Olympic Team Announced

[diggerfoot]

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.

Some problems with this response:

1. While some may do as you suggest to look at C. Ogwumike’s Twitter, it is not our responsibility to do so, nor do I consider Twitter a good source for empirical reference, nor do I have a desire to use Twitter. In this case I suspect what is on that Twitter feed are several stats like efficiency or win shares that demonstrate NO’s worth, and it may indeed be the case that her worth surpasses Taurasi’s, but “go look it up” is a tactic used by many who gamble that will not happen. I don’t think that is the case here, but if you are passionate and certain enough about your case reliance on “go look it up” actually undermines it.

2. Your reply was in response to a claim that Auriemma can be absolved from bias. You are probably not addressing that at all, but certainly NO deserving to be on the team does not implicate Auriemma for keeping her off.

3. Taurasi has a small sternum fracture that she played with for a couple games before she was shut down for at least four weeks. That minimum of four weeks for a playable injury happens to be up today, the day of the announcement. NO has an injury that cannot be played on and it’s earliest rehabilitation is projected to be the very end of June, and could be as late as mid-July. The two injuries are not analogous at all.

 

[Carnac]

Great starting five! Hopefully we will see all of them on the court at the same time, at least. Come On Dawn, Make it Happen!

Tina and Stewie: currently #1 and #3 in WNBA scoring average for this season.
Sue: #4 in assists
Phee - all around glue and defense.
Dee - catalyst and clutch

THAT would be something to see.

 

[Orangutan]

 

[cancontent]

Some problems with this response:

1. While some may do as you suggest to look at C. Ogwumike’s Twitter, it is not our responsibility to do so, nor do I consider Twitter a good source for empirical reference, nor do I have a desire to use Twitter. In this case I suspect what is on that Twitter feed are several stats like efficiency or win shares that demonstrate NO’s worth, and it may indeed be the case that her worth surpasses Taurasi’s, but “go look it up” is a tactic used by many who gamble that will not happen. I don’t think that is the case here, but if you are passionate and certain enough about your case reliance on “go look it up” actually undermines it.

2. Your reply was in response to a claim that Auriemma can be absolved from bias. You are probably not addressing that at all, but certainly NO deserving to be on the team does not implicate Auriemma for keeping her off.

3. Taurasi has a small sternum fracture that she played with for a couple games before she was shut down for at least four weeks. That minimum of four weeks for a playable injury happens to be up today, the day of the announcement. NO has an injury that cannot be played on and it’s earliest rehabilitation is projected to be the very end of June, and could be as late as mid-July. The two injuries are not analogous at all.

Response to Point 2. Auriemma is listed as a special advisor for the committee that selected the team. Unfortunately, people are still going to have a perception of bias if it fits the narrative they want it to be. It's already being bandied about on Twitter and other social media feeds as we speak.

No matter who gets selected for the Team USA, there will always be people who aren't happy with the selection. That's the gift and curse of having such a deep pool of talent to pick from.


Response to Point 3. If I recall what I've read correctly, Taurasi believes she'll be ready to play as of this week. Nneka is possible 1 - 2 weeks away, making it possibly mid-July before Team USA knows if she's good to go. That's a really tight timeline and with the injury being knee related, a hard call to make when you want everyone as healthy as possible.

 

[cancontent]

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.

How can she have a problem with commitment when you're acknowledging her Lyme disease in a following sentence? She was kept out of the bubble for COVID protocols last season and I don't believe it was entirely her choice (memory is vague on that one). She's also recovering from back surgery and hasn't played a game yet this season. I don't see how that comment can be made in this case.

 

[Boreifs]

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...

Sabrina came off the bench in the last Liberty game and has not been at all impressive this season. She will need to step up big time to be considered for the Olympic Team in 2024.

 

[baggerbob]

Response to Point 2. Auriemma is listed as a special advisor for the committee that selected the team. Unfortunately, people are still going to have a perception of bias if it fits the narrative they want it to be. It's already being bandied about on Twitter and other social media feeds as we speak.

No matter who gets selected for the Team USA, there will always be people who aren't happy with the selection. That's the gift and curse of having such a deep pool of talent to pick from.


Response to Point 3. If I recall what I've read correctly, Taurasi believes she'll be ready to play as of this week. Nneka is possible 1 - 2 weeks away, making it possibly mid-July before Team USA knows if she's good to go. That's a really tight timeline and with the injury being knee related, a hard call to make when you want everyone as healthy as possible.

Nneka with a knee injury, which she expects at least 2 more weeks before she can play isn't an option. Bang her knee one time and you're down to 11 players.

 

[EricSD]

Unpopular opinion: Diana & Sue should let someone else have those spots

Why? Dee and Sue are still among the best at their positions in the world, never mind the country. It's not that it's an unpopular opinion, it's like saying "Stewie already made a few teams. She should give someone else a chance". The people who are on the team are either among the best at their positions in the USA, and/or such consummate team players that make everyone around them better that they HAD to be on the team.

