OT: 2028 Olympic team coach: Sue picks who?

[Blakeon18]

Lawson named USA women's basketball coach

Duke women's head basketball coach Kara Lawson has been named the next head coach of USA women's basketball team for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

www.espn.com

No surprise here...Sue picks a 'friendly rival'.

 

[oldude]

Lawson is an excellent choice to head up the US Olympic team. She represents a younger generation of WBB coaches that will hopefully include Shea Ralph, Lindsay Gottlieb and others with USA Basketball in the years to come.

At the same time, it’s my hope that Sue and her advisers also look to bring in a core of younger players to USA Basketball’s roster. That should start with Paige & CC, and perhaps others. As the Olympic championship clearly demonstrated, the rest of the world is catching up and USA Basketball must evolve if they expect to stay ahead of the game.

 

[PacoSwede]

...

At the same time, it’s my hope that Sue and her advisers also look to bring in a core of younger players to USA Basketball’s roster. That should start with Paige & CC, and perhaps others. As the Olympic championship clearly demonstrated, the rest of the world is catching up and USA Basketball must evolve if they expect to stay ahead of the game.

CC is a foregone conclusion (if she's healthy). If she's not picked, the whole of wbb may collapse, after all. ☹️😵☹️
that is really unfortunate because she doesn't need a threat from fans or media (especially social media). Even though CC in fact earns a spot on team usa, the threat of outrage from her rabid fans will instead taint her selection. that's one of the dangers accompanying the internet.

there are many younger players with the talent to make the team, but there are only spots for 12, including aging vets. some won't make it. even paige might be sacrificed, as sacrilegious as that sounds in the BY.

good luck and my sympathies to birdie.

 

[darrell]

I’d like to see Sarah on the ‘28 team, I’m sure Kara would love the chance to coach her as well.

 

[oldude]

CC is a foregone conclusion (if she's healthy). If she's not picked, the whole of wbb may collapse, after all. ☹️😵☹️
that is really unfortunate because she doesn't need a threat from fans or media (especially social media). Even though CC in fact earns a spot on team usa, the threat of outrage from her rabid fans will instead taint her selection. that's one of the dangers accompanying the internet.

there are many younger players with the talent to make the team, but there are only spots for 12, including aging vets. some won't make it. even paige might be sacrificed, as sacrilegious as that sounds in the BY.

good luck and my sympathies to birdie.

I’d like to see Sarah on the ‘28 team, I’m sure Kara would love the chance to coach her as well.

One of the concerns I have with Olympic team selections, particularly on the women's side, is that there is a clear bias towards older players based on their career achievements. DT remains the G.O.A.T. But imo she should not have taken a roster spot this past Olympics. Bring her along as an assistant coach. But give that spot to a younger player who you can develop for the future.

The next summer games are in 3 years. I absolutely expect Paige and CC to be on that team. Sarah would also be a possibility, particularly if she's coming off her 4th straight national championship. But it may well be time for players like Griner and even Stewie, who would be 34 in 2028, to sit out the Olympics in favor of younger, more athletic players.

 

[nickp91]

a ACC fan I watch a lot of Kara Lawson coaching

 

[Hayven]

Did I miss Cheryl saying she wasn’t coming back?!

 

[darrell]

One of the concerns I have with Olympic team selections, particularly on the women's side, is that there is a clear bias towards older players based on their career achievements. DT remains the G.O.A.T. But imo she should not have taken a roster spot this past Olympics. Bring her along as an assistant coach. But give that spot to a younger player who you can develop for the future.

The next summer games are in 3 years. I absolutely expect Paige and CC to be on that team. Sarah would also be a possibility, particularly if she's coming off her 4th straight national championship. But it may well be time for players like Griner and even Stewie, who would be 34 in 2028, to sit out the Olympics in favor of younger, more athletic players.

I agree with almost everything you said. I’m expecting Stewie (with A’ja and maybe Phee) to be the team’s leaders. International play isn’t for the weak/less experienced, e.g. France almost stealing that Gold medal game.

