Sue Not Dressed For Game

[RockyMTblue2]

French trying hard to psych themselves up. Careful... they were a fouling machine in July. Strange, no pregame talking heads.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Augustus starts.

 

[EricLA]

Siemone has played very well in Sue's absence. Dee is a terrific PG - she's the best guard in the world of course. Good thing for the depth on the team!

 

[EricLA]

NIce job getting Ayayi into foul trouble - 2 fouls in the 1st quarter for her..

 

[Plebe]

A pretty ugly affair so far (end of 1st quarter). We've had some bad turnovers and some missed layups. Things look a little disjointed without Sue. Hopefully the 2nd quarter is better.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Put in Stewie!!!!!

 

[EricLA]

Sue makes a big difference. I wouldn't be surprised to see France hang around for a bit. USA just needs to tighten some things up and make some of those bunnies! Love the energy Angel brings... But taking 3 point shots is not her strength...

 

[bags27]

French trying hard to psych themselves up. Careful... they were a fouling machine in July. Strange, no pregame talking heads.

But sounds like, with her pain down from a "8' yesterday to a "4" today ,that she will play Saturday, if only a cameo. (I'm not being presumptive, because the two losers today play for Bronze).

Can't be a huge vote of confidence that Whalen's not starting at point....

(I'm watching on tape delay by around 5 minutes)

 

[blaqtech]

Alright..... we need a sub for Brittney Griner. I just do not see her contribution.

 

[EricLA]

Boy what a half. Just when you think we are getting a comfortable lead, bam it's a close game again. I wasn't nervous at all about this game, but they need to come out better in the 2nd half...

 

[MilfordHusky]

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.

 

[Wbbfan1]

This is not a Geno coached team in the 1st half. They didn't come ready to play. Worse half of play for Team USA. Aren't ready to play defense and France getting all the Hustle plays. How many 2nd chance opportunities did Team USA give up in the last half of 2nd quarter?

Confident team will win. Happy they're not playing Spain as Spain's guards would be having a field day with how Team USA is playing today.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Sue Bird keeps this team in order when she is on the floor. Her absence is evident. Makes me wonder why they didn't bring an extra point guard. 2020 will be interesting in the backcourt.

 

[MilfordHusky]

25-8 in the 3rd. Deja vu from the Japan game. Better energy. Better passing. Better shooting. At least 2 shot clock violations for France.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Stewie is in!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I can't watch. It's a superstition thing. As Bags said, Whalen not starting may raise a question about selection process.

 

[Kaizen]

Sloppy play gave France 6 pts.. I want Sue.

 

[Kaizen]

DT for 3

 

[bags27]

last 90 seconds of 3rd (I'm watching a bit delayed). Geno pulls Whalen after a couple of drives with her head down (one with EDD trailing and open). Puts in Dee, and then 45 seconds later, puts in Whalen for Dee. Clearly, Geno wanted to "slow down" Whalen and get her back on message. Doesn't want to "bench" her--she's a pro and an important part of the team, esp. with Sue uncertain. But he obviously is keeping her on a short leash here.

 

[j66kicker]

France on 9-0 run with Catchings giving it up several times.

 

[iri10]

With a bit of fortune, Bird will feel well enough to play against Spain. They benefit a lot from her floor leadership.

 

[EricLA]

Thank goodness for the 3rd quarter. In the other 3 quarters combined, Team USA outscored them by only 2 points in total.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Ok, we won and advance! But there was a lot of ugliness. Allowing offensive rebounds. Allowing lob passes on post-ups. Blowing layups. Handing France the ball. Bad passes by the posts. Some of it was France, but I think we brought our B- game today. We need better against Spain.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Moriah would be harassing the opposing guards all the way to Ipanema.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Moriah would be harassing the opposing guards all the way to Ipanema.

Hopefully we can watch her harass the opposing guards in Tokyo. We got a little taste of life after Sue today, and it wasn't pretty.