Should Clark be on the Olympic team?

[Vowelguy]

The issue Tara had with Lobo was unique to the 1996 Olympic team - USA basketball formed that team a year before the Olympics and they trained and played a full 'season' together before the Olympics after the 'debacle' in 1992 while Tara took a sabbatical from her Stanford job to coach. Come the end of the college year, Lobo was suddenly added to the team without warning and Tara was furious with USA Basketball for replacing one of her players with a college student. (Not sure who was cut for Lobo after putting in a full year for the team.)

The Olympic teams before 1996 and after 1996 have been tossed together a few months before the Olympics/WCs - even the concept of having a pool of players and mini-training camps throughout the year is a relatively new concept.

And the idea that the NT is compiled of the 'best players' has never been the case. It is composed of the players that make themselves available all the time and together form the most cohesive team in the style that USA basketball and the current coach want to play. And a premium in selection is the player's ability to learn and adapt to their teammates and their coaching. The 7 players not starting have to be able to adapt to coming off the bench, and instantly providing what the team needs - something that none of them have ever done before since they first pick up a basketball.

No one was kicked off the team for Lobo.
Open tryouts were held in Colorado Springs in 1995. 200 players showed up. 11, including Lobo, were chosen.
(Venus Lacy was added later. )

Fact remains that Lobo was likely chosen at least partly for her celebrity. And I think that made sense, as 96 was to be the springboard to the W. In the same way that CC is a celeb.

 

[DRR25]

I could live with ten players chosen by the coach and committee with 2 chosen by fans. Coaches might not be crazy about it

I would hate to see WBB or any of the Olympic team athletes chosen by fans. It's already difficult enough without adding those dynamics to the process. I like that fans get a vote for the WNBA all-star game though.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

World Championships will be during the wnba season in 2026 and the league will not pause for that. USA has appealed to FIBA, but they haven't changed their decision, yet.

I just learned that basketball host countries automatically qualify the Olympics in basketball so there is no need to send an A team to the World Cup in 2026 I guess. Will be interesting to see how US basketball gets these new young players international experience playing together considering.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Clark should have been on the team, but then Reeve would have gone into a total pout and been a pretty ineffective coach ...oh, wait....

 

[baggerbob]

I just learned that basketball host countries automatically qualify the Olympics in basketball so there is no need to send an A team to the World Cup in 2026 I guess. Will be interesting to see how US basketball gets these new young players international experience playing together considering.

We will play in it as the defending champions, it's a time to add new faces.
A time to incorporate new coaches and players.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

We will play in it as the defending champions, it's a time to add new faces.
A time to incorporate new coaches and players.

But its during the WNBA season so its unlikely any of the new faces will be available. And I don't see why Fiba would move it considering we don't need it to qualify to the Olympics and will still be able to send a team of some sort.

 

[cancontent]

Clark should have been on the team, but then Reeve would have gone into a total pout and been a pretty ineffective coach ...oh, wait....

Really? She's won multiple WNBA titles and the last gold for USA. It's obvious you've got an axe to grind but it's getting tired.

 

[JellyBean]

Clark should have been on the team, but then Reeve would have gone into a total pout and been a pretty ineffective coach ...oh, wait....

U joking, right?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Really? She's won multiple WNBA titles and the last gold for USA. It's obvious you've got an axe to grind but it's getting tired.

Okay. It's fully ground. Getting tired is a little puzzling, but it can remain a mystery.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Cheryl Reeve is arguably the best WNBA coach the league has ever had. She's won a record tying 4 championships and has only missed the playoffs twice in her career. One of which occured in her first season. It's ok to be disappointed that your favorite player isn't on the roster, but we're not going to disrespect Cheryl Reeve in the process.

 

[cancontent]

Okay. It's fully ground. Getting tired is a little puzzling, but it can remain a mystery.

A little puzzling? You're regularly chirping about Reeve and the USAB selection committee's decision because you didn't like it.

Your point is well noted. No one is going back and adding her to the roster. Move on.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Cheryl Reeve is arguably the best WNBA coach the league has ever had. She's won a record tying 4 championships and has only missed the playoffs twice in her career. One of which occured in her first season. It's ok to be disappointed that your favorite player isn't on the roster, but we're not going to disrespect Cheryl Reeve in the process.

