2018 Team USA | Page 7 | The Boneyard

2018 Team USA

Team USA played a scrimmage against Australia. Not much detail about it other than the new arrivals got their first chance to play with the team against competition.

USA Passes Final Pre-World Cup Test in Scrimmage Victory Over Australia

Tina Charles (New York Liberty) scored 15 points, and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) dished out four assists. Charles and Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces) each grabbed six rebounds.
Expand ...

No word on who played for Australia and how they did. If Cambage sat out, for instance, that’d make a huge difference.
 
Final roster determined
23DF3103-C1B5-4A16-97FE-9417BD2C9916.jpeg


Williams was the last cut.
 
.-.
Really an interesting mix of the "old guard" and new blood. Five of the 12 (Clarendon, Loyd, Plum, Wilson, Tuck) have never played in a World Cup or Olympics before.

Six months ago, I never would have guessed that Plum, Loyd and Clarendon would beat out the likes of Diggins and Sims in the backcourt.

And Morgan Tuck! Wow!
 
Plebe said:
Really an interesting mix of the "old guard" and new blood. Five of the 12 (Clarendon, Loyd, Plum, Wilson, Tuck) have never played in a World Cup or Olympics before.

Six months ago, I never would have guessed that Plum, Loyd and Clarendon would beat out the likes of Diggins and Sims in the backcourt.

And Morgan Tuck! Wow!
Expand ...
It remains a really curious situation with all the 'pool' players who chose not to make themselves available. One can understand the veteran players with injuries or exhaustion, but for those who have yet to establish themselves ...
 
VAMike23 said:
PG -Bird
SG - Taurasi
F - Stewart
F - Tuck
F/C - Charles

Sounds like a gold medal team to me !!! :D

3 WNBA MVP's, 1 g.o.a.t. at her position, and a 4X NCAA champion who can do a little bit of everything. Not a shabby group of 5.
Expand ...

Yeah, I like their chances of returning from the games with GOLD medals hanging around their necks. :cool:
 
.-.
Small sample size, but Plum shot 64% from 3, wow!


Is it surprising the final cut included 3 PGs? Team seems to be mostly post players and guards, I don't really see a traditional small forward. Some of the players are maybe combo forwards, or certainly stretch 4s, plenty of versatility, but just seems like there's plenty of duplication but a bit of a missing part. Not even sure which player that was cut would've best filled that role.
 
Congratulations to everyone who made the team, specifically to the UCONN alums, and especially proud of Morgan. I'm not sure if her knee issues are in the rear view window permanently, but for non starters like her (and Clarendon) to make the team is especially exciting for them.

And also for all the 1st timers. I hope they all have an amazing experience and hope this gives them a leg up over the players who chose to stay home (notwithstanding those with injuries). Go USA! Go UConn alums!
 
Really don't think this team, and offense is a fit for EDD, and Stewie. They are not stand in the lane, and feed me type of players, their talent will be wasted on this team.
 
UcMiami said:
It remains a really curious situation with all the 'pool' players who chose not to make themselves available. One can understand the veteran players with injuries or exhaustion, but for those who have yet to establish themselves ...
Expand ...


EricLA said:
Congratulations to everyone who made the team, specifically to the UCONN alums, and especially proud of Morgan. I'm not sure if her knee issues are in the rear view window permanently, but for non starters like her (and Clarendon) to make the team is especially exciting for them.

And also for all the 1st timers. I hope they all have an amazing experience and hope this gives them a leg up over the players who chose to stay home (notwithstanding those with injuries). Go USA! Go UConn alums!
Expand ...

UcMiami, EricLA:

I'm on record in one of these posts that I was perplexed by many of the players in the pool who chose not to accept an invitation into the camp and try out for a place on the World Cup team. Of course, I (very much) had my fellow ND alums Skylar Diggins and Kayla McBride (K-Mac) in mind, if not in e-print. Who knows whether there are injuries, illnesses or personal situations that may be at hand for either/or. If so, I hope those issues are addressed. If not, disappointed not to see them go after a situation that they've been on the brink of cracking a few times.

That said, I'd like to congratulate all of our current U.S. team, including all the veterans and newcomers, numerous UConn alums and our one ND representative, Ms. Jewell Loyd! Glad to see Morgan Tuck able to play at an optimum level and (hopefully) not in pain.

Staying on the continent, all power to Kia Nurse (UConn) and Natalie "Ace" Achonwa (ND) for representing Canada.

Best to both teams but let's go U.S.!
 
Last edited:
nwhoopfan said:
Small sample size, but Plum shot 64% from 3, wow!


Is it surprising the final cut included 3 PGs? Team seems to be mostly post players and guards, I don't really see a traditional small forward. Some of the players are maybe combo forwards, or certainly stretch 4s, plenty of versatility, but just seems like there's plenty of duplication but a bit of a missing part. Not even sure which player that was cut would've best filled that role.
Expand ...
Kelsey shot 43.9%, fourth best in the W this year, and just behind her idol, Sue Bird.
 
.-.
Plebe said:
Really an interesting mix of the "old guard" and new blood. Five of the 12 (Clarendon, Loyd, Plum, Wilson, Tuck) have never played in a World Cup or Olympics before.

Six months ago, I never would have guessed that Plum, Loyd and Clarendon would beat out the likes of Diggins and Sims in the backcourt.

And Morgan Tuck! Wow!
Expand ...
They did beat out Sims, but Skylar declined the invitation. I think that Plum is a solid selection. She improved a lot in her last 1.5 WNBA seasons. Jewell has lots of plusses and some minuses, but she can play well with Sue and Stewie. I thought Clarendon was borderline, but she's a decent player and competed hard. She was the best option as the 3rd PG of those available.
 
