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

[Forego]

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.

Putting it mildly, Tara did object to Rebecca being named to the team. But in the end, I believe that Rebecca did see some time on the court. What I do remember is that that Tara told Rebecca that when she was in the game she would be the teams last shooting option.

 

[msf22b]

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.

Yeah, a huge responsibility...snort?

Half of the Boneyard could pick a winning team (and already have).
Not exactly brain surgery.

 

[Blakeon18]

When the USA team went around the country playing college teams in exhibition games Tara would always
start a member if the player had gone to the college they were playing....nice move by Tara. Uhhh...except when they played UConn Rebecca did NOT start. Geno and Tara were on the "outs" for quite a while.

 

[The CDR-Ret]

Did anyone ever see Tara smile?

I think she cracked a smile at her retirement celebration, but that was three days before Kiki Iriafen went into the portal...

Pretty sure she had a smile after wining her second NC in three years in 1992, and after the Olympic championship in 1996, after taking a year sabbatical from Stanford. Other than those, no.

Sue will pick a more smiley coach!

 

[The CDR-Ret]

When the USA team went around the country playing college teams in exhibition games Tara would always
start a member if the player had gone to the college they were playing....nice move by Tara. Uhhh...except when they played UConn Rebecca did NOT start. Geno and Tara were on the "outs" for quite a while.

Then Geno took over the Olympic team coaching (2000, 2012, & 2016) and the GOLD winning streak was a trend for eight and counting (1996-2024).

Go Huskies!!!

 

[Skeets]

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!!!

Not bad at all. Remember Geno had 5 UConn players on the court at the same time in one of the Olympics that he coached. Perhaps that should be added to Nan's unbreakable records thread.

 

[Skeets]

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.

Also, I doubt Geno was on Tara's Christmas card list. That may have also played a role in Rebecca pick up splinters from the bench.

 

[Skeets]

Putting it mildly, Tara did object to Rebecca being named to the team. But in the end, I believe that Rebecca did see some time on the court. What I do remember is that that Tara told Rebecca that when she was in the game she would be the teams last shooting option.

Not my recollection. I think I watched every game (it was the height of Huskymania), although I might have missed one. I waited and waited for Rebecca to get into the game, but t never happened. There are probably box scores floating around somewhere that I am too lazy to hunt for.

 

[Dove]

Sue is a ridiculously amazing person.

 

[Dove]

Did anyone ever see Tara smile?

Not without toothpicks, wires and a really good pulley system.

Many years ago a Yarder referred to her as Van Der Sneer. It was classic.

Maybe @Peacefrog ?

 

[Peacefrog]

Not without toothpicks, wires and a really good pulley system.

Many years ago a Yarder referred to her as Van Der Sneer. It was classic.

Maybe @Peacefrog ?

That's funny, appropriate and I wish I could take credit for it. If I coined that moniker it is one of the many things I've said that I no longer remember.

 

[Happydad745]

By 2028 Betts might be 1 of the best centers around...she should make the team and be in the running for a starting job. Sarah Strong, Hildago, Watkins, and a few others will be in the running to make the team.

 

[Blakeon18]

Appropriate mention of Betts.

I do hope Sue keeps her eye on Sarah Strong. By the LA Games [summer 2028] Sarah will have
finished her senior year and will have played some in the WNBA after the NCAA tourney. One part
of Sue's responsibility will go beyond 2028,,,,certainly a gold medal is the #1 goal. But she will need to be looking
at 2032 in terms of young players who are wonderful...and who might just be entering their prime in 2032...and be ready
to be in the 2032 rotation...and maybe even start. Experiencing the LA Games should help prepare them for 2032 no matter how many minutes they play in 2028.

 

[JellyBean]

Awesome hire!! Sue is very well liked, if not well loved, by the basketball community. Sue just has that "IT" factor. She has always been able to connect with people. She is just so well liked. Of course, now in this position, she may ruffle some feathers of how she does things but, that is a "you" problem and not about Sue and how she does things. I think in the end, Sue will do what Mr. Colangelo was able to do with the men's side of Team USA back in 2004-06 range and what Grant Hill will do going forward, and that is build, invest, and continue to grow Team USA WBB to be successful on the world stage.

Congrats, Sue!!