An Ugly Win for USA WBB for the Gold Medal

[nwhoopfan]

Australia edged Belgium for Bronze. Big game for Ezi Magbegor.

 

[nickp91]

Reeve didn’t do a good job (there were some games better than others). Like most Olympic coaches before her she won’t be head coach again.

 

[Blueballer]

It's a shame some have to focus on the negative aspects of the game in regards to who didn't do well rather than on those who contributed to this historic win and the excellent performance by France to make it close.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Beyond lucky to win this one. I don't think I've ever seen as many missed layups and missed and ones in my life. If they made half of those, USA wins be 15. It doesn't matter now because people only remember the winner, not the game, but that was ugly basketball on display.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

Congrats to the US on another Gold! I didn't watch but kept up casually and know the team pulled it out by the skin of their teeth.

Years back I was vocal about the National Team needing to incorporate at least one younger point guard into the rotation since Sue couldn't play forever. Gray is a fine player but still appears to be rounding into form from her injury. The guards on the whole were underwelming during the all star weekend festivities and their play appeared to be uneven during the Olympics but ultimately the team won which is what counts. It's fortunate there are some young options at guard coming up through the ranks as we speak because the US needs the reinforcements.

 

[UConnCat]

This is why she's still the GOAT.

 

[MooseJaw]

Shocking, that we barely survived a mugging, I've seen less violence in some football games.
Lasting impression: I have been a longtime critic of Brittney Grinner, It was not her play that impressed me, but the medal ceremony. Differently from past pre-game and award presentations where she showed indifference to our National Anthem today, she actually sang hand over her heart wiping tears from her eyes. I'm sorry it took the Russians to teach her what a great country we are lucky to call home, but she is home now and one of us.
As a side note, how amazing was it to see all our Huskies all over women's basketball. USA, France and Cannada. Obviously, Geno and crew are "The Goat."

 

[CL82]

I have 1 word for you: Paige

It will be interesting to see the composition of the next Olympic team. One would imagine that both Paige and Clark will be on the team, but who knows there's a lot of basketball to be played between now and then.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Building a roster without a healthy PG nearly cost the US. They basically took 6 shooting guards and one hobbled point guard which made no sense from a roster construction standpoint.

They got the job done largely due to Wilson and Copper but the turnovers and poor execution offensively with a collection of stars like that was painful to watch at times. Next go around this shouldn’t be an issue with so many talented up and coming young PGs (Clark, Paige, Miles, Harmon, Hidalgo, etc.) Still though, congrats on an 8th straight gold.

France with a heck of an effort, Gabby was sensational for them. Her W career hasn’t taken off into stardom but she showed this week she can compete with the best of them. France shot themselves in the foot settling for mediocre 3pt shots all 4th quarter and hitting none until they were down 4 with under 10 seconds left.

In regards to people commenting on reffing, I thought if anything there were some crucial calls that went against France. Notably in the 3rd, Wilson hacked Johannes in the face and it wasn’t called, led to a 5 on 4 with Johannes down on the other end and resulted in a wide open 3 for Plum. 5 point swing there. Also a ball that was blatantly off Wilson late in the 4th was given to the US for another possession. Calls go both ways but it definitely was not one sided in favor of France.

Clark will be the only PG in contention for the team if your list in 2028. Miles, Harmon and Hildago won’t be in consideration yet imo because of youth and size. Paige might be in consideration for the team but she won’t be considered a PG by then. I don’t see WNBA teams using her at a PG, she seems to be developing into more of SG in college and I think that will continue.

The player in college that has the highest chance of being considered for the team as a back up PG for Clark is Raven Johnson imo.

 

[Just.A.Fan]

I have 1 word for you: Paige

Agreed! But Caitlin Clark would have been nice as well. One thing I didn't understand was why Griner didn't play in the 2nd half? They couldn't stop her in the little time she got in the 1st half. It was also sad that Diana wasn't given at least a few seconds in the game.

 

[Dogdude]

This is why she's still the GOAT.

Perhaps one of the great sports quotes of the decade. And this would have been her type of game, could have settled things down.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Trouble defending any of France's front court players. They all can shoot 3s and are all more mobile than BG.

One of the things I have noted at World Cups and Olympics, especially in person, is how well some teams pass the ball and shoot the 3. It's almost as if they take lessons from Chef Curry.

 

[JellyBean]

What a game! Gabby, like others have said, was spectacular! She made some incredible shots, defended at an outstanding level, and just balled out!! She dang near won the game for Team France! Team USA won an ugly game but a win is a win. Congrats, Team USA!!!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Australia edged Belgium for Bronze. Big game for Ezi Magbegor.

Ezi was huge: 30/13/3/2/3

 

[MilfordHusky]

I agree about the physicality, but recall that she played power forward for a full season.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Perhaps one of the great sports quotes of the decade. And this would have been her type of game, could have settled things down.

