Womhoops Guru

Mel Greenberg covered college and professional women’s basketball for the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he worked for 40 plus years. Greenberg pioneered national coverage of the game, including the original Top 25 women's college poll. His knowledge has earned him nicknames such as "The Guru" and "The Godfather," as well as induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Friday, May 25, 2018

WNBA Gamer: Connecticut Joins the Early WNBA Record-Setters As the Sun Rallies Over Los Angeles

By Mel Greenberg @womhoopsguru


UNCASVILLE, Conn. — With former Stanford star Chiney Ogwumike finding her place in the sun, make that the Connecticut Sun, the Sun are finding their place on a prominent ladder high in the WNBA standings.


In a year where records are dropping at team and league levels in just the opening week, the Sun are quickly becoming notorious in the eyes of the fan base here at the Mohegan Sun Arena, especially the energetic 5,571 who Thursday night watched Connecticut mount a fourth quarter 37-20 ambush to rally from a nine-point deficit over the previously unbeaten 2017 runners up Los Angeles Sparks,102-94.


Combined with Sunday’s 101-65 home and season-opening win over the Las Vegas Aces, the Sun are the first team in the now-22 year history of the pro women’s league to blast from the starting gate at 2-0 with 100 plus points scored in each game.


Not billed this way, but it was definitely “Sisters of the Rich night” here in casino-land in the nationally-televised game as Chiney’s older sister and also Stanford grad Nneka participated in their own family affair.


The elder Ogwumike scored 19 points, one less than Sparks teammate and former Baylor star Odyssey Sims, and two less than Los Angeles game leader Chelsea Gray out of Duke.


Former Rutgers star Essence Carson was also in double figures with 15 points.


Granted, former Tennessee great Candace Parker, was again missing due to a minor back injury that has caused her yet to play in the Sparks’ 2-1 start that saw a buzzer beating win over defending champion and arch rival the Minnesota Lynx in the season opener.


On Connecticut’s side, Chiney, the 2014 rookie of the year after being the overall No. 1 pick of the Sun, had a team-leading 18 points in what promises to be a banner season after missing all of 2015 and last summer with injuries.


In all six Connecticut players scored in double figures as former George Washington star, Jonquel Jones, the most improved WNBA player in her second pro season, had 17 points off the bench after arriving here from overseas over the weekend, Alyssa Thomas had 15 points and nine rebounds, former South Florida star Courtney Williams scored 14, Jasmine Thomas scored 13, and Shekinna Stricklen scored 11.


Former Penn State Alex Bentley had nine points in helping the Sun close out the win in a game in which former University of Connecticut great Morgan Tuck was sidelined.


The youthful Sun roster also sports Brionna Jones and 2018 first-rounder Lexi Brown, and former Rutgers star Betnijah Laney,the Wilmington, Del., native who missed last season in the league due to injury and signed as a free agent with the Sun.


Statistically noteworthy, particular also on the defensive end, the fourth quarter outburst fueled by the Connecticut “D” tied the highest scoring period in Sun history, a quarter in which Connecticut shot 72.2 percent making 13 of 18 attempts from the field.


Los Angeles was also missing sixth-player star Jantel Lavender, who is still overseas, and rookie Maria Vadeeva, the first rounder still trying to get her visa.


Overall, the Sun shot 62.5 percent for the game and just ahead on Saturday night the Indiana Fever are coming with an 0-4 start including a 93-84 loss at home Thursday night to Washington, which in its record reaching 3-0 after the road win got 26 points and 10 rebounds from Delaware’s Elena Delle Donne.


Former Temple star Candice Dupree scored 21 for the Fever and Tiffany Mitchell had 13.


The Sun obviously continues to please third-year coach Curt Miller.


“I’m proud of our team tonight,” he said afterwards. “Gutty fourth quarter. Certainly, I felt we could have gone away, down nine. … little stagnant at the end of the third quarter.


A team we haven’t beaten in a few years. … easily could have seen a team pack it in and say it wasn’t our night, but our defensive intensity picked up.”


It was Connecticut’s first win over the group from Tinseltown since June 26, 2015, a losing streak of 0-6.


“You saw a team playing their third game in five days,” Miller said of the Sparks, “and what this compacted schedule can do to people.”


The league is in a hurry-up mode for the summer due to the FIBA World Championships in the fall.


“”Shorthanded (L.A.) and we looked like the fresher team in the fourth quarter and put up 37 points,” Miller beamed.


“Really, a gutty, gutty, win. I’m proud of our players.”


Miller noted it was the first time in all those games in which the Sun had two days to prepare for Los Angeles, though the Sunday last game played for the Sun until Thursday was going to be “like a vacation,” compared to the packed slate coming up.


