Melvin Heads for the Sky

Good Luck, Chasity. I will miss u.

The Sky are getting a solid veteran player with a great sense of humor.

There are people in my section who will be glad to see her go, but I will miss her.

I am depressed and the Mystics' loss to the Liberty does not help.

Mystic Gives Game to Monarchs

Tuesday's game against the Monarchs represented all the emotions one person can have in the span of 4 quarters.

First Quarter

What can I say? This was the kind of quarters Mystics fans like me love to see. The Mystics playing solid defense:boxing the Monarchs out of the paint, rebounding and no turnovers. It was like a glimpse into what you know the Mystics are capable of achieving. The quarter ended with a Mystics lead 21-11.

Second Quarter

Have you ever had one of those dreams that was so good you didn't want to wake up? It was so good that even as the world is trying to wake you, in your dream you are fighting to stay asleep. Welcome to the 2nd Qtr. Initially, the Mystics soar to a 14 point lead. I am so happy. Then, I start to wake up. Penicheiro hits a jumpshot and effectively ends my dream. By the end of the first half, the Monarchs has closed the Mystics lead to 5 points.

Third Quarter

Penichero comes out and immediately followed by a quick two point shot by the Mystics' own D-Nasty, with an assist by Chastity. And then, the dream officially turned into a nightmare. The Mystics would not score for almost 4 whole minutes. By the time Nakia scored with 5:29 minutes left in the Qtr, it was to bring the Mystics to a 40-40 tie. The rest of the Qtr was a struggle for the Mystics to tie, while delivering slipping shooting percentage, few rebounds and many turnovers.

Fourth Quarter

If you are like me, you just want the nightmare to end. So I will keep it short. One shot from the floor. Multiple turnovers. Starters in foul trouble. Final score Mystics 52 Monarchs 70. 'Nuff said.

No Highlight Player - I am too depressed to give an award.

Mystics Home Opener is Home Downer

Well Mystics Fans... The good news is that the Mystics kept the players together that pushed us to one of our best seasons. The bad news is that the Mystics brought back the same issues that plagued them last season. Damn!!!

So, positivity first. The best thing and biggest surprise about today's game was Chasity Melvin. Fans are generally divided about Chasity (at least in my section) but I have always supported Chas. Maybe it is because she is at her best when the rest of the team is at their worst. Maybe it is because she has been a solid player for 8 years. Maybe it is because off the court she cracks me up. Maybe it is because my cousin has a crush on her. Whatever it is "I am a fan." Anyway, today she racked up the best stats of either team, bringing in the nights only "double double" with 22 points and 11 rebounds. She also tied here career high free throws made, with an impressive 10 out of 11 shots from the line. We also saw a solid, performance from Delisha Milton Jones, not a surprise. Delisha is one of the most consistent players on the team, also an 8 year vet still posting strong numbers on the court and bringing important leadership to the team.

HIGHLIGHT AWARD - CHASITY MELVIN (Big Surprise)

Okay, let's start with the rant. What can I say, we are fans. We need somebody to blame when we lose and today, there is plenty of complaints to go around. First, as much as I love the Mystics, I wish we could execute a better defense. As a I stated in my first post of the season, I believe this is a championship team, but if we can't consistently execute a stronger defensive, we are sunk. Offensively, the Mystics shot 45.5% to the Sun's 38.8% with about the same number of shots attempted. However, the Sun went to the line 36 times to the Mystics 19 times, which demonstrates a key weakness in the Mystics defensive execution. Second, we have to look at Crystal Robinson. The only Mystics player with time on the board but no points. Again, I had the opportunity to sit behind the bench, and fans kept asking "Richie, why are you sending Crystal in?" The answer, while not what the fans wanted to hear, is simple. Crystal is Richie's "go to" player. She gets him. She continues to be the person he depends on to translate his complex intentions to the rest of the team. Well, her translation may be great, but her execution needs a little work. Finally, I remain consistently frustrated with Richie's unwillingness to put the "newbies" on the floor. In a short 4:43 min on the floor, Bernice shot 100% from the floor and brought in 3 rebounds. I can't wait to see more of her. And I really want to see Gillian Goring (GG to some G-squared to me)get some time. I think a tall, strong center might get our defense on the right track.

After calming down from the lost (I hate losing, especially when you go from a tie to 9 points down in the last minute of the game), I still think this is going to be record breaking year. The Mystics brought a strong offense, even with AB on the injured list, and even against one of the best teams. The Mystics held there own.

****Final Note**** In my preseason post, I listed Rita Williams as my pick, but I really meant to list Bernice Mosby. Anyway, while I knew it was a long shot, I am disappointed to see Megan Vogel didn't make the cut. I saw her with her parents before the game, I think she would have brought a lot of heart to the game. I wish her luck in her professional career and look for her to do big things overseas.

Mystics Veterans Take Charge and Leave Little Room for Newbies

Unlike most fans, I love preseason. I mean the singer forgot the words to the national anthem, even though the words are in bright lights and the game announcer mis-pronounced all the team players names. But still, I love preseason. Preseason is the time to evaluate the team, see if the veterans have stepped up their game or if the newbies can compete in the big league. I also love preseason because it is a time for the fans to decide what kind of team and season we will have. Well, preseason is over and my thoughts are in.....

First, thank god for the Veterans. Although, Alana Beard set out to continue to rest her sore shoulder, the remaining starting five, Nikki Teasley, Nakia Sanford, Chastity Melvin, Delisha Milton-Jones and the ultimate sixth man, Coco Miller. Thanks to this core group plus Laurie Koehn, the Mystics are well on their way to a championship season.

Second, the newbies (at least to the Mystics),Rita Williams(not that new to the Mystics), Teana Williams, Meagan Vogel and Gilian Goring (or as my team mates have look pretty damn good also. Williams had to pinch hit as point guard because Nikki Blue was down with injuries and even with Richie's complicated plays she looked like she had been a Mystics for years (well I guess, it was just like coming home).

Finally, Richie Adubato and the rest of the Mystics management has a tough decision ahead of them. This decision is made tougher by the fact that the salary cap will keep them from the maximum rooster. Well, I don't know Richie's picks but here are mine....

I will start with the "No Duh" Group
1. Alana Beard
2. Nikki Teasley
3. Crystal Robinson
4. Coco Miller
5. Chastity Melvin
6. Delisa Milton-Jones
7. Laurie Koehn - BTW she gets the Highlighted Award for 8 out of 9 3-point shots
8. Nakia Sanford

Now, for the "Tough Decision" Group
9. Nikki Blue (but may be injured)
10. Rita Williams (yes, she should get this spot, finally)
11. Gillian Goring (or G-Squared, Double G or just plain GG)- She blocks, rebounds, shoots and she is 6-7. What's not to love
12. Meagan Vogel (this is a long shot, but Tamara James doesn't have control of her game and the bench is already deep.)

Which means, for my money Tamara James and Teana Miller are out, both are quality players but on this team of proven vets is is tough to find a place.

Final Analysis - The Mystics are headed for the 2007 Championships to celebrate the Mystics 10th Anniversary.