Sue’s Olympic swan song

[Dokey]

Even in a walker, Sue would probably get a minimum of five assists.

 

[Dokey]

I did like it when auto correct said “sawn” not “swan.”

 

[Beemer]

She dropped 13 assists vs Nigeria. This isn't a swan song, she's going out with a bang!!!

 

[Dokey]

She dropped 13 assists vs Nigeria. This isn't a swan song, she's going out with a bang!!!

Big Bang

 

[Bama fan]

I just can't picture Sue's threnody, a la Cassandra.

 

[Plebe]

Even in a walker, Sue would probably get a minimum of five assists.

Even in a walker? Does she have some injury that I don't know about?

 

[Dokey]

Even in a walker? Does she have some injury that I don't know about?

Just something old folks use.

 

[UConnCat]

Sue played 27 minutes against Nigeria. That is too many minutes particularly in pool play. She didn't play more than 23 minutes in any game in Rio in 2016 and played less than 20 minutes in some games. The team either has to build bigger leads or Dawn has to trust her other point guards.

 

[Plebe]

Sue played 27 minutes against Nigeria. That is too many minutes particularly in pool play. She didn't play more than 23 minutes in any game in Rio in 2016 and played less than 20 minutes in some games. The team either has to build bigger leads or Dawn has to trust her other point guards.

Not just in pool play, but against what on paper should be their weakest opponent of the entire tournament.

I can only think Dawn didn't want to play her this much. But she already saw the team squander a sizable lead to Australia, and last night a 20+ lead quickly shrank to 9. It's concerning.

 

[eebmg]

Not just in pool play, but against what on paper should be their weakest opponent of the entire tournament.

I can only think Dawn didn't want to play her this much. But she already saw the team squander a sizable lead to Australia, and last night a 20+ lead quickly shrank to 9. It's concerning.

and don't forget Diana fighting through her hip injury. Got to find more rest for her

 

[BBallF]

Not just in pool play, but against what on paper should be their weakest opponent of the entire tournament.

I can only think Dawn didn't want to play her this much. But she already saw the team squander a sizable lead to Australia, and last night a 20+ lead quickly shrank to 9. It's concerning.

Exactly. She had to put her back in to win the game. There are no other pure point guards. It's a disgrace.

 

[Dokey]

If Nigeria is our weakest opponent, we are in trouble. Dawn doesn’t want to go down as the coach who didn’t win gold. Would we have won without those 13 assists? 13 is big. I believe that is the record for assists by a UConn player in college play. Anna had 11 and it drew headlines.

 

[BBallF]

If Nigeria is our weakest opponent, we are in trouble. Dawn doesn’t want to go down as the coach who didn’t win gold. Would we have won without those 13 assists? 13 is big. I believe that is the record for assists by a UConn player in college play. Anna had 11 and it drew headlines.

The assists broke the game open. She actually would have had more if our bigs finished.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Exactly. She had to put her back in to win the game. There are no other pure point guards. It's a disgrace.

Hopefully, Sabrina and/or Paige will develop. Years ago, I had hopes for MoJeff, but injuries have limited her.

 

[BBallF]

Hopefully, Sabrina and/or Paige will develop. Years ago, I had hopes for MoJeff, but injuries have limited her.

I like Kelsey Plum there. You may also see Clark on the next team with Paige. Sabrina has to stay healthy.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I like Kelsey Plum there. You may also see Clark on the next team with Paige. Sabrina has to stay healthy.

I think Plum may be the interim solution. She is improving each year. Sky will play better than she did last night. Sabrina will compete in time. Caitlin could be a SG of the future, and Paige a combo SG/PG. Azzi looks like an Olympian to me as well.

 

[EricLA]

I like Kelsey Plum there. You may also see Clark on the next team with Paige. Sabrina has to stay healthy.

Are they grooming 3x3 team members to eventually make the 5x5 team, or are they grooming the 3x3 members to just be great at that?

The 3x3 game is SO different. Look at how much Jackie Young is struggling, and she was in the pool available because she had enough international 3x3 points. Not a lot of other players are available. Because the style is so specialized, I sort of hope they have 3x3 specialists who just don't leave for the 5x5 team and spend time and energy getting better and better at the 3x3...

Anyway getting back to Sue (and Dee). I don't think the minutes are as much a problem for Sue (she's averaging over 28 MPG for Seattle this season) as much as it is the aggressive physicality of the game. All the USA players are getting knocked all over the place. Maybe they are used to it as most of them play international ball for Russia, Turkey, etc. BUT it's not the minutes that worry me as much as the risk of injury and how hard they have to work in getting thru physical defense.

As much as Dee can be snarky and get T's, she was absolutely clocked a few times by Nigeria and she very quickly walked the other way - to calm herself down. Of course she had major stink face on and you could tell she was thinking something really nasty about the other player LOL...

So I do guess bottom line, the less time Sue and Dee need to spend on the court, the better off they will be for the medal rounds.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Are they grooming 3x3 team members to eventually make the 5x5 team, or are they grooming the 3x3 members to just be great at that?

The 3x3 game is SO different. Look at how much Jackie Young is struggling, and she was in the pool available because she had enough international 3x3 points. Not a lot of other players are available. Because the style is so specialized, I sort of hope they have 3x3 specialists who just don't leave for the 5x5 team and spend time and energy getting better and better at the 3x3...

Anyway getting back to Sue (and Dee). I don't think the minutes are as much a problem for Sue (she's averaging over 28 MPG for Seattle this season) as much as it is the aggressive physicality of the game. All the USA players are getting knocked all over the place. Maybe they are used to it as most of them play international ball for Russia, Turkey, etc. BUT it's not the minutes that worry me as much as the risk of injury and how hard they have to work in getting thru physical defense.

As much as Dee can be snarky and get T's, she was absolutely clocked a few times by Nigeria and she very quickly walked the other way - to calm herself down. Of course she had major stink face on and you could tell she was thinking something really nasty about the other player LOL...

So I do guess bottom line, the less time Sue and Dee need to spend on the court, the better off they will be for the medal rounds.

Are they grooming 3x3 team members to eventually make the 5x5 team, or are they grooming the 3x3 members to just be great at that?

Both?? I think Stef will stay as a 3x3 player. Lou could move to 5x5, as her carer develops. The 5x5 team is strong at the PF, but weak at the SF. We miss players like Maya, Angel, Elena, and Catch. I can see Plum move to the 5x5 team. Maybe Gray will move to 5x5 as a SF.

 

[Essexdave]

I just can't picture Sue's threnody, a la Cassandra.

Threnody. I like posts where I have to look up definitions! Nice!

 

[Dokey]

I think Plum may be the interim solution. She is improving each year. Sky will play better than she did last night. Sabrina will compete in time. Caitlin could be a SG of the future, and Paige a combo SG/PG. Azzi looks like an Olympian to me as well.

Plum can’t guard.

 

[Dokey]

Paige will be on next Olympic team, replacing Sue. Azzi will replace DT. Stewie, Jewell, and Griner will be back. No worries.

 

[Rb335]

Paige will be on next Olympic team, replacing Sue. Azzi will replace DT. Stewie, Jewell, and Griner will be back. No worries.

Tend to agree. The last few drafts have been relatively weak and the issue is our disproportionate talent level in the interior compared to the perimeter. Come 2024, Paige and Caitlyn will be the young guards on the team. Reminiscent of Sue and Dee in their first Olympics. Would also be helpful to have a really good wing develop. This year they have stewie completely out of position, which is crazy given she is one of the best players in the world.