My prediction: Not only will Stewie make the team, she will end up being a top producer when all is said and done. Even though she will be a professional by then, she'll still be the youngest and will make her mark emphatically!Stewie is the only college player in the list ....
If Bird & Taurasi are locks, Catchings is a lock too.
USAB needs new blood on the team, and I think that is coming from the guard spots. With Charles, Griner, Moore, EDD, Stewart, & Ogwumike, the forwards and centers are pretty set for the next few cycles. The guards aren't.
I can see both Bird and/or Whalen being left off in favor of Sims/Robinson/Diggins. They need the experience.
Personally, I think Bird/Catch/Taurasi should have retired in 2012 to make room for the new ones coming in. Those are three valuable spots being taken by three legends who have nothing else to prove.
So Venus Williams and Serena Williams should retire too, because they have nothing else to prove?Personally, I think Bird/Catch/Taurasi should have retired in 2012 to make room for the new ones coming in. Those are three valuable spots being taken by three legends who have nothing else to prove.
Stewie will make the team. Especially if UConn wins its 4th in a row, she'll be more of a household name at that point. They need to get a mix of younger players in there to play with Bird, Catchings, Taurasi, etc on their last go-round. Stewie is the future!
The only way EDD does not make the team is if she is injured or not healthy. She is a lock as there is.I don't know who should make the roster but I have a feeling that I will be irritated when all my favorites (Loyd, McBride, Diggins, Sloot) miss out. As long as they don't somehow leave out a healthy EDD. That would really send me over the edge.
Wow, I was thinking the exact same thought. Scary!While I don't know if UConn's second 5 is a top 10 team I'm sure that the USA second team is medal contender if the USA could field 2 teams to the Olympics.
Stewie will make the team. Especially if UConn wins its 4th in a row, she'll be more of a household name at that point. They need to get a mix of younger players in there to play with Bird, Catchings, Taurasi, etc on their last go-round. Stewie is the future!
I was really hoping MoJeff would get a chance.
In fairness, though, Maya has already surpassed Catch. Maya was the starter 2 years ago at the world championships and she's the better player. I still think it's nearly a slam dunk that Catch makes the team - she's retiring this year from the WNBA and this will probably be her last Olympics. No one works harder and I'd be hard pressed to point out who should/could replace her on the roster of 12... Which is why the list I compiled of locks and near-locks had 10 people on it. Not much room for anyone else...The Olympic team should consist of the players who are the best at their positions. Bird, Catch and Taurasi should not step down, they deserve the right to be pushed out by better players. If the younger players are not ready to beat them out for a position, then they need to work harder over the next two years to be ready to play in the WCs to prepare themselves for the 2020 Olympics. Players who have spent 30+ years working to become the best players in the world should not be asked to step down.