An Ugly Win for USA WBB for the Gold Medal

[UcMiami]

In some ways Sue and DT created a developmental bottleneck for the USA - they outlived all the other guards that came after them - Kara, Whalen, etc. And from the 2018 WC on they have been searching for someone to come in claim a spot. Loyd has been a constant I think because no one has done enough to displace her, but otherwise ...

Young and Copper looked really good in stretches, as did Ionescu and Plum, but I don't know if they can clearly claim a spot. Gray didn't look good but if healthy may still be an option. And there are both college and recent graduates coming up the ranks, but it will be two years before we see the full team again for the WC and lots can change.

One of the issues I see coming is the decrease of players playing internationally - the earlier pools were full of US players that had gotten blooded in the international furnace so were use to the refs, the style of play, and the actual players they would see in the WC and Olympics. Thankfully the athletes have many more options for their off-season and a bit more money from their W contracts and endorsements, but are not getting that international exposure (and the age competitions are a pale comparison to national team play.)

Ionescu had one WC experience but that was the extent of her international experience as an adult having never played overseas for example. And I will be surprised if Clark or Buckers end up playing for an international team as neither will have a financial incentive.

Compare that to the players coming out of college from 2000-2015 when everyone made their money in Europe or Asia. Skylar's decision not to do so was big news in 2013.

 

[Dogstar]

Yes & no. The refs clearly called more fouls on France. And the US cashed in from the foul line. But the refs could have called many more fouls on France, but they just don’t want to relegate a championship game to a constant procession to the free throw line.

It reminds me of UConn’s games with UCF in the old AAC, where the “Hack a Husky” strategy was employed by UCF. The refs could have called a foul almost every trip down the floor. But no referee wants to call a foul every trip down the floor, so a level of really physical play is permitted.

Hack-A-Husky has always been a strategy against Uconn and has existed for many years esp in the old BE

 

[Dogstar]

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.

Soooo much truth in this post, I'd go as far as to say tht it's an understatement

 

[CL82]

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.

She seemed like she felt as if her role was to get out of the way and let her players "out talent" the other team. She said as much after the championship game. The problem is that the days of the US team being able to outplay their opponents at every position have likely ended.

 

[MilfordHusky]

In some ways Sue and DT created a developmental bottleneck for the USA - they outlived all the other guards that came after them - Kara, Whalen, etc. And from the 2018 WC on they have been searching for someone to come in claim a spot. Loyd has been a constant I think because no one has done enough to displace her, but otherwise ...

Yeah, Sue and Diana were too good for too long. I think Sue could have given us 10 good minutes out of the stands today.

 

[uconnfan68]

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.

Have to wonder why anyone would want that job. Have to win gold AND keep all the players, and worse, the fans, happy.

 

[Kat]

This game offered a scenario that UConn fans have seen before. If you can't match up with your opponent, skill-wise, you hack and foul them continually to slow them down and even things up.

 

[Henry]

Too many turnovers, too much dribbling, poor rebounding, poor foul shooting, missed layups....... that described the 1st half. I also don't know why DT wasn't put in to try to settle things down. She's the most experienced player who can handle physical play, wouldn't get rattled and could settle the rest of them down.

They finally found the right combinations in the 2nd half. Plum and Copper stepped up at the right time, and Aja refused to let us lose.

On the other side, Gabby was fabulous. I wonder how many WNBA teams will try to sign her for the rest of the season.

 

[Skeets]

Have to wonder why anyone would want that job. Have to win gold AND keep all the players, and worse, the fans, happy.

Kinda of like the UConn HC job.

Some thoughts:

OK the DT haters can throw poop on me, but, and I'm going out on a limb here, and say no one on this board will ever see a WBB player win 7 basketball Olympic gold medals in their lifetimes. Think about that... The record will stand, maybe for all time.

Happy for the USA, a little sad for Gabby. About 6 inches from forcing an OT. Geez we were lucky. No other word for it.

So many missed layouts. Looked like a UConn game. USA should have made some of the layouts despite the physical contact.

God willing, we will have the best backcourt in Los Angles. As good, maybe better than Sue and DT.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

SO many turnovers and missed layups. France was playing extremely physically and it flustered the US all game

Game turned in the 3rd quarter when Reeve instantly pulled any guard that turned the ball over. Took a little better care of the ball and Aja came alive defensively enough for the US to get back in it

A lot of stars had rough games but made the plays when needed. Ugly win, but great team win to come back and bring home gold

Man, Gabby almost stole that game. Insane shot making down the stretch

The Fabulous One also started like a Tasmanian Devil on defense to start the game, and did not slack off during the rest of the game while in...

She appeared to take it hard that she stepped on the arc with her right foot (was well inside the arc with her left foot), but tried to get the foul against Stevie with no time on the clock, but the ref's were having none of that...

Gabby definitely put the team on her back for the start of the game, start of the third quarter, and at the end of the game. I believe everyone on the USA team was impressed with Gabby and happy to squeak out a one point victory to end the Olympic Games for 2024. Definitely a GREAT way to allow discussion for four more years in women's Sports!

Go Huskies!!! [including the alumni and their teammates!]

