Shock Defeat Mystics...Damn

This game was like watching many Mystics losses on repeat. The story is simple.... no rebounds, only 20 for the entire team, and failure to complete shots, crappy 33.3% FG percentage. This is old news and has yet to be solved.

The only bright spot remains that the bottom 3 teams in the east conference continue to be within a 1/2 game of each other, so a playoff spot is still possible.

Next game....Indiana Fever with Tamika Catchings out with an injury, it will still be a tough game, but we have the talent to win. We have lost 3Xs to Indiana this year, but each have been very close games.

Okay, so now what each of you is waiting for.....the Highlight Award. This was tough, because there was nothing outstanding. In truth. the ladies just did not demonstrate the mental intensity necessary to beat a championship team. Never mind, I choose no one. Let's just focus on the Fever. It would be nice to beat them once this year.

How Lauren Jackson scored 47 points and the Mystics Won

Truth. I have no idea how we won this game. Sure, the Mystics finally posted decent percentages, for once this season (FG% 49.3%, 3FG% 40.9%); three of our starters posted 20+ points (AB-27, MO- 23 and D-Nasty - 22); and finally, we played really solid defense (42 rebounds, the most all season in a single game.)

When you read the papers and reports on this game, they are going to talk about Lauren Jackson and her awesome fade-away jumper that the Mystics could not shut down. This jumper led to an WNBA record for the highest number of points scored in a game (tied with Diana Taurasi a nice honor to share with her friend and oversees teammate). Hey, I am impressed with her 47 points. I could not believe it but as a witness, the girl was on fire.

Now for the highlight award. When I started giving these awards, I wanted to call attention to players that step up to the plate but may not get the play in mainstream media, UNFORTUNATELY NONE OF THE PLAYERS GET MUCH MEDIA PLAY. First, I want to give a special shout out to Nikki Teasley, for an amazing 10 assists. Nikki T's leadership is invaluable to this team. This leadership is never more clear than watching Nikki Blue step to the plate.



Nikki Blue is the Hightlight winner for me. Basically, I give her this for stepping up on defense and holding Sue Bird. Nikki B stayed on her like butter on toast. She could not get a shot off while Nikki was guarding her and it disrupted her passing. Twice, Nikki forced Bird to run the shot clock out. You go girl!!!!!!!

Mystics Rally to Trounce Lynx in Overtime

Based on the following stats, who won the Game, Mystics or Lnyx?

Average Mystics Lynx
FG% 38.0% 48.6%
3FG% 17.6% 50.0%
FT% 76.4% 80.0%
Turnovers 20 32

Rebounds 26 42

Most would say Lynx, but they would be wrong. Despite posting horrible team stats, the Mystics pulled it out in OT against the Lynx and continue to be 1 game back from the 4 position. It is sheer force of will, but these ladies have won 7 of the last 10 games and 4 in a row.

Now, imagine what they could do if they had a decent field goal percentage or improved their perimemter shooting or better yet, tighten up their defense. The Mystics would be unstoppable. Although, I will cut them a break for the

• five who posted double figures Nikki Blue, Delisha Milton Jones, Nakia Sanford, Monique Currie and Alana Beard, and


• the impressive 21 team steals.

Alright, since this was an away game , I wasn't in attendance tonight's highlight award is based on my read of the stats. Tonight's award goes to our one of All-Star Player, Delisha Milton Jones. D-Nasty posted 17 points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals. Plus, she enters prestigeous 3000-point club.

Another Win and the Mystics Move up to 5th Place

Somebody had to win. Thanks God it was the Mystics. I am glad we won the game. I am glad the Mystics came back in the second half with an improved defensive play that allowed them the make up a 14 point deficit. But thank God we were playing a team with almost equally bad FG% and the same 17 turnovers. Good defense by the Mystics in the second half and bad defense by the Comets in the second half, lead to the 65-58 Mystics win.

If the Mystics are going to make it to the playoffs, they have got to focus on improving their shooting percentage, especially when they aren't creating opportunites for additonal shots. In this case, every shot counts.

Before I go to the hightlight award, I would just like to give a big shout out to all the kids at all the camps that came to camp day. As Delisha noted, your energy helped play and important "sixth" man role in the game today. Oh yeah, one more thing....Lisa Mattingly ref #30 was up to her old tricks.

