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.