Tonight at 7 on espn Olympic team versus...

[Fairfield Fan]

This was the first time I got to really see Jonquil Jones play, and I was blown away. She is by far the greatest player I never got to watch in college!!! Absolutely amazing. A double-double against Team USA, contributing to out rebounding that team, and also almost winning the 3-point contest? I was shocked.

Having said that, this WNBA team convincingly beat the USA national team, which looked a bit tired and certainly slower. They committed twice as many turnovers as the WNBA All-Stars, and were out rebounded.

Coach Geno said that there wasn't much separation between the national team and players who could be selected for the national team, and we just saw exactly what he was talking about.

I'm guessing that Jonquil Jones can't play in the Olympics because Bahamas didn't qualify. Have I got that right?

 

[eebmg]

This was the first time I got to really see Jonquil Jones play, and I was blown away. She is by far the greatest player I never got to watch in college!!! Absolutely amazing. A double-double against Team USA, contributing to out rebounding that team, and also almost winning the 3-point contest? I was shocked.

Having said that, this WNBA team convincingly beat the USA national team, which looked a bit tired and certainly slower. They committed twice as many turnovers as the WNBA All-Stars, and were out rebounded.

Coach Geno said that there wasn't much separation between the national team and players who could be selected for the national team, and we just saw exactly what he was talking about.

I'm guessing that Jonquil Jones can't play in the Olympics because Bahamas didn't qualify. Have I got that right?

She has been playing on the Bosnia–Herzegovina team but they did not qualify.

 

[Plebe]

This was the first time I got to really see Jonquil Jones play, and I was blown away. She is by far the greatest player I never got to watch in college!!! Absolutely amazing. A double-double against Team USA, contributing to out rebounding that team, and also almost winning the 3-point contest? I was shocked.

Having said that, this WNBA team convincingly beat the USA national team, which looked a bit tired and certainly slower. They committed twice as many turnovers as the WNBA All-Stars, and were out rebounded.

Coach Geno said that there wasn't much separation between the national team and players who could be selected for the national team, and we just saw exactly what he was talking about.

I'm guessing that Jonquil Jones can't play in the Olympics because Bahamas didn't qualify. Have I got that right?

Jonquel Jones is from the Bahamas but plays internationally for Bosnia and Herzegovina (which did not qualify for Tokyo 2020).

In a EuroBasket qualifying game in November 2019, she torched Russia for 29 points and 16 rebounds. In B-H's EuroBasket quarterfinal loss to France last month, she set a FIBA single-game rebounding record (24), while again scoring 29:

Jones sets single-game FIBA Women's EuroBasket rebounding record

STRASBOURG/ VALENCIA (France / Spain) - Bosnia and Herzegovina standout Jonquel Jones has raised the rebounding bar at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket after the center set a new record in the category.

www.fiba.basketball

So she won't be in Tokyo, but we should get to see her at the 2022 FIBA World Cup, for which Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified by virtue of its 5th-place finish in EuroBasket.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Jonquel Jones is from the Bahamas but plays internationally for Bosnia and Herzegovina (which did not qualify for Tokyo 2020).

In a EuroBasket qualifying game in November 2019, she torched Russia for 29 points and 16 rebounds. In B-H's EuroBasket quarterfinal loss to France last month, she set a FIBA single-game rebounding record (24), while again scoring 29:

Jones sets single-game FIBA Women's EuroBasket rebounding record

STRASBOURG/ VALENCIA (France / Spain) - Bosnia and Herzegovina standout Jonquel Jones has raised the rebounding bar at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket after the center set a new record in the category.

www.fiba.basketball

Wow!! So is Jonquel Jones the best player in the WNBA? She shoots a higher percentage from three than Breanna Stewart, rips down more rebounds, scores more. But she doesn't block as many shots. Just shocked she's so good!

 

[Dillon77]

Wow!! So is Jonquel Jones the best player in the WNBA? She shoots a higher percentage from three than Breanna Stewart, rips down more rebounds, scores more. But she doesn't block as many shots. Just shocked she's so good!

I've been following her since she started playing at GW (in part because of the ND coaching connection at the time). She's always had the physical tools and has progressively gotten better. However, she seems to have taken it to a whole new level the last year. She's got some serious first-step/burst speed on drives and/or for going after offensive rebounds.

 

[Plebe]

Wow!! So is Jonquel Jones the best player in the WNBA? She shoots a higher percentage from three than Breanna Stewart, rips down more rebounds, scores more. But she doesn't block as many shots. Just shocked she's so good!

