I’m looking forward to the team getting some wins during the remainder of July then coming back at the end of August ready to grab a playoff spot. Let’s continue to BELIEVE and get ready for the home stretch of the regular season.

Go Mystics!!!

Tuesday, July 22 - Linda Hargrove checks in.

Hey All ...

We finally played a full game against Seattle on Sunday and it was so much fun. The crowd was great and the players responded with great effort and a defensive mindset that I hadn’t seen all season. This team was built to run and disrupt and when we are trying to make a lot of decisions in the half court we just looked bad. We had so much energy and a cohesiveness that I had to keep looking at the name on the front of the uniforms to make sure it was our Washington Mystics. The players were smiling, interacting with each other, listening to the coaches and overall having so much fun. To see them play free and enjoy themselves was something we have been waiting for and it finally happened. The crowd just fed off their energy and they too were so happy to have something to feel good about.

The challenge now will be to come back and do it again and again. I like the personnel of this group and I know that there has been a lot of criticism about why we didn’t make this move or draft this other player. I believe this group can win and compete with the best in the league. We’ve beaten LA when they were first, Connecticut when they were first and now Seattle when they had just won seven in a row and were near the top of the West. We have been incredibly inconsistent and I hope that this new attitude will carry through to the end of the season.

Jessie Kenlaw is such a special person. Most of our fans don’t know too much about her. We began working together when I left Wichita State University to begin my career coaching in the pros. Jessie was the head coach at the University of Houston, had played in one of the pro leagues, where she led the league in rebounding, and really wanted to get an opportunity to coach professionally. We had never met but she came to a free agent camp in Kansas City to meet with me and I saw something special in her. We coached together in Colorado until the ABL folded and then she left Louisiana Tech to join me in Portland for three years. When our team folded, she went to Seattle and helped them win a WNBA championship. She is very aggressive, demands accountability, motivates and basically just gets after the players to do their best. The thing I have always admired about her is how players respond to her. She is tough and fair at the same time. For the most part I think players want discipline, specific direction and I feel that Jessie can provide that for this team.

I know when she walked into the arena on Sunday and you gave her an ovation, I felt like crying and I know that she was so touched by your support. I don’t know if she or the team can continue to duplicate the effort, consistency and winning ways that we saw on Sunday but I do know that Jessie and Crystal will do everything they can to see that it happens again and again. Crystal is a great teacher and can really break down any skill and teach in an effective way. She is one of the bright young stars in the coaching profession. It is so exciting to see our former players stay in basketball and continue to give back to the sport that we all love so much.

Well, tomorrow morning we will get a chance to see if the Mystics are for real. We have not been competitive with NY in the two games that we have played up there. This will be another great opportunity for us to make a move in the standings. Bring your ear plugs (it’s camp day) and cheer this NEW team on to victory.

See you in the gym ...

Linda

Monday, July 21 - Mystics President and Managing Partner, Sheila Johnson, shares her thoughts following last night’s thrilling victory.

It is with the emotions and excitement of last night’s game still pulsing through me, that I write this. This past weekend, beyond a doubt, has been highly charged for a number of reasons.

Firstly, I cannot write this without thanking the Mystics’ fans—for hanging in there through the highs and the lows. As Ted so correctly states, “You cannot get too high with the highs, or too low with the lows.”

This year has been a testament to the fact, that even with a clearly outlined plan in hand, any given variable can, and inevitably does, change. From the start of this season, we faced issues we could not, and did not anticipate, from Nikki Teasley’s pregnancy, to Delisha Milton-Jones no longer wanting to be a part of this team. In short order, we were quickly sent back to the drawing board as our entire configuration changed, leaving us with tall orders to be filled, and a short pool from which to draw a resolution. Consistently, it has been our objective to find and grow young talent, while refining our existing power. In this game, I have found the greatest hurdle to be identifying coaching staff that understands the game of the WNBA.

As we regroup, and prepare for our last few games before the Olympic break, we look towards the continued support of the Mystics community. Regardless of a “W” or “L”, it is your support that fuels the engine which drives this team! I am confident of these next few games, because, at the end of the day, it is in this organization, team, and fan base that I believe!

Friday, July 18 - Crystal Langhorne checks in.