Some of the new blood found its' way onto the team in people like Atkins, Collier, Diggins, Grey, and on the 3x3, all 4 players of Dolson, Samuelson, Gray, and Plum.

Sue and Dee are not only among the best still at their positions, but both are likely starters for Team USA. Not that you mentioned Catch, but Tamika Catching was probably the last person to make the team, in that year probably beating out Parker, and she was the last person off the bench on the 12 player team. That won't be the case with Sue and Dee.

No Sabrina? Thought she was the next great thing.....

She wasn't in the pool this time around. I agree she will likely be next year for the 2022 World Championships. I will be very curious if the start including Paige and Caitlyn Clark in the pool as early as next year. I know they like to include college players

As a total side note, I was never a fan of Skyler, but I happened to catch an interview with her after a recent game and came away impressed. Much more of a team player than I thought (mentality wise) and really high B.B.I.Q. Very aware of what the team was doing/needed, and also had some spot on comments regarding what has changed since Dee's injury.

 

[Kaizen]

 

[UcMiami]

Interesting to note that two players missing from this team are Angel and Augustus both of who filled that 3/wing position on the team, and they really weren't replaced. Of those two, Angel is probably going to be missed the most as she was 'instant energy' off the bench and was a swiss army knife in what she brought game to game. It is odd that there really isn't that 'wing', 'small forward', '3' player on this team Collier and Stewart can fill in from the '4' and I suppose any of the non-Sue guards can as well. It is also sort of a 'lost' position in the modern game - players either bulk up and try to be classified a '4' or work on their handle and try to be classified a '2'.

On the team selection - Sabrina got a bit screwed up with her injury that kept her out of the pool last year but suspect she will be front and center for the next worlds when I assume Bird and DT will bow out. The team is certainly heavy at the 4/5 with a ton of talent, and lots waiting in the wing as well. Sorry for Nneka, but don't have a problem with those selected.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Sabrina came off the bench in the last Liberty game and has not been at all impressive this season. She will need to step up big time to be considered for the Olympic Team in 2024.

She continues to struggle with her ankle that she hurt last year. She is limited to 20 minutes a game at the present time and I noticed a couple times where she brought the ball up, did a nifty pass and found a place to "camp" while others ball-handled. According to the announcers, she started off gang-busters before her injury this season, which is the same ankle that required surgery after injury last year.

 

[BobbyJ]

Why? Dee and Sue are still among the best at their positions in the world, never mind the country. It's not that it's an unpopular opinion, it's like saying "Stewie already made a few teams. She should give someone else a chance". The people who are on the team are either among the best at their positions in the USA, and/or such consummate team players that make everyone around them better that they HAD to be on the team.

Some of the new blood found its' way onto the team in people like Atkins, Collier, Diggins, Grey, and on the 3x3, all 4 players of Dolson, Samuelson, Gray, and Plum.

Sue and Dee are not only among the best still at their positions, but both are likely starters for Team USA. Not that you mentioned Catch, but Tamika Catching was probably the last person to make the team, in that year probably beating out Parker, and she was the last person off the bench on the 12 player team. That won't be the case with Sue and Dee.


She wasn't in the pool this time around. I agree she will likely be next year for the 2022 World Championships. I will be very curious if the start including Paige and Caitlyn Clark in the pool as early as next year. I know they like to include college players

As a total side note, I was never a fan of Skyler, but I happened to catch an interview with her after a recent game and came away impressed. Much more of a team player than I thought (mentality wise) and really high BBQ. Very aware of what the team was doing/needed, and also had some spot on comments regarding what has changed since Dee's injury.

Anybody who puts out good BBQ can be on my team anytime.

 

[EricSD]

Anybody who puts out good BBQ can be on my team anytime.

For the record, I typed in the letters B B I Q, but all in a row with no spaces, and the system changed the spelling to BBQ. I went in and edited it putting "periods" between each letter and it worked. Sheesh LOL

 

[bballnut90]

How can she have a problem with commitment when you're acknowledging her Lyme disease in a following sentence? She was kept out of the bubble for COVID protocols last season and I don't believe it was entirely her choice (memory is vague on that one). She's also recovering from back surgery and hasn't played a game yet this season. I don't see how that comment can be made in this case.

I believe she opted to sit out due to her fear of covid while having Lyme disease. WNBA wasn't going to pay her to sit out due to it not being a high risk disease based on CDC protocol at the time, she wrote a blog upset about it and the WNBA shelled out for her.

EDD is a fantastic talent but I agree with the OP that she rarely seems fully on board with basketball. I'm not sure if she's just more fragile physically or if she isn't as willing to play through injuries as other players, but compared to the other players of her caliber (ex. Parker, Taurasi, Bird, Stewart, etc.) she's never seemed to have the same consistent drive or love of the game that the others show.

 

[bballnut90]

I love Nneka and hoped she'd make the team for a multitude of reasons, but understand why she didn't. She didn't play well last season, is currently injured and isn't at the same level she was in 2016. Collier as of the last year or so has shown to be a better player and Charles is having a great season so I dont have a problem with them getting spots over Nneka. Her getting snubbed doesn't compared to Parker getting snubbed in 2016, apples and oranges.

