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Time to have a discussion

msf22b

msf22b

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Dee is 38, will be 39, Sue is 40; Lindsey is retired
Seimone, Angel and Elena could and did double as guards...

That was the 2016 Olympics roster

Is it time for a changing of the guard (pun not intended)?
Or at least the addition of the two wunderkind, fearless young woman.
who may very well be the backbone of future Olympic teams, as far as the eye can see.

I don't think there is stage large enough to unnerve them.
They are (both) two of the most skilled guards in the history of the game (already).

And we've seen enough, eyes don't deceive, regardless of whom advances.

It's time for a serious discussion...And you can bet your bottom dollars
Dawn and the committee are having it.
 
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msf22b said:
There is no one who has supported Moriah more than I did (look it up)
But in the pros (sadly) she has shown to be of unsound body.
There is the possibility, that like Morgan, we will not see the best of her again.
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How about Crystal Dangerfield.
 
I was so looking forward to seeing Moriah as a pro, and her body has not yet allowed that. We all knew Morgan was on borrowed time, but Moriah had seemed indestructible until she graduated.

Sue and DT are going - don't think USA would deny them unless they are unfit. But USA will have at least 2 more guards and maybe more.
 
The USNT has recently made a point of putting (or trying to) 1 college player on the team - usually an upperclassman who is obviously really good. It will be interesting to see what happens going forward. The entire USNT is either aging, or prone to injuries. Bird, Taurasi, Fowles, DelleDonne, Augustus, etc.

I have no idea what they do. The committee did Catchings a favor by adding her in her last season - she was last off the bench and likely would have been left off the team if not for her history and leadership.

I think they need to look hard at Ionescu, Clark and Bueckers as the future for the guards. Maybe a few others. Stewie and Wilson are the future in the front court.
 
Sue and DT had a good summer in the wubble. No signs of slowing down for either two, especially with the extensions they just signed. So I expect them to be in Tokyo on the court.
 
EricLA said:
The USNT has recently made a point of putting (or trying to) 1 college player on the team - usually an upperclassman who is obviously really good. It will be interesting to see what happens going forward. The entire USNT is either aging, or prone to injuries. Bird, Taurasi, Fowles, DelleDonne, Augustus, etc.

I have no idea what they do. The committee did Catchings a favor by adding her in her last season - she was last off the bench and likely would have been left off the team if not for her history and leadership.

I think they need to look hard at Ionescu, Clark and Bueckers as the future for the guards. Maybe a few others. Stewie and Wilson are the future in the front court.
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The USNT has not however grabbed freshman/sophomores for their teams - they have grabbed juniors/seniors/graduates. I don't see either Clark or Paige until possibly the WC in 2022. There are enough really good young pros at guard to choose from before getting into the very young college ranks.
 
msf22b said:
Dee s 38, will be 39, Sue is 40; Lindsey is retired
Seimone, Angel and Elena could and did double as guards...

That was the 2016 Olympics roster

Is it time for a changing of the guard (pun not intended)?
Or at least the addition of the two wunderkind, fearless young woman.
who may very well be the backbone of future Olympic teams, as far as the eye can see.

I don't think there is stage large enough to unnerve them.
They are (both) two of the most skilled guards in the history of the game (already).

And we've seen enough, eyes don't deceives, regardless of whom advances.

It's time for a serious discussion...And you can bet your bottom dollars
Dawn and the committee are having it.
Expand ...
Sue and DT still are playing quite well and should be safe bets for 2021. Ionescu likely nabs a spot and maybe someone like Chelsea Gray to add more youth to the roster (although Gray isn't particularly young). Whalen, Moore and Catchings open up at least 3 spots at guard/SF for the team.


IMO, 2016 Olympians at risk of not returning are Tina Charles, Angel McCoughtry, Seimone Augustus and Brittney Griner. Charles didn't play well her last pro season, sat out last year and I'm not sure if she is or isnt at Olympic level anymore. Augustus skillwise isn't there anymore. Angel is still solid but I could see her getting beat out by someone younger. And Griner's effort/attitude/dedication are big question marks IMO.

With anywhere from 4-7 spots to fill, my guess is players like Chelsea Gray, Skylar Diggins, A'ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Arike Ogunbowale, and Napheesa Collier likely claim roster spots.

Long term I think PG looks very solid with players Ionescu, Clark, Bueckers, Owusu and Johnson in the pipeline. I could also see Pao Pao emerging as an excellent WNBA/USA basketball point guard. Traditionally it has been the weakest position for USA basketball but it looks very strong going forward.
 
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I don't think the national team was done any favors by not having a young guard on the 16 Olympic team. I figured it would be the last cycle for all four but Bird and Taurasi have earned the right to come back and play unless they are injured.

I don't see Augustus or McCoughtry on the team. Charles and Fowles are both question marks. Griner will be on the team if she wishes. I think Diggins, Ionescu, Gray will be the other guards added with Taurasi and Bird. Griner, Stewart, Wilson, EDD are locks at forwards if able. Collier may wind up being added as well. That would leave some open spots and I will be curious to see who gets the nods.

USA Basketball has proven to be a very political organization and the depth of talent for the Americans means someone who is deserving will always be left out. It's likely another team of 12 players could be picked and still wind up winning a medal so it really comes down to fit and personalities.

Bueckers and Clark could very well wind up being superb national team guards someday but their youth makes both extreme long shots to get consideration.
 
bballnut90 said:
Sue and DT still are playing quite well and should be safe bets for 2021. Ionescu likely nabs a spot and maybe someone like Chelsea Gray to add more youth to the roster (although Gray isn't particularly young). Whalen, Moore and Catchings open up at least 3 spots at guard/SF for the team.


IMO, 2016 Olympians at risk of not returning are Tina Charles, Angel McCoughtry, Seimone Augustus and Brittney Griner. Charles didn't play well her last pro season, sat out last year and I'm not sure if she is or isnt at Olympic level anymore. Augustus skillwise isn't there anymore. Angel is still solid but I could see her getting beat out by someone younger. And Griner's effort/attitude/dedication are big question marks IMO.

With anywhere from 4-7 spots to fill, my guess is players like Chelsea Gray, Skylar Diggins, A'ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Arike Ogunbowale, and Napheesa Collier likely claim roster spots.

Long term I think PG looks very solid with players Ionescu, Clark, Bueckers, Owusu and Johnson in the pipeline. I could also see Pao Pao emerging as an excellent WNBA/USA basketball point guard. Traditionally it has been the weakest position for USA basketball but it looks very strong going forward.
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Did you mistype? Or were you referring to the backups? Sue and Dee are arguably the best guard combo in the history of women's basketball. So I would argue NOT traditionally the weakest position.
 
EricLA said:
Did you mistype? Or were you referring to the backups? Sue and Dee are arguably the best guard combo in the history of women's basketball. So I would argue NOT traditionally the weakest position.
Expand ...

I meant in regards to depth. The sheer amount of talent at the guard positions has paled in comparison to the level of depth and talent at 3-5 spots.
 
Kaizen said:
Moriah is the top lead guard now.
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No. Can't say healthy and has done basically nothing for 3 years. Shouldnt even be in the pool for the National Team.
 
If there is one current college player to be added to the National team, it will be Aliyah Boston. While Coach Staley is not officially part of the National Team player selection committee, you just know she will use all her influence to make it happen.

As to guards, I thnk Vandersloot, Chelsea Gery, and Sabrina are likely to join DT and Sue. Paige has certainly put in time with USA basketball and they like to reward that. Her time will come, but probably not in 2021.
 
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Clarendon, Loyd, and Plum were the 'young' guards on the 2018 WC team.

The current NT Pool also includes: Atkins, Canada, DeShields, Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Chelsea Gray, Hayes, McBride, Tiff Mitchell, Ogunbowale, Sykes, Jas Thomas, and Wiese.

They also list: Colier (G/F), Kahleah Cooper(F/G), EDD (G/F) McCoughtry (G/F), Samuelson(G/F), and they list Kelsey Mitchell (F)!!

Sabrina is not yet in the pool which seems a little odd - how is her recovery going?

www.usab.com

2023 USA Men's National Team Roster - 5x5 Men's World Cup - USA Basketball

USA Basketball is the National Governing Body for the sport of basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Basketball is...
www.usab.com www.usab.com
 
UcMiami said:
Clarendon, Loyd, and Plum were the 'young' guards on the 2018 WC team.
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I was in Tenerife for the 2018 WC. Loyd eventually settled down and played pretty well, especially defensively. Clarendon and Plum looked terrified.
 
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I don't see a college player at this moment at forward or post that can challenge for a spot on the NT - too many really good young pros have left college in the last ten years. Fowles is probably gone after this year, and maybe Charles, but Stewart and Wilson are young and Griner probably has another 4 year cycle. Then you have the O sisters Collier, Turner, and a bunch of others.

The college players they have chosen over the years are the ones that you know are going to be on the team for years Moore, Griner (didn't chose to join I believe), and Stewart - Sue and DT were actually chosen as just graduated and not while in school, Can't remember when Catchings and Parker were first selected.
 
UConnCat said:
I was in Tenerife for the 2018 WC. Loyd eventually settled down and played pretty well, especially defensively. Clarendon and Plum looked terrified.
Expand ...
Sue and Dee didn't do too well the first time they got the keys to the car - Bronze in the 2006 WC. Putting on that USA jersey is special, but a lot of responsibility. Maya and Breanna shot really poorly the first time they were on the team.
 
UcMiami said:
Sue and Dee didn't do too well the first time they got the keys to the car - Bronze in the 2006 WC. Putting on that USA jersey is special, but a lot of responsibility. Maya and Breanna shot really poorly the first time they were on the team.
Expand ...
Sue and Dee played pretty well in 06 but the team sure didn't.

I remember being in Istanbul and Stewie did not fare well in the garbage time she got. Maya didn't shoot that poorly in 2010; she just took some ill-advised shots and her teammates had to rein her in a bit.

It's hard. That's why USA BB keeps players like Sue and Dee who've been there and done that.
 
I suppose my real question is:
Are we seeing a new era of transcendent woman's talent:

Is it possible that Catlin and Paige are so unusually gifted and have such finely honed skills
That speaking of established WNBA stars like Chelsea Gray, Skylar, A'ja, Arike, even Sabrina is silly.

I don't know the answer...and we don't have quite enough information...more to come.

I remember Dee doing some of the things that our present 2 do (regularly)...Can she do it as well at her current age? Sue was always more conventional...just phenomenally steady, great competitor, the definition of clutch...But again...except for the experience angle, the kids may have more overall skills.

I propose this as a theory...unproven...Surely, in a year or so, we'll know much more...
But we may be witnessing the dawn of a quantum leap in woman's skillset
and its a pleasure to watch it unfold,
 
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