An Ugly Win for USA WBB for the Gold Medal | Page 3 | The Boneyard

An Ugly Win for USA WBB for the Gold Medal

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REB1094 said:
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
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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!]
 
Cheddie said:
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.
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How about Paige & Hidalgo/Juju Watkins for 2028, alongside Ionescu?
 
CL82 said:
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.
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And if you're not going to play star players why not pick some role players who specialize in defense or shot blocking.
 
UcMiami said:
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.
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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/
 
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uconnfan68 said:
Have to wonder why anyone would want that job. Have to win gold AND keep all the players, and worse, the fans, happy.
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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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
Dogdude said:
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.
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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.
 
oldude said:
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.
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The US coaching was (to put it politely) bewildering. In my mind I award France a gold medal for heroic effort.
 
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GirlBoo1020 said:
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/
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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.
 
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.
 
tchalla1 said:
Again, I point out: France shot zero free throws in the first half. Zero.
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The US was not generally as physical as the French were. I wonder where this is going. The women's game is allowed to be far more physical than the men's game. The games resemble 1980's NBA games. Bill Laimbeer should coach.
 
Dogstar said:
Soooo much truth in this post, I'd go as far as to say tht it's an understatement
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I think Reeve did a great job. She had 3 guards who did nothing and 3 inexperienced guards that she had to manage through an Olympic gold medal game - and they managed to win. How much more difficult could it possibly get?
 
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fang said:
I think Reeve did a great job. She had 3 guards who did nothing and 3 inexperienced guards that she had to manage through an Olympic gold medal game - and they managed to win. How much more difficult could it possibly get?
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She had a substantial say in the makeup of the team, those who were on it and those who weren't.
 
nwhoopfan said:
Trouble defending any of France's front court players. They all can shoot 3s and are all more mobile than BG.
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MooseJaw said:
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."
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Wouldn't BG have loved to have played against Russia in the Olympics this year?
 
tchalla1 said:
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.
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Despite taking 34 foul shots to France's 13, the USA got mugged!? I think some people here have had their eyeballs mugged by too much USA!USA! Very,very fortunate win. France deserved better.
 
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Love 8 straight. eight straight. Eight straight. Guys on ESPN had an interesting take that if USA lost there would have been a firestorm of why no CC. But they felt that the player's that lost would have had to keep hearing about it. And as the league leaders this could have led to resentment. Resentment against Clark. For example, in the back of DT's mind if USA were to have lost would there have been questions why she didn't play? While she might not have said anything - why wouldn't this be brought up? If there is one thing that Dt still has other than court presence is physical toughness.

Secondly, anyone thinking Paige along with Clark won't be pg.’s in the next Olympics is out of their minds.

And just want to shout out to the team. Eight straight is amazing. Four years ago Japan over reached. This year France did an amazing job. Home court can mean a lot. Expect the Olympic championships to keep on coming.
 
I'm just not a fan of the way that game was allowed to be played today. I know it is FIBA rules but I am a fan of freedom of movement. If I wanted to see a hockey game, I would just go to a hockey game. For me, basketball is like a well choreographed dance at its best. This was if you can't beat them, beat them up.

The technical issue for me though was the guards dribbling too much... when the refs are allowing that much fouling, you have to pass...you can't just dribble into the hacking and body checking.
 
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Dogdude said:
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.
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You know it would be even better? Sending, oh I don't know, maybe high school players? I mean, they'd all be really grateful to be there and would probably be willing to accept any role.
 
fang said:
I think Reeve did a great job. She had 3 guards who did nothing and 3 inexperienced guards that she had to manage through an Olympic gold medal game - and they managed to win. How much more difficult could it possibly get?
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I like Reeve quite a bit as a coach, but this was not a shining moment for her. She seemed to take the same approach that one would take coaching an All-Star game. Essentially letting players go out and do what they do. Listen to her quotes after the game. She seems to say as much.
 
CL82 said:
I like Reeve quite a bit as a coach, but this was not a shining moment for her. She seemed to take the same approach that one would take coaching an All-Star game. Essentially letting players go out and do what they do. Listen to her quotes after the game. She seems to say as much.
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Agreed. I'm scratching my head at anyone that thinks she did a good job today, though I do like Reeves in the WNBA.

Not playing Griner after she was quite effective in her very limited time in the first half was puzzling. Not playing Sabrina when the offense actually looked functional for the first time all game when she was in. Keeping Young in with 4 fouls. Benching the most experienced guards on the roster when the backcourt looked like they were going to throw up in the first half. Playing Plum over Stewie in the 4th quarter. The coaching is the main reason that was a close game imo.
 
Mike Tirico said in post game that DT had a bad back!
My ? is why didn't Loyd get playing time? Was she hurt also?
Also was Griner dinged up!
Cheryl Reeve was saying the USA Olympic HC's prayer, "Please God don't let me F this up!" She looked shell-shocked on the sideline!
WBB, world wide has the worst refs of any sport! College, WNBA and FIBA!
IMHO USA played NOT TOO LOSE for some reason instead of to go all out attacking!
 
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