MilfordHusky said:
Kelsey shot 43.9%, fourth best in the W this year, and just behind her idol, Sue Bird.
Expand ...

I thought she was leading the league right before the end of the season. She went 0-3 in the finale but was 4-7 the previous game, so no big drop off. Maybe I'm misremembering. Anyway she proved to be a dangerous shooter behind the arc this season. She always had 3 point range but really improved her % her Sr. year of college. After struggling some with shooting as a rookie she got back to being fairly efficient this season.
 
Looking at the overall stats, Clarendon was the starter but Plum played more minutes and was more productive. Taurasi is really a 3rd PG if 2 isn't enough. Seems like overkill at that position. Did they ever had a 3rd PG all those years that Bird and Whalen were mainstays with the National Team?
 
MilfordHusky said:
Kelsey shot 43.9%, fourth best in the W this year, and just behind her idol, Sue Bird.
Expand ...

If you count only the 2nd half of the season where she it really clicked for her , I would guess it is closer to 50%. She is really a phenomenal shooter.
 
nwhoopfan said:
Looking at the overall stats, Clarendon was the starter but Plum played more minutes and was more productive. Taurasi is really a 3rd PG if 2 isn't enough. Seems like overkill at that position. Did they ever had a 3rd PG all those years that Bird and Whalen were mainstays with the National Team?
Expand ...
I think Plum made the team quickly, and Clarendon played more so USAB could compare her to the Mitchells.
 
This team might struggle to win the Gold Medal. It wouldn't surprise me to see them lose.
 
.-.
nwhoopfan said:
Is it surprising the final cut included 3 PGs? Team seems to be mostly post players and guards, I don't really see a traditional small forward. Some of the players are maybe combo forwards, or certainly stretch 4s, plenty of versatility, but just seems like there's plenty of duplication but a bit of a missing part. Not even sure which player that was cut would've best filled that role.
Expand ...

I posted, possibly in this thread, that I thought Collier's chances were pretty good because she (and EDD if you count her, which I do) were the only small forwards invited. I was obviously wrong about Collier making the team. And Clarendon, who I'm surprised made it.

I don't get a chance to see much international basketball. Is it possible that it lends itself to big front lines and an extra point guard?
 
nwhoopfan said:
Looking at the overall stats, Clarendon was the starter but Plum played more minutes and was more productive. Taurasi is really a 3rd PG if 2 isn't enough. Seems like overkill at that position. Did they ever had a 3rd PG all those years that Bird and Whalen were mainstays with the National Team?
Expand ...

Well it's sorta like try outs and insurance for 2020...No? Remeber until Sue lit up this year we were all wringing our hands about where are the guards they should be bringing up.
 
Last edited:
nwhoopfan said:
Looking at the overall stats, Clarendon was the starter but Plum played more minutes and was more productive. Taurasi is really a 3rd PG if 2 isn't enough. Seems like overkill at that position. Did they ever had a 3rd PG all those years that Bird and Whalen were mainstays with the National Team?
Expand ...
I think USA is looking at the age at guard and making sure they have some good youth getting experience because there is no guarantee that DT or Sue will be available in 2020 - the forwards and centers are young and have plenty of mileage still left in them.

I am not sure that Jewell, Kelsey, or Layshia will become long term fixtures on the team but they are getting their chance now and will just have to wait and see. The WC has been a frequent testing ground for young blood since vets seem to have more 'issues' with their availability to the USA team than they do with the Olympics.
 
Comparing the present team with the last Olympic champion team: Plum, Clarendon, Loyd, Ogwumike, Tuck, and Wilson replace Whalen, Augustus, Moore, McCoughtry, Catchings, and Fowles. The Minnesota Lynx contingent is out. I have doubts about Plum and Wilson. They couldn't save Las Vegas. I think Ogwumike is the best of the six new players. She played well with Stewart at the previous world championships.
 
Bigboote said:
I posted, possibly in this thread, that I thought Collier's chances were pretty good because she (and EDD if you count her, which I do) were the only small forwards invited. I was obviously wrong about Collier making the team. And Clarendon, who I'm surprised made it.

I don't get a chance to see much international basketball. Is it possible that it lends itself to big front lines and an extra point guard?
Expand ...
I actually think Collier does not provide anything more in terms of 'small' forward than Tuck, EDD or Stewart - Collier is not yet a threat from three point land where Tuck Stewart and EDD are comfortable. Collier is currently primarily a 15' and in offensive player.

I love Collier as a player, just not quite her time yet.
 
FridaFriend said:
Comparing the present team with the last Olympic champion team: Plum, Clarendon, Loyd, Ogwumike, Tuck, and Wilson replace Whalen, Augustus, Moore, McCoughtry, Catchings, and Fowles. The Minnesota Lynx contingent is out. I have doubts about Plum and Wilson. They couldn't save Las Vegas. I think Ogwumike is the best of the six new players. She played well with Stewart at the previous world championships.
Expand ...
You have doubts with Plum and Wilson, more than Loyd, Clarendon, and Tuck? Because they couldn't save a Vegas team? Hmm, okay that may be feasible. But Wilson and Plum have been playing very good in all of the scrimmages. Most posters have believed them to be "locks" for the team since the first set of scrimmages. If I doubted anyone it would be Clarendon and Tuck. They come off of the bench for the Sun. However, I choose not to doubt any of them because a lot of players skipped out on camp. These ladies took the opportunity given to them and made the team.
 
.-.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
167,930
Messages
4,545,440
Members
10,426
Latest member
kmbazz15


Top Bottom