2018 Team USA

[MilfordHusky]

Regarding Arike and the other guards, Debbie and Kara stressed 2 points during the game:

--The role of the PG is to facilitate and find the wealth of scorers we have.

--Another goal is to not turn the ball over.

Cat is spot-on: The cuts were not based on the box score or even the scrimmage. They were based on the player's full resume and 3 days of practice/scrimmage. Based on the scrimmage, I would have kept Arike and cut Sabrina, but USAB did the reverse.

Players who impressed last night: Nneka and A'ja, not surprisingly. I think they make it. I also agree with Eric on multiple points: Plum makes the team. Last July, I would have thought it was impossible, but she ended her first pro season well and played effectively in her second. I also think a healthy Moriah could make the team. I would have loved to see Renee in camp.

Regarding the Huskies, I think Tiff could make the team as an elite defender, and Napheesa could be part of the youth movement. She had 10 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 steals last night. Other than her shooting percentage (5-11), it looked like her typical UConn game.

 

[UConnCat]

The word I would use is disappointed.

McBride I somewhat understand. She has been going non-stop for a while now and will be playing at UMMC this winter. That's a lucrative gig. I understand wanting to take a short break to recharge so she can show up to her new team refreshed and ready to go.

I have no idea what is going on with Skylar.

It's not my body or my career so it's easy for me to pass judgment from behind a computer screen. But purely as a fan? Yes, disappointed.

Realistically, Arike's time will come. I was mostly reacting to the whiplash of going quickly from being excited that she had played well to finding she had been cut.

I can understand the disappointment. I've never thought Diggins-Smith was a good fit for USA basketball but I expected her to make the team and I'm disappointed that I won't see her play live for the first time. (I'll be in Tenerife)

As for McBride, there have been several players over the years who've had lucrative deals in Russia and still chose to play in the world championships. I'm surprised.

 

[Dillon77]

The word I would use is disappointed.

McBride I somewhat understand. She has been going non-stop for a while now and will be playing at UMMC this winter. That's a lucrative gig. I understand wanting to take a short break to recharge so she can show up to her new team refreshed and ready to go.

I have no idea what is going on with Skylar.

It's not my body or my career so it's easy for me to pass judgment from behind a computer screen. But purely as a fan? Yes, disappointed.

Realistically, Arike's time will come. I was mostly reacting to the whiplash of going quickly from being excited that she had played well to finding she had been cut.

I can understand the disappointment. I've never thought Diggins-Smith was a good fit for USA basketball but I expected her to make the team and I'm disappointed that I won't see her play live for the first time. (I'll be in Tenerife)

As for McBride, there have been several players over the years who've had lucrative deals in Russia and still chose to play in the world championships. I'm surprised.

I was initially surprised by McBride...she's been a solid "soldier" in the global tour of top WBB players. As most know, she led the Europe League in scoring, which may have helped her get the call to Russia.

McBride's situation may/may not be tied into Russia specifically, but represents yet another change in her professional/personal locations. Most of the WBB players have nomadic lives by necessity, but McBride has moved from San Antonio (which she liked very much) to Las Vegas and now has uprooted her European base of operations from Turkey to Russia. She's been a good soldier..but I've read she's looking to deepen her roots and do more with her second passion (food). Who knows exactly what's up...I'd like to hear her answer.

I'm perplexed by Diggins-Smith, who has talked about making the team on a steady basis. And she has -- for a variety of reasons -- not done the international "gruel-athon" that others (McBride, Maya) have. Not sure what her answer will be, but "disappointed" is another word that might follow perplexed.

(BTW, one caveat might be if there's a personal and/or medical issue these players are addressing. That goes for anyone....).

As for Ms. Ogunbowale, I thought she played pretty well and might've gotten past the first cut. However, if the trials are as fluid as Dawn has indicated, there will be other guards (DT, Jewell) arriving at some point and it's doubtful Arike would have headed overseas. So, good effort, good experience and hopefully she'll get her chances, knock on wood.

By the way, Cat, enjoy yourself there...I'm jealous!

 

[MilfordHusky]

I was initially surprised by McBride...she's been a solid "soldier" in the global tour of top WBB players. As most know, she led the Europe League in scoring, which may have helped her get the call to Russia.

McBride's situation may/may not be tied into Russia specifically, but represents yet another change in her professional/personal locations. Most of the WBB players have nomadic lives by necessity, but McBride has moved from San Antonio (which she liked very much) to Las Vegas and now has uprooted her European base of operations from Turkey to Russia. She's been a good soldier..but I've read she's looking to deepen her roots and do more with her second passion (food). Who knows exactly what's up...I'd like to hear her answer.

