Beard and the Mystics return to action Friday night when they host the Sun at MCI Center (7 pm). NBAE/Getty Images

It’s funny how everyone notices the little things. I’ve been wearing this headband for a few games and everyone asks about it. It was just a little something. I was at home trying to look cute in my athletic gear. I cut off a piece of a shirt, and thought to myself that I could use it. I put it on my head and I thought it looked cute, so I wore it. When I put it on and I played well so I’m going to stick with it.

Aside from the fashion concerns, I feel great on the court. As a player in this league, I think I’ve turned the corner. It was never an issue of if I could play. I know I can play. This is a game I’ve been playing forever; it’s a game I love. Throughout the season I’ve been the same player I always was. I never stopped having fun.

When we went out West, I felt good going out there. We got to .500 after the home game against Charlotte, but I knew there was a lot of work to be done. I came to the gym right after that game and started working out. My shooting coach had me working on all kinds of skill drills, and I could feel it going back out on the court. The game in Seattle just felt different. Before it, maybe I was pressing to hard, but sometimes all it takes is one game to get it going. Now I need to keep it going.

But really, none of that matters if we don’t win. That’s the bottom line. I want to win. We haven’t been able to do that in our last couple games on the road. We’ve been taking care of business at home, but we need to take that same intensity on the road.

There is a lot of talent on this team. Everyone that is out there on the court can step up at any time. It’s not about one player. It’s not about me. There’s no pressure on me. We have a lot of people on this team that can put points on the board. We are going to get it done as a team.

When we’re at home, we feel dominant. We need to bring that same feeling when we go away. It’s us against the world. When I’m playing I don’t hear anything out there. I listen for my teammates, and for Coach, and shut off everyone else. Sometimes one of my teammates will say “AB, did you hear what that guy yelled?” But I never do. I like it quiet out there. I don’t want to engage the other team in talking either. I don’t talk to them. I’ll let my play do the talking.

I hear people talking about how close the Eastern Conference standings are, but I don’t pay attention to that. I want to win every game regardless of who it’s against or what their record is or whatever. Sometimes I forget what our record is. Only the next game matters.

I know we have that long break coming up, but there are games to play before that. When it does come, I’m going to spend it working out. I may take three or four days for vacation, but then it’s back to work. I’ll play some golf too. I just got my Nike clubs. I can’t wait. Maybe when I’m done with basketball I’ll join the LPGA Tour.

The second overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, Beard is averaging 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.1 steals and .88 blocks per game.