If You Had to Choose Today...

[easttexastrash]

who would be the starters for the Olympic team? I think that DT and Maya are obvious choices.

 

[msf22b]

EDD, Stewie and Griner? + your 2….no real 1

 

[EricLA]

It's not just about "who are the best players from the USA" or "who is currently scoring the most". It's more about constructing a team of probably the best US players, but honestly, I'd leave Ogwumike off the team in favor of a more versatile player like Stewie. I also think as of right now, Catchings doesn't make the team (injury - if she comes back, not sure how "good" she will be). But for now I'm still putting Siemone on it... she's younger than Catch and probably will have an easier time coming back from injury...

Bird
Whalen
DT
Angel
EDD
Maya
Siemone (if not her, Diggins)
Parker
Stewie
Tina
Brit
Fowles

If Catch plays, honestly I'd replace Fowles with her. In 2 years when I think BIrd is not on the team, I'd put Diggins there.

 

[easttexastrash]

It's not just about "who are the best players from the USA" or "who is currently scoring the most". It's more about constructing a team of probably the best US players, but honestly, I'd leave Ogwumike off the team in favor of a more versatile player like Stewie. I also think as of right now, Catchings doesn't make the team (injury - if she comes back, not sure how "good" she will be). But for now I'm still putting Siemone on it... she's younger than Catch and probably will have an easier time coming back from injury...

Bird
Whalen
DT
Angel
EDD
Maya
Siemone (if not her, Diggins)
Parker
Stewie
Tina
Brit
Fowles

If Catch plays, honestly I'd replace Fowles with her. In 2 years when I think BIrd is not on the team, I'd put Diggins there.

Prince cannot play for the US, correct?

Who would have thought a year ago that Diggins would be in the discussion after she struggled in her rookie season. I admire her for the amount of work she has put in to devel0p her game.

 

[JoePgh]

Courtney Vandersloot has to be considered as a PG, ahead of Diggins in my opinion.

I think Nneka has to be on the team -- ahead of Augustus. Tend to agree about Catchings. Bird also may be a question mark. I'm not sure that Stewie is ready yet for the physicality of the international game -- she should prove that in the WNBA (as Elena has) before she makes the Olympic team, in my opinion. There can be no question about Nneka's readiness on that measure.

But the question was the starting lineup in two years. My choices:

Griner
Parker (or Tina?)
Moore (or EDD?)
Taurasi
Whalen (or CVS?)

Regarding Taurasi and Griner, I don't think there can be much doubt, barring injuries of course. There can be some doubt about the other three starters, as noted.

I think that one element missing from both your proposed roster and my proposed revisions is a really fast, penetrating, defensively formidable guard. Diggins would satisfy that requirement, but so would Cappie Pondexter if the issues in her past can be overcome. So would Prince. Even Bria Hartley might be considered.

 

[rocky rococo]

Best US PG at this point in time? (Besides Taurasi?) D-Rob, Danielle Robinson of San Antonio, formerly of Oklahoma.

 

[Vowelguy]

US needs to start developing next generation of PGs. Cappie would be unlikely to be back in 2020, so I think team has gotta go with Vandersloot or someone else young.

 

[easttexastrash]

Best US PG at this point in time? (Besides Taurasi?) D-Rob, Danielle Robinson of San Antonio, formerly of Oklahoma.

Good choice. She is really speedy, as well.

 

[DaddyChoc]

BG... "hands down"

 

[easttexastrash]

BG... "hands down"

You are just saying that to suck up to me, aren't you?

 

[RadyLady]

Courtney Vandersloot has to be considered as a PG, ahead of Diggins in my opinion.

I think Nneka has to be on the team -- ahead of Augustus. Tend to agree about Catchings. Bird also may be a question mark. I'm not sure that Stewie is ready yet for the physicality of the international game -- she should prove that in the WNBA (as Elena has) before she makes the Olympic team, in my opinion. There can be no question about Nneka's readiness on that measure.

But the question was the starting lineup in two years. My choices:

Griner
Parker (or Tina?)
Moore (or EDD?)
Taurasi
Whalen (or CVS?)

Regarding Taurasi and Griner, I don't think there can be much doubt, barring injuries of course. There can be some doubt about the other three starters, as noted.

I think that one element missing from both your proposed roster and my proposed revisions is a really fast, penetrating, defensively formidable guard. Diggins would satisfy that requirement, but so would Cappie Pondexter if the issues in her past can be overcome. So would Prince. Even Bria Hartley might be considered.

Stewie has seen plenty of international competition in the FIBA

 

[easttexastrash]

Stewie has seen plenty of international competition in the FIBA

But hasn't she been playing against players her own age who are not nearly as physically mature as what she would face in the Olympics. Having said that, I think she could play against anybody and I would not hesitate to put her on the national team.

 

[johnnyc]

EDD, Stewie and Griner? + your 2….no real 1

So that would make it....


DT
Maya
Griner
Stewart
EDD

I like it just for the fact it will drive Tenn fans nuts......

 

[RadyLady]

But hasn't she been playing against players her own age who are not nearly as physically mature as what she would face in the Olympics. Having said that, I think she could play against anybody and I would not hesitate to put her on the national team.

two words - Maya Moore

 

[ucdt3]

PG - Bird, Whalen
SG - Taurasi, McCoughtry, Augustus
SF - Moore, Delle Donne
PF - Parker, Stewart
C - Charles, Fowles (if healthy), Griner

* - if Fowles unable then spot to the best available young combo guard (someone who can run point but also hit 3s, penetrate, and defend).

