Swish Appeal - 2014-15 Washington Mystics offseasonBasketball is basketball.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49391/swish-fave.png2015-05-02T11:00:02-04:00http://www.swishappeal.com/rss/stream/69968802015-05-02T11:00:02-04:002015-05-02T11:00:02-04:00Can the Mystics be the WNBA's Atlanta Hawks?
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<figcaption>L - Dale Zanine, USA Today Sports; R - Stewart W. Small</figcaption>
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<p>The NBA's Atlanta Hawks are the Eastern Conference's best team, despite the lack of a superstar player. In light of their success, the Washington Mystics could take a page from Atlanta's playbook as they head toward the 2015 WNBA season.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> have been one of the NBA's surprise stories of the 2014-15 season. Despite the fact that they don't have a franchise superstar -- and have been labeled as a textbook case of a team on the "Treadmill of Mediocrity" in recent years -- they finished with a franchise-record 60 wins, won the NBA's Southeast Division title in a landslide, and earned the top seed in the NBA's Eastern Conference. Along the way, here are just some of the accomplishments they made as a team:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>A <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/2/5/7983981/2015-nba-standings-atlanta-hawks">franchise-best 19-game winning streak</a> which lasted from December 27 through January 31. In fact, Atlanta went 17-0 in January 2015.</span></li>
<li><span>The Hawks' starting lineup of <span>Jeff Teague</span>, <span>Kyle Korver</span>, <span>DeMarre Carroll</span>, <span>Paul Millsap</span>, and <span>Al Horford</span> were named the NBA's Eastern Conference co-players for the month of January 2015</span></li>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BREAKING: Our starting 5 will share East Player of the Month honors for January! <a href="http://t.co/Fp1zsV684F">pic.twitter.com/Fp1zsV684F</a></p>
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/status/563135456502484992">February 5, 2015</a>
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<li><span>The Hawks' starting lineup minus Carroll was named reserves in the 2015 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-all-star-game">NBA All-Star Game</a> in New York City</span></li>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The <a href="https://twitter.com/ATLHawks">@ATLHawks</a> have arrived for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAAllStarNYC?src=hash">#NBAAllStarNYC</a> game <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT">@NBAonTNT</a>! <a href="http://t.co/Wrf0BnVDH4">pic.twitter.com/Wrf0BnVDH4</a></p>
— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/567090436016439297">February 15, 2015</a>
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<li><span>Head Coach <span>Mike Budenholzer</span> was <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/4/21/8461395/mike-budenholzer-named-nba-coach-of-the-year">named the 2014-15 NBA Coach of the Year</a></span></li>
</ul>
<p>With the Hawks defeating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> in their first-round series on Friday, they now face their Southeast Division foe, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> in the second round with Game 1 starting on Sunday.</p>
<p>The Wizards have a legitimate franchise player in <span>John Wall</span> and a more talented starting five than the Hawks do on paper. That will be one reason why their fans are feeling confident about the Wizards making their Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 1979.</p>
<p>But it's also undeniable that the Hawks play much better basketball together, including when they played against the Wizards, where they went 3-1 in the regular season. Needless to say, most NBA experts, analysts, and fans alike will likely predict that the Hawks will defeat the Wizards in a seven-game series, even though Atlanta doesn't have the talent Washington does.</p>
<p>This second-round playoff series -- and this season's Hawks in particular -- got me thinking about the Mystics. Like the Hawks, the Mystics also don't have a franchise player. Though I still generally believe that Mystics' ceiling is the "Treadmill of Mediocrity" given their offseason so far, the Hawks' success this season also makes a compelling case that they could still have a top-tier team -- maybe even this season -- without needing to tank for Breanna Stewart this summer, if they can hit the ground running right away.</p>
<h4><b>The Hawks and Mystics both have elite head coaches who are the real franchise stars of their teams</b></h4>
<p>For the Hawks, Mike Budenholzer is in his second year in Atlanta after spending over a decade as a top assistant coach for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>. In 2014-15, Budenholzer led the Hawks to a 22-win improvement over the 2013-14 squad without the addition of any superstar players. Even though Atlanta was just 38-44 that season, they also lost Horford for most of the year <a href="http://www.si.com/nba/point-forward/2013/12/31/al-horford-injury-update-out-for-season-surgery-atlanta-hawks">due to a torn pectoral </a>toward the end of December 2013. Their record up through that time was 18-14.</p>
<p>This season, the Hawks were sixth in both offensive and defensive efficiency in the regular season. Last season, Atlanta was just 18th in this same category.</p>
<p>Mike Thibault is now entering this third season with the Mystics after a successful ten-year run with the Connecticut Sun from 2003-12. Though Thibault's record in D.C. has been mediocre so far, it is due to the mess he had to clean up when he arrived and the roster turnover that followed. When you take that into context, it isn't surprising to see why he won the 2013 WNBA Coach of the Year award despite the fact that the Mystics were just 17-17.</p>
<p>This WNBA offseason has been full of unexpected surprises to say the least, and many teams have experienced a major roster transaction in the last couple months. However, the Mystics have been insulated from the madness and kept the majority of their team intact. It could help them win more games this season since there should be more chemistry with their lineup.</p>
<p>If the Mystics can get a number one seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs and make a deep run with their current roster, Thibault's nickname may very well be "Mike Thibenholzer."</p>
<h4><b>Both teams have quickly parted ways with veterans who don't fit in with their current vision</b></h4>
<p>The Hawks have made the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-playoffs">NBA Playoffs</a> for eight consecutive seasons since 2007-08. However, the only player of consequence on this roster who was on that first team was Al Horford. Other cornerstones of the past like <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/7/2/3132874/breaking-hawks-agree-to-trade-joe-johnson-to-nets">Joe Johnson </a>and <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/7/7/4500178/2013-nba-free-agency-josh-smith-atlanta-hawks-detroit-pistons">Josh Smith</a> were let go, as Johnson was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2012 and Smith signed with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> as a free agent in 2013 respectively. Ultimately, the Hawks were able to build a deeper team by not having their bloated salaries on their books and were able to create a deeper team because of it.</p>
