2018 Team USA

[Shades]

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.

With so many players bowing out this time, right NOW is the prime opportunity to get her in and get her feet wet. When 2020 rolls around, players like Diggins and Chelsea Gray will be knocking on the door again, making it easy to put off Ionescu again, especially with Bird and Taurasi looking at 2020 as their last Team USA rodeo.

 

[UConnCat]

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).

Come on. Ionescu is a junior in college and you think she's at risk to defect to another country's national team already??? I don't think so. She wants to play in major international competitions (World Cup and Olympics) and win medals which was not what ultimately drove Vandersloot's decision to play for a country that has no chance at either. Ionescu is terrific and may make the team this year but I don't think defecting to another country is on the table nor should USA BB act as though it were.

 

[ucbart]

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).

I would absolutely take Ionescu if Bird is on the team. Ionescu is clearly the future at PG for the USAB team. She could be one of the best guards to come out of WCBB since DT. We are building for the future and the future of PG on the USA team should NOT be Kelsey Plum.

 

[mtsuraider06]

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.

Candace Parker player on the 2006 Worlds team after her first college season in 05-06.

 

[UConnCat]

With so many players bowing out this time, right NOW is the prime opportunity to get her in and get her feet wet. When 2020 rolls around, players like Diggins and Chelsea Gray will be knocking on the door again, making it easy to put off Ionescu again, especially with Bird and Taurasi looking at 2020 as their last Team USA rodeo.

Whether Diggin-Smith and/or Gray are knocking on the door in 2 years will likely depend on why they declined to try out for the World Cup team this year.

 

[Shades]

Some practice Q&A
Practice Quotes: USA Women's National Team

Napheesa Collier (University of Connecticut)
How excited are you to make this 15-member roster to play in Connecticut?
It’s going to be really cool. My whole team is coming, so just having their support is going to be great, and then also the Connecticut fans. I think we have the best fans in the country, so having them be there should be really fun.

Are you excited to play a game with the senior national team against a real opponent?
Of course, especially because Kia Nurse, one of my old UConn teammates, will be on the other team, so that will be kind of cool, too. I don’t know who all the (UConn) people will be cheering for, because we have teammates on both sides, but it should be fun.

Has anyone reached out to you in support about coming back to play in Connecticut?
Yeah, everybody has been very supportive. Coach Auriemma has told me what he thinks I need to keep doing well in order to keep playing and maybe make this team.

 

[Shades]

Here are the accumulated stats of Team USA during the 2014 World Championships

As you can see, the 11th & 12th players didn’t play much. Sims took 6 shots in 5 games; Stewart (only two years of college then, just like Ionescu now) took 8 shots in 6 games.

Sue Bird didn’t have a great tournament by her standards. Taurasi had the most assists on the team.

I suspect Bird will be much better this time around, and Taurasi will still be there as the safety net. So having Ionescu as the 12th man over Sims or Plum shouldn’t make the difference between winning or not winning gold.

Let’s lock Ionescu in NOW!

 

[MilfordHusky]

With so many players bowing out this time, right NOW is the prime opportunity to get her in and get her feet wet. When 2020 rolls around, players like Diggins and Chelsea Gray will be knocking on the door again, making it easy to put off Ionescu again, especially with Bird and Taurasi looking at 2020 as their last Team USA rodeo.

I might agree if Ionescu were 1-2 years older. Given that Diggins and Gray opted out this year, Sabrina may be ahead of them in the pecking order just by going to camp. Let's see how Sabrina looks tonight and on Monday. I'm not concerned about her defecting. I think Ionescu has a future with USAB, but I think Jefferson and Dangerfield may too. For now, I like Plum as the back-up at PG.

 

[EricLA]

I might agree if Ionescu were 1-2 years older. Given that Diggins and Gray opted out this year, Sabrina may be ahead of them in the pecking order just by going to camp. Let's see how Sabrina looks tonight and on Monday. I'm not concerned about her defecting. I think Ionescu has a future with USAB, but I think Jefferson and Dangerfield may too. For now, I like Plum as the back-up at PG.