Everybody is making assumptions. Paige is my favorite player. Clark, I don't like the way she moves on the court, but you cannot argue with success. I do think she has been treated miserably and it seems to be institutional, which is contrary to the WNBA's best interests. Reeve has been ungracious at best and I believe her views are strongly influenced by things we cannot talk about here.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

A little puzzling? You're regularly chirping about Reeve and the USAB selection committee's decision because you didn't like it.

Your point is well noted. No one is going back and adding her to the roster. Move on.

Dang, didn't I just say I was moving on. Are you a moderator or just get a thrill out of being bossy?

 

[cancontent]

Dang, didn't I just say I was moving on. Are you a moderator or just get a thrill out of being bossy?

Neither. Simply responding. No different than others who have replied to your posts.

 

[Ladeeeeda]

Everybody is making assumptions. Paige is my favorite player. Clark, I don't like the way she moves on the court, but you cannot argue with success. I do think she has been treated miserably and it seems to be institutional, which is contrary to the WNBA's best interests. Reeve has been ungracious at best and I believe her views are strongly influenced by things we cannot talk about here.

Yes, it is institutional. Clark has repeatedly turned down opportunities extended to her by USA basketball, so the institution was not sold on suddenly adding her when she was finally showed some interest. Wish someone in the press would ask her how many times she has turned down USA in the past 5 yrs.....We don't need her to win, so she can wait her turn.

 

[The deacon]

Everybody is making assumptions. Paige is my favorite player. Clark, I don't like the way she moves on the court, but you cannot argue with success. I do think she has been treated miserably and it seems to be institutional, which is contrary to the WNBA's best interests. Reeve has been ungracious at best and I believe her views are strongly influenced by things we cannot talk about here.

Neither. Simply responding. No different than others who have replied to your posts.

I agree we should move on, cancontent, but RockyMTblue2's post is spot on, IMO, except for the curious critique about how Clark moves on the court

 

[cancontent]

I agree we should move on, cancontent, but RockyMTblue2's post is spot on, IMO, except for the curious critique about how Clark moves on the court

So Reeve has lacked graced and was influenced by others?

Have no issue with the opinion about Clark. My issue is how Coach Reeve is perceived as it's bunk in my opinion.

 

[triaddukefan]

Anyone in this country that wanted Clark over Chelsea Gray is a dumbash. Not saying anyone on this site suggested that, but just saying in general.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Anyone in this country that wanted Clark over Chelsea Gray is a dumbash. Not saying anyone on this site suggested that, but just saying in general.

Yeah, I agree. That sentiment is dumb. Clark over Plum would've been just fine.

 

[The deacon]

Anyone in this country that wanted Clark over Chelsea Gray is a dumbash. Not saying anyone on this site suggested that, but just saying in general.

Agreed about the Chelsea we'll see in coming games, but she's not quite there yet.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Yes, it is institutional. Clark has repeatedly turned down opportunities extended to her by USA basketball, so the institution was not sold on suddenly adding her when she was finally showed some interest. Wish someone in the press would ask her how many times she has turned down USA in the past 5 yrs.....We don't need her to win, so she can wait her turn.

I didn't know this, so thank you for the info. Very interesting!

 

[triaddukefan]

Yeah, I agree. That sentiment is dumb. Clark over Plum would've been just fine.

I apologize for my harsh language, hadn't eaten since 7am breakfast. I get cranky on a empty stomach.

 

[Bjbod]

I agree we should move on, cancontent, but RockyMTblue2's post is spot on, IMO, except for the curious critique about how Clark moves on the court

CC's greatness as a facilitator is unfortunately offset by her defensive ability. Seems like there's a double standard on the Fever whereby her teammates always switch off onto to her player when she gets beat, but the reverse is not reciprocated as often. It's subtle but noticeable. I predict her strength and D will be better next season. I think she needs to be good on both ends of the court to be an Olympian. Coming from an Iowa homer.

 

[CL82]

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Neither. Simply responding. No different than others who have replied to your posts.

Move on.