Stet Sports Blog

Shortly after their failure-filled season ended to the Minnesota Lynx yesterday, several Washington Mystics players and coaches sounded off on what was needed to turn around a franchise that had just posted its worst record since 2003.

Change.

“Changes have to be made,” said forward Monique Currie, who scored seven points against Minnesota. “If you look at the teams who are in the playoffs, they have all-stars, they have veterans, they have leaders. You’ve got to bring players in that help this team. I think a lot of us can help with [parts], but we need to get better, we need to get better players. We need to make changes, and I’m pretty positive that’s going to happen in the offseason.”

Wow. One of the team’s best players advocating for some of her teammates to be shipped out? Those are some strong words. Maybe the interim coach Jessie Kenlaw can clean it up a little.

“As I look back, had I known some things that I know now, I’m not sure I would have accepted the position,” Kenlaw said, declining to elaborate on the specific reasons that would have led her to decline the promotion. “The thing I really regret are the losses.”

Whoa. How bad can it be that a person would’ve rejected an increase in pay, and a chance for upward mobility? Must be pretty bad up and down the bench when players and coaches are crying out for help.

And its easy to believe that every disparaging word is heart felt, because it’s hard to believe that this team appeared in the Eastern Conference finals just six years ago. The success of the Wizards don’t make things any easier for the ladies, who may have as loyal a fan base as there is in the league, but still have expectations to meet as competitors.

There is time for change in Washington, but unlike politics, it has to start from the top down. Beginning with the front office.

Technorati Tags: Washington Mystics