Los Angeles coach Brian Agler, who brought Miller into the league as an assistant several seasons ago, cited the Sparks’ lack of defense. “We were a step slow in everything we were doing.”


In the sister rivalry, the win for Chiney was her first in five attempts against Nneka.


Furthermore, should UConn Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma were to suddenly surprise people and say he’s moving on, the media locally and nationally won’t suddenly be without a loquacious personality in this state.


Just listen to Chiney, who recently signed a full-time deal as an analyst for ESPN and has quickly become a go-to quote.


“Feels a little awkward at first, but honestly, I like it because she knows how hard I worked to get back,” she said of playing against Nneka.


“She’s my role model. Everything she’s done WNBA MVP, WNBA Champion, WNBPA players association president — she sets the bar so high.


“And for me to have the opportunity to learn what she does and see what she does at such a high level, it’s so fun to compete.


“It’s weird, but it’s also everything because I know in a couple of years we’re going to look back and go, ‘Wow this was such a special time in our lives,’” the younger Ogwumike said.


“Each time is special and I’m just happy to say I ain’t got losses no more. I finally got a win. We wouldn’t even talk about it at home because everyone knows she’s beaten us every time but I’m glad to set the record straight we finally got a win.”


Discussing what happened to turn things around in the fourth quarter, she said, “Lock in and play defense and just trust in each other.


“This is a team where we know what it feels like to be done, we know what it is to have to fight and I’m proud of us for banding together and refusing to separate. That’s what’s special about us.


“For us to be able to take that punch in the face and say, ‘hey we can still do this,’ That’s Connecticut Sun basketball.”


She said there’s not been any recent awakening as the team came together last season after a ragged start 12 months ago.


“No, it’s always been the same, like we’ve always been these players that believe we can win, it’s just now we sort of have the tools.


“Now we sort of have the chemistry and we understand what each other likes to do. It’s just perfect to see things come together. We’re not perfect every possession, we still make mistakes, but man, we rally hard and our energy is contagious.”


Told the growth of the Sun might be a “trust the process” theme akin to the Philadelphia 76ers, Obwumike observed:


“We trust the process. You know we had the process before Philly did, yeah, it’s about the same time, we are like Philadelphia but guess what, we’re going to be alright.”


Just don’t use the word “tank.”


“We didn’t tank, we never tanked, but I think there’s a lot of similarities between them and us — just a group of young players to figure out how to compete.


“But I think we have more experience and are older, our young players are now three, four, five years into the league. So we have youth on our side especially in a year that’s going to be really grueling.


“I’m just excited because we’re going to tag team this whole season and I think that’s going to be the start that’s pushing us through.


“It’s a huge win for us. We all know a piece of their puzzle was missing but it’s huge for confidence just because this is the same LA team that beat Minnesota that was the defending champs.


“For us, it’s just to know if we put our minds to it, we can beat anybody in this league.


“That’s going to be our goal — to win every game and when it comes the playoffs, it gives us the confidence and experience to say, we belong here.


“For so long, people said, ‘Oh Connecticut, they’re good.’ We want people to understand our name.


“It’s funny. You look us up and the betting odds to win a championship. You look at Vegas and the betting odds maybe it’s an ESPN stat sheet but they have Phoenix, La, and Minnesota, and even New York and Washington.


“And I’m. ‘look ‘bro if you watch the WNBA you’d understand that we have high hopes of winning a WNBA championship, people just don’t know who we are.


“UConn women’s basketball dominates this state but we are the pro team, we are the best players here. I think just making a name for ourselves is everything.


“I just want people to understand the Connecticut Sun is a pro team and we’re here to compete for a championship.”


Gushing on Maggie


Former Penn state star and Bentley’s collegiate backcourt mate Maggie Lucas, the former Germantown Academy star out of Narberth in suburban Philadelphia, has made it back to the league as a free agent with the Atlanta Dream.


It’s an accomplishment that thrills Bentley.


“That’s my girl. I had no doubt in my mind she was going to make a roster. She’s just a great player. She’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known in the game.


“Really really excited to see her play, to see her drive and I’m really happy for her.”


A New Era Begins in New York


With James Dolan, the Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks head still trying to dump the WNBA charter franchise Liberty and having relegated them to the smaller Westchester arena in suburban White Plains, New York makes its home debut Friday night playing against the defending champion Minnesota Lynx with a 7:30 p.m. tiipoff.


The veteran franchise is now under incoming Women’s Basketball and Naismith Basketball dual Hall of Famer Katie Smith, a former aide to Bill Laimbeer, who is now the coach at the Vegas franchise that was moved out of San Antonio.