So I am pretty tired of fighting with the old people on my team lol. I always get into arguments with Alana, so one day I bodyslammed her; of course the other elderly woman, Nakia, had to jump in and they beat me up! My other young people, Bernice and Vaughn, were nowhere to be found. So I let that slide because that was about my second week into the season.

However, the other day I got into another argument with Alana. I kept talkin smack because I saw Bernice was in the room with me. So I kept running off at the mouth and they attacked me: Alana, Monique and Nakia, and of course Bernice was nowhere to be found. Again. Nakia had the nerve to beat me with my own bag. And they gave me a wedgie on top of that. But don't worry, I'm going to get them all back when they are by themselves because they can't handle me one on one.

I also realized this week that I am actually a pretty good cook. This week I made some chicken and I seasoned it so well. It was some good chicken. So now I know I can make people dinner and not be scared of what it is going to taste like. Soon I'm going to try to make complicated dishes like lasagna and chicken fried rice.

And then Monique was making fun of my blogs, saying they're boring lol. Well, I'm like why don't you try to write a blog every week and see how interesting yours is. I mean Monique is pretty boring in real life so I know her writing would be even worse hahaha. Anyway, I ignore her hatred and know that some people enjoy my blogs. So I hope you liked this one.

Hope to see you at the game tonight!

Byeeee

Thursday, July 17 - Greg Bibb checks in.

Since my blog entry last week, we have played two games, posting a 1-1 record. We dropped a 79-66 decision in Detroit on Friday and then posted a 69-64 home win over Connecticut on Sunday. Those two games were sort of symbolic of our season so far. Friday’s game at Detroit was simply ugly. We started slow and finished slow, trailing throughout, and getting beat in just about every facet of the game.

Conversely, Sunday was arguably our best performance of the season. Despite falling behind, 9-0, to start the game, we rallied, took a lead by the end of the first half, and then played solid basketball the rest of the way. If I hadn’t seen the Mystics uniforms, I would have thought I was watching two different teams on Friday and Sunday. We have to find a way to become a consistently productive squad. If we can do this, we will make a run over the final 14 games of the season. If not, the college season starts in a couple of months.

I thought one of the big positives from Sunday’s win was the balanced effort we got. Nine players registered points and nine registered at least one rebound. I also thought our defense was particularly good. We seemed to be executing our schemes more efficiently and our switches were solid. In short, it looked like we trusted one another more on the defensive side of the ball than we have during any other time this season.

The big story from Sunday, however, was Nikki Blue. The UCLA grad posted a career-high 13 points and went 3-4 from behind the 3-point arc. We have had an issue getting offensive production from our point position this season and on Sunday Nikki stepped up and provided the points we needed to win the game. When our point guard scores, it forces the opposition to play honest defense, which takes away the double teams and schemes Alana and Monique typically face. If Nikki can continue to be offensively productive, good things lie ahead.

So, after Sunday’s triumph our record is now 8-12 as we hit the busiest stretch in our 2008 campaign. Beginning tonight in New York, we will play six games in 11 days. This includes three games in the next four days. We trail the Liberty by three games in the race for the fourth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. We aren’t at a “must win” situation yet, but we’re starting to get close. We also host New York next Wednesday for our Camp Day Game. When you get the chance to play the team you’re chasing twice in seven days, you need to take advantage of the opportunity.

In all, five of our next six games are against Eastern Conference opponents. Now is the time to make our move. We have played better basketball as of late, winning two of our last three. We need to win at least four of the next six to hit the August break with no worse than a 12-14 record. This would leave eight games to play after the break. If we were to go at least 5-3 in those final eight, we would finish at 17-17, which I think will get us in the playoffs.

If you do the math, that’s 9-5 over the final 14 games. While this will be a challenge, it is possible. I firmly believe we are better than a 9-5 team talent wise. We just need to execute.

If our 8-12 record seems familiar, it should as it matches our 2007 mark through 20 games. Last season, we finished 8-6 over the final 14 games and missed the playoffs by one game. I think our players remember how that felt and will do their best to avoid being on the outside looking in once again this season.

On a separate note, I wanted to thank everyone who participated in the Mystics Jersey Auction following Sunday’s game. Through the amazing generosity of our fans, we raised an unbelievable $37,570 for Sibley Memorial Hospital’s Sullivan Center for Breast Health. In my 11 years of doing this type of auction, I have never seen bids anywhere near what we experienced on Sunday. The auction provided yet another example of why we are blessed with the most devoted, loyal, and giving fan base in the WNBA. Thanks again for your help in fighting a terrible disease.

