As one of the two voters listed, I am a little disappointed in the turnout. Would the other voter care to elaborate on why they believe that Ms. Johnson will not be able to turn it around? She has shown herself to capable and agressive in her other endeavors. The Lincoln partnership has deep pockets. Your reasons?

I thought Johnson can turn it around but my guess about people who believe the opposite is that some of them have said that they felt that Johnson was too close to Alana Beard and that would make her less willing to consider Beard as someone who would have to go or at least change.

I dont understand why in the last 6 games or so they keep Monique Currie on the bench. And it wasnt becasue of foul trouble. Don't they know her game.

I dont understand why in the last 6 games or so they keep Monique Currie on the bench. And it wasnt becasue of foul trouble. Don't they know her game.

Posted by: DC Native | September 11, 2008 2:34 PM

Well, she did miss two potential game-winning lay-ups at the end of the Chicago game.

Currie has played at least 20 minutes in 5 of the last 6 games, and had at least 4 fouls in all 5. She fouled out once.

Kinlaw rotates everyone, especially when she thinks they are not doing well. Except Alana, who seems to be allowed to throw bricks all night long.

Funny thing is- when Melissa McFerrin was GM, Sally Jenkins wrote an article about how management was the problem... IT STILL IS!! Mo Currie has been wishy washy; Nakia can't get into any kind of groove; Alana has yet to really lead this team, except in scoring every now and then... we traded our first true point guard (Temeka) and we've signed more players who sat on the bench - and are no longer in the W.. shall I go on.

@Me

You're preach to the choir!!

First off LINDA HARGROVE needs to go! We need a real HEAD COACH/GM, that way they have the say in who and what we need. All we get is they're trying to build a championship team but that can't happen until we clean house starting with Linda, she doesn't have a clue in what she is doing. All she has done is hurt this team and the coaches have suffered because of it.

Will the Mystics win again this season?

Katie, Thank you for your efforts in providing us with this poll. I think you posted the “tough questions”! All serious fans are definitely seeking answers and accountability regarding the Mystics players, coaching staff, and the business management.

I have the following questions:
1. Approximately how long will this poll remain open?

2. Will the final results of this poll be published?

3. Are the Mystics players, coaching staff, and business management aware that this poll is going on, or is this only by “word of mouth”?

4.If the final poll results indeed show that changes need to be made in trading players, coaching staff and business management, how do we implement these changes such that we have an intact infrastructure prior to the beginning of next season?

5. How would fans participate in the stepwise implementation of this plan, referring to question #4.?

LuvUMystics

"How would fans participate in the stepwise implementation of this plan, referring to question #4.?"

They don't. And shouldn't.

@LuvUMystics

I should have been more clear when I posted the polls. This is something we on the blog decided to do partially to fuel discussion and also so everyone could get some kind of pulse on what the rest of the fan base is thinking.

This is something we did on our own and as with everything else it is not affiliated with the team. We have no say in the decisions the organization makes.

“They don’t.They shouldn’t”

I am totally aware that fans are not able to participate in the “day to day ‘ operations of the Mystics or to actually participate in the business decisions of the management. I think it is only the personnel listed in the Mystics Directory that can do that! I think if fans could participate, we would not be holding this poll right now!

To re-phrase my question :
How do fans implement changes (referring to question #4) by making their fan voice heard at the close of this poll?

LuvUMystics

Katie,
Thanks for your additional clarifications.
Overall,I just wanted to know what could fans do after the poll to continue to make their fan voices heard.

LuvUMystics

To LuvU:

If you or any other fan has particular thoughts you want to communicate to the Mystics' front office, it's very simple. Just send an email to the COO, Greg Bibb:

gbibb@washmystics.com

Or just walk up to him at the game on Sunday (he's the guy in the suit and tie) and talk to him. Heck, mail a letter to Dr. Johnson c/o the Mystics' office, or hand it to her on Sunday.

To Snoozin O’Malley

Many thanks for your responses to my comments.

LuvUMystics

To DC Native who wrote: “I don’t understand why in the last six games or so they keep Monique Currie on the bench”

First, thanks for your support of Monique Currie.

Could it be that MO Currie was kept on the bench in order not to “overshadow” the franchise player?
Also, since the polls at this time are showing that the majority of the fan base were disappointed in the mid-season Taj trade, could “overshadowing” have been one of the reasons for the trade?