Agreed. As you and @UConnCat have said in different ways, there is no reason to "lock her down" for Team USA (Ionescu), nor should Team USA behave like they need to pander to any one individual.

IF Sabrina is so self-oriented that she feels she NEEDS to be on the team now, and if not, then she will get herself on a different national team, THEN she's not Team USA material. Her situation is nothing like others who have gone and done that - Becky Hammon was about 30 when she was in negotiations to play for Russia, and at that time, she felt that she was not close to being selected for Team USA. Courtney Vandersloot was a finalist for the 2016 US Olympic team, but did not make the final cut. In 2017, she became part of the Hungarian national hoops team. She was 27 at the time.

My point is, those 2 players were not only well past their college days, but also apparently (from their perspectives), not ever going to be a part of USA Basketball. Sabrina is all of 20 and entering her junior year of college. Her time will come, it's just not yet. Then again - maybe the committee will decide her time is now. But if now, that decision should be based on evaluating if she's the best player for the team, not because the team is worried she might go play for a different country if not chosen.

 

[Shades]

 

[MilfordHusky]

Any news on cuts today? Or whether Dee, Britt, or Tiff will be in D.C. tomorrow?

I'll be at the game counting the roster.

Will Sue, Stewie, or Elena make a cameo appearance?

 

[bbballfan23]

Any news on cuts today? Or whether Dee, Britt, or Tiff will be in D.C. tomorrow?

I'll be at the game counting the roster.

Will Sue, Stewie, or Elena make a cameo appearance?

Looks like they sent Ionescu home. She posted that she was back in Eugene. Don’t know of any other cuts thus far but I do know they are adding both DT & Griner.

 

[Shades]

Here’s a recap of the Canada game with some decent production value.

 

[Orangutan]

We are building for the future and the future of PG on the USA team should NOT be Kelsey Plum.

Why not? She's fairly young and made good strides in her second year in the WNBA. She should absolutely be in the mix for USAB going forward especially if she continues to improve as a pro.

 

[donalddoowop]

Maybe Jefferson will wind up being the point guard.

 

[UcMiami]

It is a interesting question for USA basketball re the next generation of guards and particularly the PG. The USA PG position is unique in BB because with all the talent on the team it really is primarily a facilitator role and that is unlike any other team these players play on. Typically the really good PGs are expected to be the first second or third offensive option on both their WNBA teams and their foreign teams - USA Basketball wants them to be the fifth option and that is a difficult transition with such limited practice time. Not many college teams had the kind of talent that surrounded Sue during her four years which I think helped Sue learn her role so well. And it is why people had such high hopes for Rene and Bria, and now Moriah. Rene and Bria have struggled more than expected professionally, and Moriah has had two injury filled years.

I don't think anyone has yet emerged to take on the 'future PG' mantel. There is certainly a pool of players USA is looking at but for me none instills confidence that they have a handle on it.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

It is a interesting question for USA basketball re the next generation of guards and particularly the PG. The USA PG position is unique in BB because with all the talent on the team it really is primarily a facilitator role and that is unlike any other team these players play on. Typically the really good PGs are expected to be the first second or third offensive option on both their WNBA teams and their foreign teams - USA Basketball wants them to be the fifth option and that is a difficult transition with such limited practice time. Not many college teams had the kind of talent that surrounded Sue during her four years which I think helped Sue learn her role so well. And it is why people had such high hopes for Rene and Bria, and now Moriah. Rene and Bria have struggled more than expected professionally, and Moriah has had two injury filled years.

I don't think anyone has yet emerged to take on the 'future PG' mantel. There is certainly a pool of players USA is looking at but for me none instills confidence that they have a handle on it.

Thoughtful analysis @UcMiami and I cannot argue with it. But maybe that suggests the ushering in of the positionless USA shoot and rebound era. I don't think the talent can play that kind of wild and crazy in Int'l play, but you are right about the current lack of convincing floor generalship .

