It’s a roster that includes six players 6-foot-1 or taller, and four of the Washington Mystics are at least 6-foot-4.
Yet after last week’s loss to Los Angeles, in which the Mystics were dominated by the Sparks inside, head coach Wayne “Tree” Rollins called his team “very thin up front.”
He’s got 13 players, but Rollins can activate just 11 for each game. That group includes some versatile and capable reserve guards, but Washington’s backup post players are far less proven, especially recent second-year acquisition Yelena Leuchanka (6-4) and rookie center Gillian Goring (6-7). Neither has dressed for Washington’s last two games.
“It’s a pain in the [rear] for me to decide who to activate because I’m never going to make the right decision. I’m always going to look back, especially when we lose,” said Rollins, who watched his team get outrebounded by the Sparks, 40-30, while allowing 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting by 6-3 center Christi Thomas.
It’s a frustrating proposition, but as Rollins said, it’s going to that way the rest of the year, so this week the Mystics are speeding up their offense, searching for ways to take advantage of what they do possess, quickness and athleticism.
“We’re looking to get out and run more to get some easy baskets and not have to worry about so many half-court sets,” said point guard Nikki Teasley.
The Mystics have already undergone coaching and player changes in 2007. This week they can add philosophy to the list.
“It’s not a major adjustment,” said Rollins, “just something where I’ve got to force myself as a player to run. It’s not a new offense.”
Mystics (1-9) at Phoenix Mercury (7-5)
» When: Tonight, 9
» Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix
» Radio: WWRC 1260 AM
