It’s hard to forget the moment — exactly two years ago — when simmering frustration over another poor season boiled over for the Washington Mystics.
Team president Sheila Johnson conducted a rare conference call with reporters during the WNBA’s Olympic break on Aug. 19, 2008. During the call, she said the franchise no longer could continue on its present path.
“The Mystics have not moved one ounce in their 11-year history, and we’ve got to start making some changes,” Johnson vented.
Lo and behold, as the Mystics (20-12) prepare for their final regular-season home game, they hardly resemble a perennially plagued franchise. Instead, Washington boasts a record number of wins, a playoff berth in consecutive seasons for the first time and a legitimate chance at the Eastern Conference regular-season title.
“We’re building a nucleus that is going to continue to play together for a while,” said coach Julie Plank, who has overseen the quick resurgence along with general manager Angela Taylor. “And that’s what it takes.”
The upward trend is striking. After making the playoffs last year — despite losing five of their last eight games — the Mystics are ending this season on a tear. Washington has won four in a row and seven of its last nine with two games remaining.
“We’re in control of things,” third-year forward Crystal Langhorne said.
And it’s Langhorne who is leading the way, pacing the Mystics in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.8 rpg) and helping fill the void left by Alana Beard, who has missed the entire season after ankle surgery.
Langhorne’s development, the veteran presence of five-time All-Star Katie Smith and perhaps the fortunate touch of new owner Ted Leonsis have all helped. But what stands out is how Johnson also ended her call two years ago with a subtle promise, a parting remark that has proved prophetic.
“If you come back to me in two or three years,” Johnson said then, “we will have a stronger team and a much stronger organization.”
