissa Coleman be a member of the Washington Mystics next year? It seems they have given up on her.
It looks more like Marissa has given up on the Mystics, and Trudy's finally realizing it.
Sitting behind the Mystics' bench tonight it seems that Marissa doesn't want to be coached. She didn't even seem to be listening to advice. There was a definite vibe of disengagement from Marissa. I vote dog house. Lang's incredible - love to watch her work. Thomas is wicked fast and gives it her all. Glad we have her and Matee remains a joy to watch.
Given her limited warmup, I thought Marissa might be ailing in some way. Or Trudi was saving her for tomorrow, since Mo won't be playing.
But who knows...
Marissa needs to go play in another area and grow up. She is too used to being in the DC area and getting her way. She isn't as good as she thinks she is and Trudi has probably realized this. Marissa was observed to be even a pouter last year.
Same old jargon in the post interview from our coach. Never any real explanations for the game. She's still using the "we're inexperienced and things are coming around". Yeah right - it's the end of the season - it's over for the team - get real - us fans are suppose to now renew tickets for next year based on this win? Not me.
Job well done and I was impressed that Mo was aggressive this game. The team just looked much more confident this season when I saw the play.
As for Trudi saying "we're inexperienced and things are coming around," that is hogwash at this point. If the younger talent was playing the bulk of the minutes this season I would understand, but Lacey hasn't given any rookie considerable minutes except for Jasmine.
Having Mo in the game, even for a few minutes, provided a glimpse of what the Mystics might have been this year. Mo made a big difference in this game. And if Alana had been healthy all year, I think the Mystics would be battling for a playoff position.
I know -- woulda, coulda, shoulda - none of it makes any difference.
But I do wonder if Trudi is such a bad coach or if the talent just wasn't there this year.
As. marissa Coleman fan, it saddens me to see her struggling so much. She brought so much excitement for all Terp fans when she played for them. I just hope at some point she gets it. That might be on another team and maybe that will be good for her-don't know. I do not believe she has given up on her teammates--that's just not her. Has she given up on the coaching staff-maybe so. She has talent. I do believe she can play in this league.
I can't believe the one game we skip out on attending, the Mystics win! It looks like other people followed our lead. The Mystics this year make it a little difficult to be a fan....
Having Mo back was great, but still haven't pulled the trigger for next year. If they add in as an incentive a Mystics shuttle from Baltimore to the games, then that will work ;) Otherwise, I want to support the players, but the organization needs some changes. Going to games this year felt like work, even more so than other years.
All I have to say is that I'm glad I blew off the Skins game to attend the Mystics contest.
Last night was one of the truly fun games all year. Loved seeing Mo, Lang, and Matee on the court at once.
As stated by the BC's, Lang was her usual beasty self, just as she's been through all the many, many losses. Monique's cameos made a HUGE difference as her aggressive (and effective) play kept the game close at the half. And I submit that it was no accident that Mo was in at the end of the game AND the Styx held onto the lead for the win. Mo being Mo, she's going to commit a charge. I'd rather have one of those than a sloppy, disinterested pass any day. She also slashed, drew contact and sank the free throws. And, both Matee and Jasmine played key roles to preserve the win for superstar Crystal. Having FOUR players stepping up is the difference between a close win vs close loss.
I know I need to get over it, but even with a win, there is still no joy in my heart. I'm glad they won, I don't like the Dream and McPouty....I appreciate the players' work. Maybe next season I can become passionate again-but I'm not even considering renewing now. Who knows what they'll do this off-season!
I'm surprised to see people attacking Marissa. She has struggled, and definitely not tapped her potential, but she is also the team's third leading scorer. I can see benching her for Currie, but I cannot see how any rational person would bench Coleman in favor of Gardin. Coleman is a better athlete, shooter, and defender than Gardin.
By benching Coleman in favor of Gardin, the Coach is not putting the best team on the floor and is making it more difficult for the team to be competitive.
Did anyone see the fan with the dry erase board at the game last night? Great signs went up like AB 4 GM and It's not the line up! Had more fun reading her thoughts than watching the game. Glad to look to my left and see the BCs back closer to the court!
Angel was as well-behaved as I've ever seen her Thursday night. When she was called for a foul, she walked away almost without complaint. She did not whine about non-calls until very late in the game when she complained that her arm was being pulled (it was). Angel has overcome a lot more than most of us to become one of the best players in the world. I am willing to cut her some slack.
Angel is selfish ball player. She tries to take the game into her own hands while her teammates stand and watch. When she is willing to share the ball they win. I'm sick of her pouting, complaining and acting like a big baby. As for Marissa I don't think anyone is giving up on her. She should have been benched. She has been a non-factor in many games lately. She doesn't even make the effort. When a player coming off an ACL injury outplays you that says something. Gardin is not the offensive player Coleman is but if Coleman is not showing up then Gardin should be on the floor. As for defense, Gardin is a much better defender than Marissa. If Marissa wants a spot on any team she better step up. She needs to work on her game. No doubt she's talented and has potential but it doesn't matter if she doesn't produce. This is her 3rd year. No excuses. For the record I am a huge Marissa fan but I am a bigger basketball fan.
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