I'm perplexed by Diggins-Smith, who has talked about making the team on a steady basis. And she has not been -- for a variety of reasons -- not done the international "gruelathon" that others (McBride, Maya) have. Not sure what her answer will be, but disappointed is another word that might follow perplexed.

As for Ms. Ogunbowale, I thought she played pretty well and might've gotten past the first cut. However, if the trials are as fluid as Dawn has indicated, there will be other guards (DT, Jewell) arriving at some point and it's doubtful Arike would have headed overseas. So, good effort, good experience and hopefully she'll get her chances, knock on wood.

By the way, Cat, enjoy yourself there...I'm jealous!

For the players who go overseas, it's a different situation than it is for players like Skylar and Elena, both of whom have eschewed foreign play. Those two would have plenty of time to recover after 2-3 tough weeks with USAB.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I believe Dawn is a mediocre strategist and in game coach, so I hope US talent will out despite our usual hurry up and slap it together approach to team building.

 

[UConnCat]

USA BB tweeted this video (from April camp) on August 27 so they seemed to believe Diggins-Smith would be part of the group trying to make the team. One way to guarantee you don't make the team is not to show up. This is hard to understand.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

USA BB tweeted this video (from April camp) on August 27 so they seemed to believe Diggins-Smith would be part of the group trying to make the team. One way to guarantee you don't make the team is not to show up. This is hard to understand.

Maybe she's quietly nursing a medical issue? But Geno has observed that some of the best don't want to show up for the Worlds, yet I suspect they expect to compete for the Olympic team. I feel torn about that, because these athletes have a brutal schedule with international play being their big pay days. Everybody deserves a break and is better off for it.

 

[UConnCat]

Maybe she's quietly nursing a medical issue? But Geno has observed that some of the best don't want to show up for the Worlds, yet I suspect they expect to compete for the Olympic team. I feel torn about that, because these athletes have a brutal schedule with international play being their big pay days. Everybody deserves a break and is better off for it.

Perhaps she is. Or perhaps if the Wings were still alive in the WNBA playoffs she'd be playing.

My reaction to those guards who've backed out of the 2018 World Cup for reasons unknown is in part shaped by the many posts on this board complaining about USA BB not transitioning to younger guards. With Whalen and Augustus out that transition is set to begin and there's no better time than the World Cup where the pressure is less than at the Olympics. That's what makes these decisions so hard to understand. Plus, there's no Geno standing in the way.

Sue and Diana have been not only great guards for USA BB and they've been dependable players for USA BB. Neither has ever missed a World Cup and I suspect Sue will be in Tenerife wearing her mask.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[UConnCat]

 

[MilfordHusky]

Some players are clearly appreciative. I think Tiffany tweeted something to this effect after the last camp. I hope to see Tiff in D.C. on Monday or maybe on TV in Bridgeport tomorrow.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[UConnCat]

 

[EricLA]

I guess some players aren't too "exhausted" even tho they've played more than the players who opted out. Funny how that works - the best players are also the ones most committed to USA Basketball. And I'm not talking about players with legit injuries.

There was an article the other day (I forget the link) where Carol Callen (I believe) was talking about choosing players now and in the future, and loyalty to USA basketball was one of the first things she mentioned. @MilfordHusky may know where the link is better than me...

It should be no surprise to those who opted out if in 2020, they are passed over for the Olympics in favor of players who were more "loyal". Not that I hope for injuries, but I hope there's more to these stories...

 

[Orangutan]

There are enough players who are absent that I wonder if there is something more going on than just a bunch of players independently deciding they were too tired/didn't care/etc and not showing up. Maybe some of these players have some nagging injuries we don't know about and were thus excused by USAB?

I don't know. I wish we would get some explanation from either side, either USAB or the players.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I guess some players aren't too "exhausted" even tho they've played more than the players who opted out. Funny how that works - the best players are also the ones most committed to USA Basketball. And I'm not talking about players with legit injuries.

There was an article the other day (I forget the link) where Carol Callen (I believe) was talking about choosing players now and in the future, and loyalty to USA basketball was one of the first things she mentioned. @MilfordHusky may know where the link is better than me...

It should be no surprise to those who opted out if in 2020, they are passed over for the Olympics in favor of players who were more "loyal".

The articles with quotes going back to September 3 mention loyalty.

