For those who criticize Sue Bird...

[EricLA]

There is a reason she's one of the greatest guards of all time, and why she's made so many US National and Olympic teams. I was watching her tonight and noticed something I'd not seen before...

Not only is she really good with the ball in making excellent decisions as the floor general, but even when she does not have the ball, she is constantly seemingly aware of EVERYTHING. Once she gives up the ball, she is still directing traffic and instructing players on where to be, etc etc.

I've never really seen anything like it. She's literally always coaching on the court. Whalen does not do that. Neither does Simms. But Sue seems to know and see everything. I'd never noticed it before and was muy impressed. It's probably one of the main reasons shes so great. Tip of the cap to you Sue!!

 

[JoePgh]

Kinda suggests that head coaching should be in her future, doesn't it? That may happen sooner than we (or she) thinks.

 

[Uconnphann]

There is a reason she's one of the greatest guards of all time, and why she's made so many US National and Olympic teams. I was watching her tonight and noticed something I'd not seen before...

Not only is she really good with the ball in making excellent decisions as the floor general, but even when she does not have the ball, she is constantly seemingly aware of EVERYTHING. Once she gives up the ball, she is still directing traffic and instructing players on where to be, etc etc.

I've never really seen anything like it. She's literally always coaching on the court. Whalen does not do that. Neither does Simms. But Sue seems to know and see everything. I'd never noticed it before and was muy impressed. It's probably one of the main reasons shes so great. Tip of the cap to you Sue!!

You really didn't have to write this--EVERYONE who KNOWS Sue knows she was always GENO"s floor general. She ALWAYS was looking at the defense or offense she was against and making on court adjustments--that not new. Those that believe Sims (notice only one M or we'll hear about it") is fasters, smarter, more capable of handling the physical elements of International play have not watched Sue in the Olympics YOOO these many years. Geno saw all you saw as he recruited her.
But I have seen a Sue who when she screws up (rarely) immediately makes a big play. She will take the BIG shot to win games. Everyone has a special guard--that's good, but we don't need or want anyone telling us Sue isn't the very best--do we???

 

[wallman]

Actually, I was glad you did write it Eric and thanks for the eyeball view from Istanbul.

 

[RadyLady]

You really didn't have to write this--EVERYONE who KNOWS Sue knows she was always GENO"s floor general. She ALWAYS was looking at the defense or offense she was against and making on court adjustments--that not new. Those that believe Sims (notice only one M or we'll hear about it") is fasters, smarter, more capable of handling the physical elements of International play have not watched Sue in the Olympics YOOO these many years. Geno saw all you saw as he recruited her.
But I have seen a Sue who when she screws up (rarely) immediately makes a big play. She will take the BIG shot to win games. Everyone has a special guard--that's good, but we don't need or want anyone telling us Sue isn't the very best--do we???

yes we do actually I think, with some folks thinking that she should be put out to pasture. It is these very intangibles that make her the great player that she is. At this point in the evening, I have only seen half of the game, but I have been watching Sue as she comes up the court with the ball, always drawing defenders and creating a big space to pass to the open player as the play is executed. She is one terrific player and IMO you cannot say enough good things about her, hoping that the naysayers will take a good look at her entire game and what she brings to the floor and perhaps come away with a different take, rather than just looking at a stat sheet and passing judgement.

Eric, great write up. thanks for posting!

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I'm not sure that I see this as a negative to Whalen or Sims as one poster indicated. With her experience and seniority, Sue Bird is a leader in a way that Whalen and Sims are not at this point. It isn't their time yet.

I do think that Sue's shot and athleticism are likely beginning to fade, but that is not a career end for an elite point guard. It isn't really the end for any elite player who can bring "something" to the game. Does anyone really think that someone like Staley or Teresa Edwards were the players they were before their last appearances. Of course not, but still able to contribute.

I for one expect Bird to be at the next Olympics and starting.

 

[UcMiami]

Eric - spot on. I also think it has to do with patience and tempo - she just has a feel for the correct pace her team needs to perform optimally and great patience to let a play develop. Whalen scored some big baskets and is doing a great job but she is occasionally pushing too hard and driving into trouble. Sims plays a similar game to Whalen but is even more impulsive as is Diggins - they are both playing in front of their team on occasion.
This was the an important lesson that Moriah learned her sophomore year - being the fastest person on the court is fun, but it is more fun to play at the same speed that your teammates are capable of playing most of the time.

