Sue Bird to become managing director for the USA women’s national team

[BRS24]

Sue Bird to become managing director for the USA women’s national team: Sources

Bird's hiring is a departure from a longstanding structure of using a committee to select players and coaches for national team rosters.

www.nytimes.com

The 44-year-old Bird, who won five Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles playing for Team USA, will take on what is now known as the “Grant Hill” role on the women’s side — A person with unquestioned credentials as a player at every level who is largely responsible for selecting both the player rosters and coaching staff for both the Olympic team and the World Cup team. Her hiring is a departure from a longstanding structure of using a committee to select players and coaches for national team rosters and comes on the heels of a very close call for the USA women in Paris.​

 

[hoopsdiva]

Congratulations to Sue.

 

[Blakeon18]

Wow...a huge responsibility...responsible [largely] for selecting players and coaches.
I'm sure she will seek advice...but we darn well better win the gold...or else.
Congratulations....bet she is good at her new position.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I'd like to be all happy and supportive about this, but my primary emotion is worry.

 

[sarals24]

I think she'll be great at this. She is very honest about players when she commentates and has her finger on the pulse of the WNBA.

 

[Dillon77]

Sue Bird to become managing director for the USA women’s national team: Sources

Bird's hiring is a departure from a longstanding structure of using a committee to select players and coaches for national team rosters.

www.nytimes.com

The 44-year-old Bird, who won five Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles playing for Team USA, will take on what is now known as the “Grant Hill” role on the women’s side — A person with unquestioned credentials as a player at every level who is largely responsible for selecting both the player rosters and coaching staff for both the Olympic team and the World Cup team. Her hiring is a departure from a longstanding structure of using a committee to select players and coaches for national team rosters and comes on the heels of a very close call for the USA women in Paris.​

Well, this is the key paragraph in the story (for those without access to the NYTimes and/or Athletic.)

• The committee-approach that was largely used for selection in the past will now hand over the "final decision" to Ms. Bird.
• I'm sure she'll rely heavily on input from others, most notably the person she'll choose to coach the team (the other major decision!), but -- as Harry Truman would say -- the buck stops here.

I've got no doubt she'll do well at this. And I don't think WBB is at the point where (all) players will have to be coerced into joining the team for either the World Cup and/or the Olympics. Now, some of those camps and regional tournaments might necessitate a call and/or nudge, but think the culture of this team is strong; in part due to Ms. Bird, herself.

Good luck to one and all.

 

[oldude]

This is a similar role that Grant Hill fills on the men’s side. It’s an awesome responsibility and Sue will not make everyone happy. But I can’t think of a better person to fill the job.

 

[MSGRET]

I love this because I believe that the committee messed up on the last Olympics by having Diana as a player vs some of the others that were in camp. Di played very view minutes and they could have used that extra player in the semi-finals and finals. Don't get me wrong I've loved Di from the day she walked on the court at UConn, but there were younger players that would have been a better fit for the team.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I can already hear the cries of “UConn bias” coming

 

[Dublin]

I can already hear the cries of “UConn bias” coming

especially when she selects only players and coaches who know Geno's first name ...

 

[Skeets]

I love this because I believe that the committee messed up on the last Olympics by having Diana as a player vs some of the others that were in camp. Di played very view minutes and they could have used that extra player in the semi-finals and finals. Don't get me wrong I've loved Di from the day she walked on the court at UConn, but there were younger players that would have been a better fit for the team.

Sarge, yes DT was old and there were other younger options. But DT had a good year. It's not like team USA was carrying completely dead weight. She didn't get very many minutes, but that doesn't mean she didn't belong. Rebecca Lobo got zero minutes, does that mean she didn't belong?

Advice to Sue: pick Paige and CC. Prognostication: yes, there will be claims of UConn bias.

 

[Blakeon18]

Just for...uhh...starters:

CC/Paige/A'ja Wilson/Stewie...who might be the fifth?

 

[hoopsdiva]

Just for...uhh...starters:

CC/Paige/A'ja Wilson/Stewie...who might be the fifth?

Phee?

 

[Forego]

I can already hear the cries of “UConn bias” coming

Anyone crying bias or pouting like a two year old during a live ESPN broadcast needs to remember that the Olympic flag does not have an orange ring.

 

[oldude]

Anyone crying bias or pouting like a two year old during a live ESPN broadcast needs to remember that the Olympic flag does not have an orange ring.

