Olympics Women's Basketball, Expected Outcomes and Surprises

[cancontent]

Just poor.

Maybe but in regards to whom? Van Lith looks to be holding up her end of the deal, along with Hamby. Burdick meh and Howard seems to be struggling.

 

[reelfan]

Has Geno been spotted in Paris ?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Has Geno been spotted in Paris ?

I don't see him on the golf leader board.

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

Is Gabby Williams the MVP in waiting?

The forward has caught fire early against Nigeria. So could she be the one to drive France to glory and win the MVP race?

www.fiba.basketball

Williams became only the third player to combine for more than 10 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and more than 5 steals in a game at the Olympics during the 21st century.

This was also her second game with more than five steals in a game at the Olympics and she now joins Amaya Valdemoro of Spain to have accomplished the feat in the 21st century.

But it's never about the stats. Those don't not reflect the attitude, the confidence, the energy, the charisma. This is a player on a mission with France and you would not back against her ultimately being crowned MVP.

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

I rewatched the games France won, both by lopsided margins. As good as they can play for long stretches, I don't think they will be able to beat the USm mainly because of Stewart and Wilson. The frontcourt of France will not be able to cope with them. Gabby and Marine will not be able to overcome the disadvantage.

OTOH, if DT is to be deprived of her 6th gold, it should be a team with a UConn alum co-leading it.

 

[baggerbob]

I rewatched the games France won, both by lopsided margins. As good as they can play for long stretches, I don't think they will be able to beat the USm mainly because of Stewart and Wilson. The frontcourt of France will not be able to cope with them. Gabby and Marine will not be able to overcome the disadvantage.

OTOH, if DT is to be deprived of her 6th gold, it should be a team with a UConn alum co-leading it.

You have 7 guards on this roster, and a lot of the time it's Stewie bringing the ball up the floor. She shouldn't have to do that as much as she does in the WNBA, that's supposed to be why we needed 7 guards.

 

[donalddoowop]

Who selected the 3 x 3 team? 0-3 so far

They lost Cameron Brink to injury before the games started. She could have made a big difference.

 

[Aluminny69]

They lost Cameron Brink to injury before the games started. She could have made a big difference.

Would Stef Dolson or Lou Samuelson have helped? Isn't Jen Rizzotti the coach?

 

[cancontent]

They lost Cameron Brink to injury before the games started. She could have made a big difference.

Agreed, but they also are on a roll and are 3-3. Their game against Canada was their best game to date, and they were dealing with two of the highest ranked players in 3x3 this season in Katherine Plouffe and Paige Crozon.

 

[The deacon]

I rewatched the games France won, both by lopsided margins. As good as they can play for long stretches, I don't think they will be able to beat the USm mainly because of Stewart and Wilson. The frontcourt of France will not be able to cope with them. Gabby and Marine will not be able to overcome the disadvantage.

OTOH, if DT is to be deprived of her 6th gold, it should be a team with a UConn alum co-leading it.

It'd have been preferable to have another UConn alum graciously and gracefully bowing out by not accepting a spot on the team...

 

[donalddoowop]

Would Stef Dolson or Lou Samuelson have helped? Isn't Jen Rizzotti the coach?

I don't know.

 

[cancontent]

Would Stef Dolson or Lou Samuelson have helped? Isn't Jen Rizzotti the coach?

Maybe, but based on the qualification rules, it wasn't likely going to happen. The options were limited per this article from Her Hoops Stats that broke down the situation when Brink's injury occurred.

Breaking Down USA Basketball's 3x3 Options: How to replace Cameron Brink

After an unfortunate injury, Team USA needs a replacement for the Olympic 3x3 tournament. We explain the rules that limit the choices, and detail potential names.

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[JellyBean]

Would Stef Dolson or Lou Samuelson have helped? Isn't Jen Rizzotti the coach?

To be honest, I doubt Stef or Lou would be of any help. I think Team USA will figure things out and pick up a medal. They got this.

 

[JellyBean]

It'd have been preferable to have another UConn alum graciously and gracefully bowing out by not accepting a spot on the team...

I have zero issue with a certain UConn alum accepting a roster spot. I have not looked at a minutes breakdown or anything but I would be happy if she cool if her not getting a lot of starting minutes. Heck for all I know, she could be getting just as many minutes as some of the other players. It just appears like she is on the floor a lot more than some of the other players

 

[nwhoopfan]

Heck for all I know, she could be getting just as many minutes as some of the other players. It just appears like she is on the floor a lot more than some of the other players

Looks like Ionescu is leading the guards in minutes played, starters Gray and Taurasi are 2nd and 3rd. The two starters have been the least productive players. They've scored a combined 4 points in 2 games. Gray did have 13 assists in the first game. Taurasi has 1 assist total. I don't know why she's getting any playing time.

 

[DEpup]

Watching the Olympics confirms why Nika thinks she never fouls. International play is a bit more wrestling match than basketball sometimes in my opinion. FIBA obviously doesn't buy into freedom of movement.