The arena is being downsized to some 2,000 seats, though reports say it could be upgraded to 4,000, if necessary.


How this all works out begins as well as your Guru taking his first public transportation challenge, especially postgame, heading down to the new home from here early this afternoon.


Stay tuned.












, and rookie Maria Vadeeva, the first roiunder still trying to get her visa.


Overall, the Sun shot 62.5 percent for the game and just ahead on Saturday night the Indiana Fever are coming with a 0-4 start including a 93-84 loss at home Thursday night to Washington, which in its record reaching 3-0 after the road win got 26 points and 10 rebounds from Delaware’s Elena Delle Donne.


Former Temple star Candice Dupree scored 21 for the Fever and Tiffany Mitchell had 13.


The Sun obviously continues to please third-year coach Curt Miller.


“I’m proud of our team tonight,” he said afterwards. “Gutty fourth quarter. Certainly, I felt we could have gone away, down nine. … little stagnant at the end of the third quarter.


A team we haven’t beaten in a few years. … easily could have seen a team pack it in and say it wasn’t our night, but our defensive intensity picked up.”


It was Connecticut’s first win over the group from tinseltown since June 26, 2015, a losing streak of 0-6.


“You saw a team playing their third game in five days,” Miller said of the Sparks, “and what this compacted schedule can do to people.”


The league is in a hurry-up mode for the summer due to the FIBA World Championships in the fall.


“”Shorthanded (L.A.) and we looked like the fresher team in the fourth quarter and put up 37 points,” Miller beamed.


“Really, a gutty, gutty, win. I’m proud of our players.”


Los Angeles coach Brian Agler, who brought Miller into the league as an assistant several seasons ago, cited the Sparks’ lack of defense. “We were a step slow in everything we were doing.”


In the sister rivalry, the win for Chiney was her first in five attempts against Nneka.


Furthermore, should UConn Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma were to suddenly surprise people and say he’s moving on, the media locally and nationally won’t suddenly be without a loquacious personality in this state.


Just listen to Chiney, who recently signed a full-time deal as an analyst for ESPN and has quickly become a go-to quote.


Feels a little awkward at first, but honestly, I like it because she knows how hard I worked to get back,” she said of the family rivalry.


“She’s my role model. Everything she’s done WNBA MVP, WNBA Champion, WNBPA players association president — she sets the bar so high.


“And for me to have the opportunity to learn what she does and see what she does at such a high level, it’s so fun to compete.


“It’s weird, but it’s also everything because I know in a couple of years we’re going to look back and go, ‘Wow this was such a special time in our lives,’” the younger Ogwumike said.


“Each time is special and I’m just happy to say I ain’t got losses no more. I finally got a win. We wouldn’t even talk about it at home because everyone knows she’s beaten us every time but I’m glad to set the record straight we finally got a win.”


Discussing what happened to turn things around in the fourth quarter, she said, “Lock in and play defense and just trust in each other.


“This is a team where we know what it feels like to be done, we know what it is to have to fight and I’m proud of us for banding together and refusing to separate. That’s what’s special about us.


“For us to be able to take that punch in the face and say, ‘hey we can still do this,’ That’s Connecticut Sun basketball.”


She said there’s not been any recent awakening as the team came together last season after a ragged start 12 months ago.


“No, it’s always been the same, like we’ve always been these players that believe we can win, it’s just now we sort of have the tools.


“Now we sort of have the chemistry and we understand what each other likes to do. It’s just perfect to see things come together. We’re not perfect every possession, we still make mistakes, but man, we rally hard and our energy is contagious.”


Told the growth of the Sun might be a “trust the process” theme akin to the Philadelphia 76ers, Obwumike observed:


“We trust the process. You know we had the process before Philly did, yeah, it’s about the same time, we are like Philadelphia but guess what, we’re going to be alright.”


Just don;t use the word “tank.”


“We didn’t tank, we never tanked, but I think there’s a lot of similarities between them and us — just a group of young players to figure out how to compete.


“But I think we have more experience and are older, our young players are now three, four, five years into the league. So we have youth on our side especially in a year that’s going to be really grueling.


“I’m just excited because we’re going to tag team this whole season and I think that’s going to be the start that’s pushing us through.


“It’s a huge win for us. We all know a piece of their puzzle was missing but it’s huge for confidence just because this is the same LA team that beat Minnesota that was the defending champs.


“For us, it’s just to know if we put our minds to it, we can beat anybody in this league.


“That’s going to be our goal — to win every game and when it comes the playoffs, it gives us the confidence and experience to say, we belong here.


