Should Clark be on the Olympic team?

[UcMiami]

For everyone who is quick to say “she needs to earn it” …. Keep in mind that the Lobo/Tara/96 dust up was basically because folks thought that Lobo wasn’t among the 12 best, but instead was picked because of her celebrity.

(And that is likely to have been the case.)

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.

 

[visitingcock]

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

 

[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.