Team culture has been a hallmark of the Washington Mystics for years and is a priority in their pursuit of multiple WNBA championships. It’s so important to the organization that when some players or coaches felt there was a crack in the foundation they had built over the years, they had to deal with it.
Twelve months after the red flag was raised, roster adjustments and a new focus were added, but everyone feels back on track after the 2022 season.
Natasha Cloud said at her season-ending press conference, “At this point, I don’t think people really put into perspective what we were in last year.” We weren’t in the playoffs.Our culture was a total flip from the previous year.We were in a really scary place.Spoke to me. [Ariel Atkins] When [Elena Delle Donne] And we were in a horrible place where our culture was headed. The fact that this year we were able to seize, rebuild, restore and reset our culture in our environment.
Last season’s absence from the WNBA playoffs was the first since the 2016 season. That was the year before they acquired Delle Donne in a trade from Chicago Sky.
But failing to qualify for the playoffs wasn’t their only concern. There were many reasons that led to their downseason. From playing only three games while Delle Donne continued his recovery, to a team whose players missed a total of 63 games due to injury.
Head coach Mike Thibault wanted a complete cultural “reset” last offseason. In just a year he feels they have achieved that overhaul.
“22 wins after 12 last year?” Thibaut told reporters last season. “We’ve made great progress. I think we’ve had a good cultural reset. I think our players like each other and like working together.”
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Explaining a cultural reset is not always easy. As Delle Donne says, “Culture cannot be suspended.” This is a constant process, one that requires multiple individuals to make deposits on a regular basis.
One thing that was clear to players was that in 2022 the approach to getting everyone into the facility every day would be different than in 2021. The simple act of having a community where players come to work every day and enjoy being with each other always resonated. throughout the year.
“I think it’s the best,” said Delle Donne. “Without that atmosphere, and without that atmosphere of wanting to show up and come to work and be around people, it’s impossible to be successful. So I think we all know that. It’s like the front line, the number one thing to move forward.”
Some “old faces” were brought in to do just that. Tiana Hawkins was signed after a brief stint with the Atlanta Dream. Shatli Walker-Kimbrough has signed a one-year contract after playing the second half of the 2021 season on a short-term deal. It also helped Delle Donne and Cloud play virtually a full season for the first time since 2019.
Nor can we ignore the fact that the team did not re-sign former WNBA MVP Tina Charles a year after leading the league in scoring. , played only one season and signed with the team for two seasons.
She came to DC to get her first ring with Delle Donne and other stars. .
“From the players to the coaches to the support staff to the media, I don’t know if anyone even knows, but honestly last year was terrifying,” Maisha Hines-Allen said. “So going into this season, I think Elena and Tosh wanted to have the fun of coming to work every day. , it didn’t matter if it was the day of the trip.
But now the core is due to be further improved next year. It could return to operation with a solid foundation within the team’s championship window.
With consistency, the team can continue to build on that culture from a team that returned to the playoffs with a 22-14 record. This time we won’t be starting from scratch to get things on the right track.
Changes to the locker room do not apply to the team’s primary cast of characters. Delle Donne, Cloud, Atkins and Hines-Allen are on multi-year deals and the four played together as regulars for the first time last season. Shakira Austin also signed a rookie deal for 2023. This is his four starters, his top player off the bench, and a great start his points with camaraderie built in as Thibaut builds his roster.
Once the culture is established, their challenge is to maintain it through the offseason and free agency as the organization acquires talent.
“We had to find a way to be better by keeping the conversation going and staying in touch. Just like when people go abroad it’s really hard to keep things going,” Delle Donne said. “And that’s why I’m so excited that so many of you are still here. It’s always so much better to see you in person. But I think with Ariel and Tosh, we’re hanging out.” I’m sure you’ve got to figure out a way to connect with the team a little bit better because you can’t just put the culture on hold and then go right back to it that way it’s not going to work like keeping it going through the offseason Thing.”
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