“For so long, people said, ‘Oh Connecticut, they’re good. We want people to understand our name.


“It’s funny. You look us up and the betting odds to win a championship. You look at Vegas and the betting odds maybe it’s an ESPN stat sheet but they have Phoenix, La, and Minnesota, and even New York and Washington.


“And I’m. ‘look ‘bro if you watch the WNBA you’d understand that we have high hopes of winning a WNBA championship, people just don’t know who we are.


“UConn women’s basketball dominates this state but we are the pro team, we are the best players here. I think just making a name for ourselves is everything.


“I just want people to understand the Connecticut Sun is a pro team and we’re here to compete for a championship.”


Gushing on Maggie.


Former Penn state star and Bentley’s backcourt mate Maggie Lucas, the former Germantown Academy star out of Narberth in suburban Philadelphia, has made it back to the league as a free agent with the Atlanta Dream.


It’s an accomplishment that thrills Bentley.


“That’s my girl. I had no doubt in my mind she was going to make a roster. She’s just a great player. She’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known in the game.


“Really really excited to see her play, to see her drive and I’m really happy for her.”


A New Era Begins in New York


With James Dolan, the Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks head still trying to dump the WNBA charter franchise Liberty and having relegated them to the smaller Westchester arena in suburban White Plains, New York makes its home debut Friday night playing against the defending champion Minnesota Lynx with a 7:30 p.m. tiipoff.


The veteran franchise is now under incoming Women’s Basketball and Naismith Basketball dual Hall of Famer Katie Smith, a former aide to Bill Laimbeer, who is now the coach at the Vegas franchise that was moved out of San Antonio.


The arena is being downsized to some 2,000 seats, though reports say it could be upgraded to 4,000, if necessary.


How this all works out begins as well as your Guru taking his first public transportation challenge, especially postgame, heading down to the new home from here early this afternoon.


Stay tuned.












Thursday, May 24, 2018

WNBA Report: Elena Delle Donne’s Off-Court Activities Has Helped to Expand Her Own Vistas As Well as Washington’s

By ROB KNOX (@knoxrob1)

 

WASHINGTON – Entering her second year with the Washington Mystics, Elena Delle Donne, a 6 foot, 5 inch modern marvel and transcendent talent is in a terrific place mentally and physically.

 

After helping the Mystics qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and advance to the WNBA semifinals, the 28-year-old Delle Donne enjoyed a busy, but rewarding, offseason in which she stayed in Washington working out, wrote two recently published books and married her best friend, Amanda Clifton in November.

 

“It’s always nice to have a family to keep things in perspective,” Delle Donne said. “It doesn’t matter. Good day, bad day, good game, bad game, I get to come home to my wife and know what’s most important in this world. It’s great having her by my side. Anything I go through, I know I am O.K. because I have my best friend with me.”

 

Delle Donne is grounded and excited to help the Mystics enjoy more success this season. 


Washington (2-0 overall) looks to extend its early season winning streak when it visits Indiana (0-3) Thursday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Mystics opened the season with a hard-earned 82-75 win over the Fever on Sunday. 

 

This will be Washington’s first road game of the season. The Mystics begin a stretch of playing four of their next five games on the road in eight days.

 

Earlier this week before a game against Las Vegas, Delle Donne was smiling, sitting on the bench, and cradling the ball while watching her teammates go through final pregame shooting preparations at Capital One Arena.

 

A few minutes later, Delle Donne had the court to herself, going through an intense 20-minute pregame shooting regimen, which included jumpers from all over the floor and lots of foul shots. As she exited the floor and returned to the locker room, Delle Donne was soaked with sweat.

 

Away from her sanctuary of the basketball court, Delle Donne is comfortable with her role not only for the Mystics, but as one of the many strong voices of the WNBA. The Delaware legend understands she has a large platform to bring awareness to any issue she chooses, which is something she values. 

 

She is also a supporter of many of the WNBA’s initiatives that support society. This season, the WNBA launched “Take A Seat, Take A Stand,” its new women and girls empowerment program. For each ticket purchased, the WNBA donates $5 to one of six organizations of the fans’ choosing in addition to a ticket to send a young woman or girl to a game to inspire her by the strength, talent and leadership of the women of the WNBA.

 

“I love that this league is the leader of equality movements,” Delle Donne said. “The whole take a seat, take a stand program, I love it. The fact we get to come out and play the game of basketball and give back our community is really special. It’s been fun to be a part of this league. It’s an even bigger family and everybody supports one another. We use our voices and we have each other’s backs.” 

