Olympic Team Announced | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Olympic Team Announced

Millenial23 said:
What is the difference between a wing and a combo guard? Real question.
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Real (attempt) at an answer:

  • A combo guard generally refers to a guard that can comfortably be both a point/lead guard (1) and a shooting/off guard (2). Orangutan duly noted that Diana T., S D-S, Gray all can comfortably fill both these roles.
  • For old(er) guys like me, the wing (3) was a small forward. Now that teams are going to more three-guard sets, it could be the taller guard, who can hit the boards, drive, help out inside. I think Jewell Loyd is actually the wing/off-guard (3-2) combo on this team. (Atkins is 5'8").

What messes this up a bit these days is you have a few players that can slide into multiple roles. Looking at my alma mater, Marina Mabrey and Jackie Young are wings that can take over lead roles for a bit, as well as fill the shooting guard role.

My guess is you'll see a lot of sets with two bigs and three of these guards on the floor.
 
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CocoHusky said:
www.usab.com

USA 3x3 Women’s National Team

www.usab.com www.usab.com
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Like @Orangutan, I can't imagine the four people on this qualifying team (that you posted) not going to Tokyo at this point. However, they're still labeled as the "qualifying team" (as opposed to the team, like the 5x5 is now). My gut is they'll let the 5x5 get some air time, then announce the 3x3.
 
Dillon77 said:
  • The wing (3) was for old guys like me was a small forward. Now that teams are going to more three-guard sets, it could be the taller guard, who can hit the boards, drive, help out inside. I think Jewell Loyd is actually the wing/off-guard (3-2) combo on this team. (Atkins is 5'8").
My guess is you'll see a lot of sets with two bigs and three of these guards on the floor.
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I would have sworn that Atkins was at least 5'10. At 5'8 she is more suited to the 2 for sure.

Still a different skill set than the other guards. Gives you a "3 and D" option as opposed to the others who are accustomed to having the ball in their hands a lot.
 
Well deserved congrats to everyone. And congrats to the rest of the team!

Side note - if the 3x3 team holds, UCONN will have 7 women's basketball representatives in the Olympics - adding in Dolson and Samuelson.

EDD and Nneka being injured opened up 2 spots. I am sure a health EDD wold have replaced Atikins. I wonder who they would have chosen had Nneka been healthy... Would have been interesting for sure. Also will be curious about the future - if/when EDD becomes healthy again, do they then remove Atkins? What about Nneka?

Atkins seems like an easy choice. But choosing between Phee and Nneka - much harder. Certainly a glut at the PF position. It will also be interesting to see what happens with Sabrina - she's back from her injury but was not in the pool this time around...
 
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Millenial23 said:
No EDD... guess she's still recovering from injury/surgery...
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Only my opinion, but it seems like she is ALWAYS recovering from something. Me thinks she has long had a problem with commitment. Nor making a joke here about her UConn tenure, that is only one example. Also, not discounting her Lyme disease issue. She had, and still has, potent talent on the floor. I would have loved to see her play as a full-time player. I better stop here.
 
JavaMan said:
Only my opinion, but it seems like she is ALWAYS recovering from something. Me thinks she has long had a problem with commitment. Nor making a joke here about her UConn tenure, that is only one example. Also, not discounting her Lyme disease issue. She had, and still has, potent talent on the floor. I would have loved to see her play as a full-time player. I better stop here.
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EDD?...Early Departure Disease?
 
Nneka screwed again. Insanity. Too many guards and her omission inconsistent with their preferences of involvement plus skill, and at least one other person selected is currently injured so inconsistent application of that aspect.
 
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JavaMan said:
Only my opinion, but it seems like she is ALWAYS recovering from something. Me thinks she has long had a problem with commitment. Nor making a joke here about her UConn tenure, that is only one example. Also, not discounting her Lyme disease issue. She had, and still has, potent talent on the floor. I would have loved to see her play as a full-time player. I better stop here.
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Mostly she has a long time problem with her back and with Lyme.

She's played full-time enough to twice win WNBA MVP so I don't understand the "would have loved" phrasing.
 
EricLA said:
Well deserved congrats to everyone. And congrats to the rest of the team!

Side note - if the 3x3 team holds, UCONN will have 7 women's basketball representatives in the Olympics - adding in Dolson and Samuelson.

EDD and Nneka being injured opened up 2 spots. I am sure a health EDD wold have replaced Atikins. I wonder who they would have chosen had Nneka been healthy... Would have been interesting for sure. Also will be curious about the future - if/when EDD becomes healthy again, do they then remove Atkins? What about Nneka?

Atkins seems like an easy choice. But choosing between Phee and Nneka - much harder. Certainly a glut at the PF position. It will also be interesting to see what happens with Sabrina - she's back from her injury but was not in the pool this time around...
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I don't think Nneka's injury was bad enough to preclude selection. Based on her social media post, Chiney certainly didn't think so.
 
Orangutan said:
She's played full-time enough to twice win WNBA MVP so I don't understand the "would have loved" phrasing.
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I think he meant just overall less injuries/ less missed time. Though she did play in 85% of her possible reg season games from 15-19.

Just now though - last two years back to nothing so far. She's such a great talent. Not blaming her one bit.
 
Orangutan said:
I don't think Nneka's injury was bad enough to preclude selection. Based on her social media post, Chiney certainly didn't think so.
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Well that certainly absolves Geno from all the accusations of favoritism during the last Olympics 5 years ago. Some fans, especially Tenn fans, went ballistic. (this is not directed at you)...

We all knew that it was NOT the head coach who chose the team, but rather the committee - which the HC sits on. Yet this time around, it was Nneka who was left off in favor of Pheesa (it appears). Yet they can't blame putting a 5th UCONN player on the roster on Geno.

Still congrats to everyone. Side note - not sure how Nneka was "screwed" as voiced by one poster. Were any of the terrific players in the pool who did not make the team "screwed"? I just don't get the "Nneka got screwed" sentiment. How exactly was she screwed? Is Pheesa a bad choice for the team? Is Phee not deserving? Did she not earn her way onto the team with her outstanding play and team mentality?
 
Fairfield Fan said:
Ionescu will be there for sure next time. Amazing talent.
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This is the biggest surprise to me. WOW! But I suppose that it would have been either Sue or De being dropped for Sabrina. Maybe Sabrina and Nneka are alternates. Are there alternates?
 
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DeeHusky said:
Unpopular opinion: Diana & Sue should let someone else have those spots
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I could maybe see this argument for Dee as she hasn't played, but Sue is top 4 in the WNBA in assists and has the best assist to turnover ratio. You also can't discount the experience and on court coaching she brings to the game. She has earned this spot.
 
EricLA said:
Well that certainly absolves Geno from all the accusations of favoritism during the last Olympics 5 years ago. Some fans, especially Tenn fans, went ballistic. (this is not directed at you)...

We all knew that it was NOT the head coach who chose the team, but rather the committee - which the HC sits on. Yet this time around, it was Nneka who was left off in favor of Pheesa (it appears). Yet they can't blame putting a 5th UCONN player on the roster on Geno.

Still congrats to everyone. Side note - not sure how Nneka was "screwed" as voiced by one poster. Were any of the terrific players in the pool who did not make the team "screwed"? I just don't get the "Nneka got screwed" sentiment. How exactly was she screwed? Is Pheesa a bad choice for the team? Is Phee not deserving? Did she not earn her way onto the team with her outstanding play and team mentality?
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feel free to look at Chiney Ogwumike's Twitter listing facts about Nneka. Also if the injury issue were a factor then Taurasi should not have been selected either.
 
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I am ready…This is going to be Stewie coming out Olympic Party…Once she takes over that opens everything else for everyone else…Other teams won’t and can’t defend her…I better order my Jersey now!
 
The most interesting thing to me is with all the available talent, they did not a pick a true natural SF. I don't think it will be a problem because Pheesa (a 3/4) and Atkins (2/3) can play there depending on what is needed. With more star power at the bigs, Dawn may not be so worried about rebounds or interior defense, and just go with a three guard lineup with lots of three point threats. No matter what combination of players she uses at the 4 and 5, with Stewart, Wilson, Griner, Fowles and Charles, any pair should be dominant against their competition.
 
I wonder whether some choices were made of players who are teammates and therefore can more quickly work in synch with each other. The team has very little time to prepare and familiarity would be an advantage.

Seattle: Sue, Breanna, Jewell
Washington: Tina, Ariel
Phoenix: Diana, Skylar, Brittney
Minnesota: Sylvia, Napheesa
Las Vegas: Aja, Chelsea
 
JavaMan said:
This is the biggest surprise to me. WOW! But I suppose that it would have been either Sue or De being dropped for Sabrina. Maybe Sabrina and Nneka are alternates. Are there alternates?
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I believe the 3 x 3 official team, and possible alternates for 5 x 5 will be announced on Wed/Thur this week.
 
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