Mystics Set the Sun, but Playoffs Off the Horizon

So, 31 of the most die hard Fans trooped up to CT to cheer the Mystics on to Victory. Big shout out to the crew from Amtrack and all Mystics fans, we had a great time in CT at Moehgan Arena.

If you are a true Mystics fan, then you know that we do not like to do things easy. If there is a way to take the game to the wire, then we will take it there. Sunday was no exception. The Mystics pulled this squewker out 76-72, keeping the Mystic playofff attempts alive. Unfortunately, about 3 hours later, this dream was over when the Libety beat the Sky 58-52 in down to the wire game at the Garden.

The Mystics started weak, they seem to lack the confidence that I am used to seeing from the Mystics right off the bench. In the first quarter, the Mystics were out scored by Sun almost 2 to 1 and some were concerned that the Mystics had given up. But true Mystics fans knew that we were just getting warmed up and in the second and third, the starting bench with help from Gillian and Coco, let America know how we do it in the Nation's Capital. The 2nd qtr was about being more competitive on offense and the Mystics increased their scoring to be more competitive with the Sun. But every true basketball fan knows that offense without defense is dead in the water, so coming out of the locker room after halftime, the Mystics got busy. The 3rd qtr the Mystics defense held the Sun, while offense outscored them nearly 2 to 1. In the 4th, the Sun rallied and it remained neck in neck, until the career making 3 pointer made by Monique Currie with 0.1 seconds left in the game.

So after taking a quick poll of the fans at the game, no surprise Monique Currie is the Highlight Award winner. After a rough couple of games and less game time, Mo cam through in the clinch and on ABC to boot!!!! That is what the WNBA is about.



This one is of Mo and my friend's daughter, Chanae at the All Star games. She thinks next Mo will be an unstoppable All Star and I agree.

Mystics Are Down But Not Out

Nothing is ever easy in Love or Basketball and the Mystics proved this point tonight. If the Mystics had won tonight, it would have clinched their position in the playoff. However, the fat lady has not sung and we are still in it. In order for the Mystics to retain their position in the playoffs, the following combination of things MUST happen....

1. The Mystics beat the Sun in Connecticut on Sunday; and
2. The Liberty lose one of their remaining 2 games.

So, Mystics fans, add the team to the prayer list and/or rub your lucky rabbit's foot, we will be on the edge of our seats for the weekend, while the Liberty take the Sun and Sky at Madison Square Garden.

Okay, okay I will get to tonight's game. Well, it was rough. The Liberty are a good team that played well and the refs were their sixth man, especially Camaron Inouye#13. She must have just gotten her whistle because I have never seen a ref call more one sided and imaginary calls this season. Tonight's game is a live example of why we may want to consider "instant replay" in the WNBA. Damn, I am off track, back to the game. The Mystics played well, from the beginning they played like this game meant something. For 3 of 4 quarters they matched the Liberty play for play, but a bad call in the 2nd qtr against Delisha, caused her to lose her cool, which resulted in a tech costing us 3 points, followed by missed shots by AB and Delisha. By hey, this is just one blogger's opinion. At the end, of the day, both teams needed this win and played hard to get it. The Mystics just came up short. Alright, on to Connecticut. I will be there, I hope you will too!!!!!!

BTW, I forgot the Highlight Award. Tonight is tough, because the whole team really pulled together and played hard. You know what, the highlight award goes to the fans for showing up and showing out. So in honor of fan appreciation day, I honor Us Fans!!!!!! Buy your tickets for next year and bring a friend!!!!!!!

(I left my camera, but I will add some cool fan pixs here this weekend!)

Tonight, I want to end our last home game with a few shout outs:

- To the Mystic Mayhem, thanks for the great energy and dances all summer long and tonight was the best half show entertainment this season.
- To my fellow fans in Section 112, thanks for making every home game a blast. See you next season.
- To Linda Hargrove, thanks for the chalk talks. They are really informative and lots of fun to get the inside scoop.

Mystics Put out the Sun

Mystics fans we are one step closer to playoff closer. If it one thing you learn as a Mystics fan it is that we like it down to the wire. Today's game and our playoff bid are no exceptions, we are taking it down to the wire. Tonight we set the Sun by 1 point, 65 to 64. It wasn't pretty, but it counts. And when we make the playoffs, we will be the last team named to the playoffs in the entire league.

Okay, we got a lot to talk about, so let get to it. Well, I have already done a big tribute to Nikki T, but thank God she was healthy enough to play tonight. Her ability to call play and switch plays as the game presents itself helped to focus the team and lead us to victory. (Her 6 rebounds didn't hurt, either :) Up against Dydek in the paint, the reverse post play was genius. This play switched the post players to the top of the key forcing Dydek to defend outside the paint. This provided several opportunities for AB to drive to the basket, earning her an amazing 28 points. In the first half, Delisha was taken out with a nasty uncalled foul by Lindsey Whalen which required her to receive stitches and be out most of the game. Hold your head up Delisha. We will need you next game.