<p>The Mystics have cleaned house of past veterans themselves. In fact, no player on the 2015 roster wore a Mystics uniform before 2013. Past starters like <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2014/4/14/5615320/wnba-trade-2014-bria-hartley-tianna-hawkins-washington-mystics">Crystal Langhorne were traded to the Seattle Storm</a> in 2014 and <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/2/5/7987139/monique-currie-phoenix-mercury-free-agency-signing-wnga">Monique Currie signed with the Phoenix Mercury</a> as a free agent. Letting key veteran starters go can sometimes be labeled as an indictment on the players who are leaving. But I view all of the Hawks' and Mystics' moves simply as a front office and coaching staff wanting to work with "their guys" when they are brought onboard. It's just business.</p>
<h4><b>Both teams draft rookies and acquire veterans who fit in with their current vision</b></h4>
<p>The Hawks have made good use of the draft by selecting their starting point guard Jeff Teague 19th overall in 2009 and backup point guard Dennis Schroeder with the 17th pick in 2013. Al Horford was the third pick in 2007, but he wasn't selected by their current General Manager. Atlanta has also made some savvy veteran signings such as picking up <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/7/6/4498134/2013-nba-free-agency-paul-millsap-demarre-carroll-quick-analysis">Millsap and Carroll</a> as free agents in 2013, and <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/7/16/3163453/hawks-officially-announce-kyle-korver-trade-with-chicago">trading for Korver</a> a year earlier.</p>
<p>The Mystics are walking this path as well. Since Thibault was hired in the 2012-13 offseason, all of Washington's first-round picks have played contributing roles on their roster even though none were Top-3 overall picks. They also have found steals late in the draft, like starting forward Emma Meesseman who was the 19th pick in 2013, and an undrafted rookie in Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, who was also part of their 2013 rookie class.</p>
<p>And no, I didn't forget about Bria Hartley. She was brought to the nation's capital in the Langhorne trade in 2014, and she has shown that she could be their lead guard for the future. Her acquisition is the best one that Thibault made in his time in D.C.!</p>
<p>The Mystics made their fair share of veteran moves as well. In 2013, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2013/2/1/3941706/washington-mystics-sign-ivory-latta">Ivory Latta signed</a> as a free agent and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2013/2/27/4036294/wnba-trade-washington-mystics-new-york-liberty-kia-vaughn-2013-wnba-draft">Kia Vaughn was acquired in a trade</a> involving a first round draft pick. Both Latta and Vaughn have been starters since they arrived.</p>
<h4><b>Both teams play excellent team defense</b></h4>
<p>There is a saying that defense wins championships. As mentioned earlier, the Hawks were sixth in defensive rating in 2014-15. The Mystics may not have had a very good offense in 2014, where they were ninth in offensive rating, but they were third in defensive rating. The 2014 roster was made up of seven rookies and sophomores, most of whom are still under contract for the 2015 season. Considering that younger teams tend to be below average as defensive units, there is reason to believe that the Mystics could be an elite defensive team for years to come, let alone this summer.</p>
<h4><b>Both teams have posts who can pass the ball well</b></h4>
<p>The Hawks' starting post duo of Millsap and Horford averaged over three assists each in the 2014-15 season, which is another testament to how well the ball moves in the Hawks' offensive sets. The Mystics have two posts who are known for passing the ball, as Meesseman averaged 2.5 assists in 2014, and backup center Stefanie Dolson also averaged over an assist per game in less than 20 minutes per game that same year. If Dolson starts more games and plays more minutes than she did in 2014, the Mystics could have an offense where the ball moves very well, and that increases the opportunities for easy shots.</p>
<h4><b>Both teams have multiple key players who can make three-point shots</b></h4>
<p>The Hawks were fifth in three-point shots made, and second in efficiency. Korver is their most potent shooter as he made 221 threes at a rate of 49.2 percent. Carroll also made his 120 threes at a 39.5 percent clip, and Millsap has become a legitimate stretch power forward where he has made over 70 threes in each of the last two seasons at a rate of above 35 percent.</p>
<p>The Mystics were eighth in three-point percentage in 2014 thanks to an early-season shooting slump, but they have no shortage of players who must be respected from beyond the arc. Latta is the team's best shooter and was a target of Thibault's in the 2013 free agency period specifically because of her shooting ability. In addition, Hartley, Kara Lawson, and Tayler Hill have shown that they can also make threes at a consistent rate. Finally, rookie post Ally Malott is a strong three-point shooter as well. If all of these aforementioned players can get hot at the same time from deep, this Mystics team could be very scary on the offensive end this summer.</p>
<h4>Key Question: Can the Mystics' offensive efficiency improve considerably and quickly enough to be the WNBA's Atlanta Hawks this season?</h4>
<p>The 2014 Mystics team impressed me because they were a young team that refused to give opposing teams many easy shots. However, their biggest issue during the regular season was the fact that their offense was too slow-paced, and that they also were very inefficient at making three-point shots despite having the personnel to be just the opposite.</p>
<p>Assuming that the Mystics are serious about trying to win now, their offense must click quickly given the short 34-game regular season. In addition, their three-point shooting needs to be consistent, and we'll have to see all of their known shooting threats deliver when called upon. That didn't happen last season.</p>
<h4>Final Takeaways</h4>
<p>The Mystics are arguably the only WNBA team that doesn't have a player who is their clear number-one star, and it has held them back from their potential. I want them to get that player as soon as possible -- even if it means that they have to tank.</p>
<p>That said, I looked for a legitimate counterargument to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hogshaven.com/2009/2/26/772915/ted-leonsis-shares-his-ten">Ted Leonsis's pro-tanking philosophy</a> when it comes to rebuilding a professional basketball team and acquiring superstar talent. The Atlanta Hawks are making as good of a case as anyone that they can build a championship contender without superstars -- especially if they can defeat the Wizards in their playoff series and ultimately win the Eastern Conference.</p>
<p>If the Mystics truly decide to position themselves for a deep playoff run this season, it will be very difficult to say the least. But they also now have a modern-day team they can emulate. If the Mystics can truly replicate what the Hawks have done this season, it would be very impressive indeed.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/5/2/8459801/atlanta-hawks-team-building-roadmap-washington-mysticsAlbert Lee2015-04-20T11:00:02-04:002015-04-20T11:00:02-04:00Ally Malott excited about Washington Mystics
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<figcaption>Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Contributor Patrick MacCoon spoke with this year's No. 8 pick in this year's WNBA Draft, Ally Malott. Malott talked about the excitement of getting drafted, her decision to stay home for college, and the exuberance of playing for the Washington Mystics.
