The Mystics Put on a Good Show for the kiddies at the team's annual lunch-time classic today. A highly competitive see-saw battle right up until the final couple of minutes. Nevertheless, after 40 minutes of hard work, the Mystics still found themselves on the wrong end of the teeter totter, losing to the Dream, 86-79.The camp counselors had to be thrilled. The kiddies, well-equipped with red and white plastic clappers (made in China), did plenty of clapping, cheering and (of course) screaming. What they weren't doing was fidgeting or misbehaving. The game was exciting . . . and entertaining. Considering how truly disgusting the weather was outside today (mid-90s and humid), indoor air-conditioned Mystics Camp Day was manna from heaven for campers and counselors alike.
Once again, the game began with Lang carrying the Mystics offensively until her teammates managed to warm up. Crystal scored 14 of Washington's 22 first quarter points. The Mystics led by 3 at the end of ten minutes, and took a 1-point lead into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half, Marissa really heated up, scoring 11 points in the 3rd quarter, including three buckets from beyond the arc. But although Atlanta was playing the second half of a back-to-back and dressed only 8 players, the Mystics couldn't quite shake loose of Angel McCoughtry or the rest of the Dream. The teams were tied at the end of three periods, 63-63. More of the same in the final period . . . a tight see-saw contest. Finally, with under a minute and a half remaining, the Dream broke a 78-78 tie, and held on to claim the win.
Lang led the Mystics with 24 points (and 10 boards, for another double-double). Marissa wasn't far behind, finishing with 21. Nicky did the dirty work in the paint, grabbing a game-high 14 rebounds. But unfortunately for the Mystics and their fans, Angel McCoughtry had one of her all-too-familiar big games, leading all scorers with 33 points. Lindsey Harding added 14 for Atlanta in her first trip back to the Phone Booth after changing uniforms. (The BCs sure do miss her!)
At the risk of sounding a little like a broken record (for our readers old enough to remember vinyl), it was a good effort today from the Mystics . . . just not good enough for a W. With back-to-back victories over the Fever and the Mystics, Atlanta (at 6-9) is beginning to climb back into playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Mystics (at 3-11 after today's loss) have solidified their claim on last place in the Eastern Conference standings.
All of the Mystics (except for Lang) will now get a little time off before hosting San Antonio next Tuesday night. Lang, who was named yesterday to the 2011 WNBA All Star Team, will be traveling to San Antonio this weekend to play for the East in this season's showcase of the League's top talent. You can catch the game on ABC at 3:30 PM on Saturday. Congratulations and good luck to Lang! Go East!
posted by BasketCases @ 3:53 PM
31 comments
31 Comments:
Was Harding well-received by fans and former teammates?
Good game, colorful and loud audience. A question - why don't school buses have air conditioning?? A lot of the buses outside did not! Congratulations to Lang. She is an all-star. If, and it's a big if, these Mystics stay together, and the rookies mature, we could be a good team, next season. But as we have seen, things change.
Dear Anonymous 4:16 PM,
"Was Harding well-received by fans and former teammates?"
Ran late...arrived just as the Mystics were being introduced, so we don't know. But we were wondering about that ourselves.
Perhaps someone who arrived about 2 minutes earlier can answer.
--BC
I am tired of listening to press conference interviews with Coach Lacey - same old: "We're young, getting better, need to learn how to work together, almost, can't yet finish games, etc.". Let's just be honest. Let's hear her strategies to win games; let's hear her strategies to do better defensively; etc. I feel that Coach Lacey has a "POOR ME" attitude. "Well we are trying; we are improving". Let's talk strategies.
I agree. We don't hear much talk about play calling. And also, is Alana Beard done for the year. If so, let us fans know the truth.
To answer the question about Lindsey, I did not really hear anything more than when the rest of the Dream was introduced. I clapped for Lindsey, but I didn't really see others clapping. But then again, it was mostly kids who didn't know or care that Lindsey used to be a Mystic. Also did anoyone else notice that the Dream camped out under their basket. What happened to the 3 second rule? I even started timing them and a couple of times it was 5 seconds or more.
Congrats to Lang! She is an all star for sure. Yeah, I don't think Trudi has any strategies.
Alana was wearing what appeared to be an immobilizing ankle boot. That can't be good.
I thought it was interesting that Lacey went with a 3-guard set on a few occasions, pairing Thomas with Miller and Ajavon. Seemed like a good idea in theory, but didn't really work in this game because Atlanta has so much height. The 3-guard set, when paired with Phillips and Gardin in the first half, was a disaster.
