Washington needs some help and guidance…
Everyone’s mindset is not the same when it comes to the decision-making of a team during the offseason and even when the season begins. Prime example, the decision to offer the supermax to a player who has no interest of suiting back up for the Washington Mystics instead of a player in a position that could’ve still used some help but not as detrimental. For Washington, losing Natasha Cloud in free agency left a deeper hole in the point guard position.
Based on who was left, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Brittney Sykes wasn’t enough to solidify the point guard position. Hence why the Mystics also picked up Didi Richards, Julie Vanloo, Karlie Samuelson and Jade Melbourne. When the season got underway, Head Coach Eric Thibault made the decision that Sykes was the starting point guard for the
Granted, the season is very early but with Sykes injured since the second game of the season, the position is wide open and truly sparks a question. Who is the true point guard for the Mystics? It cannot be everyone or anyone.
Yes it’s fun and intriguing when a forward can become a point-forward and bring the ball down the court facilitating the offense like Myisha Hines-Allen. But who is that leader that can command the floor, make tough plays or even shift the momentum? The Mystics need the help bag…better yet needed to keep Cloud who checked off all those areas.
One point guard that has shown some promise is that of Julie Vanloo. Vanloo came to the Mystics undrafted on a training camp contract before making the Mystics final roster. She initially was coming off the bench behind Sykes but now has been placed in the starting lineup since Sykes’ injury.
Julie Vanloo, bildiğimiz gibi. #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/JWppBSKqgm
— Women Hoops (@womenhoop) May 24, 2024
Vanloo, so far this season, has averaged 8.4 points, 5.4 assists and 2.7 rebounds. Her best game was in the two-point loss to the Los Angeles Sparks where she scored 12 points (all three-pointers), nine assists and three rebounds.
Vanloo has potential to develop more and show more potential in scoring this season. Working on her turnovers could help as she averaged 3.4 a game which is costly. What Vanloo produced with the Belgian National Team is what needs to show up and be brought to Washington.
With all the guards the Mystics have, Vanloo seems to be the only one stepping up in place of Sykes. What changes will the Mystics make or will they make a change? Washington is already winless at 0-7 so gambling on a change at point guard wouldn’t hurt. Plus I mean the Mystics gambled with that position as Cloud is now excelling with the Phoenix Mercury and Washington continues to struggle.