</p> <p></p>
<p>By Patrick MacCoon</p>
<p>With the eighth overall pick in the WNBA Draft, the Washington Mystics selected a very special player. A player that head coach and general manager, Mike Thibault, considered to be one of the best shooters, at any position, throughout all 36 picks: Ally Malott.</p>
<p>In her senior season for the University of Dayton, a program she helped lead to its first appearance, ever, in the Elite Eight. Malott put together one of the best performances by any mid-major player.</p>
<p>The 6-foot-4 forward throughout 35 games, in her send-off season, scored 15.5 points per game, shot over fifty-percent, for the first time in her career from the field.</p>
<p>Malott knocked down 41.3 percent of her attempts from three-point range, and hauled in 7.8 rebounds per game. Still after the standout campaign there was still an uncertainty on draft day for the native of Middleton, Oh.</p>
<p>What started as a normal day at home, with going to workouts and class on Thursday afternoon, turned into a moment she will never forget, as Malott watched the first-round of the draft at home with her family.</p>
<p>"I didn't know what to expect going in," Malott said. "I had people telling me going in, that I would be drafted higher than I previously thought, but you can never be sure, until it happens.</p>
<p>"I was really shocked and excited. The Washington Mystics are an awesome (organization), and I'm excited to get started."</p>
<p>While, Malott was considered to be a mid-second to third round pick in the draft, the former McDonald All-American's stock rose considerably, with her strong play in leading her team to the regional finals.</p>
<p>In the NCAA Tournament the versatile ‘stretch four' for the Flyers, averaged nearly a double-double per contest with 17.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in four games, while shooting an extremely high 56.4 percent (25-of-44) from the field.</p>
<p>Even against Connecticut, her shooting from long range, highlighted a first half for the ages. Dayton connected on 7-of-10 from three and held a 44-43 advantage at halftime.</p>
<p>"I obviously wasn't thinking about the draft during the tournament, but it obviously helped a lot," she said. "I was just trying to be more aggressive for my team because we had a really tough pack and we had to fight through a lot of adversity. I think our whole team stepped up and I just wanted to do whatever to help the team win."</p>
<p>Arguably, the top recruit ever in the history of Dayton women's basketball, Malott, made the decision to commit to her hometown team in 2010. She spurned offers from top programs that included Notre Dame, Miami, Purdue, and Northwestern. UConn also expressed interest in landing one of Ohio's top talents ever in women's basketball.</p>
<p>"I would do it over and over again," she said. "I have no regrets. A lot of people questioned why I would go to Dayton because it wasn't a big name school or a powerhouse, but I kind of wanted to continue to build on what was already being established. I think it worked out pretty well for me and the team."</p>
<p>Not only did Malott become the third highest drafted player in the history of Dayton athletics, but teammate Andrea Hoover, was selected 31st overall by the Los Angeles Sparks.</p>
<p>The duo for Jim Jabir's squad combined for 3,352 points in their career and set a four-year program record for wins (102-25) -- and became the first University of Dayton women's basketball teammates to be selected in the same WNBA Draft.</p>
<p>"We kind of came here for the same reason," Malott said. "Andrea could've gone somewhere bigger too. We wanted to elevate the program.</p>
<p>"We've been roommates for four years and I was really happy to see her drafted. She deserves it more than anyone. It's going to be weird not playing on the same team with her."</p>
<p>Out of all Malott's memorable experiences at Dayton, she believes, was the support she received from the hometown fans.</p>
<p>For the past two seasons UD Arena, home to the Flyers, has ranked in the Top-50 in women's basketball for in attendance despite the university having an enrollment under 8,000 students.</p>
<p>"The Dayton fans are unbelievable," she said. "Our community support is so great. There are a lot of local people on the team, so that helps, but we also have a lot of people that have been fans their whole lives.</p>
<p>"I think UD Arena is one of the best basketball atmospheres in the entire country and it's because of them and their support."</p>
<p>After enjoying her time playing in front of familiar faces, Malott is thrilled and ready for the transition.</p>
<p>"I've never been to a Mystics game before, but I'm really excited to be a part of the team," she said. "I will do my best to work hard every game and have a positive attitude. I'm excited to get started."</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/20/8455847/ally-malott-talks-about-getting-drafted-excited-about-washingtonSwish Appeal Admin2015-04-20T10:00:03-04:002015-04-20T10:00:03-04:00How will Malott & Cloud fit in with the Mystics?