We’ll see you at Verizon Center on Friday.

Until next time,

Go Mystics!

Wednesday, July 16 - Eboni Tyler shares her flying woes.

Vacation is nearing and I’m sooooooooo excited. But on the other hand, I’m more scared than excited. Are you as afraid of flying as I am? OH, I am not afraid of heights. And I am not even afraid of close quarters. What I am afraid of is the financial obligation. Can I afford to take more than one bag? Travel without a bag lunch? Connect through two stops? Risk not arriving in the city of my destination? Sit on the runway for more than an hour or two - just to get off? And then finally getting there, only to find out that the one bag I could take free didn’t travel with me? All that goes into consideration when planning the one weekend I have off. You do the math:

Have you been watching the news?
Monday! A small plane over shoots the runway. It backs up and finally makes it to the terminal.
Tuesday! The Nation is informed that to take a second bag, it will cost an extra $25.
Wednesday! If you want to pick a seat and sit in it - CHA-CHING! It will cost an additional $10.
Thursday! Fuel is so expensive that to make the plane lighter in weight, the Air Carriers have removed the in-flight entertainment center and TV monitors.
Friday! You learn that your frequent flyer miles aren’t worth squat. A 6 week advance ticket costs the same as a same day ticket.
Saturday! I will be taking to the NOT-so-friendly-sky’s to visit a friend in the ATL, Atlanta Georgia that is… She just happens to work for the rival team the Atlanta Dream. I am looking forward to doing a lot of Shopping, a little Sightseeing, a lot of catching up, a little partying, a lot of laughing, and a little resting. All that in two days… LOL!

But on the serious side, the Mystics are preparing to win the last six games before taking a break for the Olympics. So that at the end of August they can return refreshed and renewed to make a run to get in the playoffs. This will put us at 14-12. BELIEVE! There is still time for us to finish with a winning record. More urgently, we’ll be playing in New York on Thursday prior to coming back home to take on the Detroit Shock. I hope to see all of you at the Verizon Center on Friday. Don’t forget to bring in your old wireless phone and accessories to turn in for the Verizon Wireless Hope Line Collection. The first 1,000 participants will receive a Nakia Sanford bobble head. And if you didn’t get a chance to pick up your Season Ticket Holder gift , please be sure to bring the voucher that you received in your ticket package to the designated table behind Section 104 during Sunday’s game (July 20th). If you have lost or misplaced it, don’t worry. You will be able to give your name and account number. Please note that there is a limit of 1 per account. Until next time Mystics Fans…

P.S. When you look to the sky think good thoughts it might be me circling the city trying to land.
GO MYSTICS!

- Eboni Tyler, Guest Services Manager

Tuesday, July 15 - Nikki Blue introduces Anitra!

Let me introduce you to my counterpart. She is what Superman is to Clark Kent, what Sasha is to Beyonce, and what Diddy, Puff daddy, and what every other name he goes by is to Sean Combs. She is my Sibyl ... She is Anitra!

After Sunday’s win over the Connecticut Sun and my season-career high effort of 13 points, you won’t believe how many text messages, e-mails, phone calls, and instant messages I received! Most were congratulations and good job messages, but a disturbing number of them were a simple question about my stellar performance. They read… “Where did that come from Nikki?” Of course no message would knock me off of the high horse that I was riding at the time of our win, but I must admit I was a little bothered by the number of people that seemed to be astonished at my performance! Okay, okay, okay, I know I don’t come out and score 13 points every game and in the media and community I am known as a quiet, humble individual, but clearly I am capable of running the show on this team and doing it with a confident swagger. But to answer the question asked to me, “Where did that come from Nikki?” , it can simply be answered in three words: It was Anitra!

Anitra is my real first name. My Grandmother wanted my mom to name me Nikki but my mom refused and named me Anitra instead. However my grandma refused to call me Anitra and vowed that Nikki would be what everyone called me! She was right, ever since I can remember I have been Nikki Blue not Anitra Blue. Nowadays my teammates and friends often treat Anitra like she is my counterpart. If I play really well or get dressed up like a Diva, they say things like, “Your looking like Anitra today!!!” Of course my teammates called me Anitra the entire night after the win against Connecticut and having that multiple personality counterpart is all fun and games, but on a serious tip, I am just me!

