Sunday Open Thread: The Eastern Conference Tries To Sort Itself Out
by Nate Parham on Sep 4, 2011 5:19 PM EDT
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PrintLast night was all about the Western Conference and today is all about the Eastern Conference, with the Minnesota Lynx and Tulsa Shock along for the ride.
With a win over the Shock, the Atlanta Dream can clinch a playoff berth and set the field...and from there, who knows what the seeding will eventually look like.
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Tulsa Shock at Atlanta Dream The Dream are playing some of the best basketball in the league this year and looking to clinch a spot in the 2011 WNBA Playoffs with a victory today over the Tulsa Shock at Philips Arena. The Tulsa Shock are trying to get that fourth win. Both teams have something to play for. More interesting though: the Dream still have a chance to win first at only 2.5 games behind the first place Fever. 3 p.m. ET | WNBA LiveAccess |
Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty Both of these teams are already headed to the postseason, but the Liberty are still jockeying for playoff position. The biggest question for the Lynx: will they go all out in resting starters with home court throughout the playoffs locked up. 4 p.m. ET | WNBA LiveAccess |
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Connecticut Sun at Washington Mystics It's Fan Appreciation Day at the Verizon Center! With Monique Currie back in the lineup, the Mystics are definitely more talented, which is definitely a nice way to reward fans. We'll see how festive a mood Tina Charles is in today 4 p.m. ET | NBA TV | LiveAccess Mystics.com preview | Video: Thank You to the fans |
Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky As Richard Cohen wrote recently, it's sad to see the Sky's season go down in flames; it looks like they will have to wait at least another year for the franchise's first trip to the playoffs. But they're still technically alive and need to get this win and hope that the Shock can beat the Dream. 6 p.m. ET | LLiveAccess |
Feel free to add your own insights, links, and well wishes to the Chicago Sky in the comments.
Remember, you can follow along on your mobile device at mobile.swishappeal.com or on your iPhone using SB Nation's free iPhone app.
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I would watch the Tulsa/ATL game
But I don’t care about the outcome. ;)
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 3:00 PM EDT reply actions
Change in strategy?
Maybe try not rooting for the Shock, but for the Sky against the Dream…?
I’m reaching here…
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
I actually didn't watch the 2 games they won, nor did I follow the score any more than I had to accidentally see what was posted in the game threads.
But I screwed up the last Shock game and tuned in when they were so close at the end. This time, I am not looking at the game at all.
NOT AT ALL. YOU HEAR ME, UNIVERSE?
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
No.
I have not watched ANY of the games the Shock won. Not a minute (until after they were over). But I meant the 2 games they won after I adopted my official stance of indifference.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
The Shock up 15-9...
But they’re starting to unravel…
Struggling to stay in front of the Dream defensively (fouling) and wasting possessions….
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Cambage gets about a minute of time....
Then comes out…
I think in a situation like this, she needs to know she can make mistakes without being pulled…
I can’t think of a player who’s penalized so quickly for mistakes that improves…
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
It must be terrible for her
I find it very hard to watch what Edwards is doing to Cambage – she should be ashamed of herself. But i think that she is proving who the real edwards is and its not pretty. This must be one of the worst things that has ever been done to a rookie with Lizzies class and ability. It also looks to me that Edwards is now manipulating Lizzies numbers – and that is very average. Oh and Liz is the only one on the team who is pulled for every infraction. If it was different the whole team would be on the bench. Teresa Edwards is NOT a coach, Tulsa is not working towards playoffs! At least everyone now knows why Liz didnt want to go to Tulsa and I for one don’t blame her.
At this point
I don’t see Edwards getting rehired. With Latta out their chances of getting enough wins are just too low.
TT
do you think if they won the next three it would make a difference? she should not be given any opportunity to return. Wow they jagged a couple of wins big deal – was it worth it? i think not.
by Almost there on Sep 4, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
End 1: 15-13...
…and that’s a win for the Dream.
They were down 9, in part because the Shock are packing it in and daring them to win this game from the perimeter…
…but they didn’t score for the final five minutes of the quarter. Poor decision making, turnovers, stagnant offense.
Not the things they did to beat the Sun.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Riley with a shot from the elbow
misses, but gets her own rebound and is fouled.