LuvUMystics

It's interesting to read people's opinions, but it would be better if they were fact based. Mo isn't being "kept on the bench." In the last three games, she's played 27, 26, and 24 minutes, respectively and recorded 5, 4, and 4 personal fouls in that time. Mo has a lot of talent, but can't bring it consistently. And sometimes she's a foul machine. (One STH calls her "scowl and foul.")

I like Mo a lot, I wish she could just get her game together and live up to her talent.

"could 'overshadowing' have been one of the reasons for the trade?"

No. There has been no indication that Alana was in any way jealous of any attention paid to Taj. On the contrary, Alana said she needs a vocal leader like Taj, because she does not see herself in that role.

"On the contrary, Alana said she needs a vocal leader like Taj, because she does not see herself in that role."

Agreed. And one reason why the Mystics should not try any longer to build a team around AB. She has talent, but is not a leader and doesn't make anyone around her better. I say trade her while she still has value and try to get some of the pieces this team is really missing.

Any thoughts about who the Mystics could get for Beard? How about Kara Lawson and a pick?

The Mystics are last in the WNBA for PPG and first for turnovers per game.

Part of the reason for the Mystics' woes is because of a lack of a point guard who can score at will and facilitate the offense. With Nikki Teasley out because of maternity (and released), they used Nikki Blue, Amber Jacobs, Crystal Smith, and Alana Beard. By cycling through three to four players at PG, the team could never really get its act together, and if they did, the team would have been a lot better in my opinion.

With that being said, the Mystics should trade Alana Beard away to another team, and they really need a top tier point guard. Next year's draft is perceived to be weak, so the fact that the Mystics are getting five picks is not going to help much unless we see a top tier PG like Deanna Nolan or Sue Bird getting in a blockbuster trade to Washington for Beard and draft picks and possibly other players on the team. This is wishful thinking, but then again, who would've thought that KG and Ray Allen would've been traded to the Celtics last year?

I will have to admit that the Taj for Tasha trade may actually pay off if Humphrey continues to play at a high level next year and if DC gets to the playoffs.

Well, at least after Sunday, we can go back to getting ready to root for Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards! Hopefully we'll get past the first round this time around.

In addition to commenting on individual players, we need to look at how the team works as a whole. I was struck last night by how Minnesota worked as a team, knowing each other's moves and executing plays with grace and precision. It was a stark contrast to the Mystics' stumbling and fumbling. Someone should get the Mystics and their coaches to read "Leading Teams" by J. Richard Hackmann. He has helped many professional teams shape up.

Katie,
You have done a great job on you Mystics reporting. This is the best we have ever had. I hope you can come back next season.

Thanks

1st off u cant blame Alana Beard she is the franchise player but every franchise player needs other players to help them and obviously she doesnt have that

Linda Hargrove must go, the sooner the better. Get someone in now that can start the scouting process, and please don't start with the Terps unless it's Coleman. Toliver should not be the choice the Mystics need a veteran PG.

Clean house, Currie, Sanford and the bench need to go!

To MistyMystics, I agree with you on the Linda Hargrove she needs to go. Also, Nakia Sanford, I don’t know why they ever thought Sanford could be a starting Center. I could say more but I don’t think it would be nice.

The Mystics need a few things to even make the playoffs let alone win.

1. New GM/Headcoach. (including the GM/Headcoach’s choice of assistant coaches, including a scout/recruiter (look at Detroit it worked there). GM/Headcoach should be signed for three years and should be given free reign to run the show that way no one is in the way. The GM/Headcoach can get what they need a build this team up.

2. A veteran center or at least a center coach to show how a center is supposed to use the backboard and make it on their first shot not the second or third if they even get the ball back. (Get rid of Nakia Sanford, PLEASE!) Crystal Langhorn can stay as she shows much promise just needs the extra training. (Taj was perfect to show the younger players how it is done: Linda messed that up)

3. A true point guard, a good veteran and a rookie is needed just like I said with the center position; an assistant coach just for them to teach them the finer points of the game.

4. As for the players to keep Beard- SG (starter) and Currie-SF (starter) (they need consistent help), Humphrey- F (starter), Langhorne-C (bench only until she is trained properly), and Miller-G (bench). Everyone else can go with possible exceptions of Krystal Vaughn, Eshaya Murphy (didn’t see them play to much as pros but college careers were decent) and Andrea Gardner (I like her style as center/forward, lose a few more pounds and tone up she has a lot of potential) but those would be the GM/Headcoach’s choice.