 

[easttexastrash]

Bird does what Geno wants to have done. That's all that counts as long as he is the coach, and he is fairly good at coaching.

 

[watanabe]

Was great watchng the excellent coverage on Direct TV today. What fun. The talent was SO good. They even got Stewie in at the end for a shot. Kudos to the Australians, They played a good game.

 

[msf22b]

Whalen changed the complexion of the game with her 5 points on 2 successive plays.

I hear all the rationalizations (?) of Sue's meager stat line.
I don't think it's disparaging a wonderful, unique player to note that she's slowing down,
is less present on offense and slightly less likely to go for her shots.
And that quick guards are more troublesome for her to defend.
And that she disappeared for lots of minutes yesterday morning (Beijing time).

 

[EricLA]

Whalen changed the complexion of the game with her 5 points on 2 successive plays.

I hear all the rationalizations (?) of Sue's meager stat line.
I don't think it's disparaging a wonderful, unique player to note that she's slowing down,
is less present on offense and slightly less likely to go for her shots.
And that quick guards are more troublesome for her to defend.
And that she disappeared for lots of minutes yesterday morning (Beijing time).

You must have been watching a different game than I was. Sue disappearing for lots of minutes? Clearly you either missed the game or was not paying attention. Not only did she NOT disappear. but as I said, she was everywhere directing traffic and being a coach and general while on the court. And Whalen was beaten numerous times off the dribble by the Australian guards.

Whalen is a terrific PG and totally deserving of being on team USA. She brings a different dynamic and sometimes her physical aggressiveness is more suited to the tenor of a game than Sue's more finesse approach.

The thing that some like you seem to be missing is that the teams we are playing are not only very very good, but they also play together for much longer periods of time. The players Sue was guarding got open mainly because Australia set double, or even triple screens that Sue had to fight through. By the way, Lelaini Mitchell drained at least three 3-pointers while Whalen was guarding her, not Sue.

So seriously let's just stop with the criticisms. Sue averaged 10.6 PPG this season in the WNBA and for her career has averaged 12.2. That is hardly significant nor is it an indication that she's "slowing down" in the WNBA, or that her scoring pop has disappeared. On a team with Dee, Maya, Tina, Siemone, Angel, Nneka, Brit, etc etc, you have a group of some of the greatest players in the game right now. Sue hardly needs to score 20 points to be "effective" on the court.

 

[CTyankee]

From our view in the arena that the complexion of the game always changed when Sue was on the court. I agree with Eric that it's not something which has not been talked about. When she was on the court she commanded the players attention to running every play perfectly... A reflection of Geno's attention to detail which was missing when other guards were on the floor.

 

[Kibitzer]

Anybody who criticizes Sue Bird is just an old poop!

Same goes for her legendary teammates. Beyond category.

 

[UConnCat]

I mentioned to ThisJustin over breakfast how good Sue was last night doing exactly what eric talked about in his post. I, too, spent a good part of the evening focused on Sue, her movements, her instructions to her teammates, her efforts to keep her teammates calm and focused. She was terrific last night at making sure the team ran the right stuff in a game that was, for the most part, a half-court grind.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Sue is a great floor leader and calming influence on the court. However, she's also a defensive liability. Add in DT and Whalen, Team USA is only able to provide limited pressure on opposing team guards. USA needs to develop younger guards that have the offensive moxie & intelligence that Sue,DT and Whalen have but have the ability to provide defensive pressure. Sue is right for the team this year, not sure she will be in Rio.

Will be interesting to see how Spain's guards do in today's game and will Sancho Little have a monster game like Gruda did when France beat Team USA in the exhibition game.

I would like to see Geno and prospective 2016 Olympic Team members get together in 2015 prior to the Olympics.

BTW, I did predict a USA win today.

 

[UcMiami]

I keep hearing this defensive liability stuff and yet I don't see the guards being beaten in one on one play - yes there are plenty of ball screens that are not being played very well but that has little to do with an individual player and everything to do with coordinated team play - something hard to get perfect when you have limited time together as a team.
FYI - I think one of the major changes in international play is the lack of calls for moving screens - players are constantly sticking a hip out to impede a defender if not downright plowing one or two defenders away from the ball. It is only occasionally called.