 

Though it’s just two games into the 2018 season, this year is already different for Delle Donne, who had 23 points and 11 rebounds in the Mystics 75-70 win over the Aces Tuesday night. She didn’t play overseas and stayed in Washington training and working out with several of her teammates, which enhanced the Mystics chemistry.

 

“It’s been amazing,” Delle Donne said. “I love it here. My family is here. It’s been a lot of fun this preseason and I feel like it’s so much different than last season coming in being a brand new team. This year we all know each other and we all have that chemistry and we’ve been able to build on it.”

 

Being able to practice with several of her teammates during offseason workouts was crucial in building the foundation of this year’s squad. Without Emma Messesseman this season, Delle Donne can slide into her more natural forward position where she’s a nightmare for anybody trying to defend her. 

 

Delle Donne focused on making different reads, learning her teammates’ sweet spots on the floor so she can get passes there, but more importantly, they were building trust with each other. 


Late in the game against the Aces, Delle Donne enjoyed a brilliant late-game sequence that was crucial to the victory. Protecting a three-point lead, she blocked No. 1 draft pick A’ja Wilson’s shot on one end and finished the game by drilling a tough jumper despite Wilson’s strong defense.

 

Washington head coach Mike Thibault is excited to have the four-time all-star and 2015 WNBA MVP for another year. He admitted it was a learning experience for him and the staff last season in using her effectively. This season, he’s already noticed a difference. 

 

“She knows that her voice is welcomed and listened to,” Thibault said. “She’s in a place where she can exert some leadership. She’s grown up a lot in that area in how to engage teammates on the basketball court. She’s comfortable with what we are doing. 

 

“I know more as a coach how to use her and get her in the flow. There were games last year in which her teammates shut her out. Not on purpose, but she would go four or five minutes without touches. When you have a player that talented, they have to get a certain number of shot attempts a game to keep a rhythm. Our coaching staff is better with that. I believe she can have a more productive year in a lot of ways in scoring, rebounding and assists.”

 

A scary thought for opponents once Delle Donne finds her groove.

 

AROUND THE LEAGUE

 

Fowles Dominates

With 23 points, 20 rebounds and five steals in a 76-68 win against Dallas Wednesday night, Sylvia Fowles became the first player in WNBA history to record 20+ points, 20+ rebounds and 5+ steals. 


She also became the first player in Lynx history (regular season) to record a 20+ point, 20+ rebound game (third career), marking just the 18th time in WNBA history achieving that feat. It was Fowles’129th double-double of her career and second-consecutive of the season.

 

“Goodness gracious that was hard, but it felt good,” Fowles said of her performance. “I felt good. I felt like my teammates got me the ball a lot. They put me in really good spots to finish and from there I went. 


“It definitely felt different, but after we watched the game on Sunday I think I was more rushing than anything. I wasn’t being composed and being my normal self, I was letting them pretty much beat me up and that’s something that we harped on the last couple of days of practice just making sure I’m in my comfort zone and taking my time.”

 

Vegas Welcomes Back A Pair of Aces

The Aces welcomed guards Kayla McBride and Kelsey Plum to the team, two days after the pair concluded their Turkish League Finals series. Plum’s Fenerbahce squad bested McBride’s Yakin Dogu team three-games-to-one to take home the championship. 


The two were immediately removed from the Aces’ Temporarily Suspended List, and moved to the active roster. To make room for them, Las Vegas waived guards Shoni Schimmel, the former Louisville star who had just been picked up after being let go by New York, and Raigyne Louis.


McBride and Plum are expected to bolster the Aces’ perimeter game as Las Vegas is just two for 16 from three point range over the team’s first two games of the season. 


McBride has paced the Aces in scoring average in each of her four seasons in the league, and is a career 34.9 percent shooter from long distance. Plum made 36.5 percent of her shots from beyond the arc in her rookie season a year ago.

The Aces play their home opener Sunday against Seattle at 8:30 p.m. on NBA-TV. 

 

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

WNBA Gamer: Rookie From Longhorns Helps Washington in Rally Win Over Las Vegas

By Rob Knox  @knoxrob1

WASHINGTON – Ariel Atkins was special in helping the Washington Mystics erase a 16-point first half deficit and surge past the Las Vegas Aces, 75-70, at Capital One Arena Tuesday night

 

The rookie from Texas provided energy and electricity with 15 points to help the slumbering Mystics awaken from an offensive nap that lasted two and half quarters. 


She had plenty of assistance as Tianna Hawkins tied her career high with 17 points and Natasha Cloud added seven points, including a huge layup with 13 seconds remaining that gave the Mystics a three-point edge.

