2018 Team USA | Page 6 | The Boneyard

2018 Team USA

ucbart said:
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.
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I agree Ionescu is and will be an all time great guard.
I do though think Kelsey Plum will also be close behind her.
It might just be a good idea to keep both.
I'm big on guards who can not only score but help others. Plum is making that adjustment from the player she was in college.
Bronx23
 
Phee made the cut?? They are traveling with 16 and after today's game against Senegal had not made the cuts. Phee 7 points; didn't shoot well. 9 rebounds 8 assists I believe in 24+ minutes; so they are looking hard at her, but the game was never in doubt.

USA Races to 109-58 Exhibition Win Over Senegal
 
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The website shows 16 players. They need to cut 4 and probably will do so about Tuesday. The last "friendly" is tomorrow night.
 
MilfordHusky said:
The website shows 16 players. They need to cut 4 and probably will do so about Tuesday. The last "friendly" is tomorrow night.
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Yeah, the final cuts should happen tomorrow after the game.

It’s a different coach this time, but in 2014 all the players who ended up being the final cuts got ZERO minutes in the final exhibition game. I’ll be keeping a close eye to see if something like that happens this time.
 
Shades said:
Yeah, the final cuts should happen tomorrow after the game.

It’s a different coach this time, but in 2014 all the players who ended up being the final cuts got ZERO minutes in the final exhibition game. I’ll be keeping a close eye to see if something like that happens this time.
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I don't expect the Seattle trio to be there for tomorrow's game, and I'm not sure where EDD is or what her status is. I think the cuts depend on whether Elena flies over and can play.

I think Kelsey Mitchell and Elizabeth Williams get cut. It could be close between Tiffany Mitchell and Clarendon. I think one of the Huskies makes it. If Elena doesn't come, both may make it.
 
This week, we'll have the WNBA MVP join the fold.

We'll also get the Masked Marvel, whose USA Basketball bio includes this:

  • Eight medals in Olympics and World Championships is equal only to Teresa Edwards in international majors. Bird has seven gold medals and one bronze medal among the two events, while Edwards has six gold medals and two bronze medals.
  • Is the most decorated FIBA World Cup athlete in history, male or female, owning three gold medals (2002, 2010, 2014) and one bronze medal (2006). Also, is the only female four-time FIBA World Cup medalist.
 
Shades said:
Yeah, the final cuts should happen tomorrow after the game.

It’s a different coach this time, but in 2014 all the players who ended up being the final cuts got ZERO minutes in the final exhibition game. I’ll be keeping a close eye to see if something like that happens this time.
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Today's minutes:

K. Mitchell, 0 minutes

T. Mitchell, 5 minutes

E. Williams, 4 minutes

Does EDD come? If not, do both Tuck and Collier make it? Does Jewell make it despite missing most of camp? Does Clarendon make it?
 
MilfordHusky said:
Today's minutes:

K. Mitchell, 0 minutes

T. Mitchell, 5 minutes

E. Williams, 4 minutes
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KMitch never came back, so I’ve been assuming she’ll just stay home, especially being a bubble player.

So if all 4 of the WNBA Finals players come over, that means you’d have to cut one more besides the three you listed. Who would that be?
 
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I posted this in the France thread but... I think we know who the locks are but it will be fascinating to see what they do with the others to round out the team. MY $.02

Locks:
  1. Dee
  2. Sue
  3. Stewie
  4. Tina
  5. Griner
  6. Wilson
Almost locks:
  1. Delle Donne (not sure if she will show up depending on her health - she's a lock if they ask)
  2. Plum
  3. Ogwumike
Bubble:
  1. Clarendon
  2. Tuck
  3. Collier
  4. Loyd
  5. EWilliams
Likely cut:
  1. Mitchell (Tiff)
  2. Mitchell (Kelsey)
Who am I missing? Still can't figure out why Howard and Bonner (and Tolliver for that matter) weren't added to the pool... IF EDD does not come, I think both Tuck and Colllier make it. If not, it will be interesting to see what they do with them and Loyd/Clarendon. I think one of those 4 would be cut...
 