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<figcaption>Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Let's take a look at how Ally Malott and Natasha Cloud, the Washington Mystics' first and second round picks will fit with the 2015 roster.</p> <p>I'll admit it. Even though I'm looking forward to the 2015 WNBA season as a whole, I am not that excited about the Mystics.</p>
<p>Their first pick in the 2015 Draft was eighth in a "weak class" after a season where they overachieved. Though a couple players declared for the draft early, it doesn't console me much. But at least it did give them some more certainty on getting players who the front office wanted. Mystics General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault implied that this was the case in a <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/?tag=Washington%20Mystics%20&tagId=0000013a-f7ce-d6fe-a33a-ffffef320000">video interview with Monumental Network's Jumoke Davis</a> (embedded above).</p>
<p>In a draft where the Mystics didn't have many options to improve their roster, let's see which needs they had heading into the 2015 season. Also, how well do their top two draft picks: Ally Malott and Natasha Cloud could fit into the mix?</p>
<h4>A statistical review on the Mystics' 2014 season performance</h4>
<p>To get a better look at where the Mystics' weaknesses were in 2014 -- where they had a 16-18 regular season record -- let's take a look at some statistical metrics to see where they ranked compared with the rest of the WNBA:</p>
<table width="837" border="0" align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<colgroup> <col width="122" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5205; width: 122pt;"> <col width="65" span="11" style="width: 65pt;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td width="122" height="15" class="xl65" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt; width: 122pt;"><b></b></td>
<td width="260" colspan="4" class="xl65" style="text-align: center; width: 260pt;"><b>OFFENSE FOUR FACTORS</b></td>
<td width="260" colspan="4" class="xl65" style="text-align: center; width: 260pt;"><b>DEFENSE FOUR FACTORS</b></td>
<td width="195" colspan="3" class="xl65" style="text-align: center; width: 195pt;"><b>Pace & Efficiency</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl65" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;"><b>Team</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>eFG%</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>TOV%</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>ORB%</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>FT/FGA</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>eFG%</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>TOV%</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>DRB%</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>FT/FGA</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>Pace</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>ORtg</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><b>DRtg</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl63" style="text-align: center; height: 15pt;">Mystics</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl64">46.51% (7)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl64">16.28% (10)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl64">29.23% (5)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl64">20.67% (8)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl64">44.34% (2)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl64">13.59% (12)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl64">71.32% (9)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" class="xl64">19.27% (3)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">87.5 (10)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">99.2 (9)</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">98.6 (3)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Statistics from Basketball-Reference. </i></p>
<p>From looking at the numbers here, some things stick out based on what they would like to continue or do better in 2015.</p>
<h5><b>The Mystics have positioned themselves to be an elite defensive team in the future, despite having no All-Defensive Team members</b></h5>
<p>If there is one thing that impressed us about the Mystics in 2014, it was that they were third in team defensive efficiency. There is no elite individual defender manning the fort. Instead, the Mystics had a mix of veterans as well as seven rookies and sophomores who contributed to that defensive rating. Washington was very good preventing the opposition from scoring at a high rate, and they also were good at preventing other teams from getting to the free throw line at a high rate.The Mystics can certainly work on improving their rebounding and causing other teams to turn the ball over more. But there's a good reason to believe that this will improve with time given that most players are returning.</p>
<h5><b>The offense was stagnant, especially early in the season</b></h5>
<p>The two things that were particularly frustrating for the Mystics was their offensive inefficiency.</p>
<p>The first impeding factor for the Mystics is pace. Since Thibault was hired, he made a point to make sure that Washington played at a faster tempo given that they were 10th in pace in 2012, the year before he arrived. In 2013, they were seventh in pace and were noticeably more efficient, especially from the three-point line that was moved back that season. However, they fell back to 10th in the 2014 season.</p>
<p>The paradox about the Mystics in 2014 and their slower pace was that the personnel they had appeared to be well-suited for an uptempo game. In other words, a backcourt of Ivory Latta and Bria Hartley and a group of young frontcourt players like Emma Meesseman and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt should be able to keep the pace up against the competition. But for whatever reason, they didn't play that way.</p>
<p>The second frustrating factor for Washington was three-point shooting efficiency. They were second in efficiency in 2013 (34.7 percent) but were ninth in (31.7 percent) in 2014. Like with pace, the perplexing thing about the Mystics' three-point shooting efficiency was that there were a number of players who were good at it, but they all seemed to be in shooting slumps. In fact, the Mystics<a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2014/7/28/5942767/washington-mystics-statistical-analysis-wnba-2014"> only made 27.74 percent of all their three-point shots</a> from May 16 to July 2, a span of 18 games. Thankfully, they improved drastically in the second half from deep.</p>
<h4><b>What kinds of players will the Mystics need in 2015?</b></h4>
<p>Based on the Mystics' 2014 shortcomings and free agency, the Mystics need:</p>
<ul>
<li> <b>An additional reliable three-point shooter</b> - Thibault emphasized early in his tenure in Washington that the teams who are better at making threes from the FIBA-length three-point line will do better than those who are not. The Mystics were efficient shooting from the three-point line in 2013, which may help explain why they made the playoffs that season instead of being last in the East.</li>