Jonquel and Tina seem to be the current front-runners for season MVP. Stewie and A'ja are both in the conversation as well.

 

[bbsamjj]

USA will be more than fine at the Olympics.

That being said, if we're being nitpicky, they don't seem to have a player that can be "instant offense" off the bench--the way Angel was the previous two Olympics.

If DT starts over Loyd, Loyd could definitely fill that role, and maybe SDS/Gray, though they are both more point guards at this point. The one thing about players like Arike and C. Williams is they can get a shot anytime they want. As others have noted, they don't always go in, but they are able to make offense for themselves even when a play breaks down.

 

[baggerbob]

So my take on it is we need more 3 point shooting with consistency which will be D's mission and a better secondary passer which is also D. The weaknesses are shooting from deep, lack of speed in the backcourt both offensively and defensively and ball handling by everyone. They can only get better.

When Stewie and A'ja are second and 3rd in assists while the backcourt has 26 total points you know where the problem is. All the long rebounds went to the WNBA all stars.

 

[BBallF]

When Stewie and A'ja are second and 3rd in assists while the backcourt has 26 total points you know where the problem is. All the long rebounds went to the WNBA all stars.

All true. That was team speed for the rebounds. After D and Sue, the backcourt is not stellar and there is no real knock down 3 point shooter who can create for herself. I think we have to just pound it inside over and over. The front court is very solid and I think invincible but there is little speed there also. We will see more Friday but I saw major flaws and it had to do with the team composition. I don't understand the lack of 3 point shooting swings. There is also the lack of a Lindsay Whalen type back up point who can spell Sue, dish and also score. The assists stat tells it all.

 

[MilfordHusky]

- The U.S.A. just played it's first exhibition game against perhaps the best team it will play in the next month. No D.T., new players. Determined opponent. They'll get it together.

- One concern: I thought the U.S. was susceptable to what I call "forceful speed" -- hard, quick bursts to the paint and/or pull up jumpers. Arike O. and Courtney W. did this in the backcourt and J. Jones in the frontcourt. Here's the good news: there aren't that many Arikes and Courtneys in the world. And Jones isn't playing in the Olympics. Still, defense needs to be ready for that....Jewell has to get on the ball of her feet!

- On the other hand, no team will be able to address the waves of bigs the U.S. brings in. Yes, the Aussies have Liz C.,, but the U.S. has Brittany G., Sylvia F. and Tina C., with Stewie, A'ja and 'Phee coming up right behind the front liners.

I think the pandemic has -- like everything else -- had an effect on everything from players working with each other to, perhaps, some aspects of team selection. That said, ditto for most everyone else. Let's see how the U.S.A. rebounds against Australia. Stay tuned.

Your first paragraph about sums it up for me.

The international players are very good--see Cambage, Meesseman, Whitcomb, Jones, et al.--but the U.S. won't face anyone like Jonquel or Arike in Tokyo.

 

[eebmg]

Well, Cambage selfishly bringing down the Opals

Australia Opals discussing Liz Cambage future following incident in scrimmage against Nigeria (espn.com)

and just to be sure, she decided to have multiple infractions in Vegas

Olympics Liz Cambage basketball miss Tokyo after fighting and partying in Las Vegas | Daily Mail Online

 

[Plebe]

Well, Cambage selfishly bringing down the Opals

Australia Opals discussing Liz Cambage future following incident in scrimmage against Nigeria (espn.com)

and just to be sure, she decided to have multiple infractions in Vegas

Olympics Liz Cambage basketball miss Tokyo after fighting and partying in Las Vegas | Daily Mail Online

 

[bbsamjj]

All true. That was team speed for the rebounds. After D and Sue, the backcourt is not stellar and there is no real knock down 3 point shooter who can create for herself. I think we have to just pound it inside over and over. The front court is very solid and I think invincible but there is little speed there also. We will see more Friday but I saw major flaws and it had to do with the team composition. I don't understand the lack of 3 point shooting swings. There is also the lack of a Lindsay Whalen type back up point who can spell Sue, dish and also score. The assists stat tells it all.

Chelsea Gray is that backup PG. She's arguably a better scorer than Sue at this point in their careers (much more dangerous going to the basket) and is currently second in the league in apg (on Wed night, she had 7pts and 3 assists in 18min).

As for 3pt shooting, I believe Atkins is on the team to be a 3 and D player off the bench. She's shooting 40% from 3pt range this season, and made 2/3 on Wed night. Bird remains a deady 3-point shooter, and Loyd was in the 3-pt contest for a reason.

