August 13th, 2006: Washington at New York

New York Liberty 93, Washington Mystics 81

The ride's over… but there are hints and flashes of what's to come.


So the party is over here in the Big Apple, even if it's not for the rest of the league- but what a way to end it, with a game that was more than a little reminiscent of the Liberty that once were.

I was perfect (which I already knew, but it's nice to have external confirmation), so I got to the Garden at what felt like the crack of dawn. I was in the first group on account of that, and spent the rest of the time giving composition advice, since they did have a disturbing knack for losing guards among the crowd. I actually thought getting in two hours early was the real bonus, since I don't particularly like cameras. Got to settle in on a prime spot on he rail and net a couple of the Mystic rookies. (Teilane has the cutest little signature, a strange contrast with her six-seven frame.)

Kym did the anthem, a tradition the Liberty have managed to not fuck up. Lots of power and emotion, but the technique needs a little polishing. I still enjoy her rendition. I wonder if she and Tari can switch off once Tari retires.

Beard was unstoppable. She's got that quirk in her shot that drives me crazy, that deep knee bend after the release, but it works for her, so I won't argue. I suspect that if she'd been all out on defense, Becky wouldn't have had 21. Fierce lady. Teasley didn't play much, presumably because Richie wanted to see how Blue and Miller handled, and how Alana could play at the point. Sanford impressed me on the glass- she's tough, man. DeLisha Milton never seemed to be hitting shots, and yet she finished with 15. Stealth mode on! But only 2 rebounds? Melvin didn't do much, although I'm not sure how much of that was play-calling, how much of it was Liberty defense, and how much of it was lack of motivation. What really impressed me about Washington today was their bench. I'm lovin' Nikki Blue and Zane Teilane. Blue's got that… not necessarily desperate aggression, but she's trying hard to prove that she shouldn't have been #19, and I think she's making a very good point. She had one amazing bounce pass through the legs to DeLisha, who should have hit that shot. She's a little over-aggressive, but I think she'll learn. Teilane has a lovely soft touch- saw her warming up. Great knack for positioning, too. She combined European finesse with a nose for the ball, and I think she could easily be a rotation player next year. Coco Miller- who, up close, is rather terrifying because you can see the veins in her arms like she's about to turn green and rip her jersey- seems to have settled in as the swing guard off the bench. Koehn didn't get a shot opportunity, which made me sad.

Sista Christon. Wow. A double-double with authority- her first if the stats in her bio are correct! She just turned it up today, and I hope it was a sign of things to come instead of yet another flash that drives fans crazy. Cathrine was also unbelievable. She looked like she was playing for her 2007 roster spot. Brutally efficient, and rebounding, and a Screen of You Shall Not Pass! And as if two stupendous performances weren't enough, Becky put on a show. If it had been a closer game, she might have had a chance at a triple-double, with 21/6/5; the rebounds impressed me, but looking at the boxscore, the 6/0 A/TO impresses me more. Barbara's passing really caught my eye, and I can't help but wonder if she was part of the reason Melvin didn't play well. Loree kind of ended on a sour note- no rebounds, WTF? I'm sure she'll bounce back next year, though. Ashley brought the D and Sherill brought the flash. Iciss decided to launch threes, and while the last one helped break the record, I still don't think it's something she ought to be doing on a regular basis. Someone check the numbers, but I'm starting to wonder if Iciss saves her big games for the rivalry games with former Dukies. I seem to recall her playing well against Houston (Williams), Charlotte (Currie), and Washington (Beard). Other than that, the Liberty bench was a whole lot of nothing.

I like the post-game ceremony- maybe someone got the memo that the players were a little out of touch with the fans? I think it was actually Kiesha who started the whole going up and down the line to shake every fan's hand, not just the one who was getting their jersey, because Iciss and Erin backtracked to do it. Barb's description of this as a tumultuous season cracked me up- understatement of the year.

After the game, the boy and I headed to the side door, because we wanted to hang out with some of our posse for the last time, and also I had the sentimental notion to thank some of our players for making this last game one to remember. Of course, everyone and their mother was there, and ye gods, was it disorganized! It scared me a little. By the time Loree came out, there were people under the awning, which is part of the walkway from the door and generally considered to be off-limits to fans. Becky and Loree were the only Liberty players to use that exit, but several Mystics came out that way, including their draftees. (Thanks for the help on Tamara James's 'graph, sootz!) Iciss was lurking around the security desk area, but even though people were shrieking for her, she didn't come out. Honestly, I don't blame her. I would have feared for my safety if I were in that position.

All in all, I'm glad that last game was one to remember. A few lottery balls one way or the other won't make too much of a difference, especially if LA mails it in and we end up tied with Charlotte and Minnesota again. I'd much rather walk out of MSG feeling like I have more of a reason to come back in '07 than simple addiction, than leave with a bad taste in my mouth.