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Message: [QUOTE="bbsamjj, post: 3996097, member: 1738"] [USER=5823]@CocoHusky[/USER] I think you hit the nail on the head. USA Basketball refuses to provide any explanations in depth on the record (which is probably to be expected), but then reporters aren't doing the follow up required (or more accurately, given the resources required to do the followup) to find the true story. If a player of Candace Parker or Nneka's caliber were left off the men's team, there'd be multiple stories quoting "people close to the selection process" or "people familiar with USA Basketball's thinking." Instead, you're left with a lot of unsubstantiated theories that always go back to personality-driven drama. I remember when Candace was left off, people were theorizing it was because she hadn't demonstrated the same level of "commitment" to USA Basketball as others. While I always thought that theory was weak, it certainly could not be applied to Nneka--who was legit one of 8 players "cored" by USA basketball for the team. I do think, as CoCo said, there are legitimate basketball-related reasons for the formation of a team, and that despite their immense talents, Candace and Nneka's skill set did not meet the most pressing needs of the team. That being said Coco, not sure the question is on Atkins OVER Nneka, per say (Collier over Nneka is more similar from a basketball perspective.) I think the Atkins selection makes a ton of sense. She's not only having an incredible WNBA season on offense (18ppg, on 45% FG shooting and 44% 3-pt shooting), but she is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. And minus Jewell Loyd, none of the other guards on the roster (Bird, Taurasi, Diggins, Gray) are exactly known for their defense, to put it kindly. At minimum, Atkins can play a "3 and D" role for the team. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach