If You Had to Choose Today...

[MilfordHusky]

Stewie has "played up" a lot but not against a senior team yet.

There are some combinations that are almost too good to be true. Elena and Maya; Stewie and Tina; Diana and anyone.

 

[blackbird]

Bird starts because of history. That's just how the Olympics is done. (everyone remember Dawn Staley before her.)
DT
Maya
Candace
Brit

 

[easttexastrash]

BG with 28 points and 6 blocks tonight.Her offensive game is a thing of beauty right now. She is much improved in several areas this season. No way she gets left off the team.

1st in blocks at 3.3 bpg
2nd in efficiency at +24.6 (behind only Maya)
3rd in FG% at 62%
8th in scoring at 17.4 PPG and trending upward
8th in rebounding at 8.6 rpg
83% FT shooting

 

[easttexastrash]

Glory Johnson is a player that will also get a serious look. She has vastly improved her offensive game and range on her jumper and really has a nose for the ball and is relentless on the boards. I am super impressed with her development.

 

[DriveLH]

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.

Stewart played in the PanAm games while in high school. All the other players on Team USA were college seniors. So much for age-group!

 

[easttexastrash]

Stewart played in the PanAm games while in high school. All the other players on Team USA were college seniors. So much for age-group!

I've stated that I think she can play against anyone in the world. Your reply seems to imply that I don't feel that she can. I was only responding to the comment about her international play.

 

[ctmom04]

BG with 28 points and 6 blocks tonight.Her offensive game is a thing of beauty right now. She is much improved in several areas this season. No way she gets left off the team.

1st in blocks at 3.3 bpg
2nd in efficiency at +24.6 (behind only Maya)
3rd in FG% at 62%
8th in scoring at 17.4 PPG and trending upward
8th in rebounding at 8.6 rpg
83% FT shooting

I agree. BG is an absolute lock.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Stewart wil be on the team because she is considered the future of the USA team together with EDD and Griner. I see the US taking those 3 over some veterans to give them experience

 

[easttexastrash]

Stewart wil be on the team because she is considered the future of the USA team together with EDD and Griner. I see the US taking those 3 over some veterans to give them experience

I thought EDD and BG were the future of USA BB. I think there are several young players that this tag can be put on. Is Stewart better than EDD?

But I agree that Stewart is a big part of the future for the USA.

 

[DaddyChoc]

BG with 28 points and 6 blocks tonight.Her offensive game is a thing of beauty right now. She is much improved in several areas this season. No way she gets left off the team.

1st in blocks at 3.3 bpg
2nd in efficiency at +24.6 (behind only Maya)
3rd in FG% at 62%
8th in scoring at 17.4 PPG and trending upward
8th in rebounding at 8.6 rpg
83% FT shooting

case closed

 

[johnnyc]

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

eh.....that's not the point.

 

[j66kicker]

I thought EDD and BG were the future of USA BB. I think there are several young players that this tag can be put on. Is Stewart better than EDD?

But I agree that Stewart is a big part of the future for the USA.

Yes

 

[easttexastrash]

eh.....that's not the point.

What's the point?

 

[Vowelguy]

Augustus out of tonight's game because of bursitis. I don't know much about bursitis, but does not seem like a good thing for a professional athlete to have.

Does this accelerate her retirement and keep her out of 2016?

 

[MilfordHusky]

This season is strange. Some players have really upped their games. Diggins, Paris, and Johnson on Tulsa are examples. On the other hand, Tina is playing well, but not dominating as she used to.

Injuries, illness, and rust may play a big role in who makes the 2014 team for Turkey. Seimone has an injury. Sylvia was out for a while. Elena is struggling with Lyme's Disease. Catch hasn't played this season.

Knock on wood, Diana, Sue, Maya, Lindsay, and Candace seem healthy.

 

[easttexastrash]

Augustus out of tonight's game because of bursitis. I don't know much about bursitis, but does not seem like a good thing for a professional athlete to have.

Does this accelerate her retirement and keep her out of 2016?

I've had bursitis and it was crazy painful.

 

[msf22b]

Nan and the staff wanted to change my moniker to "contrarian."
Haven't been so for a while but I think I woke up on the wrong side this morn and feeling my old self.
Been thinking, dreaming, musing about Ms.Sue

We are speaking about 2+ years from now;

Sue and Diana have both had serious injuries, are not getting any younger have 2 and a half WNBA seasons and a pair of tough European campaigns which neither will be unlikely to forgo; their last big paydays as careers wind down.

Tina seems a tad less motivated and dominant (not age related).

One or more of them may retire, be sidelined by injury or simply be outplayed.
Suppose the best points of 2016 are Skylar and Mo; not impossible.

My point: a few, at least of the 30-something all-stars, I've mentioned plus other familiar names Whalen, Sylvia, Catchings, Candice D could find themselves steps slower and/or outplayed by the next generation

The changing of the guard may be more at hand then we anticipate.

Ed: I was writing this as Milford posted, not exactly the same point but not completely dissimilar either. I didn't see his post until mine was placed.

 

[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).

My team above is the World Team; however, players still active in the playoffs won't be available for Worlds. That will play a big part in what the team looks like. Regular season ends Aug 17 and Worlds start Sept 27 (my bday!!). If Pho/Atl WNBA final, that means no Taurasi, Griner, and McCoughtry which opens up spots for bubble players like Pondexter, Diggins, Robinson, Sims, Ogwumike, McBride, KML, and Johnson.

Would still be my Olympic team as of today, but obviously a LOT can and will happen 2 years from now.

But you're hearing it NOW (so mark it down), one of Bird/Whalen will NOT be on the final roster for the 2016 Olympics. Their spot will go to one of the young PGs that will need to be groomed for 2020. Especially since DT can handle back-up PG duties as well.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

If KML comes back strong next year and leads the nation in three point shooting again... I think she should get some consideration.

DT, Sue, Maya, Stewie, KML, and Tina potentially,...... I see these are potential UCONN players on the team.
EDD, Parker, BG, the O Sisters and then one more.. probably another point guard.

 

[MilfordHusky]

General question: Do you pick someone who has had a breakout half-season in the WNBA or someone who is a proven, experienced star who is past her peak? I guess it depends on the specifics.

In the last 2 months, Skylar has played about as well as anyone, but is she ready for the bigger stage? I don't know. If she plays really well for another 2 years, I think she makes the Olympic team.

Are the O sisters in the U.S. pool, or are they considering the Nigerian team?

I think illness and injury may well give Stewie a slot.

Elena's illness may create an opening for a shooter. Calling KML.

 

[easttexastrash]

The US needs to prepare a PG for the future so I think Diggins makes the team. Vandersloot is a very good guard but Skylar has more offensive skill.