However, to your point, players I don’t expect to see back in ‘28 includes: BG, Jewell Loyd, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and the retired Diana. I’m on the fence about Kelsey Plum.

Young stars whom I expect to take their places: Aliyah Boston, Paige, Caitlin, Juju, Angel Reese and possibly Sarah.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Did I miss Cheryl saying she wasn’t coming back?!

With the exceptions of Geno and I think Coach K on the men's side, it is a one Olympics gig. Always has been. I actually wouldn't mind more consistency, but they haven't chosen that route.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I agree with almost everything you said. I’m expecting Stewie (with A’ja and maybe Phee) to be the team’s leaders. International play isn’t for the weak/less experienced, e.g. France almost stealing that Gold medal game.

However, to your point, players I don’t expect to see back in ‘28 includes: BG, Jewell Loyd, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and the retired Diana. I’m on the fence about Kelsey Plum.

Young stars whom I expect to take their places: Aliyah Boston, Paige, Caitlin, Juju, Angel Reese and possibly Sarah.

I agree that BG and Jewell Loyd are not expected, but I think that if Gray, Copper or Thomas are going great at the time they would be possible. Thomas perhaps the most likely. But I also agree they are possibilities not to be included, Plum as well.

 

[ucmiami2]

The WC is next and that is the preferred competition to introduce new players into the team as it carries less pressure though equal competition. It is also the last W-NT loss in 2006 with both Sue and DT earning a Bronze. It is also the first competition for every new HC.

One of the down sides of increased money in the W as well as even larger outside sources of revenue, is that few of the new players get exposure to international rules, international players, and international refs. That will get even worse with the new alternative league. And it is a reason to retain at least a few veterans that have that experience. the age specific teams are a long time in the past for these guys, and that level of competition is seldom up to the US squads who dominate.

I agree there needs to be a roster turnover, but would not be surprised to see a few mentioned above retained if they are healthy - especially among the guards - Stewie, Aja, and Nepheesa would be a nice core in the forward/center group with experience, but a few guard/wings would also help with new players to the team.

 

[Vowelguy]

I’d like to see Sarah on the ‘28 team, I’m sure Kara would love the chance to coach her as well.

It's very tough to make the Olympics right out of college. Unless there's a clear gap in the lineup and it matches her position, I'd be skeptical.

 

[Vowelguy]

I agree with almost everything you said. I’m expecting Stewie (with A’ja and maybe Phee) to be the team’s leaders. International play isn’t for the weak/less experienced, e.g. France almost stealing that Gold medal game.

However, to your point, players I don’t expect to see back in ‘28 includes: BG, Jewell Loyd, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and the retired Diana. I’m on the fence about Kelsey Plum.

Young stars whom I expect to take their places: Aliyah Boston, Paige, Caitlin, Juju, Angel Reese and possibly Sarah.

A Thomas was 3rd in MVP voting this year. Why write her off so quickly.

And BG continues to have a unique skill no one else has -- she's 6'8". You don't want to show up at the Olympics with only a 6'5 center and be at a big disadvantage because an opponent has an unstoppable a 6'8 or 6'9 one. Not that height trumps everything, but I could see her being kept around longer than another player past her prime.

 

[oldude]

It's very tough to make the Olympics right out of college. Unless there's a clear gap in the lineup and it matches her position, I'd be skeptical.

The last time that happened it was Stewie in 2016. Geno was the coach, and while he didn’t actually select the team, he was vilified by the Candace Parker crowd for leaving her off the team.

 

[Vowelguy]

the Candace Parker crowd

who?

 

[darrell]

A Thomas was 3rd in MVP voting this year. Why write her off so quickly.

And BG continues to have a unique skill no one else has -- she's 6'8". You don't want to show up at the Olympics with only a 6'5 center and be at a big disadvantage because an opponent has an unstoppable a 6'8 or 6'9 one. Not that height trumps everything, but I could see her being kept around longer than another player past her prime.