 

Overall, the terrific triumvirate combined to score 39 of the Mystics’ 52 second half points. They were 15-for-18 shooting (83.3 percent) from the field in the final 20 minutes. Just amazing considering the Mystics started the game shooting 2-for-16 (12.5) in the first quarter. 

 

“It was fun being that spark and energy player off the bench,” Atkins said. “My teammates were smiling and pointing at me.”

 

Atkins’ teammates also high-fived her often and picked her up off of the floor a couple of times. Once after diving out of bounds to save a loose ball that resulted in a Las Vegas turnover. Then after taking a critical charge late in the fourth quarter. 

 

“I wasn’t trying to take the charge, it just kind of happened,” said Atkins, who graduated from Texas last Saturday. “That’s one of my things. I hang my hat on is my hustle and I think I did a good job of making sure I did that tonight. I know a lot of hard work and prayers went into this moment. To have the opportunity to be here is really a blessing and I am excited.” 

 

By the time Elena Delle Donne scored the last of her game-high 23 points, the horrific beginning was a humorous memory. The second half offensive output was a much needed boost for the WNBA superstar, who scored 17 of the Mystics 23 points in the first half. She also grabbed 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.

 

Thanks to the numerous contributions from Atkins, Hawkins and Cloud, the fourth quarter featured eight ties and five lead changes. Kristi Toliver gave the Mystics the lead for good, 69-67, with 86 seconds remaining following a 13-foot pull-up baseline jumper. 

 

Like an unexpected summer thunderstorm, Atkins scored all of her of points in the final 12 minutes – including 10 in the fourth quarter -- after the Mystics trailed 44-36 with 1 minute, 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter. 

 

Cloud, the four-year veteran out of Saint Joseph’s and suburban Philadelphia, made a ridiculous circus shot and converted the ensuing foul shot to knot the game at 44 entering the fourth quarter. That capped a 17-5 Mystic run to close the third quarter. Once Cloud’s basket went through the hoop, the building roared to life. 

 

While Atkins scoring was nice, her defensive contributions were impressive.

 

“She just keeps pressure on everybody,” Washington head coach Mike Thibault said. “In the last couple plays of the game, we put her on Lindsay Allen to kind of bother her with her length, but she gets up and deflects balls, she gets pieces of it.


“She and Shatori [Walker-Kimbrough] have enough guard quickness and length to get in passing lanes. She’s disruptive. When we talked about it at draft day, for Ariel [Atkins], we felt she was a player that would be really good at both ends of the floor and we are seeing that right now.”

 

The Aces were the ones dealing the cards for much of the contest. 

 

Helped by Washington’s miserable shooting, Las Vegas raced to a 29-13 bulge with 4:20 left before intermission following rookie A’ja Wilson’s finger roll. The Aces still led 39-27 following a Wilson basket with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.

 

Showcasing some nifty footwork, and brute force, Wilson, a fearless force, finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Wilson helped Las Vegas outscore Washington 36-22 in the paint. Nia Coffey scored seven of her career best 14 points in the fourth quarter. Tamera Young tallied nine of her 13 points in the fourth quarter for the Aces. 

 

Allen, recently acquired after let go by New York, handed out a career-high six assists. Carolyn Swords grabbed six of her seven rebounds in the first five minutes of play. She had plenty of chances for caroms because the Mystics missed their first nine shots before Delle Donne’s basket with 3:35 left in the first quarter. 

 

“I thought the effort for 30 minutes was solid,” Las Vegas head coach Bill Laimbeer said. “I think that was really good. We know we can play defense, we know we can attack the basket, get to the free throw line – have to make the free throws – and we can rebound. 


“Those are pretty good hallmarks of having a chance. Now, we have to put the ball in the basket. We’ll get [Kelsey] Plum and we’ll get [Kayla] McBride back this week. We have to integrate them, obviously, but that’s two of our top scorers.”

 

NOTES: The Mystics outrebounded the Aces, 37-36, marking the second-straight game Washington has bested its opponent on the boards … The Mystics went 8 for 31 from three-point range, while Las Vegas went 1 for 9.Washington will take on the Indiana Fever (0-2) on May 24 at 7 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana … The Mystics next home game is Sunday, May 27 at 3 p.m. at Capital One Arena against the defending champion Minnesota Lynx … The Aces return to action on Sunday when they play their first regular season home game Sunday against Seattle at 8:30 p.m. on NBA-TV. 

 

 



Friday, May 18, 2018

WNBA Report: Healthy and Hungry is the Word for Washington As Mystics’ Season Opens

By Rob Knox @knoxrob1


NEWARK, Del. – Washington Mystics head coach Mike Thibault spent plenty of time last year reading medical reports instead of studying scouting reports.