USA Women's National Team

 

[Orangutan]

Perhaps she's just too young. Perhaps there are too many other guards with more experience or who are better players ahead of her. We didn't see her in practice with the other players. We really won't know unless we hear from the committee. Why do you think she was cut?

Realistically, the decision to cut her had likely been made before the game began. It may have even been made before she was invited to camp. She was probably just here to evaluate with an eye towards the next cycle. I think players in the Pool were always going to have the advantage. I didn't even expect her to be invited to camp let alone make any of the cuts. It's just funny that she has a good game (at least as far as one can tell from a box score) and is cut like two hours after it ends.

I think the only players not in the pool that made the cut were DeShields (USA seems to be thin at SF now with McCoughtry hurt) and Ionescu (likely perceived as the answer to the great point guard conundrum).

I do think it's possible that she's just as good or better than a lot of the guards in camp right now, though. For example, yes, Tiffany Mitchell has 3 years of pro experience. On the other hand she has shot 36% overall and 27% from 3 in her WNBA career. So...she hasn't actually been very good as a pro. People like her and Allisha Gray and Kelsey Mitchell are only there until Hayes, Taurasi, and Loyd get there anyhow, so it doesn't really matter.

 

[baggerbob]

Griner, DT, Sue, EDD, and Stewie, are locks to be on the team if they show up. That leaves 7 spots, and Tina gets one, Wilson gets another. So basically 5 spots are open.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Griner, DT, Sue, EDD, and Stewie, are locks to be on the team if they show up. That leaves 7 spots, and Tina gets one, Wilson gets another. So basically 5 spots are open.

That's what I'm thinking too. I think Plum gets one too.

 

[sarals24]

I would love to see Hayes get a spot!

 

[Shades]

I would love to see Hayes get a spot!

What do you think of my roster?
2018 Team USA

 

[baggerbob]

My World Cup roster
Sue Bird/Sabrina Ionescu*
Diana Taurasi/Jewell Loyd/Tiffany Hayes
Elena Delle Donne/***
Breanna Stewart/Nneka Ogwumike/A’ja Wilson
Brittney Griner/Tina Charles**

*If you’re like me and see Ionescu as the future, I’d like to see her brought along, and use Taurasi and Loyd as backups if things get too scary. The last thing we all want (except for the international fans) is Ionescu to become the next Vandersloot. If they see this as unrealistic, then it’ll probably be Sims, Clarendon, or Plum instead. I’m not in love with any of those three. The article described Sims as a headlining player, so I suppose she may be the strongest candidate for backup PG.

**I would elect Charles to return to center for this tournament, or else we’re in danger of Dolson making the team. I don’t think that should happen.

***Dogfight between DeShields, Collier, Tuck, and Gray for backup SF. If EDD bows out, then two of them make up the SF slot.

That would be my roster, the youngster backing up Sue. Hayes, and Loyd, behind DT, and Sue. For the world's could have 2 college players, so Collier would be my choice.

 

[MilfordHusky]

What do you think of my roster?
2018 Team USA

I like 11 of the 12. I'd take Plum over Sabrina. She has more experience.

 

[Shades]

I like 11 of the 12. I'd take Plum over Sabrina. She has more experience.

If it’s about experience, then Sims should be your choice. She was on the 2014 team.

Putting Ionescu on the team prevents her from defecting to another national team in the future like Vandersloot did. I’m a long term Ionescu believer. Attaining the career record in NCAA triple doubles in less than two years is a lot more meaningful to me than not scoring a lot in her first national team scrimmage (still had 6 assists).

 

[MilfordHusky]

If it’s about experience, then Sims should be your choice. She was on the 2014 team.

Putting Ionescu on the team prevents her from defecting to another national team in the future like Vandersloot did. I’m a long term Ionescu believer. Attaining the career record in NCAA triple doubles in less than two years is a lot more meaningful to me than not scoring a lot in her first national team scrimmage (still had 6 assists).

It’s about more than experience. I thought that Plum had a better season than Sims.

Sabrina did manage 6 assists, but also looked shaky at times to me. I doubt that passing her over after 2 years of college will cause her to abandon USA Basketball for another nation. Though the bi-ennial championships may not have fallen the same relative to their college careers, none of the greats played on the U.S. senior teams after 2 years of college: not Bird, Taurasi, Parker, Moore, Griner, Delle Donne, or Stewart.

I want to see how everyone plays tomorrow and Monday. I like Sabrina, but experience and foot speed are not her strengths. I think she’ll be on the team in 2 or 4 years.