Gabby has been the most dynamic player not wearing a USA jersey IMO. It's so awesome to see how she has built her guard skills as a pro to add on to everything else she had at UConn.

 

[Blond D.]

I don't know what kind of a pool the USA had to choose from but IMO Howard is not a great choice for a 3 on 3 player. She just wants to shoot and not do the little things like Dolson did to make the team better.

I agree 100%. They all 4 seem slow and their defense is crap. No one switches on a pick and roll and the other teams offenses get between their defenders and the basket way too easy.

 

[PacoSwede]

Looks like Ionescu is leading the guards in minutes played, starters Gray and Taurasi are 2nd and 3rd. The two starters have been the least productive players. They've scored a combined 4 points in 2 games. Gray did have 13 assists in the first game. Taurasi has 1 assist total. I don't know why she's getting any playing time.

think it might because of her leadership????? believe it or not, that's needed a bunch.

 

[nwhoopfan]

think it might because of her leadership????? believe it or not, that's needed a bunch.

I knew somebody was gonna say that. Everybody on this team is a veteran who has won at every level of basketball they've played. I think Taurasi's leadership is overstated. They sure didn't need it in the last FIBA World Cup, that team looked awesome.

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

I knew somebody was gonna say that. Everybody on this team is a veteran who has won at every level of basketball they've played. I think Taurasi's leadership is overstated. They sure didn't need it in the last FIBA World Cup, that team looked awesome.

They sure don't look that awesome now. Are you suggesting that her inclusion is at fault, then?

7 guards, some expected to play different roles than they usually play in the WNBA because of the roster composition.....all because the selection committee believed in their ability to adjust and play multiple positions to go with their experience in International competition.

Maybe Steve Kerr and his coachers are right in how they are managing their roster for each game, which is much like the way Chuck Daly did with the Dream Team (changing the starting lineup depending on the opponent - only Michael Jordan was a constant). He is getting a lot of flack but from this perspective, he is doing it right.

Cheryl Reeve does not have this same option - she has to believe much of what the Selection Committee believed when they made the choices. Or, at least find a way to make it work. The players, as they are for their positions, are not inflexible but given the limited time to practice, it these group games that is serving as a way to learn the redefined roles for some of them.

As for DT, it is not so much the floor leadership from her that is important now but something akin to a coach and a spiritual leader when they need it - Cooper can attest to this when, is a close game sometime back, the Mercury coach designed a play to take the last-second shot but Diana recommended that Copper take it. It was a move both to recognize Copper's the state of play at the time and directly suggested that the coach broaden her thinking. Ccpper made the shot and praised Diana later. Whether they actually need such a contribution - e.g. to infuse the spirit to be bold when they confront their moment and not shrink from it - that is judged to make up for her diminished physical ability as the reason for her inclusion, it is analogous to an insurance policy.

The apparent superiority of the USA roster can only be fully realized when those who have had to adjust their roles become fully comfortable and instinctive in plaing with their teammates. In theory, they should be continually improving the more games they play....let's hope so.

The rest of the world are improving.....the time when the very short practice period after the team selection will soon be inadequate. Although they will likely manage to win again this time, USA BB should be prepared to modify its approach in the future, perhaps as soon as the next Olympics.

 

[nwhoopfan]

They sure don't look that awesome now. Are you suggesting that her inclusion is at fault, then?

I would probably say the biggest problem is that Chelsea Gray currently isn't anything like the player she used to be.

From what you say about Taurasi, it sounds like she should be part of the coaching staff.

 

[BlueSkyGLW]

I would probably say the biggest problem is that Chelsea Gray currently isn't anything like the player she used to be.

From what you say about Taurasi, it sounds like she should be part of the coaching staff.

Sort of now.....one who is on the floor some of the time. I believe that her role as a player during these early games is not that important, certainly not as much as those playing different roles need to quickly adjust to them. In the elimination games, I would guess that Diana will be more assertive and playing short minutes in these games conserves her energy level. And, it would surprise me if it is all the coach's design,

 

[baggerbob]

think it might because of her leadership????? believe it or not, that's needed a bunch.

Even DT says this is Stewie and A'ja's team now. They are the leaders by example and you watch Stewie and A'ja, they also do the talking. Collier said the same thing, they all defer to those 2.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Even DT says this is Stewie and A'ja's team now. They are the leaders by example and you watch Stewie and A'ja, they also do the talking. Collier said the same thing, they all defer to those 2.

That's kinda what I was getting at. This team has plenty of players who have been leaders. I just don't buy that DT is providing this invaluable ingredient that nobody else can provide.

 

[baggerbob]

That's kinda what I was getting at. This team has plenty of players who have been leaders. I just don't buy that DT is providing this invaluable ingredient that nobody else can provide.

And watching the games unless it's the end of the game one of the 2 is always on the floor. Gray said of Stewie it's great playing with her, I don't have to worry about her getting her fingers on my passes.