Color commentator says gotta box out “.. and you let Riley THE SMALLEST PLAYER ON THE FLOOR, get the rebound!?”
Swoopes throws the ball away on a long pass to Jackson
coming down court.
The color announcer gives the Shock a break and says they are still coming together as a team and just don’t have that timing yet.
I wonder if Kathy Betty is at the game.
Very odd that she pulled out as owner so close to the end of the season.
Pedersen with Armintie on her
posts up with the two of them doing that WNBA pushy pushy thang, then she goes hard to the basket and gets the foul
Announcer says
Pedersen is a very good free throw shooter at 80%.
LaChina says she started out very well for the Shock but her role has changed.
WiFi from GoGo
on every AirTran flight.
(AirTran now a part of Southwest so now you can fly 2 bags free to Atlanta)
They show Teresa
Edward’s HOF acceptance speech
Lucille Harris
Lynette Woodard
The All American Redheads (played half court in a skirt)
The ones who will never know their names
The announcer says it was one of the most touching speeches in HOF history.
thank god yhis season is almost over!
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 3:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
yes i am here, and i can't wait to see beck get us to a 16-0 record
in the opponent’s favor.
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 4:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
They just said Ivory Latta is out for the season with a knee injury
Now why did the Shock have to be so coy about that???
LaChina Robinson
asks the assistant coach how they intend to match the Shock’s intensity. She says the Shock are playing hard because they have nothing to lose. Well, somebody probably has something to lose – like all three coaches. And probably a few of the players.
LaChina interviewed Teresa Edwards before the game.
She refers to her as head coach of the Shock (leaves out GM).
LaChina asks Teresa about her journey from Cairo, Georgia.
She asks her if she sees herself as a head coach in the future. She answer that she is enjoying and says something about being a player/coach and says she is a player/coach who enjoys challenges. She felt like she won a championship after they finally won a couple of teams.
She says she doesn’t know if they are buying into the “passion of Teresa Edwards” but she is definitely selling the passion. She does want to dwell in negativity.
The former ABL founder who
avoided the WNBA for a few years says she is proud that “we are still here”.
LaChina says Dennis Rodman was a little strange but she enjoyed him.
Teresa says it was huge to acknowledge the players that came before her. Anne Meyers, Lynette Woordard, Janice Lawrence, back to the ladies that wore the skirts.
LaChina asks her to take off her head coaches hat and asks her the best in the WNBA are.
Teresa says Sue and Diana first, then goes to Candace and Tamika and references them all in the context of the National Team. Then she says she also has to acknoledge Lauren Jackson.
LaChina says Teresa has been a role model for her. And then Teresa tosses a compliment back and says “You’re doin a wonderful job yourself.”
I run with the Dream - DO YOU?
Renew Dream season tickets by September 7th and get the early bird pricing.
i guess they jacked up prices
for a team that is bad in attendance in a large market, I wouldn’t do that
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 4:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
LaChina mentions that Betty Lennox is still out with a concussion.
Except that she doesn’t show up to games in street clothes. Which makes you wonder if there is something else to the story.
she just hates oklahoma?
Sorry jess
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 4:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
oops. mea culpa. i feel luke a total idiot!
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 4:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Swoopes blocks McCoughtry
gets the ball at the end of the break but then is blocked by Armintie Price.
still standing just like the okc game!
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 4:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Swoopes gets her first basket
a three. She had missed her first six shots and five of those were three pointers.
Atlanta has Fan Appreciation Night coming up and if you show you will score a
Run with the Dream poster:
a lot more folks today than anticipated
But still paltry attendance.
The Verizon center is more chicken than the bok bok bok center..
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 4:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
The Dream and DeSouza just showed the
Shock and Cambage how to do it. Throw the ball right where the big post – who has posted low – can get it but the defenders can’t.
They were just talking about what would happen in the event of
a four way tie in the Eastern Conference.
I’ll say that in the event of a four way tie, I would put my money on Atlanta as they have come from way behind.
the organist isn't here today....
The defense chant is back. Just record the organist’s cheers when the fans hated that chant. Seattle and phoenix have it. I don’t care. DC hated it and still hates it! Do I have to start using my colorful vocabulary to express this?