Your post peaked my curiosity, so I looked up the colors for the Olympic rings. They are blue, yellow, black, green and red. That green color could cause some problems…

 

[huskeynut]

Good for Sue.

Will she piss people off? Yes she will. And there will be the cry of UConn bias? That goes with the job.

She will be fine in the position.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Just for...uhh...starters:

CC/Paige/A'ja Wilson/Stewie...who might be the fifth?

You might of heard about Pheesa (Lynx) 3 of 5 not bad for UConn.

In case you are wondering, I have a very distinct bias for the best of the best, which is UConn. Continuing to be THE (for those Ohio State fans) Basketball Capitol of the UNIVERSE!!!

If anyone wants to knock them off their well earned pedestal, have them win 13 NC's or just sit down - you know the rest of the statement.

Go Huskies!!!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Speaking of green, sixth could be Skylar Diggins(Smith?) as she had a winning streak vs. UConn (I think it was the longest streak by a starting PG ever vs. UConn (at least since 1991 - the first FF), but lost the fourth game in the season's matchups in the 2013 FF game, and UConn destroyed Louisville in the NC game, as Stewie gained her "Sophomore leap" in the Elite Eight, and "CRUSHED it!" in the FF and NC games for her first of 4 MOPs of the FF).

The three losses to uNd in 2012-13 season were 1 pt, triple OT, and 2 pts, and the only other loss was to Kim's Baylor team by 6 pts.

Seventh to the 'yard? Having outstanding games vs. UConn or UConn alum players in the W may be a valid criteria...

Go Huskies!!!

 

[Jackalope]

One big question is who is going to be the coach? Cheryl Reeve, Kara Lawson? I wouldn't be surprised if Sue taps Becky Hammon. Aja, Jewel, and Chelsea are very likely to make the team. Jackie Young is also a strong possibility, so the team will have a lean to the current Aces.

 

[MSGRET]

Sarge, yes DT was old and there were other younger options. But DT had a good year. It's not like team USA was carrying completely dead weight. She didn't get very many minutes, but that doesn't mean she didn't belong. Rebecca Lobo got zero minutes, does that mean she didn't belong?

Advice to Sue: pick Paige and CC. Prognostication: yes, there will be claims of UConn bias.

There were other players that were having a better season but weren't picked. Rebecca Lobo was forced on the team by the committee over Tara's objections, Tara decided not to play her because of that.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Should not neglect the 3x3, as a streak is beginning to trend for USA Women's Basketball as well...

 

[The CDR-Ret]

There were other players that were having a better season but weren't picked. Rebecca Lobo was forced on the team by the committee over Tara's objections, Tara decided not to play her because of that.

I, for one, loved that DT was selected to have the chance at a record sixth GOLD medal, as she put up numbers that only CC can break in the W, as she (CC) now gets more games per year, and looks to be able to make deep runs into the playoffs, only limited by Stewie's Liberty. Her (DT's) last selection may have been more as an encourager, and great teammate than the "go to" player with time running out on the clock.

Gabby's heroics at the end of the Olympic Championship game nearly made another Husky a living legend for France!!!

Go Huskies!!!

 

[Jackalope]

Should not neglect the 3x3, as a streak is beginning to trend for USA Women's Basketball as well...

Sadly, not a gold medal streak.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Good for Sue.

Will she piss people off? Yes she will. And there will be the cry of UConn bias? That goes with the job.

She will be fine in the position.

As Sue was a leading character of the UConn success, she can look (with her 5 Olympic Gold medals - second only to DT) at Geno's and CD's success with a finite lens (when one is so good, one can only compete against oneself) ==>

1st 8 years vs. the last 32 years:
Wins-losses: 162-78 (67.50%) vs. 1088-87 (92.60%) with 6 undefeated seasons (more than all other Division I women's teams combined since onset of the NCAA tournament);
Conference wins-losses: 88-43 (67.18%) vs. 520-21 (96.12%) with 19 undefeated conference records including 8 in a row;
Sweet Sixteens: 1 vs. 31 straight & counting (no NCAA tourney in 2020, so 31 for 31);
Final fours: 1 vs. 23 (includes a run of 14 straight);
National Championships: 0 vs. 12.

Could explain why so many UConn alum end up on the USA Women's National Team.
Particularly in the last 32 years!

Go Sue & Go Huskies!!!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

There were other players that were having a better season but weren't picked. Rebecca Lobo was forced on the team by the committee over Tara's objections, Tara decided not to play her because of that.

Did anyone ever see Tara smile?