Morning Commute: Congratulations To The Washington Mystics

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We throw around superlatives way too easily in sports in general. Phrases like "remarkable achievement," "storybook season" and "unbelievable job," to name a few, get used way too often. You could make an argument that everything an athlete or a team does is a "remarkable achievement," if you really used the term loosely, but then it wouldn't be a "remarkable achievement."

That said, what the Washington Mystics have accomplished this season is pretty remarkable. Yesterday's win over the league-leading Seattle Storm -- who mostly played their starters, mind you -- clinched the team's best season in their history and ensured they would make the playoffs. They've accomplished all this without all-star Alana Beard, proving every preseason prognosticator wrong. They've gotten even more improvement from Crystal Langhorne, timely veteran leadership from Katie Smith and consistent production from Monique Currie and Lindsey Harding. Now, they're a legitimate threat to come out of the Eastern Conference.

Now that is a "remarkable achievement." Here's hoping they continue to surprise everyone going forward.

Today's must-reads from around the SB Nation network:

• Speaking of the Mystics, check out Swish Appeal's recap of yesterday's big win.
• JaVale McGee got cut from Team USA yesterday, and Bullets Forever lists five things they hope McGee learned from his experience.
• What's going on with Semyon Varlamov? Japers Rink translates a Russian interview with the Capitals' likely No. 1 goalie next year.
• It's past midseason for the Nationls, but it's never too late for some grades.
• Jamar Robinson is firmly entrenched as Maryland's starting quarterback, but who emerges as his backup. Testudo Times discusses the importance of that battle here.