Top Stories of the Week: The Mystics’ semifinals series, Phil Chenier, and more

We’re now finishing up the first of September with the the Mystics continuing their historic playoff journey while the Wizards are gearing up for training camp. Let’s get right to it.

The Mystics are down but not out just yet in the WNBA Semifinals

The Mystics started their WNBA semifinals series against the Minnesota Lynx last Tuesday. They were blown out with a 101-81 loss. In Game 2 on Thursday, the Mystics lost again, 93-83, but they did come out with a strong start in that game.

I hope the Mystics can start and finish strong in Game 3 on Sunday at Capital One Arena so we’ll get to a Game 4. If we get to a Game 4, it will be at McDonough Arena in Georgetown University due to an Ed Sheeran concert.

The Wizards training camp dates have been announced

In two weeks, the Wizards will be back in action as their training camp begins. They will hold their camp from September 26-30 at VCU’s Siegel Center. On Friday, September 29, they will also hold an open camp for fans. They will hold Media Day on Monday, September 25. That’s just a little over one week from now!

Phil Chenier will get his number retired, and we know who may succeed him

The longtime Bullets star and Wizards color analyst will be the fifth player in franchise history to have his number 45 on the rafters later this season. It’s a well-deserved honor for someone who gave a lot to the Wizards, both as a player and as one of their most notable alumni in his television role.

We also have a better idea on who may be his successor this fall. ESPN NBA analyst and former Mystics player Kara Lawson is one of the leading candidates to take the reins. Lawson has big shoes to fill of course, but she has national network experience, is good at what she does, and is from the D.C. area. We should know within the next couple of weeks who ends up being the next full-time color analyst.

NBA Live 18 and NBA 2K18 are out

NBA Live 18 was released on Friday. John Wall is rated a 91, and Marcin Gortat is an 85.

You can also play as the Mystics on Live, where Delle Donne is a 90, while Emma Meesseman is an 84 and Kristi Toliver is an 80.

NBA 2K18 was also available on Friday to those who made a preorder. Wall is a 90 in that game. We also learned through a screenshot of 2K18 that the Wizards’ third jersey, the “Statement,” will be the blue alternates they have worn in the last two years.

And more links

• We had a chance to speak with Zach Leonsis, the Senior Vice President and General Manager at Monumental Sports Network in a two part interview. Part 1 focused mostly on the Mystics and how Monumental Sports Network has evolved into the network it is today. In Part 2, we talked about the content strategy they will implement for the Wizards’ G League team as well as the Wizards’ offseason.
• The Wizards are expected to be one of the best teams in the East, but things can always go wrong.
• Which Wizards starter should shoot less this season?
• Markieff Morris and his twin, Celtics forward Marcus have a trial to attend in Phoenix due to an incident over two years ago.
• Wall gave some advice to Zion Williamson, one of the top high school basketball players in the country. In an article by Jason Jordan of USA Today High School Sports, Williamson was flattered. “People think that because I get a lot of attention that I don't get fazed by things like that, but I do. I'm still a fan of guys like John so that was exciting for me.”
• Finally, Lukas Kuba of Truth About It got this insight that Wizards Vice President of Basketball Operations gave on Tomas Satoransky:

That’s the link roll from me. If there’s another link you’d like to share, feel free to do so in the comments or as a FanPost. Enjoy the rest of your weekends everyone.