 

[Icebear]

There is a reason she's one of the greatest guards of all time, and why she's made so many US National and Olympic teams. I was watching her tonight and noticed something I'd not seen before...

Not only is she really good with the ball in making excellent decisions as the floor general, but even when she does not have the ball, she is constantly seemingly aware of EVERYTHING. Once she gives up the ball, she is still directing traffic and instructing players on where to be, etc etc.

I've never really seen anything like it. She's literally always coaching on the court. Whalen does not do that. Neither does Simms. But Sue seems to know and see everything. I'd never noticed it before and was muy impressed. It's probably one of the main reasons shes so great. Tip of the cap to you Sue!!

She has done that for years, almost from the beginning. She is sometimes loader and more direct today but Sue has always seen and helped to guide the totality of the game. It is why teams play more balanced and smooth when she is on the floor.

 

[Icebear]

Sue is a great floor leader and calming influence on the court. However, she's also a defensive liability. Add in DT and Whalen, Team USA is only able to provide limited pressure on opposing team guards.

BTW, I did predict a USA win today.

Bull

 

[rugbymate]

What two things do Brit, DT, Tina and Maya have in common? They are starters for Team USA and finished in the top 10 in WNBA scoring. Sue Bird does not need to fill her stat sheet up with this crew on the floor but rather create the ball movement and floor spread to allow for best scoring opportunities. She does thi

 

[EricLA]

I'm with Ice. Anyone who says Sue is a defensive liability is either not watching, or not seeing. She literally had to fight through 3 consecutive screens to follow the player she was guarding around the court and she was sensational. Just because someone occasionally gets beaten off the dribble does NOT make them a defensive liability. People see her at 33 or whatever years of age and seem to want to put her out to pasture. Go watch her live and then you will see. Sue is phenomenal.

Sue played better defense than Lindsay last night. Mitchell scored all her points because Whalen couldn't stop her. Does that make Lindsay a defensive liability? Hardly. Mitchell was just shooting lights out. It happens. These players are the best in the world.

 

[warbler1055]

Wow!!!! Thank you Eric for writing what I have been thinking when watching the US-Australia game. Sue is in great shape and conditioning. She is fast both on offense and defense. Notice quick hand on the ball on defense. Amazed how the haters will hate!!! Or are they watching a different game?

 

[easttexastrash]

Wow!!!! Thank you Eric for writing what I have been thinking when watching the US-Australia game. Sue is in great shape and conditioning. She is fast both on offense and defense. Notice quick hand on the ball on defense. Amazed how the haters will hate!!! Or are they watching a different game?

I don't think anyone here "hates" Sue Bird. I think everyone has the utmost respect for what she adds to the team. It's like having Geno on the court running the offense.

Not too long ago there was a thread discussing Kamie Ethridge and her stature as one of the best PGs in WCBB history. Multiple posters brought up her stats to support their argument that she didn't belong in the conversation. Stats don't always tell the full story.

 

[UcMiami]

Just checked the cumulative stats for the three primary guards for USA on the Fiba site and while +/- is not a perfect stat especially in a single game, over 5 games and specific to PG play I think it is an indication of how well the team plays with each PG. Bird is at 16.6 average, DT is at 16, and Whalen is at 9.8. Obviously the 75 point win against Angola was a huge 'anomaly' and Bird and DT both ended that game with a +33 and Whalen 'only' had a +23 so that accounts for two points in Whalen's lower number. Additionally - the average minutes are 20 Bird, 21 Taurasi, and 16 Whalen - so that is another couple of points based on 20% less minutes for a team that averages a +20 (excluding the Angola game that has already been compensated for.)
So basically the three guards getting the significant are about equal in +/- with Bird leading the way.

 

[easttexastrash]

I bet I could lead the team in +/- if I got to play with Maya, DT, Tina and BG.

 

[hoophuskee]

I love these games because I get an appreciation for all the great players on this team. Sue Bird is legend - beyond legend. And I think Whalen is among some of the greatest pg's ever. I still beleive that Minny wins 3 straight if Whalen didn't get hurt. It's a pleasure to watch Sue and Lindsay and the entire team.