 

[The CDR-Ret]

I thought, in this game at least, that the US really missed Sue Bird or a similar good point guard. Gray and Young were ineffective. Phenomenal game by Gabby and the US is lucky it wasn't tied at the buzzer- a matter of inches. Felt bad rooting against a Husky, especially one who left all her heart on the court.

How about Paige & Hidalgo/Juju Watkins for 2028, alongside Ionescu?

 

[The deacon]

How about Paige & Hidalgo/Juju Watkins for 2028, alongside Ionescu?

You're figuring Caitlin Clark won't be ready in four years?

 

[ctkaiser]

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.

And if you're not going to play star players why not pick some role players who specialize in defense or shot blocking.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

In some ways Sue and DT created a developmental bottleneck for the USA - they outlived all the other guards that came after them - Kara, Whalen, etc. And from the 2018 WC on they have been searching for someone to come in claim a spot. Loyd has been a constant I think because no one has done enough to displace her, but otherwise ...

Young and Copper looked really good in stretches, as did Ionescu and Plum, but I don't know if they can clearly claim a spot. Gray didn't look good but if healthy may still be an option. And there are both college and recent graduates coming up the ranks, but it will be two years before we see the full team again for the WC and lots can change.

One of the issues I see coming is the decrease of players playing internationally - the earlier pools were full of US players that had gotten blooded in the international furnace so were use to the refs, the style of play, and the actual players they would see in the WC and Olympics. Thankfully the athletes have many more options for their off-season and a bit more money from their W contracts and endorsements, but are not getting that international exposure (and the age competitions are a pale comparison to national team play.)

Ionescu had one WC experience but that was the extent of her international experience as an adult having never played overseas for example. And I will be surprised if Clark or Buckers end up playing for an international team as neither will have a financial incentive.

Compare that to the players coming out of college from 2000-2015 when everyone made their money in Europe or Asia. Skylar's decision not to do so was big news in 2013.

A bigger issue is that the WC in 2026 is smack dab in the middle of the WNBA season right before the playoffs AND the US doesn't need qualify for the Olympics as the host country so we could very well be sending college players to that World Cup. I doubt the top players in the US will be able to take 2 weeks off from their WNBA season at the most important part of the year.

I'll also add that I don't think Sue and DT created a developmental bottleneck for team USA. I think their longevity highlights a larger developmental issue in the W for guards. There is an overabundance of elite post players and elite post play because that is the focus in the W and I think its a lot harder for guards to develop in that same way so there is less turnover on the national team/

 

[Dogdude]

Have to wonder why anyone would want that job. Have to win gold AND keep all the players, and worse, the fans, happy.

I'm thinking down the road, maybe keeping all these superstars on one team isn't necessarily the way to go. Get a strong starting 5, three hard core subs, and a few role players. Trying to keep everyone happy is more work than it's worth from what it looks like. Maybe the teamwork will be a lot better if everyone knows and accepts their role, instead of all the drives into coverage.

 

[Hayven]

Gabby played amazing today. Would not have been disappointed had she pulled this one off. But then the CC fans wouldn’t let this team live it down if they lost. Doesn’t this get Gabby another form of recognition with UConn WBB? Like a banner or something?
The physicality of the game is not surprising. That’s international basketball. Also what makes you think this is Cheryl’s last game? Lawson hasn’t proven herself yet and there are no other options.

 

[Blond D.]

I imagine a lot of people will disagree with me but it won't be the first time. I didn't think the best 12 WNBA players were selected for the Olympics. Some got there by rep only.

 

[uconnfan68]

I'm thinking down the road, maybe keeping all these superstars on one team isn't necessarily the way to go. Get a strong starting 5, three hard core subs, and a few role players. Trying to keep everyone happy is more work than it's worth from what it looks like. Maybe the teamwork will be a lot better if everyone knows and accepts their role, instead of all the drives into coverage.

I’m fine with the best earning their way on the team. And I can’t remember when a team was too selfish to compete. The WNBA schedule is a big problem.

 

[fomalhaut]

As a side note, how amazing was it to see all our Huskies all over women's basketball. USA, France and Cannada.

Not 3x3, though. They should have had Bueckers on the 3x3 team.

 

[ashfan]

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.

The US coaching was (to put it politely) bewildering. In my mind I award France a gold medal for heroic effort.

 

[UCTitleTown]

If Taurasi wasn't going to play, they should've selected Caitlin Clark.

 

[UcMiami]

I'll also add that I don't think Sue and DT created a developmental bottleneck for team USA. I think their longevity highlights a larger developmental issue in the W for guards. There is an overabundance of elite post players and elite post play because that is the focus in the W and I think its a lot harder for guards to develop in that same way so there is less turnover on the national team/

I also think there just aren't enough great true point guards that prefer assists to points. USA wants to play inside out, riding their posts, which requires great passing. Most WNBA guards are more interested in scoring first and dishing second, and have a hard time throttling that down when they get invited to camp. I understand that points = dollars professionally, but being a streaky shooter in the W and winning three out of every four games doesn't equal a gold medal - at best it gets you silver and at worst you lose the first one and end up out of the competition. You can ride a hot hand in a game but you can't depend on one in a single elimination tournament.

 

[chocher]

I think Paige, Caitlin and if healthy Azzi.. will be a really good trio of guards.. all 3 have experience with USA.. they will all be already playing in the WNBA by 2028.