'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
"I really think I can say it can't get any worse than it did last year," forward Monique Currie said, reflecting on the Mystics' 5-29 record. Of course, a year ago, similar rock-bottom statements were made following a six-win season — then things got worse.
Mystics forward Monique Currie said it best.
After two dismal seasons of single-digit wins, the Washington Mystics have turned the page. On Monday, the team fired coach-general manager Trudi Lacey, along with assistant coaches Jennifer Gillom and Marianne Stanley.
Albert Lee, a five-year Washington Mystics season ticket holder, was on the fence about renewing his seats. Once he heard the team had fired coach and general manager Trudi Lacey on Monday, he made his decision.
After two single-digit win seasons, the Washington Mystics have fired coach-general manager Trudi Lacey. In her two seasons at the helm, Lacey went 11-57. Lacey was named coach and general manager in November of 2010, after spending the two previous years as an assistant coach.
In the end, the shots just wouldn't fall for the Washington Mystics. In their final home game of a dismal 2012 campaign, the Mystics shot a lackluster 33.8 percent from the floor en route to a 66-53 loss to the visiting Indiana Fever.
Natalie Novosel isn't used to hearing her number called in the first quarter. But on Sunday afternoon when the Mystics hosted the New York Liberty at Verizon Center, Novosel found herself in the game early and playing a season-high 15 minutes.
For the first three and half quarters, it looked like the improbable just might happen. The Washington Mystics, sporting the league's worst record and mired in a nine-game losing streak, were holding their own against Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream on Friday at Verizon Center.
Jasmine Thomas shook her head as she talked about the first time the Mystics and the Sparks met this season.
It's been a difficult time of late for the Washington Mystics, who went 0-3 on the road last week against Indiana, Atlanta and New York. Their homecoming present was no gift either, a matchup with the Eastern Conference leading Connecticut Sun.
The Washington Mystics had every reason to breathe a sigh of relief at the start of Friday's game against the Atlanta Dream. Forward Angel McCoughtry, the WNBA's leading scorer, was out of the lineup, and didn't even make the trip to D.C.
Angel McCoughtry will have a homecoming of sorts when the Atlanta Dream visit Verizon Center on Friday night.
It was a signature win for the Mystics — a 67-66 upset victory over the Indiana Fever on June 15. For Mystics guard Shannon Bobbitt, it was a statement game.
Michelle Snow stood alone at the far end of the Mystics' practice court. It was an hour before practice was scheduled to start, and the Mystics' new 6-foot-5 center was busy working on her shot.
The Connecticut Sun honored their two Olympians, Asjha Jones and Tina Charles, after Wednesday night's final home game before the London Games.
"In the last five to seven games, we've done a better job of executing and not making those crucial turnovers," Lacey said. "The mental errors have slowed down a bit which is encouraging."
"She's a great competitor and an awesome person," Lacey said. "It's a lot to learn in one year and she's shown lots of improvement. She's worked very hard and she's beginning to understand what it takes to play and compete at this level. I think she has a bright future in this league."
Mystics rookie Natalie Novosel learns perseverance, perspective →
