I can understand Candace being disrespected. But Team USA is looking for loyalty, flexibility, and toughness, perhaps even more than ability. Candace is a finesse player who doesn't like physical contact, so she often plays "small." I think it's a legitimate question: If you have to take 3 of Charles, Parker, Delle Donne, and Stewart, whom do you take? Tina is strong and can play the 4 and 5; Elena is a world-class shooter; and Stewie is more versatile and a better shooter, as well as the future of Team USA. By a narrow margin, Candace finishes 4th.
Loyalty—as she noted, she sacrificed a lot of time with her daughter for USA basketball over the years. Not to mention being a major face in promos and other facets. She had been regularly involved with USA basketball since 2003 or 2004.
Flexibility-kind of goes with loyalty. As mentioned, she has been consistently involved with USA basketball since a teenager. Also in regards to flexibility on the court, she’s the most skilled all around player on the roster. Exceptional passer, ball handler, finisher, can put the ball on the floor and shoots a good percentage from the perimeter. Good rebounder and shot blocker.
Toughness-played through 2 shoulder injuries to help lead Tennessee to a title in 2008. Has consistently put up huge numbers in important playoff games all throughout her career. Has hit numerous clutch shots and game winners her entire career.
Of those 4 players, Parker is the first one I’d take. No one has the unique skill set she does. Stewart in many ways is like a younger Parker and has a ton of upside, so she’d be my second choice. Then Charles, and dump Delle Donne. Elena is seemingly always injured or sitting out for one various reason or another. She’s far from a player I’d consider tough. Her commitment level has been regularly questioned throughout the years. She has never played year round and has never played with much passion. You don’t see that same drive in her to be great even though she’s as skilled as anyone. You also don’t need a world class shooter at the 4 when you have Bird and Taurasi in the backcourt. In regards to flexibility, Elena has threatened to sit out if she wasn’t traded to a specific team. Same with Fowles and Charles. Parker never has.
I think it’s strikingly clear that the reason Candace was left off was political. She didn’t get along with Geno. Maybe she had beef with others at USA basketball so she didn’t get a spot. Maybe she did something horrible we don’t know about. But toughness, loyalty, flexibility, and most of all, ability, were not reasons to exclude Candace.