 

[DEpup]

No. I would be shocked if they don't take the team that qualified. However they have not officially named the 3x3 team.

So now that we know the 5x5 team, who would you replace the 3x3 qualifiers with who have experience playing 3x3? I think the qualifiers will be the team. Dolson's game has gotten so much better after playing 3x3.

 

[DEpup]

Hasn't Tiff played for another country at some point?

 

[Kaizen]

Hasn't Tiff played for another country at some point?

I think it is Gabby for France.

 

[DEpup]

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.

DT actually plays the Point Forward at the 3 for Phoenix. In addition to an all UConn line up, I also can't wait to see a Sue, Jewell, DT guard line up. Deadly. Add a Stewie and Syl, opposing teams should just raise the white flag.

 

[Orangutan]

I believe she opted to sit out due to her fear of covid while having Lyme disease. WNBA wasn't going to pay her to sit out due to it not being a high risk disease based on CDC protocol at the time, she wrote a blog upset about it and the WNBA shelled out for her.

EDD is a fantastic talent but I agree with the OP that she rarely seems fully on board with basketball. I'm not sure if she's just more fragile physically or if she isn't as willing to play through injuries as other players, but compared to the other players of her caliber (ex. Parker, Taurasi, Bird, Stewart, etc.) she's never seemed to have the same consistent drive or love of the game that the others show.

If Candace Parker makes a bad pass, she won't even get back past half court on defense because she's too busy sulking. So I wouldn't hold her up as a paragon of "consistent drive".

EDD has had back problems since at least the 2014 playoffs. In the Eastern Finals against Indiana that year, her back was so bad that she was rendered a decoy. She would come out of the game and immediately lie down and get stretched out by a trainer. But she played anyway.

What is she supposed to do? Go out there now when she's not fully recovered from back surgery and play horribly to prove she's really hurt? I don't remember anyone questioning Taurasi's love of the game when a back injury kept her out of all but 6 games of the 2019 season.

She's injury prone, that's all. No need to delve into the realm of amateur psychology.

 

[Orangutan]

Hasn't Tiff played for another country at some point?

Sort of - per usab.com "Has an Azerbaijani passport and competed for the host Azerbaijan 3x3 National Team in the 2015 European Games, held in Baku; helped her team to a 3-2 record and the quarterfinals."

 

[CBus13]

I believe she opted to sit out due to her fear of covid while having Lyme disease. WNBA wasn't going to pay her to sit out due to it not being a high risk disease based on CDC protocol at the time, she wrote a blog upset about it and the WNBA shelled out for her.

EDD is a fantastic talent but I agree with the OP that she rarely seems fully on board with basketball. I'm not sure if she's just more fragile physically or if she isn't as willing to play through injuries as other players, but compared to the other players of her caliber (ex. Parker, Taurasi, Bird, Stewart, etc.) she's never seemed to have the same consistent drive or love of the game that the others show.

The WNBA did not pay EDD's contract. The Mystics decided to pay her full contract while she stayed home.

I think it is Gabby for France.

Tiffany became an Azerbaijani citizen and has played for their National Team since 2015

 

[Kaizen]

 

[DEpup]

What about Vandetsloot? Does she play for another country and I just don't know it?

 

[UConnCat]

The WNBA did not pay EDD's contract. The Mystics decided to pay her full contract while she stayed home.


Tiffany became an Azerbaijani citizen and has played for their National Team since 2015

Not accurate regarding Tiff Hayes. She played for Azerbaijan once in a non-FIBA event. Dual citizenship does not preclude Tiff from playing for Team USA. In fact, she has participated in Team USA camps.

 

[bschwartz]

Censored myself a lot today seeing all the rage against the Huskies. Some people are still blaming Geno. Where I agree with the haters is that the process is shrouded in mystery. I don't think many people really understand selection criteria. The funny thing is...they were mad when they saw so many Huskies on the 5x5 roster, wait till they see Dolson and KLS on the 3x3 roster. Makes for good recruiting.

 

[UConnCat]

What about Vandetsloot? Does she play for another country and I just don't know it?

Vandersloot is a Hungarian citizen and has played for Hungary in a FIBA event.

 

[BRS24]

Censored myself a lot today seeing all the rage against the Huskies. Some people are still blaming Geno. Where I agree with the haters is that the process is shrouded in mystery. I don't think many people really understand selection criteria. The funny thing is...they were mad when they saw so many Huskies on the 5x5 roster, wait till they see Dolson and KLS on the 3x3 roster. Makes for good recruiting.

wooooo ... there's an epic twitter thread from a ND alum and she went off on the selections, past teams, etc. It almost burned my laptop screen ....

 

[bschwartz]

wooooo ... there's an epic twitter thread from a ND alum and she went off on the selections, past teams, etc. It almost burned my laptop screen ....

I saw that and a lot worse...Some of it was ridiculous, like complaints about Candace Parker not playing this year when she is already on the broadcast team.

 

[FridaFriend]

I hope Sue still plays point for the National team, when she's 50.