Alright enough.....the highlight award goes to Monique Currie for breaking her cherry with her first Mystics double double, putting up 16 points and 11 rebounds. You go, Mo!!!

Mo and Nikki T preparing their game face for the impending win over the Comets. I took this shot myself.

Mystics Trounce Lynx in Overtime

Over 6,000 screaming Mystics fans, stood on their feet to cheer the Mystics to an overtime victory against the Lynx last night. This victory put the Mystics just one game back from 4th place Chicago Sky and the playoffs. You Go Ladies!!!!!!! Keep your focus, we can do it!!!

This game was a demonstration of classic Mystics play. The win is attributed to sheer intensity of the Mystics and a lackluster performance by the Lynx. On the intesity side, 4 of the 5 Mystic starters pulled in double digits, which is expected as they each saw close to 40 mins of gruelling game time. The Mystics hit a consecutive 27 free throws, making every shot in the 1st and 2nd quarter. Nykia Sanford tied her career high points and brought home a double double with 25 points and 10 rebounds. On the lackluster, Lynx starting guard Lindsey Harding exited game early due to ankle injury, top scorer Seimone Augustus was held at 16 points and the team fumbled for 18 turnovers.

As a fan, I am happy to head to the all star break on a win. We need to relax and enjoy the All-Star game (I know I will!!!), cheer for the East and comeback focused. Come back Wedensday against the Comets ready to earn a playoff spot.

Til Later, there is no doubt that the hightlight goes to Nakia Sanford. Nakia get holdin' down the middle. I am proud of the way you have stepped up after the controversal Chastiy Melvin trade. You are looking good on the big screen.

Do your thing!!!!!

P.S. Just want to give a small shout out to Chastity Melvin for her entrance into the 3,000 club in the Mystics /Sky game on July 7. To bad, it had happen in a game lost to your old team. :)

Mystics Aim for the Stars But Fall Short

There have been few moments in my life, when I have been speechless. When I just don't know what to say... well, this is not one of those times but it is getting close. How many times can I acknowledge the talent on the Mystics team. How many times can I say that the Mystics need to work on their field goal percentage? How many times can I say that we need to develop a perimeter and 3 pt shot plays to accelerate points of the board? In search of this answer, I ask the high school and college ballers that were in my section. Here are some quotes from them..

• "They need work on the outside jumpers, they should focus on getting in the paint"


• "Don't they have that girl who shoots nothin but 3 pt shots"


• "They shooting sucks"


• "shouldn't they be in man-to-man against all those perimeter shots"

As for me, I look to the coaching. The scoring continues to be a problem but with Becky Hammon out, I expected the Mystics to kill on defense and it did not happen. All the talent in the world doesn't work without leadership and strategy.

Okay. on to brighter topics. No Highlight Award tonight. Instead,

Congratulations to Gillian (Goring) Conley and on her recent Wedding.
(Unfortunately, I don't have a good picture. )

The break is just in time to get a few days honeymoon in. Enjoy the break girl!!!!

3 up, 1 back Half a Season Left to Go

I don't want to be a sore loser, but really this game should have been in the bag for the Mystics. If you were at the game, then you know that the Fever came to play with a secret weapon, referee Lisa Mattingly. This combined with the drama queen Tamika Catchings who spent so much time hitting the floor that I thought she was auditioning for the reality series, Punk'd.

Sure there were some moments that just didn't work out. For one, I would love to know what the strategy is with Laurie Koehn. Everyone knows that she is a 3 pt specialist. So today, Tree finally puts her in and while she missed 2 important 3 pt shots, most of the time she was simply ignored by the team. She is standing open and instead AB drives to the hole. On the bright side, she makes the shot, but I just don't get it. While I am no expert, the fans in my section (and behind the bench where I visit occasionally) think we ought to be getting more utility from Laurie. The other big thing the Mystics still need to work on the Field Goal % which is still one of the lowest in the league. So, this game is done. Time to move on with over 7,000 fans in attendance, we know the season is not over.

Now, for the highlight award. Today's award goes to our 2nd year guard who showed grace under pressure and hit a crucial layup that kept the Mystics in the contention to win with a 1:30 left to go. You know who I am talking 'bout

Diva # 2...Nikki BLUE. Sometimes, it is not how much you
score but when you make the points. Hold it down BLUE.