<li> <b>An additional post player who can play in the rotation</b> - In light of Tianna Hawkins' pregnancy, the Mystics will need to find another post player who can either hold the fort. Or perhaps a new post player may be Hawkins' permanent replacement. Look no further than Tayler Hill's worst nightmare, a/k/a Bria Hartley, and you'll see what I mean.</li>
<li> <b>Another wing player who is taller than 5'10</b> - The Mystics only have one wing player taller than 5'10 in Tierra Ruffin-Pratt. Letting Monique Currie go to the Phoenix Mercury allows Washington to look for another small forward in the future. But the fact that they don't have a reliable wing player who is about 6'0 tall will be a concern.</li>
</ul>
<p>Now, let's take a look at the two college prospects who the Mystics picked up in the Draft and see what we can come up with.</p>
<h4><b>Ally Malott, 8th overall pick, Dayton</b></h4>
<p>The Mystics used their first pick to select Malott, who just came off leading the Dayton Flyers to their first Elite Eight appearance in school history. Here is a look at her senior year's basic and advanced stats:</p>
<table width="800" border="0" align="center" style="text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;">
<colgroup> <col width="65" span="15" style="width: 65pt;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td width="520" height="15" colspan="8" class="xl63" style="text-align: center; height: 15.0pt; width: 520pt;"><b>2014-15 BASIC STATS</b></td>
<td width="455" colspan="7" class="xl63" style="width: 455pt;"><b>2014-15 ADVANCED STATS</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl64" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b>PPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>RPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>APG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>BPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>SPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>3P-3PA</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>3P%</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>FT%</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>MVP</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>2pt%</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Oreb%</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>PPR</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>FT Rate</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>Usage Rate</b></td>
<td class="xl64" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Value added</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" class="xl65" style="height: 15.0pt;">15.5</td>
<td class="xl65">7.8</td>
<td class="xl65">1.6</td>
<td class="xl65">0.8</td>
<td class="xl65">0.9</td>
<td class="xl65">43-104</td>
<td class="xl66">41.30%</td>
<td class="xl66">82.20%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">10.95</td>
<td class="xl65" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">52.38</td>
<td class="xl65" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">8.22</td>
<td class="xl65" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">-3.33</td>
<td class="xl65" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">29.65</td>
<td class="xl66">23.50%</td>
<td class="xl65" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">1.55</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Data from WBB State.</i></p>
<p><b>What do I like about Malott? </b>The Mystics do have a good number of proficient three-point shooters. However, all of them are guards with the exception of Jelena Milovanovic, who also had the lowest individual defensive rating of all individual frontcourt players on the team. Adding Mallot should help fill this void, and she is more of a true stretch power forward presence in an American presence than Milo is.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It's not just the shooting that I like about her, but she also rebounds at a significantly higher rate than Milovanovic even does for Dynamo Kursk, where she currently plays during the winter. I get that the competition is different between the EuroLeague and the NCAA, but I haven't seen Milovanovic be a player who is willing to get in the paint for rebounds. Malott shouldn't be in that situation as a pro.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Thibault has implied earlier this offseason that he wants Emma Meesseman to develop more of these types of skills as well. But let's also keep in mind that Meesseman also doesn't have a three-point shot in her arsenal right now, though it could happen in the future.</p>
<p><b>Are there any red flags? </b>In two lengthy posts (<a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/15/8418323/wnba-draft-2015-prospects-cal-reshanda-gray?_ga=1.211975700.1211343818.1429326050">here </a>and <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/16/8425341/wnba-draft-2015-prospects-natasha-cloud-vicky-mcintyre-alex-harden">here</a>) about mid-major prospects and power forwards -- which Dayton is as an Atlantic 10 school -- here are the statistical factors that would indicate that Malott should pan out as a WNBA player if stats are all we have to go on:</p>
<ul>
<li><span><b>Does she have a two-point shooting percentage of 52 percent or higher?</b> Malott shot 52.38 percent from two-point range in 2014-15, which just makes the cut.</span></li>
<li><span><b>Does she have an offensive rebounding percentage of 11 percent or higher?</b> Malott's rate was 8.22 percent, well below this mark.</span></li>
<li><span><b>Does she have a Marginal Victories Produced (MVP) rating of 14 or higher?</b> Malott's MVP rating was 10.95, well below the mark of 14. </span></li>
</ul>
<p>As you can see, Malott's offensive rebounding and MVP ratings did not meet these arbitrary benchmarks. However, they do not necessarily mean that she is destined to be a bust.</p>
<p>First, let's examine the context surrounding why her offensive rebounding percentage is low. Part of that is because she took over one-third of her shots from beyond the three-point line, which will limit her opportunities to get offensive rebounds. The Mystics want to use her as a stretch four like Camille Little of the Connecticut Sun, not as a back-to-the-basket four like post Crystal Langhorne of the Seattle Storm.</p>
<p>Second, let's take a look at why her MVP rating is lower than 14. Based on what Nate was saying about mid-major prospects, I think that the MVP rating has to be looked at within the context of how good that team is beyond just the prospect herself. Malott played on a Top-10 team this past winter alongside guard Andrea Hoover, who also was the team's leading scorer and assister. Hoover also happened to be drafted herself, where she was the 31st overall pick to the Los Angeles Sparks. Therefore, Malott didn't play on a team where she was the number one option. Rather, she was part of a dynamic duo with Hoover, whose production would have mitigated Malott's MVP rating, and vice versa.</p>
