Mystics over Lynx

[Aluminny69]

Mike Thibault can't coach?

"After winning only 11 games over the previous two seasons, Washington hired former Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault as coach and general manager in December. The Mystics off to their best start since opening the 2010 season 3-0."

"Ivory Latta scored 17 of her 24 points in the second half and Monique Currie had 23 as the Mystics fended off Minnesota's fourth quarter rally and beat the Lynx 85-80 on Saturday night.
Currie scored 18 in the first half and combined with Latta to shoot 17 for 26 on field goals for the Mystics (3-1). Coupled with Friday's 66-62 victory at Connecticut, Washington has won consecutive games for the first time since 2010."

 

[uconnfan68]

Mike Thibault can't coach?

"After winning only 11 games over the previous two seasons, Washington hired former Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault as coach and general manager in December. The Mystics off to their best start since opening the 2010 season 3-0."

"Ivory Latta scored 17 of her 24 points in the second half and Monique Currie had 23 as the Mystics fended off Minnesota's fourth quarter rally and beat the Lynx 85-80 on Saturday night.
Currie scored 18 in the first half and combined with Latta to shoot 17 for 26 on field goals for the Mystics (3-1). Coupled with Friday's 66-62 victory at Connecticut, Washington has won consecutive games for the first time since 2010."

Wow. Didn't see that coming. It looked like the Lynx would be even better than last year.

 

[ThisJustIn]

As you know, no one said T couldn't coach.

My understanding is 1) management felt he couldn't win the big one and 2) that some of his players weren't hearing him anymore.

 

[Icebear]

TJI, there were a lot of people here complaining about MT as a coach. I would say they thought he couldn't coach. You listed the reasons.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Well, how do you like him now?

 

[Icebear]

Don't know either way since I barely follow the WNBA. I just know what folks were saying on the board.

 

[VAUConnFan]

VAMike, MilfordHusky, and I were there. The Mystics competed and they competed hard. Ivory Latta did whatever she wanted. Monique Curry was automatic from three. We asked a fan in front of us what he felt was the difference in this year's Mystics team, and the first words out of his mouth were Mike Thibault.

The Lynx, on the other hand, did not look good at all, yet they were in the game throughout and still scored 80 points in a losing effort. Maya hit her first two shots and was 4 for 15 the rest of the way. Seimone missed more layups and chippies than a player of her ability should. She shot 9 for 27. The Lynx, as a team, missed more free throws than pros should miss, at one point missing five in a row; Not an easy game to watch if you are a Lynx fan, and there were plenty among us. The fan to my immediate right was a Lynx season ticket holder who lives in Virginia. He drives to the Lynx home games whenever there is a homestand of at least two games. Now that's a fan.

My early prediction: Minnesota and Chicago.

 

[ThisJustIn]

VAU I agree with your "snap judgment"

As for Mike -- to me "not getting over the hump" doesn't mean he can't coach. Few coaches DO get to the trophy. (I'd also add that the fact he had one journalist be such an over the top advocate got some folks' nose outta joint). I once had an artist director say, "The person who founds the company and runs it for the first 6-10 years may not be the best person to take it through the next decade." (Of course, he didn't listen to his own advice)

That being said, there's no doubt that the Mystics got a HUGE upgrade and coach T has all the skills needed to move D.C. off the "why even bother" pile to "oh, no more walk in the park." In fact, except for (perhaps) Gaines, I'll agree with Big Bad Bill -- we have a bunch of professionals coaching pro ball now.

 

[MilfordHusky]

VAMike, MilfordHusky, and I were there. The Mystics competed and they competed hard. Ivory Latta did whatever she wanted. Monique Curry was automatic from three. We asked a fan in front of us what he felt was the difference in this year's Mystics team, and the first words out of his mouth were Mike Thibault.

The Lynx, on the other hand, did not look good at all, yet they were in the game throughout and still scored 80 points in a losing effort. Maya hit her first two shots and was 4 for 15 the rest of the way. Seimone missed more layups and chippies than a player of her ability should. She shot 9 for 27. The Lynx, as a team, missed more free throws than pros should miss, at one point missing five in a row; Not an easy game to watch if you are a Lynx fan, and there were plenty among us. The fan to my immediate right was a Lynx season ticket holder who lives in Virginia. He drives to the Lynx home games whenever there is a homestand of at least two games. Now that's a fan.