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Eric - I like your list but based on the games to date I would move Clarendon up one group - she is a good defender and has been getting the starts. USA doesn't need that much scoring from that spot with DT and Plum.
 
Shades said:
KMitch never came back, so I’ve been assuming she’ll just stay home, especially being a bubble player.

So if all 4 of the WNBA Finals players come over, that means you’d have to cut one more besides the three you listed. Who would that be?
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Did I misread it? I thought that Kelsey Mitchell flew back.
 
"Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) led the way with 16 points, six assists and five rebounds, and she was named MVP of the four-team, round-robin tournament, which saw France finish second, Canada third and Senegal in fourth place."

I guess France was 2-1, Canada 1-2, and Senegal 0-3.
 
Dawn: "But, it will be good to add three Olympians to the fold." It sounds as if Elena is going to Europe.
 
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Shades said:
That leaves 8 forwards and 5 guards.
Looks like Clarendon will make the final cut.
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Griner, Charles, Williams as centers, EDD, Stewie, Wilson, Nneka, Sue, Diana, Loyd. Plum. and Clarendon are my picks for the final team as long as EDD can go. Morgan will make it if EDD is unable to compete.
 
I think Morgan makes the team based on her versatility and maturity. I sure hope she does. She has both Curt Miller and Geno in her corner.
 
B6559CD3-25BB-493A-BDC5-3530F6E3D0F7.jpeg
 
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Useful preview of World Cup here

10 Things to Know About the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA


In this year’s World Cup, the expected top challengers include…

  1. Australia – If there’s any team that can knock off USABWNT and prevent their gold three-peat, it’s the Australians — along with Brazil, the only team to have won this tournament in the past two decades-plus. Coached by former WNBA champion Sandy Brondello of the Phoenix Mercury, Australia is jam-packed with familiar WNBA faces like Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty), Liz Cambage (Dallas Wings), Cayla George (Dallas Wings), Leilani Mitchell (Phoenix Mercury) and Stephanie Talbott (Phoenix Mercury). Cambage alone could make the team a contender, coming off a breakthrough season in which she led the WNBA in scoring and posted a record 53-point game. The Aussies could challenge the Americans early on if they finish second in their grouping, as the winner of the Quarter-Final Qualifiers will face USABWNT in the Quarter-FInals.
  2. Spain – The host country is not one to miss either. Currently No. 2 in FIBA’s rankings, the Spaniards won the 2017 FIBA EuroBasket qualifier and look to continue pressing forward into the World Cup. Although they suffered a great loss to their roster in Sancho Lyttle (ACL), Spain still will be a major competitor in the tournament. With 2x EuroLeague champion and 15-year Spanish National Team veteran Laia Palau, 2017 EuroBasket tournament MVP Alba Torrens and 2014 WNBA second-round pick Astou Ndour (currently with Chicago Sky), Spain could challenge the Americans later on in the tournament in either the Finals or Semifinals.
  3. France – USA has another major competitor in No. 3-ranked France, who is led by WNBA vet Sandrine Gruda. Gruda plays alongside Endy Miyem, who spent the last year with the Minnesota Lynx under USABWNT assistant coach Cheryl Reeve. The French just recently faced off against USA in an exhibition in Antibes and showed that they are not a team to doubt. Although the Americans pulled away in the final five minutes to win, 77-60, Gruda (12 PTS) and Marine Johannes (11 PTS) made it a tough battle down the stretch. This French team could also challenge the Americans early in a potential quarterfinals matchup.
  4. Canada – Another team to watch out for during the tournament is one not too far from the USA, and that’s Canada. In one of the final domestic USAB domestic exhibitions, Canada looked primed and ready to make a statement. In that exhibition, New York Liberty rookie Kia Nurse dropped a game-high 22 points for the Canadians, who led most of the game until the fourth quarter, when USA outscored them 26-12. Although Canada has taken a major hit in losing Kayla Alexander from the Indiana Fever due to injury, they still have a strong piece in forward Natalie Achonwa (Indiana Fever) and an experienced roster. Veteran leader Miranda Ayim has been a part of the national team since 2005 and even led them to the 2017 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup title. Don’t be surprised if Canada makes a deep run.
 
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