21 12 casino girls
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 4:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
if i tried to do it
I would prob get ejected and get my mystics, wizards, and Georgetown tix revoked
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 4:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lynx 31-Liberty 21
That was a helluva first quarter by the Lynx…
Not a whole lot of spectacular play, just the entire unit making the right plays at the right time.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Credit is hard.
But Aaron’s is easy.
At Aaron’s you’re pre-approved.
You don’t need credit, all you need is Aaron’s.
Nobody, Nobody does it like Aaron’s. Nobody.
at eastern motors, you job is your credit.
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 5:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
DeMya Walker used to be a cheerleader
so she likes to lead cheers at season ticker events. Her daughter adds “It’s true. It’s true she was a cheerleader”.
“Keep it up! Keep it up! Keep that Mystics spirits up!”
Her daughter loves it in DC. Season ticket holders will get her food and take her to the bathroom.
unfortunately i sit on the other side.
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 5:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Shannon,
I think your Position of Official Indifference should perhaps (just perhaps; this is your decision) give way to your Position of Passionate Advocacy again. Someone or something’s got to magick those Shock females back into A-game mode.
I would greatly appreciate
if the Liberty would remember that they have clinched a berth, not position, and they’re not getting help from their fellow Eastern Conference teams.
I would also appreciate if Maya Moore would keep her paws off Essence Carson before it gets all UConn-Rutgers up in here.
I am the victim of a basketball jones.
I'm about to get all UConn/Rutgers with my shrieking neighbor children
I hope I’m Rutgers.
I never hear these kids, so I think it must be some friends they have over. Normally I just hear the boys next door playing lightsaber baseball or skateboard football.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
OK now that I was unsuccessful at helping the Shock by ignoring them...
…I’m back in the thread.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:17 PM EDT reply actions
No, I didn't.
I read through the posts to catch up. I just didn’t’ follow the thread live.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Notes on Sun-Mystics from the first half
Charles just recorded her 21st double-double of the season. She had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the first half, the third time this year she has had a double-double in one half this season.
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
It's hard to say what the Liberty should even do to close this gap.
They’re doing it now just by D’ing up and rotating well… but Minn’s D is such that they can’t score either…
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
There are many ways
but none of them are actually legal in basketball. More to the point, I could just say none of them are actually legal and leave it at that.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
What is this "Maya Moore, Point Guard" experiment?
Just…no. I mean yes because she slips and gives up the ball to NKP who makes her pay, but still. Not really the call vs. NY.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:28 PM EDT reply actions
maya is just a great player. she can play any position except center
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 5:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
She's not that great at point guard
At last not in the W, so let’s not see it. Ever. She can play 2-4 and be happy with 3 positions.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
candace can play pg for the sparks better than pg's for tulsa and dc
and probably most teams in the league…..
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 5:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Like the Liberty sub of Carson for Mitchell.
They need Carson’s defense and length out there.
I was also thinking about Colson having a role in this game for defensive purposes… maybe end of quarter spot minutes if he’s not confident in her for extended time.
They just can’t let Minn so comfortably execute..
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Colson is a mystery to me
I don’t think she’s been that bad when she’s been in…not to earn her such limited minutes. Maybe she’s just not getting it in practice? But she’s apparently a pretty sharp person…
IDK.
Big shiny bonus points to Whiz for Kia’s performance this year, but he gets the WTF award for Colson.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Wiggins has no range
Remember that. :P
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions
I was so busy trying to figure out how Colson was going to save the day...
…that I missed the Mystics having under 40 points in the fourth quarter with 422 left…
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
This is not a record...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WNBA_records#Fewest_points.2C_game
But I would want to know the record for fewest points in a game in the shot clock era…
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
The record for fewest points in a WNBA game with a shot clock and four quarters
44 — New York vs. Indiana (77), August 8, 2006
46 — New York at Sacramento (59), June 26, 2007
46 — Connecticut vs. Indiana (75), May 27, 2008
47 — Sacramento at Los Angeles (67), June 21, 2009
47 — Los Angeles vs. Seattle (82), July 10, 2007
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Sooooo...
Think the Lynx are pissed that they let NY beat them at home in front of 9,000 people?
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:44 PM EDT reply actions
Wait...WAIT
Was that..BRAXTON that just saved that all from going out of bounds???!?!