My early prediction: Minnesota and Chicago.

Nice highlights. I agree totally. Minnesota missed shots they normally make, they showed no inside game, and McCarville was a non-factor. Rebekkah Brunson, on the other hand, was a demon on the boards. Maya was unhappy with at least 2 foul calls and fouled out with about 2 mins remaining.

 

[EricLA]

Nice highlights. I agree totally. Minnesota missed shots they normally make, they showed no inside game, and McCarville was a non-factor. Rebekkah Brunson, on the other hand, was a demon on the boards. Maya was unhappy with at least 2 foul calls and fouled out with about 2 mins remaining.

I was stunned to see them listing her as a starter. The starting center. It's one thing to start Taj at the 5, but isn't McCarville like 6' tall? She was as force at Minny. I've never thought of her as a legit starting 5 in the pros...

 

[Icebear]

6'2"

 

[VAUConnFan]

Nice highlights. I agree totally. Minnesota missed shots they normally make, they showed no inside game, and McCarville was a non-factor. Rebekkah Brunson, on the other hand, was a demon on the boards. Maya was unhappy with at least 2 foul calls and fouled out with about 2 mins remaining.

And then Hit the Road Jack is played over the PA system. Maya had to feel like Rodney Dangerfield at that point. Maya should be exempt from such homerisms.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Nice highlights. I agree totally. Minnesota missed shots they normally make, they showed no inside game, and McCarville was a non-factor. Rebekkah Brunson, on the other hand, was a demon on the boards. Maya was unhappy with at least 2 foul calls and fouled out with about 2 mins remaining.

Such a non factor that I had forgotten about her until you mentioned it. The first of her two quick offensive fouls in the 4th quarter was questionable. The second was a bit more obvious.

The Mystics victory over Connecticut on Friday seems much more legit after seeing them in person.

 

[MilfordHusky]

And then Hit the Road Jack is played over the PA system. Maya had to feel like Rodney Dangerfield at that point. Maya should be exempt from such homerisms.

Maya still exhibited grace, but it had to be a very unfamiliar position for her to be in. It seemed so strange to me as a fan.

For those who have not yet seen her this season, the Invincible Queen is looking noticeably trimmer. Nice work, Maya!

 

[ursusminor]

I don't follow much WNBA at all, but I'm thinking it might be time to catch a Mystics home game. Anyone care to share an opinion as to what games might be the most entertaining/best matchups/most UConn alum to cheer for?

 

[RadyLady]

I think that a Minny vs Sky would be a great game

 

[VAUConnFan]

I don't follow much WNBA at all, but I'm thinking it might be time to catch a Mystics home game. Anyone care to share an opinion as to what games might be the most entertaining/best matchups/most UConn alum to cheer for?

Phoenix, Atlanta, and Connecticut.

 

[ursusminor]

Phoenix, Atlanta, and Connecticut.

Well, there's a Phoenix game coming up in a couple of weeks, and ticket prices are pretty reasonable. I may have myself a "me and my knitting" night at the Verizon Center.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Phoenix, Atlanta, and Connecticut.

Chicago has Swin, plus EDD and Big Syl.

 

[rocky rococo]

While I was one of those who felt it was time for the Sun to move on from Thibault, I never held an opinion nor expressed one remotely suggesting "Thibault can't coach." What I did, and still do think, are as follows:

(1) Thibault wasn't the coach that was going to take Connecticut to a WNBA championship, two completely different star-studded rosters had both come up short under his leadership; and
(2) Thibault's act gets old with veteran stars. How many of the starters from the 2004-2005 team found a way out as quickly as possible? (A. All of them.)

To sum up my view, he's a good coach, certainly better than most of what DC's had, but he's unlikely to bring you a championship, which has to be on the Sun agenda in the next few years (Tina's peak productivity.)

 

[slimmer56]

You are right Milhusk. They have those 3 plus 'Sloot !