They'll be fine.

 

[CL82]

My suspicion is that this was Dawn pulling a Geno move. How do you get the attention of bunch of superstars? Let them lose a game or two. Now they realize that they need to be on board with the game plan to be successful. Just a feeling.

 

[Ozimoto]

Based on what I am hearing from a friend in Australia, the fan base there is pretty much fed up with her antics.

 

[Dillon77]

Richard Cohen of "Her Hoops Stats" weighs in on some aspects of the All-Star Game. Please go to the link for his views on the U.S. "3" spot and Breanna Stewart being in. I've cut and pasted the segment about a person that "wants the ball," as Arike (no surprise) and Courtney Williams did. We've seen variations on this take on The Boneyard, but interesting to see it from another source.

"The other primary element that Wednesday night seemed to highlight about Team USA was their lack of a player like the MVP of the game, Arike Ogunbowale. The US obviously have a lot of people who can get their shot whenever they want. But they have a lot of guards who are willing to sit back and wait, or pick their moments. Jewell Loyd, Ariel Atkins, Sue Bird, Chelsea Gray and even modern-day Diana Taurasi are often willing to play a secondary role offensively to high-scoring teammates - Ogunbowale wants the ball and wants to shoot.

"This obviously comes with negatives as well - when the ball isn't dropping, that kind of player can shoot you out of games just as easily as they can win them - but Ogunbowale is the sort of player who forces the action. Team USA sometimes feels just a little bit too nice. Everyone recognizes how good everyone else is, and wants to make the extra pass or the 'right' play. Sometimes you just want them to illustrate that they're the best basketball players on Earth and go get a bucket.

"Of course, none of this is likely to matter. There are some good teams going to Tokyo, and on a bad night for Team USA an upset isn't beyond the realm of possibility. But typically, talent wins out. And player-for-player, as usual, the Americans are comfortably the most talented team heading to the Olympics. However, as Wednesday night illustrated, a motivated opponent can be a dangerous thing, even against a team that's won the last six Olympic gold medals."

I'll be interested in who "go gets a bucket" against Australia....

WNBA Dissected: FIBA say no to Nigeria and more from Week 9

Requests to switch nationality denied, Team USA lose out to Team WNBA, trying to judge teams more accurately than the standings and more from the world of women's basketball

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[darkstar1]

Will Paige be ready for the next Olympic team?

 

[Plebe]

Just as a reminder of how hero-ball can run the bus right off the cliff, Arike's most recent outing before the all-star break was a 4-of-19 clang-fest in a 16-point loss to Vegas.

Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings - WNBA Game Summary - July 11, 2021 | WNBA

Check the game summary of the Las Vegas Aces vs. Dallas Wings WNBA basketball game on July 11, 2021.

www.wnba.com

And before that, she went 5-of-15 in a 6-point loss to the Lynx.

Gotta remember the Olympic format as well. All it takes is one bad game to ruin the party and end the gold medal streak. If that happened, how much consolation would it be that she scored 30 in an inconsequential exhibition game?

 

[UConnCat]

Richard Cohen of "Her Hoops Stats" weighs in on some aspects of the All-Star Game. Please go to the link for his views on the U.S. "3" spot and Breanna Stewart being in. I've cut and pasted the segment about a person that "wants the ball," as Arike (no surprise) and Courtney Williams did. We've seen variations on this take on The Boneyard, but interesting to see it from another source.

"The other primary element that Wednesday night seemed to highlight about Team USA was their lack of a player like the MVP of the game, Arike Ogunbowale. The US obviously have a lot of people who can get their shot whenever they want. But they have a lot of guards who are willing to sit back and wait, or pick their moments. Jewell Loyd, Ariel Atkins, Sue Bird, Chelsea Gray and even modern-day Diana Taurasi are often willing to play a secondary role offensively to high-scoring teammates - Ogunbowale wants the ball and wants to shoot.

"This obviously comes with negatives as well - when the ball isn't dropping, that kind of player can shoot you out of games just as easily as they can win them - but Ogunbowale is the sort of player who forces the action. Team USA sometimes feels just a little bit too nice. Everyone recognizes how good everyone else is, and wants to make the extra pass or the 'right' play. Sometimes you just want them to illustrate that they're the best basketball players on Earth and go get a bucket.

