Currie's improved defense helps offense

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By Mike Fratto THE WASHINGTON TIMES

When the Washington Mystics acquired Monique Currie early last season, they hoped for another scoring threat to support All-Star guard Alana Beard.

But they also received a forward whose increased focus on defense has caught the attention of coach Tree Rollins and teammates in recent weeks.

"She's really been focusing on her defense," said Beard, a teammate of Currie's at Duke. "She's known that may be a weakness of her game, and she's been working on improving that."

Currie's improved defense has coincided with the most consistent offensive play of her career.

She is averaging a career-high 13.2 points - second best on the Mystics, who play the San Antonio Silver Stars this afternoon at Verizon Center. Currie also has shed her reputation as a streaky player, scoring in double figures in five of Washington's past six games.

"We're constantly encouraging her to play defense," Rollins said. "Her offense sometimes generates her defense. We've been trying to get her the ball early, and that keeps up her energy level more. From any point in her career, this is the best defense she's played."

The 6-foot Currie has drawn some of the toughest assignments in the league, guarding Phoenix's Diana Taurasi and Los Angeles' Candace Parker.

Her increased effort on defense also has helped her offense in Rollins' up-temp style. After opponents' missed shots, Currie is often the recipient of open shots on fast breaks.

"They both go hand in hand," Currie said. "When you play good defense, it creates good offense for you. But I can't have people scoring 30 points on me every night, so I'm really trying to focus on stopping players and using that momentum to come out on the offensive end."

Currie has responded to the added offensive responsibility as well. In Washington's 77-74 win June 26 at Los Angeles, she scored a game-high 24 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer in overtime after Beard fouled out.

"I'm being more aggressive and being more assertive on the court," Currie said. "I know I need to score in order for us to have a chance to win, so I'm really trying to look to be aggressive and score points."

Washington (6-10) is a better team with Currie playing both ends of the court.

The Mystics and their opponents expect contributions coming from Beard (19.5 points) on the outside and veteran Taj McWilliams-Franklin (12.8 points) in the post. But with Currie as an added threat for defenses to focus on and center Nakia Sanford finding her rhythm, Washington is capable of a more dynamic offense.

"With Mo coming in and playing the way she's playing, Taj doing what she does and one more person having a good night, it makes the game so much easier because I don't have to put pressure on myself to make something happen every single time," Beard said. "It's about trusting my teammates and knowing that they're gonna be consistent every night."