 

[dtbtbtb]

While Plum is not a natural PG, she seems the best fit for what team USA needs from what I saw against Canada (a PG that will distribute to the other players while being able to hit shots if available). I do think that a healthy MoJeff would be an even better choice as long as she can re-establish her speed and defensive tenacity

 

[eebmg]

It is a interesting question for USA basketball re the next generation of guards and particularly the PG. The USA PG position is unique in BB because with all the talent on the team it really is primarily a facilitator role and that is unlike any other team these players play on. Typically the really good PGs are expected to be the first second or third offensive option on both their WNBA teams and their foreign teams - USA Basketball wants them to be the fifth option and that is a difficult transition with such limited practice time. Not many college teams had the kind of talent that surrounded Sue during her four years which I think helped Sue learn her role so well. And it is why people had such high hopes for Rene and Bria, and now Moriah. Rene and Bria have struggled more than expected professionally, and Moriah has had two injury filled years.

I don't think anyone has yet emerged to take on the 'future PG' mantel. There is certainly a pool of players USA is looking at but for me none instills confidence that they have a handle on it.

I think Kelsey Plum has taken great strides and although perhaps not a traditional PG, she is improving dramatically. Just looking at the stats, her A / TO ratio is incredible (unless a misprint?) and her shooting numbers are excellent. She reminds me alot of a young Lindsay Whalen.

 

[Shades]

Finally an update article.
USA Faces Japan in Exhibition in D.C.

The pool of candidates includes four players participating in the WNBA Finals: Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm) and Elena Delle Donne (Washington Mystics). Two others, Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury) and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) were recently eliminated from the playoffs and will be added to the roster for the games in France.

The exhibition games in France don’t start until 9/15/18.

No mention of Hayes in this group, so I have a feeling she needed to come when Williams did to be considered. She doesn’t have the clout or experience of the others to arrive late. Loyd doesn’t really have it either, so who knows about her. She still got a mention.

Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon) left the team after the exhibition victory over Canada on Saturday night at Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Confirmation that Ionescu is no longer being considered in these games.

Following the game against Japan, the USA will play three exhibition games in France.

 

[UcMiami]

I think Kelsey Plum has taken great strides and although perhaps not a traditional PG, she is improving dramatically. Just looking at the stats, her A / TO ratio is incredible (unless a misprint?) and her shooting numbers are excellent. She reminds me alot of a young Lindsay Whalen.

View attachment 34302

Interesting comparison and Whalen (who I have always liked a lot) was certainly and effective addition to USA basketball during the Geno years (replacing Kara.) Whalen was always more aggressive pursuing her own shot than Sue for USA, and I think there more players in her mode in the pool. My feeling is they would still like to find/nurture that Sue style replacement.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Interesting comparison and Whalen (who I have always liked a lot) was certainly and effective addition to USA basketball during the Geno years (replacing Kara.) Whalen was always more aggressive pursuing her own shot than Sue for USA, and I think there more players in her mode in the pool. My feeling is they would still like to find/nurture that Sue style replacement.

As Rocky so succincly said "nice analysis", but isn't that what we've come to expect from you? The uniqueness of Bird obviously is Bird but more than that she was defined by the Geno system of "you are responsible for everything on the floor" attitude of Geno.
So, if the USA is to need a "facilator" or being the "5th" shooting option that suggests to me that if there is to be that kind of USA PG then it must come from UConn.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I can't help but keep thinking that this facilitating PG that everyone is looking for to take the reigns for the US team is a member of the Hungarian National Team. I know, ship has sailed, but just kind of unfortunate.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

I can't help but keep thinking that this facilitating PG that everyone is looking for to take the reigns for the US team is a member of the Hungarian National Team. I know, ship has sailed, but just kind of unfortunate.

I can’t like this post enough!!!

 

[UConnCat]

I can't help but keep thinking that this facilitating PG that everyone is looking for to take the reigns for the US team is a member of the Hungarian National Team. I know, ship has sailed, but just kind of unfortunate.

A Hungarian National Team that finished 12th in last year's Eurobasket tournament. Of course, Vandersloot's decision was financial as she clearly knew Hungary wouldn't qualify for the worlds or Olympics during her time there.