If Candace Parker makes a bad pass, she won't even get back past half court on defense because she's too busy sulking. So I wouldn't hold her up as a paragon of "consistent drive".
For old(er) guys like me, the wing (3) was a small forward. Now that teams are going to more three-guard sets, it could be the taller guard, who can hit the boards, drive, help out inside. I think Jewell Loyd is actually the wing/off-guard (3-2) combo on this team. (Atkins is 5'8").
I would have sworn that Atkins was at least 5'10. At 5'8 she is more suited to the 2 for sure.
I just looked at some Mystics team photos and determined that she is slightly taller than Toliver and slightly shorter than Cloud.This is weird. USA Basketball and the Mystics have her listed at 5-8, but UT always had her at 5-11. And then we have a FIBA site that lists her as 5-1 ... hmmm.
Ariel Atkins - Women's Basketball - University of Texas Athletics
Ariel Atkins (23) Guard - VIDEOS CAREER STATISTICS [PDF] | CAREER GAME-BY-GAME [PDF] AWARDS & HONORS • AP Honorable Mention All-America [2018] • WBCA Honorabletexassports.comAriel ATKINS at the EuroCup Women 2018-19 - FIBA.basketballAriel Atkins
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A couple years ago I stood a few feet from her at an autograph signing at the Frank Erwin Center, and she is right around my height (5-11). IMO there is no way she is 5-8 unless she was somehow wearing high heels without my noticing.
You couldn't be more wrong. Nneka was robbed. She had grade 2 knee spain on June 2 and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks. The first game isn't until July 30th so plenty of time. Nneka's stats and experience stand alone, including her 5 yrs experience on the national team. She should be on the team. . If Amy Tucker and Kate Paye tweeted their disgust, something is off, way off.I love Nneka and hoped she'd make the team for a multitude of reasons, but understand why she didn't. She didn't play well last season, is currently injured and isn't at the same level she was in 2016. Collier as of the last year or so has shown to be a better player and Charles is having a great season so I dont have a problem with them getting spots over Nneka. Her getting snubbed doesn't compared to Parker getting snubbed in 2016, apples and oranges.
Reminds me of Larry Bird's last Olympics. Bad back but you still had to pick him. Got to have Diana on team.I was a little unsure about Diana given her injury, but yeah 5 of 12 sure is impressive.
It was also Larry Bird’s first Olympics. But I agree his back was pretty dead by then.Reminds me of Larry Bird's last Olympics. Bad back but you still had to pick him. Got to have Diana on team.
Can anyone provide an answer as to how/why was she left off the team in 2016? She was playing great that year. It's the only year I can understand there possibly where someone could gripe about it.I love Nneka and hoped she'd make the team for a multitude of reasons, but understand why she didn't. She didn't play well last season, is currently injured and isn't at the same level she was in 2016. Collier as of the last year or so has shown to be a better player and Charles is having a great season so I dont have a problem with them getting spots over Nneka. Her getting snubbed doesn't compared to Parker getting snubbed in 2016, apples and oranges.
Nneka had had terrific years in the league, but her true breakout was 2016, after team was announced. It was much more controversial at time that Parker was left off.Can anyone provide an answer as to how/why was she left off the team in 2016? She was playing great that year. It's the only year I can understand there possibly where someone could gripe about it.
When you look at the depth of talent in US basketball, there's no way anyone is going to be happy with the team that is selected. There will always be periods of time where the alumni of a specific program will dominate. I don't know how the committee will be able to get around that.
Can anyone provide an answer as to how/why was she left off the team in 2016? She was playing great that year. It's the only year I can understand there possibly where someone could gripe about it.
When you look at the depth of talent in US basketball, there's no way anyone is going to be happy with the team that is selected. There will always be periods of time where the alumni of a specific program will dominate. I don't know how the committee will be able to get around that.
Thank you. I thought I was missing something in reading some of the comments.I posted elsewhere that I thought Nneka absolutely deserved to be on the 2016 team. She played very well for USA at the 2014 World Cup in Istanbul and was at the top of her game in the WNBA. Why was she left off the 2016? My theory is that the Selection Committee didn’t want to leave both Parker and Catchings off the 2016 team and Catchings was taken over Nneka. There were some off-the-record reports that Geno wanted Nneka on the 2016 team.
This time around it’s a little different. Nneka was not as effective at the 2018 World Cup in Tenerife. She has also dealt with injuries the past 2 seasons. Guessing it came down to Nneka vs Napheesa. Tough call.
I miss Maya too. The longer she stays away, the less likely she returns. I understand she must do whatever she feels is her calling at this time, whatever it is. We all love and respect Maya too much not to support her where ever life takes her.If only Maya Moore was playing…
I don't think she's ever coming back. What would be the point? She'll be in her mid-30s when next season starts, so realistically how many more seasons could she play, and would she want to go through the grind to get back to the level of just being able to compete since she'll never again be at the level she was when she stepped away.I miss Maya too. The longer she stays away, the less likely she returns. I understand she must do whatever she feels is her calling at this time, whatever it is. We all love and respect Maya too much not to support her where ever life takes her.
This time around it’s a little different. Nneka was not as effective at the 2018 World Cup in Tenerife. She has also dealt with injuries the past 2 seasons. Guessing it came down to Nneka vs Napheesa. Tough call.