"Of course, none of this is likely to matter. There are some good teams going to Tokyo, and on a bad night for Team USA an upset isn't beyond the realm of possibility. But typically, talent wins out. And player-for-player, as usual, the Americans are comfortably the most talented team heading to the Olympics. However, as Wednesday night illustrated, a motivated opponent can be a dangerous thing, even against a team that's won the last six Olympic gold medals."

I'll be interested in who "go gets a bucket" against Australia....

WNBA Dissected: FIBA say no to Nigeria and more from Week 9

Requests to switch nationality denied, Team USA lose out to Team WNBA, trying to judge teams more accurately than the standings and more from the world of women's basketball

herhoopstats.substack.com

I typically like Cohen's work but I'm left scratching my head after reading his take on Wednesday night's game. He seems to be making 2 points. First, he seems to think Team USA needs a guard who hunts shots in order to be really dominant and prove they're the best team on earth. In the past 2 major international events -- 2016 Olympics and 2018 World Cup -- Team USA pretty much showed the world they're the best team on earth. The 2016 team was the best USA team ever and dominated that event. The 2018 World Cup team was not quite as dominant but still won pretty convincingly. Those teams proved to be quite capable of getting a bucket when they needed one. USA's leading scorers in 2016 were Diana and Maya and in 2018 were Diana and Stewie (playing the wing). USA has always had a style of play and that style has been wildly successful. Have they not been successful enough? Based on an exhibition game?

In terms of style of play, I can't ever recall a USA team that had a player who wants/needs to shoot as much as Arike. It'll be interesting to see if in the future USA BB goes that route. Maya Moore's first major WNT tournament was at the 2010 World Cup in Prague. Maya was young, excited and looking for her shot . . . a lot. Her veteran teammates thought too much and let her know about it. Geno didn't have to say a word and Maya learned how to play within the USA system.

Speaking of Maya, Cohen's second point is about the 3 (wing) position on Team USA. I agree with his overall point but his memory is a bit off. He writes: "Wednesday night was an indication that Dawn Staley still seems to view Stewart as a regular wing option. It would be a stretch to call the position a 'hole', but the US haven't really played with a natural 3 at a major tournament since Tamika Catchings retired (and Angel McCoughtry started picking up major injuries)."

He's right that the wing position is an issue but he seems to have forgotten that Maya Moore was the natural 3 who played that position for Team USA in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016. Geno created a bit of a controversy in London in 2012 when he sat Parker and inserted Maya in to the starting lineup at the wing. He did this because the spacing with Charles, Parker and Catchings playing together was terrible and the offense bogged down. The same thing happened in Tenerife in 2018 when Dawn started Griner, Charles/Nneka and Stewart. That lineup forced Stewie to the wing where she played great (won MOP), but it is not her natural position and the offense didn't look great. It looks like Dawn plans to do the same thing with Griner, Wilson and Stewie. We'll see how that looks but issues at the wing probably explain why Nneka did not make the team and Pheesa did. Team USA is still searching for a replacement for Maya Moore.

 

[eebmg]

Napheesa has not gotten in the game at all in the 1st half? Come on.

Any link to a box score?

 

[Longtime fan]

Arike outplaying Chelsea so far.

Speaking of the Olympics, does anyone know how TV coverage of USWNT soccer will work? First live game is July 21, I think, before official opening ceremonies. But it will be played at 4:30am on the east coast and it is a big game for USWNT. They open against Sweden who has been a problem for them. Any insights on how/where to watch?

 

[eebmg]

Australia making a run to end the third. And they are stinking the place up at start of 4th. Down 64-60. Get stewie back in the game

 

[Plebe]

Australia making a run to end the third. And they are stinking the place up at start of 4th. Down 64-60. Get stewie back in the game

Ha get ready. The knives are out and have been well sharpened.

 

[eebmg]

Ha get ready. The knives are out and have been well sharpened.

Let me throw the first knife. We were terrible down the stretch as we lose 70-67. No one including Stewie who missed an open 3 that would have tied the game could hit a shot.

 

[Plebe]

Let me throw the first knife. We were terrible down the stretch as we lose 70-67. No one including Stewie who missed an open 3 that would have tied the game could hit a shot.

I only saw the 4th quarter and wow, that was bad. Between the utter lack of offensive flow, the ugly turnovers, and the ice cold shooting, I felt like I was watching a middle-of-the pack SEC game.

Apparently the US had a 16-point lead earlier in the game. But they could not buy a bucket down the stretch. Stewie missing the would-be tying 3 at the buzzer pretty much summed it up.