I just don’t think either of them will be the same players in three years’ time—Griner’s regression has already started. Young players are only getting better and Team USA will start to depend on them within the next 5 years.

LA ‘28 should be a fine time, regardless.

 

[Cuango]

Kara has always been a class act and I wish her all the best. As for locks on the team itself, I would agree that CC, A’ja, Phee, and Paige are mortal locks. I would put Stewie, Alyssa T. our own S. Strong, and JuJu (depending on her full recovery from her knee injury) as likely locks as well. After that I think perhaps R. Howard, K. Plum, K. Mitchell, S. Citron, S. Sabally, S. Ionescue, J. Young, Kiki Iriafen, A. Gray, R. Jackson and perhaps, Boston. Then you have a few potentials in Brink, A. Stevens, and D. Hamby and, depending on her play this season, perhaps Azzi as well. As for Reese, I think the jury is still out big-time on her both in terms of play, and more importantly, on whether she can be a team player and not a distraction. Kara has shown herself to be a coach who is not likely to put up with a whole lot of extracurricular drama from any player. Jmo, of course!

 

[Skeets]

Sarah would also be a possibility, particularly if she's coming off her 4th straight national championship.

Hold that thought!

OD, I usually agree with all of your posts, but I disagree that the Olympic roster spots should be given to younger players to develop for the future. The Olympics is not developmental league.

 

[Skeets]

Kara is an excellent choice. I'm forcing my fingers to put these words together in one sentence: Kara Lawson is my favorite Tennessee player. (There, I did it.)

 

[oldude]

Hold that thought!

OD, I usually agree with all of your posts, but I disagree that the Olympic roster spots should be given to younger players to develop for the future. The Olympics is not developmental league.

Not exactly my point. While developing players to compete at the international level is always a goal, what I am more focused on is the tendency by USA Basketball to select players who are past their prime when younger players who will develop into international stars are available.

The Olympic team must be a meritocracy. Players should be selected on the basis of what they will do, not what they have done in the past.

I love DT. She will always be the GOAT imo. But I caught some grief for suggesting that DT should not have been on this last Olympic team. She averaged just 1 ppg, shooting only 16% (11% from 3). In 3 of the 5 games she played in she had 0 points and she never saw the floor in the intense championship game against France.

I felt bad for DT. That was not the way the GOAT should end her tremendous Olympic career. There were a number of younger players who I would have preferred to see on the roster.

 

[Ladeeeeda]

So any thoughts on the assistants? I'm thinking they'll go with pro coaches.
Valkyries, Phoenix and Fever?

 

[cancontent]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought USA Basketball using NCAA players during qualifying tournaments was to help get younger players familiar with international play. Is the concern that this doesn't provide enough opportunities for these players to do so?

 

[oldude]

So any thoughts on the assistants? I'm thinking they'll go with pro coaches.
Valkyries, Phoenix and Fever?

Typically, one of the assistants is the next in line for the Olympic HC gig. That could be a college or professional coach. On the college level, I like Shea and Lindsay. On the pro level, WNBA COY Natalie Nakase of the Valkyries is a rising star who deserves consideration as a future Olympic HC.

 

[azfan]

So any thoughts on the assistants? I'm thinking they'll go with pro coaches.
Valkyries, Phoenix and Fever?

The million dollar coach in the Olympics?

This would clearly burnish his already glowing resume and as a very well liked member of the community and upcoming recipient of the Mr Congeniality award this would certainly another feather in his bonnet

And.... Get him in line as a head coach for the Olympics....OH BOY. Giddiup!

In the many social settings associated with this process I'm sure he'll be asked for his agent's contact information.

 

[cancontent]

Typically, one of the assistants is the next in line for the Olympic HC gig. That could be a college or professional coach. On the college level, I like Shea and Lindsay. On the pro level, WNBA COY Natalie Nakase of the Valkyries is a rising star who deserves consideration as a future Olympic HC.

Based on this criteria, would Smesko be considered as a potential AC?