<p><b>What role will Mallot play in D.C.? </b>I see Malott playing as a backup power forward to Meesseman, and she will also see her times in situations where the Mystics need long perimeter shots. The results as a three-point shooter may not come immediately because the line is further back. But if Malott can develop her shot quickly and fill in some of the rebounding void in light of Tianna Hawkins' absence, she could be a valuable addition to the team's young core for years to come.</p>
<h4><b>Natasha Cloud, 15th overall pick, St. Joseph's</b></h4>
<p>Nate<a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/16/8425341/wnba-draft-2015-prospects-natasha-cloud-vicky-mcintyre-alex-harden?_ga=1.52672040.1211343818.1429326050"> hit on most of the issues</a>, both positive and negative on Cloud in his analysis on mid-major draft prospects. I'll elaborate a bit more within the context of being a Mystics fan. First, let's take a look at her production:</p>
<table width="750" border="0" align="center" style="text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;">
<colgroup> <col width="65" span="15" style="width: 65pt;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td width="520" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 520pt;" class="xl63" colspan="8"><b>2014-15 BASIC STATS</b></td>
<td width="455" style="width: 455pt;" class="xl63" colspan="7"><b>2014-15 ADVANCED STATS</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;" class="xl64"><b>PPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>RPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>APG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>BPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>SPG</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>3P-3PA</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>3P%</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>FT%</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>MVP</b></td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl64"><b>2pt%</b></td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl64"><b>Oreb%</b></td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl64"><b>PPR</b></td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl64"><b>FT Rate</b></td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl64"><b>Usage Rate</b></td>
<td class="xl64"><b>Value added</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;" class="xl65">12.9</td>
<td class="xl65">5.9</td>
<td class="xl65">6.6</td>
<td class="xl65">0.4</td>
<td class="xl65">1.8</td>
<td class="xl65">26-74</td>
<td class="xl66">35.10%</td>
<td class="xl66">79.10%</td>
<td class="xl65">13.71</td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl65">37.22</td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl65">1.4</td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl65">3.22</td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl65">38.5</td>
<td style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" class="xl66">22.90%</td>
<td class="xl65">1.43</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Data from WBB State.</i></p>
<p><b>What do I like about Cloud? </b>I think Cloud is a player who helps fill the Mystics' need to have additional taller wing players. She is also a very versatile player, especially on the defensive end from her time at St. Joes.</p>
<p>Drafting Cloud also puts some of the pressure off of Ruffin-Pratt, who will likely have to defend an opposing team's best wing player for major stretches. This move helps alleviate that pressure given that Cloud is a tenacious defender like her.</p>
<p>Along with the signing of Armintie Herrington, Cloud's addition also indicates that the Mystics want to continue to be an elite defensive team for the 2015 season and the future.</p>
<p><b>Are there any red flags on Cloud?</b> Cloud plays as a point guard but can play the shooting guard and small forward positions as well. Therefore, let's take a look at some important metrics on <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/15/8417433/2015-wnba-draft-prospects-tia-presley-washington-state?_ga=1.52672040.1211343818.1429326050">perimeter</a> and mid-major prospects:</p>
<ul>
<li><span><b>Can she steal the ball at a good rate? (wing criterion) </b>Cloud averaged 1.8 steals in her senior season and has averaged at least that much in each of her three seasons at St. Joe's. Her freshman season was in 2010-11 when she played for the Maryland Terrapins.</span></li>
<li><span><b>Was her two-point shooting efficiency greater than 45 percent? (wing criterion) </b>No. It was 37.22 percent.</span></li>
<li><span><b>Was her usage rate at least 24 percent? (point guard criterion) </b>Nate wrote that a point guard whose usage rate is at least 24 percent should have an easier chance making the league. Cloud's usage rate was 22.9 percent, not far below this threshold. </span></li>
<li><span><b>Was her assist percentage at around 30 percent? (point guard criterion) </b> I don't have the number on me. However, given that she averaged well over six assists per game, the tenth highest average among all NCAA players, Cloud's fine here.</span></li>
<li><span><b>Is her pure point rating greater than 2.5? </b>Yes, because it was 3.22.</span></li>
<li> <b>Does she have a Marginal Victories Produced (MVP) rating of 14 or higher?</b> No, it was 13.71. That said, she was close, and also played for a team with a losing record (13-17).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>What role will Cloud play in D.C.? </b>In the above video, Thibault was clear that Cloud would likely play as a small forward to start her career in the WNBA though she can also set plays up for others, as you can see from her high assist numbers. Given her 6'0 size and her defensive ability where she was a three-time Atlantic-10 Defensive team member, this is where she will earn the bulk of her playing time.</p>
<p>It remains unclear as to who starts at the small forward position, whether it's Cloud, Ruffin-Pratt or if the Mystics decide to start with a small ball or a lengthy starting lineup. But even if Cloud doesn't start, she should get a chance to make an impact right away, especially if Ruffin-Pratt doesn't make the 2015 team since she is currently on a training camp contract. Between the two, I'm on the fence as to which player will ultimately have the better WNBA career. That question will be answered in training camp, and I think the player who plays better on offense will get more playing time.</p>
<p>For the time being, the point guard position is in a logjam of sorts where Latta and Hartley start and share the duties together while Kara Lawson backs them up. Until at least one of their current point guards leaves D.C., it's unlikely that Cloud will see much time at this position, at least for her rookie season. That said, she could still be a point forward to set the two up for long-range bombs that Latta especially makes in her sleep.</p>
<h4><b>Final Takeaways</b></h4>