 

[easttexastrash]

PG - Bird, Whalen
SG - Taurasi, McCoughtry, Augustus
SF - Moore, Delle Donne
PF - Parker, Stewart
C - Charles, Fowles (if healthy), Griner

* - if Fowles unable then spot to the best available young combo guard (someone who can run point but also hit 3s, penetrate, and defend).

This list cannot be accurate. There are only 5 UCONN players.

 

[easttexastrash]

So that would make it....


DT
Maya
Griner
Stewart
EDD

I like it just for the fact it will drive Tenn fans nuts.

I don't see any chance that Stewart gets the nod over Parker.

 

[easttexastrash]

two words - Maya Moore

Not sure what that means, but OK.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'm goung to answer a different question: who should nake the 2014 team for Turkey? Projecting to 2016 is really tough.

Two months ago, I would have taken the 2012 team, dropped Swin and Asjha and added Elena and Stewie. I'd take Stewie over Griner because of her outside shooting and versatility. On the other hand, if I think Australia is our biggest challenge, I'm concerned about Cambage, and I think Britney can stop her, I take Griner.

Looking at the 10 remaining players, after Swin and Asjha are dropped, there are questions on several. There also are questions--good or bad--on others.

Maya--a lock, will be one of the leaders

Parker--same as Maya, but still a finesse-only player

Diana--seems to be over injuries, still clutch and maybe the best

Lindsay--playing well, a lock

Sue--aging, with lower numbers, but looks fit and is clutch and a leader

Angel--uber-talented, but is the chemistry right?

Catch--aging and injured: great player in her prime, now problematic

Syl--injured and may be rusty

Tina--play in last 2 WNBA seasons has dropped off

Seimone--a lock unless injury is serious

Others:

Stewie--lacks strength and experience, but the ultimate matchup problem

Elena--a lock if healthy

Nneka--numbers seem to be down, team is losing; a future player or Nigerian

Chiney--offensive skills not varied enough: a future player or Nigerian

Skylar--playing much better now, a possible future player

Cappie--passed over before, may be disinterested

Dupree--if healthy, gets a look

Griner--playing well this year, has a string chance; a lock if Syl is hurt

I'm sure I offended someone. But not intentionally.

 

[easttexastrash]

I'm goung to answer a different question: who should nake the 2014 team for Turkey? Projecting to 2016 is really tough.

Two months ago, I would have taken the 2012 team, dropped Swin and Asjha and added Elena and Stewie. I'd take Stewie over Griner because of her outside shooting and versatility. On the other hand, if I think Australia is our biggest challenge, I'm concerned about Cambage, and I think Britney can stop her, I take Griner.

Looking at the 10 remaining players, after Swin and Asjha are dropped, there are questions on several. There also are questions--good or bad--on others.

Maya--a lock, will be one of the leaders

Parker--same as Maya, but still a finesse-only player

Diana--seems to be over injuries, still clutch and maybe the best

Lindsay--playing well, a lock

Sue--aging, with lower numbers, but looks fit and is clutch and a leader

Angel--uber-talented, but is the chemistry right?

Catch--aging and injured: great player in her prime, now problematic

Syl--injured and may be rusty

Tina--play in last 2 WNBA seasons has dropped off

Seimone--a lock unless injury is serious

Others:

Stewie--lacks strength and experience, but the ultimate matchup problem

Elena--a lock if healthy

Nneka--numbers seem to be down, team is losing; a future player or Nigerian

Chiney--offensive skills not varied enough: a future player or Nigerian

Skylar--playing much better now, a possible future player

Cappie--passed over before, may be disinterested

Dupree--if healthy, gets a look

Griner--playing well this year, has a string chance; a lock if Syl is hurt

I'm sure I offended someone. But not intentionally.

Will Geno be coaching the team in Turkey?

 

[MilfordHusky]

Will Geno be coaching the team in Turkey?

Absolutely.

 

[easttexastrash]

Absolutely.

In that case, BG is a lock. I think that she and EDD are two players that he truly wants a chance to coach.

 

[MilfordHusky]

In that case, BG is a lock. I think that she and EDD are two players that he truly wants a chance to coach.

Agreed, but he doesn't choose (directly). I think she makes it, but perhaps mostly because of Syl's injury.

The last few cuts are tough. I have nothing against the O sisters, but I have them at about 15, and the roster has only 12. I have BG at 11-13.

 

[RadyLady]

Not sure what that means, but OK.

It means that in answer to your post

But hasn't she been playing against players her own age who are not nearly as physically mature as what she would face in the Olympics. Having said that, I think she could play against anybody and I would not hesitate to put her on the national team.

specifically the portion in bold lettering: Maya Moore was one of twenty players named to the national team pool. Although she was still in college, she was selected to be a member of the National team representing the USA at the World Championships held in September and October of 2010. (She graduated in 2011)

The only difference being that Maya was a senior when she was asked to the pool for the world championships, and Stewie would be a junior...almost...if she is asked.

 

[HuskeySlim]

I forget when it was, but Stewie was playing with other ladies who were much older than her, and most everyone said Stewie was by far the best player. Stewie IS physical enough, and talented enough to play, and start for the USA.

To me this situation puts Geno in a wonderful situation. No, he does not pick the team, but he does pick the rotation. Gosh, there are some fantastic ladies to choose from.

Imagine EDD, Stewie , and Maya playing at the same time. You could have 'Sloot and EDD playing together.
Whalen and Maya. Candace Parker has got to in there somewhere.

What a luxury for Geno