 

Despite several key players missing time last season because of various injuries, the Mystics still won 18 games and advanced to the WNBA semifinals where they lost to the eventual champion Minnesota Lynx in three games. 

 

The Mystics are hungry for more as their 2018 season opens Sunday at home against the Indiana Fever. The game from Capital One Arena starts at 1 p.m.

 

With Meek Mill’s “The Get Back” blasting over the arena sound system as teams warmed up, Thibault was asked before last Saturday’s preseason finale against Indiana at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center what can people expect from Washington this season.

 

“Hopefully a good playoff team a team that wants to get past where we got last year,” Thibault said. “Hopefully a healthy team since that seemed to be a problem a year ago. A more mature team. We had six new players last year and now we have a group of players who’ve played together now with each other. They’ve had a good offseason. I see a more grown up team that has a better sense of its self. The core of our team has played together and should be better.”

 

The Mystics have a solid team led by All-Stars Elena Delle Donne, Monique Currie, Kristi Toliver as well as veterans Tianna Hawkins, Natasha Cloud, Krystal Thomas and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt. Delle Donne was fourth in the league in scoring (19.7 points per game) and Thomas was third in rebounding (9.6 per game). 

 

Washington will get stronger later in the season when dynamic guard Tayler Hill returns to action in June following a torn ACL at Indiana last July 14. Forward LaToya Sanders is expected to miss the next couple of weeks due to illness. Guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough averaged 4.4 points in 27 games last season. 

 

Rookies Ariel Atkins and Myisha Hines-Allen made the final roster and will make their WNBA debut this Sunday. Two of the Mystics’ first three games are against the Indiana Fever.

 

One missing face from last season will be Emma Meesseeman, who will play with the Belgian National team in the FIBA World Cup this fall. While her versatility along with her 14.1 point per game average will be missed, the Mystics still have plenty of pieces to enjoy a special season. Her loss allows Thibault to shift some players around to different positions.

 

“We lost Emma which is huge but it puts Elena back at her natural position at the four,” Cloud said. “That makes things easier for her because there’s more open shots for her at the four position. Then we have Krystal, Kristi and we added Mo (Currie), who is a great addition in the locker room and on the court.”

 

A 12-year WNBA veteran, Currie could be one of the league’s most underrated free agent signings. She spent the majority of her career with the Mystics (2007-2014). 


The former Duke star was selected in the first round (third overall) of the 2006 WNBA Draft by the Charlotte Sting. She played in 36 games last year  due to being traded from San Antonio to Phoenix in the middle of the season where she averaged 10.8 points per game while shooting 42.8 percent from the field. 

 

Currie’s presence fills an important void for the Mystics. Her ability to score on the wing, shoot from deep, drive to the basket and get to the free throw line will be an important part of the Mystics offense.

 

“Being back here has been easy,” Currie said. “I am familiar with coach Thibault and some of the players. They’ve all welcomed me in. I am familiar with how he wants me to play. I’ve been in the league long time so it feels good to help them. My role is to be a leader on and off the court and showing the younger players how to be a professional. They’ve been open to the things I have to say so far.”

 

The Mystics understand their mission this season. 


While they received plenty of congratulatory pats on the back for making the Lynx earn three wins in the playoffs and winning postseason contests against Dallas and New York, the Mystics understand Minnesota is the measuring stick for greatness. They learned plenty of lessons that they aim to apply this season.

 

“When you play a team that ends up winning the WNBA championship in a series like that, you learn how hard you have to play for all 40 minutes for every game,” Thibault said. “It’s not like we’re not playing hard, but it’s that extra little stuff that you have to do whether its making somebody catch the ball three feet further out from where they want to catch it. 

 

“The little details matter whether it’s how hard you set a screen to get somebody open in a tight spot in a game. All those little details in a game matter and I think our players have a better understanding of that.”

 

The Mystics are excited for more playoff success and poised to become the final team standing this season. They were predicted to have the second most wins in the Eastern Conference in the annual WNBA general managers poll released earlier this week. 

 

New York has won at least 20 or more games in each of the last two seasons. Connecticut will be improved so escaping the Eastern Conference as the top dog will be tough. However, the Mystics are excited for the numerous challenges that await. 

 

“We have to continue to work and we can’t be satisfied,” Currie said. “There’s a lot of good teams in this league and if we want to be the best, we have to work hard everyday. We can’t take any possessions off and have to do the little things. We also have to have mental toughness. There’s a lot of things that go into being successful. We’re working toward perfecting those things.” 