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:48 PM EDT reply actions
75 42 ct 2 min left........
Speechless
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 5:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
And her layup to make it 48 even got you out of the top 5!
More in a show of appreciation for the fans!
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Kia Vaughn
Doing a bunch of little things I love the last few possessions, from the screen on Hornbuckle while they were running to beating everyone back to getting the board when surrounded by blue…
…’course it would have helped if her team was paying attention and helped out out once she gots the board rather than just ignore her and let her get mugged, but I digress.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 5:54 PM EDT reply actions
Libs have basically starting linup in and are just not making a dent in the Lynx lead
Lynx have all bench in.
C’mon Libs, not like this.
by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 4, 2011 6:02 PM EDT reply actions
Given how bad the Mystics played today
wouldn’t be surprised if Chicago rewards its fans with a win of negative 30 points as well.
Great, I'm a total douchebag for this last comment.
Chicago is still competing against Indy and most of the 3rd is over.
They finished terribly...
Seems to be a common theme among 5th and 6th place teams in this league…
Twitter: @NateP_SBN.
Today was by far the worst god damn perfomance by the Mystics I have ever seen.
I get that the team is devoid of talent. I get that they’re gonna be last place no matter how many more games they win. But today, EVERY player except Monique and Langhorne seemed to just go through the motions, or didn’t get their heads in the game, or maybe they just didn’t care today.
Today was fan appreciation night. Yes, the soda was cheaper, and yes, there were some more giveaways, and yes, I enjoyed a few conversations throughout the game, and thank god I had them, because if I didn’t with my STH neighbors, I would have stormed my ass outta there after the 1st half. Even an 11 year old kid (a boy nonetheless) who I talked to for a little bit said that today was a game that he couldn’t stand watching.
Sure, the Mystics didn’t have to win, but they should have played to at least close out the season on a positive note. Instead, they got their asses handed to them TWICE OVER. If you want to call it a fitting end to an all around bad season, sure, but if there was gonna be ONE LAST GAME where the team would collectively get their heads out of their asses, THIS IS THAT GAME! After the Atlanta win last Thursday, I was confident that in the last home game, they would manage to make this game interesting at least,but NOPE! JUST SPEECHLESS!
Mystics, take a look at your brother team the last two seasons which were pitiful in their home finales. Both years, the Wizards managed to win in thrillers, end the year on a good note, and give something to look forward to next season. Today, I felt like there was NOTHING to look forward to except a “Thank You Reception” next Monday where I’ll get a selection of the following:
Lemon Pepper Roasted Turkey Breast with Apricot Cranberry Chutney, herb aioli, and mini onion rolls
*Gourmet Variety Mac and Cheese Bar
Including Spinach and Artichoke Mac, Buffalo Chicken Mac, Smoked Bacon and Gouda Mac
Caesar and Italian Chopped Salads
*Dessert station with a variety of gourmet desserts
Complimentary house wine, draft beer, sodas, juices, and water
Looks like I can have a few drinks next Monday to show my support for the Mystics despite this horrible effort, and sip my sadness away from the past Mystics season, the Wizards lockout, the 9/11 10th Anniversary, AND the Redskins loss by 100 points to the Giants!
by thewiz06 on Sep 4, 2011 7:47 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Chicago color commentator
says that Chicago needs to get the fans back in the stands and she thinks they are creating some fans today right here with this game.
"Not what the Sky was hoping for"
“You wanted a win. You wanted to end the season on a positive note”.
“But a good effort ……”
Color announcer expects a lot of fight from the Sky in their final 3 road games. She says Cokie Chapman is a fighter.
Oh, my.
Has our Pokey been hanging out with that Cokie lady from NPR? And have they produced offspring already?
Ah, well. Much as I love Katie and Catchings, I’m sorry Big Syl and the Sloots* didn’t get a win.
*Sister-band of Big Liz and the Swoopes.
by BearBint on Sep 4, 2011 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well the Mystics apparently won the Attendance Champions for 2011!
13,403 came to today’s game.
Just so you know, most season ticket holders got complimentary tickets for this game to give away. At least a number of folks actually used them, but this game should have been more full than it was if 13,405 came to see the Mystics……………
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