At times off the court my outfits may be more flamboyant than others, and even on the court, I might have more outstanding games than other times, but truthfully the approach I take is that there is nothing out there on or off that basketball court that I am incapable of doing! No matter if its points, assists, rebounds or whatever, don’t act surprised when I ball out (as we call it in the hood)! That is the swagger of Anitra, Nikki, Nik, Necole, NikkiB, or whatever else they call me! So if it entertains you to call me Anitra when I seem more spectacular than usual, then so be it, but 24/7, 365 just know that Nikki Blue is Anitra, and Anitra is Nikki Blue! My swagger is still the same and will never change! But to keep it fun, when you see me with my eye liner and mascara on walking out there on the court with the swag that I do, and if I score 50 points and 20 assists, don’t ask your neighbor, “What’s with Nikki Blue?” Just realize that Anitra is in the building! Show her some respect!

Nikki Blue (a.k.a Anitra)

Monday, July 14 - Mystics intern, Neil Parikh, shares his thoughts on the Mystics organization and the team.

Hello Mystics Fans:

I have been an intern with the Mystics for about two full months now and I can already say that it has truly been an honor. After completing my first year at Georgetown University, where I am pursuing a double-major in marketing and management and a minor in music, I had my first taste of the professional sports world. Though I am still trying to digest it all, I already know how sweet this organization is. There is no such thing as a typical day for me and my responsibilities range anywhere from greeting fans at the doors on a game-day to editing the code for this website in order to keep it fresh and updated. My experience here feeds the cliché, “You learn something new every day.” I know that all of the skills I have learned here will be exceptionally useful to my future career (hopefully in the sports and entertainment world). However, the most important thing I have gained from the past two months is my respect for the Mystics, the WNBA, and women’s basketball as a whole.

If I were to tell you that I had watched a full WNBA game before I started here, I would be lying to you. As a college guy with predominantly male friends, I believed all of the stereotypes associated with the WNBA and refused to give it a chance. Well, I was an idiot. These girls play the game the way it should be played. I see Taj fight hard for every rebound, block, and loose ball. I see Laurie on the court hours before tip off working on her jumper. I see Alana lead this team with emotion and conviction. Despite a bit of a shaky first half of the season, they are never out of any game because of this “Believe” attitude that you fans have helped instill in them. The atmosphere at Sunday’s game against the Sun was electric. Keep up the great support!

We have four more home games in the next two weeks before the teams break for the Olympics. We are also only 2 ½ games out of a playoff spot. Help this team close the gap before the Olympics by recreating this past Sunday’s environment. I am looking forward to seeing thousands of you in the next two weeks. Go Mystics!

-Neil Parikh

Friday, July 11 - Crystal Langhorne checks in.

Hey Fans,

I got to see Laura Harper again last week when we were in Sacramento so that was a great time! We went to a restaurant called the Melting Pot. Ooo it was so good, you cook everything yourself. We got the the big dinner for two. They first make the fondue right in front of you. It's funny because they make it seem so easy to make, they just throw some pieces of cheese and tomatoes and there is some salsa fondue!! But if I tried to do that at home, it would be a mess! Then, they have you cook all of your own food. Someone told me they charge too much to make you cook your own food, lol. But it's a nice experience, Harp and I were saying that's the perfect place to go on a date. The best part of the meal is dessert. Oh my gosh, soo good. We got chocolate and white chocolate and they give you all these desserts to dip. That was the best meal I had on any road trip.

We got back and we had the day off. I decided to take a trip to the mall. I know I said I wouldn't, but I bought another pair of jeans. But wait, I returned one of the pairs I bought a few weeks before that because they weren't cute enough. So now I'm done with buying jeans for the summer. It was a great mall trip and I enjoyed myself.

The next day was the 4th of July. Monique had a BBQ and the food was delicious. She was a horrible hostess though. She made me get all of my own food which I thought was pretty rude, lol. I went to another BBQ on Saturday too. My old teammate, Marissa Coleman, had one and I decided to go to that. Of course, the Maryland hostess was way better than that Duke hostess. Hahaha, don't tell Mo I said that or she won't ever invite me to a BBQ again.

Lang

Click here for the Mystics staff blog archive.