After a brief flirt with the 2007 WNBA playoffs, the Washington Mystics looked poised to make a solid run at the post-season in 2008.
But inconsistent play from one of their best veterans hasn't helped a team where youth might be its biggest disadvantage.
The third most tenured player for the Mystics, Nakia Sanford has not lived up to the expectations she created with her 11 ppg and 7 rpg breakout season last year. Granted, she is 32 years old, and post players break down far faster than guards, but something has to come out of the paint better than 6.4 ppg and 5.9 rpg for the Mystics to contend.
And you can't blame it all on Sanford - the Mystics' roster features eight players with three years experience or less, and only three players with more than five seasons on their WNBA resumes.
Make no mistake, if the roster stays intact for the next two years, they will probably be a championship contender. You could make an argument for the Connecticut Sun, who feature six rookies, but talk to me come playoff time when they, and likely the Mystics, are looking up at ageless wonders like the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks.
But inconsistent play from one of their best veterans hasn't helped a team where youth might be its biggest disadvantage.
The third most tenured player for the Mystics, Nakia Sanford has not lived up to the expectations she created with her 11 ppg and 7 rpg breakout season last year. Granted, she is 32 years old, and post players break down far faster than guards, but something has to come out of the paint better than 6.4 ppg and 5.9 rpg for the Mystics to contend.
And you can't blame it all on Sanford - the Mystics' roster features eight players with three years experience or less, and only three players with more than five seasons on their WNBA resumes.
Make no mistake, if the roster stays intact for the next two years, they will probably be a championship contender. You could make an argument for the Connecticut Sun, who feature six rookies, but talk to me come playoff time when they, and likely the Mystics, are looking up at ageless wonders like the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks.
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