Mystics Fans Are Awesome...And Proud
by
Mystics4Ever
August 28, 2002

I recently received an email from Stacey Dales-Schuman in which she stated: "Our fans are awesome!" .... well, not only are the Mystics fans the greatest in the WNBA, we are also very, very proud of what our team has accomplished this year!

In 2001, the Mystics finished second to last in the Eastern Conference with a 10-22 record. This year, the Mystics finished the regular season with a 17-15 record and then swept the Charlotte Sting in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the New York Liberty 64-57 in the third game of the best-of-three Eastern Conference finals. There are many reasons for this miraculous turn-around, which has to be credited to both the coaching staff and the hard work and determination of our great players.

Mystics President Susan O'Malley made a brilliant choice when, after four straight losing seasons for the Mystics, she chose Marianne Stanley to be the Mystics Head Coach and Pat Summitt, Coach of the Tennessee women's basketball team, as Player Personnel Consultant. These two made the most of a great player draft position, taking Stacey Dales-Schuman and Asjha Jones as the third and fourth picks overall in the 2002 draft. Coach Stanley was able to motivate her players to believe in themselves and their team-mates, and to challenge them to play to the best of their ability. It was no surprise that she was named the 2002 WNBA Coach of the Year. And Pat Summitt was able to inspire her former Tennessee player Chamique Holdsclaw to new heights of leadership and professionalism. Chamique's maturity and positive attitude carried her through the difficult days following the death of her Grandmother and also though the days when she was unable to play due to injuries. A slump such as the Mystics had, in which they lost 9 of their last 11 regular season games, might have destroyed the morale of many teams, but Chamique drew the team together by writing personal notes to each of them. Chamique's leadership and positive attitude was evident on the court as well, and she won both the "leading scorer" and "top rebounder" WNBA awards for the 2002 Bud Light Peak Performers. As Coach Stanley said: "She's had an MVP-type season. It's been a totally amazing and impressive show of character. She's matured as a player and had a steadfast commitment to the team."

Unfortunately, it looks as though the Mystics will have to play next year without veteran forward Vicky Bullett, who apparently is retiring. Vicky, who will be 35 on October 4th, has stated: "I'm gone, moving on". She will be sorely missed, as she led the Mystics in field goal percentages, blocks and steals. Vicky is one of just three WNBA players to have started in every one of her team's games in league history (Charlotte's Andrea Stinson and NY's Teresa Weatherspoon are the others). Along with her versatility and hustle on the court, Vicky's dedication to physical conditioning has made her someone for the younger players to try to emulate.

Looking forward to next season, Coach Stanley will have a young, very solid core of players to work with ... Chamique Holdsclaw, Stacey Dales-Schuman, Coco Miller, Asjha Jones, Murriel Page and Annie Burgess. Stacey seemed to struggle with fatigue as the season went on, but this was very understandable.. her college team was successful in the NCAA Tournament, making it all the way to the championship game, and then in the three weeks following the tournament, she was drafted by the Mystics, graduated from school and started training camp... and did I mention that she got married during that time as well, on April 13th? (Sorry to disappoint you ladies out there, but the beautiful Stacey is straight... married to her long-time sweetheart Chris.) Asjha also had a similar hectic schedule prior to the Mystics season (minus a wedding) so fatigue could also have been a factor with her as well. Next year I expect both of these players to come back able to play up to their potentional and I wouldn't be surprised to see both of them nominated for the Most Improved Player award. Coco, who improved SOOOO much since last year, will also come back next year even better and stronger! Murriel and Annie will also be back with even more hustle and inspiration for the team. And the Mystics wouldn't be complete without Helen and her 3-pointers.... LUUUUUUUZZZZZZZ! (Attention Stanley and Summitt...PLEASE do not trade or cut any of these players! With all of them, plus whoever else you pick up in the draft, I think we'll have a WNBA Championship Team next year!!) As Chamique said: "We're going to grow and get better. What I love about this group is we're young and hungry."

NOTE: I am writing a column with fan comments and would appreciate input from all of you faithful Mystics fans. Just send comments on this season, next season, your favorite players, Coach Stanley, etc., to me at Mystics4Ever@aol.com and I'll include them. Please give me your first name and city or state and I'll use that to identify your comments. Also, if any Mystics PLAYERS would like to send comments to me concerning the team or what they will be doing in the off season, I would be absolutely ECSTATIC!!!!

Send your comments for Mystics4Ever to Mystics4Ever@aol.com.

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