Finally, tonight's highlight award goes to a the quintessential sixth man, Coco Miller. Coco has held this role on this Mystics for the last 3 years, but with Monique Currie playing like shit, Section 112 thinks Coco may be ready for the starting line up. While Coco posted decent numbers, shooting 6 of 7 for 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. The big reason for the award is her timing. Coco made shots in the cliches and rebounds when it counted. A special appreciation to Coco for the amazing offensive rebound with 30 seconds left that prevented Sun possession for another 21 seconds, which helped hold the slim 65-64 victory for the Mystics.

Coco congratulations for your 500th rebound during the Seattle game. I WAS THERE!!!!! GO COCO!!!!

Mystics Fight Hard But Monarchs Rise in OT

The Mystics continue to fight hard. And, I will continue to cheer hard. It is the least I can do.

So, we lost 82-86 to the Monarchs in overtime, but we held our on. This lost combined with the Liberty's win over the Shock, leave the Mystics only a half game ahead of Liberty in 4th place. So the next three games are crucial.

In the meantime, I have to give in up to Alana Beard. Not just for the 25 points, 3 assist, 3 steals and 3 rebounds but for the intense 45 minutes worth of play she brought to the court. With Nikki T out of commission with a knee injury, the vet players have had to step up. Alana and Delisha have done it. AB and Delisha, have led this team all season and now is no exception. Well, I have done a tribute to Delisha, she is one of my favorite players and the winner of many highlight awards, but today I am going to honor, AB.


Here are the stats on AB, VERY IMPRESSIVE:

Ranks #5 in the WNBA in Points Per Game(18.5)
Ranks #13 in the WNBA in Free-Throw Percentage(0.836)
Ranks #3 in the WNBA in Steals Per Game(2.03)
Ranks #19 in the WNBA in Blocks Per Game(0.73)
Ranks #4 in the WNBA in Minutes Per Game(35.2)
Ranks #4 in the WNBA in Minutes Played(1055.0)
Ranks #5 in the WNBA in Field Goals Made(197.0)
Ranks #2 in the WNBA in Field Goal Attempts(480.0)
Ranks #17 in the WNBA in Three-Point Field Goals Made(43.0)
Ranks #9 in the WNBA in Three-Point Field Goal Attempts(135.0)
Ranks #9 in the WNBA in Free Throws(117.0)
Ranks #13 in the WNBA in Free Throw Attempts(140.0)
Ranks #3 in the WNBA in Steals(61.0)
Ranks #18 in the WNBA in Blocks(22.0)
Ranks #6 in the WNBA in Points(554.0)
Ranks #14 in the WNBA in Field Goals Per 40 Minutes(7.47)
Ranks #5 in the WNBA in Field-Goal Attempts Per 40 Minutes(18.2)
Ranks #19 in the WNBA in Free Throws Per 40 Minutes(4.44)
Ranks #15 in the WNBA in Steals Per 40 Minutes(2.31)
Ranks #8 in the WNBA in Points Per 40 Minutes(21.0)
Ranks #7 in the WNBA in Total Turnovers(85.0)
Ranks #12 in the WNBA in Total Efficiency Points(461.0)
Ranks #12 in the WNBA in Efficiency Ranking(15.37)
Ranks #6 in the WNBA in Turnovers Per Game(2.83)

Storm Rain on Mystics Parade

This was not a good day for the Mystics. The Storm rained on our winning streak to clinch their Western Conference bid for the 4th place conference playoffs. Congrats to them , but our bid continues on Mystics fall to the Storm 68-91, down 23 points (our worst loss all season.)

First, as a fan, let me say that going from the Staples Center to the Key Arena, was a bit of a let down. Although, I will admit that the smaller venue was more conducive to WBNA basketball, which draws smaller crowds than the NBA. (Damn shame, one more area Women get the shaft.) Second, let me give a big shout our to my cousin, Donna (my mom's 1st cousin, who like her is ready for the season to end so I will blog about something besides basketball) and close family friend, Kathy and her daughters, Gabby and Tamara. Thanks for hanging out with me in Seattle.

Well like I have said about many Mystics win, sometimes it just comes down to who wants it more and brings that passion. Tonight, the team with the passion was the Storm. Sure, I could complain about how Nikki T's reoccuring knee injury had her on the bench most of the game, or how Delisha fouled out of the game, but at the end of the day. The team that showed up in LA was not the same team that showed up in Seattle. I should know, I was there!!!!!

One thing I can say, the Seattle game was a history making night. Hear are some of the highlights: (This ones for my Republican friends, Yes sadly I am still talking to them.)