<p>After several consecutive seasons of significant roster turnover, the Washington Mystics now appear to be set on which younger players and veterans they want to focus their rebuild around. Given that their roster, even at the top is made up of mid-first round draft picks or later, this team isn't going to win games when one player consistently dominates. Everyone, even the starters are going to have to fill roles very well in order to win games consistently. Both Malott and Cloud won't be expected to be All-Stars in their rookie seasons. But if they can play their roles effectively, that should help this team develop a strong nucleus for the future.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/4/20/8437827/ally-malott-natasha-cloud-washington-mystics-wnba-draft-2015-player-analysisAlbert Lee2015-03-15T19:37:44-04:002015-03-15T19:37:44-04:00Inova Health ends sponsorship with the Mystics<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2015/03/inova-mystics-part-ways-following-three-year.html">Inova Health officially parts ways with the Washington&nbsp;Mystics</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Link to the Washington Business Journal, which got wind of a <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/3/13/8206785/inova-logo-disappears-washington-mystics-jersey-2015-wnba" target="new">previous article</a> I had on photoshopped jerseys last week. According to Inova, the sponsorship ended last December. Now, it's time to buy those Bria Hartley rookie jerseys while they last! h/t to pilight for finding this link.</p></p></div>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/3/15/8220395/inova-health-officially-parts-ways-with-the-washington-mysticsAlbert Lee2015-03-13T02:06:49-04:002015-03-13T02:06:49-04:00Inova Health logo photoshopped off Mystics jerseys
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I-X68zXxpfifWHpWeKfiCIiLGiE=/0x285:640x712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45883962/10436217_10152764009421156_8396586183384161753_n.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Monumental Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Photoshopped pictures indicate that the Washington Mystics may no longer have a jersey sponsor.</p> <p>I normally don't read too much into social media posts for any team. But sometimes, you just can't ignore it.</p>
<p>The Washington Mystics recently updated their social media pictures earlier this week. For example, this is their cover photo on Facebook:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="mystics cover photo" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wig2U6McDOceV0XPueSqfag1JOQ=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3499726/download.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>The good news on this picture is that the Mystics are now highlighting Bria Hartley and Stefanie Dolson, who are two of their key players moving forward. And yes, as you might expect, Ivory Latta is in the middle. But something is missing.</p>
<p>The jersey sponsor.</p>
<p>Note that the Inova Health logo is not showing up on Hartley's jersey, and the Mystics logo is strategically covering the logo on Latta's jersey as well. .</p>
<p>In addition, the Mystics released a photo of Hartley on a Thursday post intended to get you to buy single game tickets for the 2015 season:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="hartley no logo" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fxu1xCP9kgs1zxyewtgp20LiHAk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3499742/hartley_no_logo.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>Again, note that there is no Inova logo on Hartley's jersey. A Mystics wordmark is there instead.</p>
<p>Finally, the Mystics had a picture of Armintie Herrington in her new Mystics jersey, except that you can't see any primary logo, if you know what I mean:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="herrington mystics jersey" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C7VGNyGXQkvFFUwwAQyjQXxMeJ0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3499748/armintie.0.png">
</figure>
</p>
<p>I've been beating around the bush with three pictures, but they all lead to one conclusion: Inova Health is no longer sponsoring the Washington Mystics, at least as a jersey sponsor. The Northern Virginia-based medical care group was Washington's first marquee sponsor from the 2011 through 2014 seasons.</p>
<p>WNBA jersey sponsors have provided a major revenue stream for teams since 2008. In fact, all teams except the Connecticut Sun, Chicago Sky, and Atlanta Dream have had a jersey sponsor at some point in franchise history. However, we've seen some teams with sponsors like the Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, and Seattle Storm lose them in recent years. Only one team, the Phoenix Mercury has changed jersey sponsors from LifeLock (2008-2013) to the Talking Stick Resort (2014-present).</p>
<p>So, do you think the Mystics will get a new jersey sponsor? MedStar Health announced a <a href="http://www.nba.com/wizards/medstar-health-becomes-official-medical-team-partner-washington-capitals-and-wizards">sponsorship with the Wizards and Capitals in December </a>as the official medical team partner for the two teams. So perhaps a major sponsorship between MedStar Health and the Mystics is coming too though that's just speculation on my part. Or perhaps there will be no sponsor for them in the 2015 season.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/3/13/8206785/inova-logo-disappears-washington-mystics-jersey-2015-wnbaAlbert Lee2015-03-04T19:51:41-05:002015-03-04T19:51:41-05:00Convince me why the Mystics' outlook is bright
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/V6vVIbPjpxMzqumiQoER2PXeDJA=/0x220:2048x1585/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45818824/TRP.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stewart W. Small</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Here's your chance to tell me why things are not so glum in Washington when it comes to their future.</p> <p>I am a big fan of youth movements when it comes to rebuilding teams. It's really exciting to see teams "throw the young players in the pool" and see what happens. Often times, teams that do so will lose a lot of games. However, the younger players who play extended minutes could develop themselves into major pieces on an up-and-coming team. We have seen this happen with teams like the Tulsa Shock do it over the past several seasons. I'm quite optimistic on other teams like the Connecticut Sun and Seattle Storm as well.</p>
<p>The Washington Mystics appeared to be heading into a similar direction in 2014 when seven players were rookies or sophomores. In 2015, it appeared that there will be six or seven rookies, sophomores, and third year players on their team regardless of whatever moves they ended up making. That still holds true today.</p>
<p>But in the span of a few weeks in February, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/2/3/7972387/tayler-hill-emma-meesseman-tierra-ruffin-pratt-option-extension-free-agency-wnba-2015">any cautious optimism I had about their young core</a> went away.</p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css" rel="stylesheet">
</p>
<p>I have no idea why it makes much sense to keep most of the core veterans on a .500-ish squad over two seasons together. I also don't see how the Mystics can suddenly get over the hump of one-and-done playoff appearances. It's not like Ivory Latta and Kia Vaughn suffered injuries and missed many games during a .500 season. In fact, the Mystics were a 17-17 team in 2013 and a 16-18 team in 2014 as a healthy squad in large part <i>due to injuries to multiple WNBA teams.</i></p>