The backcourt looked shaken all game, insane Reeves didn’t go to her or Jewel all game given their experience and scoring ability when hot. Their floor is what the guards were giving anyway s so it seemed like a low risk low reward decision. A lot of questionable decisions by Reeves, including, but not limited to benching Stewie for for plum in the 4th.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Few Thoughts:
*Horrible first half for the US. Terrible decisions with the ball, wat too much one on one attempts, missed lay ups.
*Much better second half especially because of Copper on offense and Wilson on defense.
*Gabby was amazing the whole game but in the end of the game it seems she put on a superwomen cape and went to a higher gear. The reason she is so good for France is that they let her facilitate the game, while at the WNBA they don't,
*Reeve will not remember this game as one of her better coaching jobs...
*Reeve should have put D in the game during the first half. The team was clearly rattled and out of sorts and needed someone to steer the ship. You have the most experienced player on your bench who's been in every basketball pressure scenario, and you don't use her???
*Gray was terrible. I understand she is not fullly recovered...why play her when it's clear in the very first few minutes that she is totally not effective.
*Paige and Clark can't get to the National team soon enough.
*Loved the amazing atmosphere of both this final and the Men's Final.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Few Thoughts:
*Horrible first half for the US. Terrible decisions with the ball, wat too much one on one attempts, missed lay ups.
*Much better second half especially because of Copper on offense and Wilson on defense.
*Gabby was amazing the whole game but in the end of the game it seems she put on a superwomen cape and went to a higher gear. The reason she is so good for France is that they let her facilitate the game, while at the WNBA they don't,
*Reeve will not remember this game as one of her better coaching jobs...
*Reeve should have put D in the game during the first half. The team was clearly rattled and out of sorts and needed someone to steer the ship. You have the most experienced player on your bench who's been in every basketball pressure scenario, and you don't use her???
*Gray was terrible. I understand she is not fullly recovered...why play her when it's clear in the very first few minutes that she is totally not effective.
*Paige and Clark can't get to the National team soon enough.
*Loved the amazing atmosphere of both this final and the Men's Final.

Paige and Clark can’t handle the physicality of international ball at this point in their careers. Considering they won’t be playing overseas and won’t have many opportunities to play for the national team before the next Olympics, not sure when they’ll develop that skill.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Wow!
What a game from France and what a mess of a game by USA.

This was one game where I thought Diana would have been a good sub in the second quarter when the US was running around in circles - the reason to include her in the team was for a moment like that where the guards were playing scared. (And she couldn't have done worse than any of the other subs in that quarter )

This was a game were we needed Sue or Diana. Sue would have settled them down in the first half, reduced TOs, and made a tough bucket or two. I thought this game was a big part of why Dee was on the team, but Cheryl really shortened her roster.

 

[cancontent]

Few Thoughts:
*Horrible first half for the US. Terrible decisions with the ball, wat too much one on one attempts, missed lay ups.
*Much better second half especially because of Copper on offense and Wilson on defense.
*Gabby was amazing the whole game but in the end of the game it seems she put on a superwomen cape and went to a higher gear. The reason she is so good for France is that they let her facilitate the game, while at the WNBA they don't,
*Reeve will not remember this game as one of her better coaching jobs...
*Reeve should have put D in the game during the first half. The team was clearly rattled and out of sorts and needed someone to steer the ship. You have the most experienced player on your bench who's been in every basketball pressure scenario, and you don't use her???
*Gray was terrible. I understand she is not fullly recovered...why play her when it's clear in the very first few minutes that she is totally not effective.
*Paige and Clark can't get to the National team soon enough.
*Loved the amazing atmosphere of both this final and the Men's Final.

Would think Olivia Miles would be another great option to consider. Imagine having all them of them available on an Olympic roster for the PG position.

 

[tchalla1]

I’ve always said, “I’ll take an ugly win any day over a well-played loss.” That’s exactly what the US delivered in the Olympic gold medal game against a spirited physical effort from France before a passionate crowd in Paris.

The US effort was plagued by turnovers, poor defensive rebounding and missed layups. A lot of the problems that the US faced were clearly the result of extremely physical play by France. There were too many “non calls” to keep track of and several “phantom” calls as well, particularly in the 4th qtr.

In the end, the US found a way as they continued their Olympic unbeaten streak, now at 61 straight wins, winning a nail biter 67-66. Gabby lead France in scoring, hitting a huge 3 down the stretch and a remarkable 2 at the buzzer, with her foot on the 3-pt line, leaving France 1 point short of sending the game to OT.

I thought the extremely physical play went both ways, especially in the 1st half. Aja Wilson was overtly over-the-back several times and no calls were made. Additionally, reach ins and blocking fouls on the US were not called. I saw the French team adjusting to way the game was being called and started to play a more aggressive style of play. in the 2nd half...

BTW--France had 0--zero--free throw attempts in the first half! I've never seen that before. Clearly, the US was getting away with fouling and no calls were being made in the first half.

 

[tchalla1]

Again, I point out: France shot zero free throws in the first half. Zero.

 

[cancontent]

Again, I point out: France shot zero free throws in the first half. Zero.

The physicality discussion with respect to FIBA ball is one that will never be resolved. Trying to discuss this point at length will be pointless.

 

[Dogstar]

Agree.

The game got away from the head coach. USA BB was very fortunate to win.

Exactly, I don't thk she knew how to control the egos on the team, LOTS of 2 pass offensive sets for the team for Long stretches in the first 3 quarters, in the 4th seems tht the players realized tht they can actually lose tht game, started , cutting down on the turnovers, play more in ur face defense , passing instead of dribbling with 2 defenders on you, and rebounding soo much better.