 

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

WNBA Feature: Natasha Cloud in Contract Year Plans to be What Washington Needs

By Rob Knox @knoxrob1


NEWARK, Del. – Standing outside of the locker room and leaning against the wall in the hallway of the Bob Carpenter Center following the Washington Mystics’ easy 91-56 preseason win over the Indiana Fever last Saturday at the University of Delaware Natasha Cloud had her arms crossed.

 

She spoke to everyone who walked past. She jokingly threatened to call security on teammate Tayler Hill, who playfully disturbed her interview by transitioning into a reporter and recording Cloud’s words. Even though Cloud laughed at Hill a few times, she never broke from providing answers. 

 

Entering the 2018 season, Cloud is confident, focused, happy, healthy and a critical component of the Mystics attack.

 

However, beneath her sparkling smile lies a furious ferocity and insatiable hunger to make this season for the Mystics memorable. The Saint Joseph’s product and Broomall, Delaware County native has extra motivation too. 

 

“It’s a big year for me,” Cloud said. “Year Four. Contract year. I am getting old. Washington is the team I love and it’s where I want to be. I prepared hard for this season so I can be exactly what I need for this team.”

 

Cloud provides Philly toughness and savvy to a veteran Mystic team that have plenty of pieces to make a deep run in the playoffs this season. 

 

Eventual WNBA champion Minnesota ended Washington’s season in the semifinals. Even though the Mystics lost three straight games, they learned plenty from the Lynx, who will visit Capital One Arena twice this season on Sunday, May 27 & Thursday, June 7.

 

“They are the elite team that we’re trying to mirror,” Cloud said. “They’re the elite team that we’re trying to be. For us, we play very similar but they’re that next step of greatness that we need to get to. 


“To be able to play them and start off with the reigning champions is huge for us because it tests us. It also lets us know how our training camp has been going, our pace and how we are as a team-chemistry wise especially and it puts us in check in defensive-wise. Minnesota has Olympians across the floor.”

 

Cloud wasn’t 100 percent in the final two games of the series. Despite injuring her wrist in the opening game against the Lynx, she scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds in 24 gutty minutes in the second game. It was the second significant injury for Cloud since entering the league. She tore her hip labrum during her rookie year. That injury still nags her, but she’s feeling significantly better.

 

“I tore some ligaments in my wrist against Minnesota last year in the first game of the playoff series,” Cloud said. “It was hard, but I knew my team needed me so I did what I needed to do. I stayed home this offseason. I was in D.C. until Christmas rehabbing and then the second half of the offseason, I decided to go home and focus on more physical therapy.” 


Many a postgame during the collegiate season she could be seen on Hawk Hill at her alma  mater putting up shots  in Hagan Arena.

 

Cloud’s intense work has been noticed as she’s entered camp in great shape.

 

“She’s been great in preseason,” Mystics head coach Mike Thibault said. “She got a chance to run the point guard most of the preseason because Kristi Toliver just got here (from her overseas team commitment).


“ We’ll play Tasha at the one and the three. She’s going to play starters minutes whether she starts or not. Our tempo was good with her in the game. 


“She’s one of our better defensive players. I’ve seen growth in her over the last year. Last year was a good experience for her. I thought she was good in the playoffs despite being injured. I just see her this year more mature and dialed in the right way.” 

 

Washington will have a formidable five on the floor at all times no matter the lineup with Cloud, Elena Delle Donne, Krystal Thomas, Toliver, Monique Currie, Hill, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, Tianna Hawkins, Allison Hightower and LaToya Sanders. 

 

According to Thibault, Hill is expected back in “late June.” Her recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament is coming well and she’s ahead of schedule.

 

“We have all the pieces,” Cloud said. “It’s just a matter of fine tuning everything, pushing forward, plugging everything together and moving forward. Whatever my team needs and wherever they need me to play each and every day, that’s the role I am going to take.


“ We have players like E and Kristi who need to get up a certain number of shots. I know that when my number is called, I need to be able to knock down some open shots.”

 

Cloud knows she’ll be counted on to bring energy off of the bench. She scored five points, grabbed five rebounds and had four steals in 18 electric minutes against the Fever. 

 

While the game was billed as Delle Donne’s homecoming, Cloud also enjoyed playing close to Delaware County. 

 

“I was able to go home Friday night and sleep in my bed,” Cloud said. “I met the team here in Delaware which was nice. This was an easy and phenomenal trip back home. We all knew that this game was huge for E. She did a lot of special things here and we all knew that this was huge for her. I am a Philly girl through and through and she’s a Delaware girl through and through.”

 

Together, they are ready to help lift the Mystics to the WNBA summit.