The Good: AB joins the 2000 point club and Coco gets her 500th rebound. The Bad: Another Storm player makes history playing us, Betty Lenox scores career high 34 points (last time it was Lauren Jackson for 47 points.) The Ugly: Mystics suffer their worst loss all season crashing an embarrasing 23 point deafeat. Damn!!!

Live From The Staples Center......

When you do LA....the only way to do it is big. So, when I realized I would be in LA on business during the Mystics v. Sparks game, I know floor seating was the only way to go. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect. I knew I was in the home of the Lakers, seating in seats that celebs clamoured for during their season, but I was not prepared for how spectacular the Staples Center is as a sports venue. As a fan, I felt I had won a sports fantasy prize.

Compared to the Staples Center, the Verizon Center is like playing in the hood. In the Verizon Center, the courtside seats are like racked folding chairs; in the Staple Center, the courtside seats are leather and plush. In the Verzon Center, the players enjoy the same racked folding chairs that the fans have to deal with, in the Staple Center, the have a leather bench with Sparks name blazed across and wrapped in the team colors. In the Verizon Center, our scoreboard in one step above analog with 4 sides; in the Staples Center the scoreboard is 8 sides of full digital color. I guess you get the point. Now for the game.

Thank you , thank you, thank you Mystics. If being in the Staples Center is a great fan experiences, winning in the Staples Center is the ultimate fan experience. Big thank you to the staff and Sparks fans for not killing me as I loudly cheered by team on to victory. LETS GO MYSTICS!!!!!!!!!

It was a great game and like the Stars game, the Mystics just brought more heart to the game. It was weird seeing Murial Page and Temecka Johnson play for the Sparks, but I bet Sparks fans though it was weird to see Delisha and Nikki T play for us. Well, whatever, we won 80-75.

Now, on to Seattle. I pray we can repeat this win in the Key Center. Everyone meditate on shutting down Lauren Jackson. Peace.

Mystics Shot Past Stars

This was a game of who wanted it more. The answer, the Mystics. We are working to get in the playoffs, while the Stars have already cinched their playoff spot. Passion can be just as important as skill. When Nikki T was out in the 1st Qtr, I worried that we might lack the passion to get the win. But the Mystics did not disappoint. And we move 1 more game closer to the playoffs. Yeah!!!!

Since I wasn't at the game,I just want to pay a little tribute to Nikki Teasley. Some fans have felt that Nikki was nearing the end of her career and have noticed her limited play and decrease in points scored per game. But Nikki is a true leader on the team. She had a particularly tough off season and has battled knee and arm injuries that have left her in constant pain. But she plays, leads and mentors her team. In her own words,

"It's mind over matter, man," Teasley said. "And at this point in time, I have to do my job, and my job is to come out here and play hard and win ballgames, no matter the circumstances."

Ranks #16 in the WNBA in Assists Per Game(3.1)
Ranks #18 in the WNBA in Assists(92.0)
Ranks #18 in the WNBA in Assists Per Turnover(1.59)
Ranks #11 in the WNBA in Assists Per 40 Minutes(5.7)
Nikki T, thank you and keep your head up. We got the Playoffs to get through!!!!

Mystics Soar past Sky

We needed this win. Everything rested on it.

• we needed the Sky to lose
• we needed a win
• we needed to go on the road with aspiration to make playoffs
• it is the last home game for almost a week.

Games like this require leadership, plain and simple. thank god for Delisha, Nikki T and AB. Experience, talent and great teamwork is what wins games for the Mystics. First, we are a shooting team. To win, we must shoot more than 40% from the floor, tonight we shot 45.8%. We need to rebound consistently, tonight we rebounded 34 times. Finally, this is a team sport. Sure Alana Beard averages 18 pts a game but for us to win we need at least 2 other starters to be in double digits. Well, tonight the sun, moon and Sky lined up to deliver a win for the Mystics.

Hey no denying that this was a stellar game for D-Nasty. She gets the Highlight Award. 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Plus, she played for 40 solid minutes. Delisha you did your thing. You go girl!!!

OptiMYSTICS about the Playoffs ... Thanks Liberty

In this season,, we Mystics fans and team have experienced all the emotions, one can have in a season. We have been depressed, hopeful and now, optimistic (optiMYSTICS).

This was the Mystics' game from the beginning. They came out strong and commanded a strong 19-8 lead at the close of the first quarter. In the end, the Mystics played well and the Liberty didn't. Sucks to be a Liberty fan!!!!

Okay. Now for the Main event. The Highlight Award goes to the whole team. Go Mystics for improving shooting and playing fairley consistent defense. FG% 46.9, FT% 81.8, 33 rebounds and only 11 turnovers. We are on are way.