<p>If history gives us any indication on what will probably happen, the Mystics are doomed for the "Treadmill of Mediocrity." They will miss out on the top picks of the 2016 WNBA Draft because they win too many games this summer. In a couple years or so, this team will have to start all over again, because their veterans will fall further behind than starting cores for other teams. Meanwhile, their younger players remain underdeveloped over the next several seasons because of a lack of playing time in their potential full-time roles.</p>
<p><b><i>But that's only one side of the story.</i></b></p>
<p>There are others of you who believe that what the Mystics have done these past few weeks was the right thing to do. Perhaps you think that the Mystics still don't have enough talent to contend. Or maybe you think that this team could really be the WNBA's version of the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks NBA team: A squad of non-heralded draft picks who are playing extremely good basketball as a unit.</p>
<p>I have written a lot about what the "pro-tanking" or "Play all the youngsters" side for awhile when it comes to the Mystics. But I want to know why you feel that they aren't headed in the wrong direction in more detail. Really, I want to see if you can convince me why the Mystics aren't simply trying to just be mediocre.</p>
<p>Tell me <i>why the Mystics should go for wins in 2015</i> and not put themselves in a position to potentially draft Breanna Stewart or Jewell Loyd in 2016. Tell me <i>why the Mystics can win big without a superstar </i>despite the fact that every WNBA championship team has had at least one on their roster if not more. The best way you can do so is by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/admin/entries/new?community_id=248&entry_type=FanPost" target="_blank">writing a FanPost</a>. Many have been written on numerous women's basketball topics in the last several weeks.</p>
<p>It won't be easy to convince me. But I am open to and look forward to reading your ideas.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/3/4/8084173/mystics-2014-15-offseason-future-outlook-direction-wnbaAlbert Lee2015-02-15T16:49:37-05:002015-02-15T16:49:37-05:00Bria Hartley has an appreciation weekend in Brooklyn<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/p/zGpV4oEpUj/">Bria Hartley has an appreciation weekend in&nbsp;Brooklyn</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>She wasn't there however due to overseas commitments.</p></p></div>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/2/15/8042787/bria-hartley-has-an-appreciation-weekend-in-brooklynAlbert Lee2015-02-12T18:24:50-05:002015-02-12T18:24:50-05:00Video: Thibault talks about the Mystics' recent moves
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jmuvu29-Q6kYBoWBPaZDEW2SiQ4=/88x0:1192x736/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45681154/thibault.0.0.png" />
<figcaption>Monumental Network</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Thibault talks about balancing youth with at least some experience.</p> <p>After the Washington Mystics signed <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/2/10/8014789/washington-mystics-re-sign-ivory-latta">Ivory Latta</a> and <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/2/10/8014057/washington-mystics-sign-arminite-herrington">Armintie Herrington</a> while letting <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/2/5/7987139/monique-currie-phoenix-mercury-free-agency-signing-wnga">Monique Currie</a> sign with the Phoenix Mercury, I expected that General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault would talk about why the decision was made. He spoke with <a href="http://www.monumentalnetwork.com/videos/mystics-minute-coach-mike-thibault-2-12-15">Monumental Network's Jumoke Davis</a> in a lengthy video released Thursday which is embedded above.</p>
<h4><strong>Why Ivory Latta was re-signed</strong></h4>
<p>This move wasn't a surprise to me. But Thibault's rationale for re-signing Latta was two-fold. First, she has played a big part turning around the Mystics over the last couple of seasons. Second re-signing her is a sign to both other players and fans to show that the franchise is committed to rewarding good players who do good things.</p>
<p>Even though Latta is now 30 years old, Thibault believes that she still has enough prime left in her to grow with the young core of Bria Hartley, Tayler Hill, Emma Meesseman, and Stefanie Dolson.</p>
<h4><strong>Why Armintie Herrington was signed</strong></h4>
<p>Herrington had knee surgery over the offseason which may limit her early this season. But Thibault mentioned that adding a player who has experience playing in the WNBA Finals is valuable.</p>
<h4><strong>Why Monique Currie was not signed</strong></h4>
<p>Thibault stated that Currie was offered a one year contract extension last season, but she declined because she wanted a longer deal which she got with the Phoenix Mercury. Though he had the opportunity to core Currie, he chose not to because doing so could strain the salary cap in future years when Hill, Meesseman, Hartley, and Dolson are up for sophomore extensions. Ultimately, letting Currie go was a mutual parting of ways.</p>
<h4><strong>On Youth Movements</strong></h4>
<p>Thibault has been pretty clear on building around young players, and he says that he's committed to doing that. However, he also doesn't want to do it to the extreme. Teams like the Tulsa Shock in recent years or the Mystics' sibling team, the Washington Wizards have played rosters where young players were running the entire show, and that didn't lead to wins. In the Wizards' case, some of those young players were locker room cancers.</p>
<h4><strong>Thibault pleads for patience</strong></h4>
<p>Though Thibault has had two straight playoff seasons with the Mystics, he also isn't posturing this team to be a championship contender in 2015. The money quote was when he said that "None of this is going to come quickly for this team" at the 4:40 mark and stresses that this is going to be a multi-year process. He even implied that the 2013 and 2014 Mystics teams could have made a bigger jump win-wise than he originally anticipated...</p>
<p>Interesting....</p>
<h4><strong>Free Agency</strong></h4>
<p>Thibault didn't anticipate doing much in free agency, though he did pick up Herrington when she was available (after being waived by the Los Angeles Sparks in January).</p>
<h4><strong>The Draft</strong></h4>
<p>The coaching staff is examining prospects over the next couple months by traveling across the country.</p>
<h4><strong>Final Takeaways</strong></h4>
<p>You can tell that Mike Thibault's got his hands full as he heads into year three with the Washington Mystics. Do I expect him to do literally everything that I want him to, especially by going young to the extreme? No, of course not.</p>
<p>But at the same time, I'm pleased that he is also realistic about where the Mystics are right now, while maybe keeping an eye on where they could hopefully be in a few years.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/2/12/8030739/video-mike-thibault-mystics-2015-wnbaAlbert Lee