Overall, I thought the defense was so-so. Ajavon did have some success on McCoughtrey. What I don't understand is why we couldn't get ANY stops down the stretch. It was as if Atlanta could score at will--and not just Harding and McCoughtrey. We could have won if we only had a few more stops.
I think all of the players were working hard out there, and Lang as usual, was doing what she does best, but it was emotional watching Lindsey making baskets for the Dream.
I don't like to bash people but, really, did someone put Trudi Lacey's coaching credentials in the shredder?
I think it's the roster that went into the shredder.
I don't think we'll see AB back this season. On the Rebkell board someone posted a picture of her in a hyperbaric chamber - those really expensive things that are good if you've got the bends from scuba diving or a diabetic skin ulcer. Since neither of those things is what AB's problem is, it seems to indicate that the ankle isn't healing and she's trying alternative medicine.
We shall see about AB. Maybe she is back the first game after the all star break. If not, I really think she is not coming back at all this season. Even if she does, I think she has little impact on the team since she won't be at 100% anyway. I guess we will wait and see. You have to give the Mystics organiztion credit for being very patient with her recovery time.
The ankle boot itself doesn't necessarily spell gloom and doom. K. Smith has been wearing one during most team events in Seattle and hasn't missed a game. I think there's at least one other player doing the same thing, but can't think of who off the top of my head.
I guess it's better to see the ankle boot than heels. I always want to scream when I see a player recovering from an ankle or knee injury wearing heels.
Alana's likely done for the year, if not 4 good. Mystics fans were strung along with this like Celtic fans were strung along with Garnett's injury in '08-'09. Too bad we're not having this type of season next year when it would do the Mystics some good trying to land Griner from Baylor in the 2013 draft. As a former Comet fan, I'd like to see Tammy Jackson brought in to coach the BIGS!
Knowing the Mystics organization, we might be having the same type of season next year. So, we just might have our shot at Griner.
Next year, even with a good draft pick, because we will likely be at the bottom of the leagues there are not any real good picks. To attract players from other teams you have to have good coaches and management. We need to consider alot after this season, or it is most probable that next year will be like this year. Poor us, we are still learning, etc. I don't hear any other team talking this way.
I agree. What other team has only three wins? Marisa, Matee, Anosikie, Miller, Langhorne are not rookies. The play calling and use of experienced players doesn't justify the "Poor Us" attitude about injuries. No other team talks this way.
I agree also. Those players aren't rookies and all should have better end of game execution. It's a very bad excuse using their youth--because the they aren't young. Sure, their bench players are, but their starters are not. Trudy needs to come up with another excuse because that excuse is not accurate and I am sick of hearing it.
The so-called veteran players on this team were bench players last year with the exception of Crystal. Even if you are a veteran if you are playing with rookies and its a challege because they have to adjust to so much. You don't hear other teams complaining about youth because no other team in the league has to depend so much on their rookies as the Mystics.
As much as the Mystics are struggling I agree with the announcer for the LA/Mystics game who noted that the Mystics have been in every game with the exception of the first Tulsa game and first Connecticut game. With the East beating up on each other its hard to believe but the Mystics are not out of contention for the playoffs. Probably won't make it but they still have 20 games left to play.
We can all dream that they make the playoffs, I guess. Clearly they aren't as bad as Tulsa but the reality if we are the 2nd or 3rd worst team in the wnba this year. The Sparks are the other team not playing very well. I will keep watching though and rooting for them because I really like the playes on the Mystics. As for the coach--no surprise, she hasn't been a winning coach in the past so again, no surprise. And I am tired of her excuses. Also, I really think Aniosike is not a starter. Yes a good rebounder but she takes the worst shots I have ever seen and it's the reason why her shooting percentage is awful.
BC's, is it true that Christmas is waived?
Yes, according to AP she was waived by the Mystics and just signed by the Tulsa Shock.
-- BC
I think Currie will come back this season but not AB.
What? Christmas was released?? Why??
Sounds like Coach Lacey has been talking to the Capitals coach. Youth, inexperience, still learning and then injuries as the excuses sounds mighty familiar. At least Lacey cannot use the hot goalie excuse.
Are we signing someone??
Regarding waivers: today is a critical day on the WNBA calendar. Any player who is still on a roster after today is guaranteed her salary for the remainder of the season. Thus, there have been a number of players who have been waived over the past couple of days.
-- BC
Regarding Lindsey, I did see her hug a couple of long time Mystics season ticket holders at the end of the game. Very cordial but it really hurts to see her with the Dream of all teams.
I can say personally that Lindsey greeted me with the biggest hug before the game. I told her that we missed her here, and she responded she felt the same way. She even commented about my still having a camera with me!
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