An Ugly Win for USA WBB for the Gold Medal

[fang]

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

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?

 

[huskyblooz]

Everyone is talking about adding Paige. Adding Caitiln,. Etc.
Why arent we talking about adding the best player on the court? Gabby Williams!

 

[cancontent]

Everyone is talking about adding Paige. Adding Caitiln,. Etc.
Why arent we talking about adding the best player on the court? Gabby Williams!

Think that boat has sailed considering how many times she's represented France now.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

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?

She had a substantial say in the makeup of the team, those who were on it and those who weren't.

 

[MilfordHusky]

The World Cup is in Berlin in 2026. Is anyone down?

 

[OldSchooler]

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

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."

Wouldn't BG have loved to have played against Russia in the Olympics this year?

 

[boontonbomber]

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.

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.

 

[hoophuskee]

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.

 

[DEpup]

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.

 

[CL82]

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.

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.

 

[CL82]

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?

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.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

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.

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.

 

[my2cents]

Our guard play the entire Olympics was questionable. Not having Clark was a huge mistake.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Our guard play the entire Olympics was questionable. Not having Clark was a huge mistake.

And yet... they managed to go undefeated and won a gold medal. I'll take mistakes like that any day of the week.

Comments like this make it hard to root for Clark and take her fanbase seriously tbh.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

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!

 

[Skeets]

According to some posters the Olympics should be a developmental league. Huh? I thought that was what the WNBA was supposed to be,

 

[ashfan]

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?

Most unimpressive gold medal imaginable! To me, Gabby was the gold medal winner.

 

[cohenzone]

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.

This ain’t diving or gymnastics. Perfection never counts in hoops. They were just good enough to beat quite a good team despite a tough outing.

 

[Viet Vet]

Ugliest first half of basketball since UConn men vs Butler in 2011 final.

 

[bbsamjj]

Our guard play the entire Olympics was questionable. Not having Clark was a huge mistake.

Except against France, the big issues for the team were turnovers and the physical play (And tons of missed shots). These are the biggest weaknesses for Clark right now in the WNBA (she is the league leader in turnovers, and it's not very close). I think if Clark was on the team she would have been on the bench, just like DT.

There is an argument that it would have been great to have her play in the earlier games, to get international experience. But I have a hard time believing she would have helped in the championship game, given the style.

Now, looking back, I would have loved to have had a K. McBride or A. Gray on the team, in lieu of Loyd (or DT).

 

[Gate81]

Underestimate Harmon at your own peril. If healthy I'd put money on her.

 

[my2cents]

And yet... they managed to go undefeated and won a gold medal. I'll take mistakes like that any day of the week.

Comments like this make it hard to root for Clark and take her fanbase seriously tbh.

I am hardly part of any Fanbase of Clarks. But not to recognize her talents, speaks to a total lack of basketball knowledge. Like many who post on here, you misunderstand the point. I wasn't talking about the team, just the general guard play.

 

[browns]

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.

Clark and Sabrina will be the point guards

 

[fang]

Sigh...This site used to be a refuge from the CC stans. Apparently, the virus continues to spread unchecked.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

I am hardly part of any Fanbase of Clarks. But not to recognize her talents, speaks to a total lack of basketball knowledge. Like many who post on here, you misunderstand the point. I wasn't talking about the team, just the general guard play.

One can recognize her talents and realize the Olympics wouldn't have played well into her skill set. The guard play in general was an issue but there are players more suited to fill the weaknesses of the team (Allisha Gray, Kayla McBride, Aeriel Atkins) that I would have picked over Clark.

The largest issue with the backcourt, imo, was it was almost exclusively guards that need the ball in their hands to be effective. That led to a lot of over dribbling, turnovers, and no real offensive flow. We needed some 3 and D guards that excel in role player positions imo.