I will throw my armchair psychiatry at this. I do not think most of the players feel this is how an Olympics should be and may not have the same juice the team would normally have. Full Quarantine without fans in a country that does not want to host. I also think DT not playing is a downer. She brings a lot of emotional energy to a team. Still, once there, I think they will get it together.
Maya Moore had 14 points, 9 rebounds against the national team in her first game as a freshman at UConn.
I don't think anyone has to stand up for Maya. Being one of the best ever in the game, now she is becoming legendary as a person. I don't even know why you brought her up as she wasn't mentioned in the Fairfield post. He was talking about JJ, the best young player in the WNBA. Sun fans know that the title may have been won LY if she had not opted out of the season. She is a great talent who has opened the eyes of the general basketball fan, a talent most WNBA fans have already acknowledged.
IMO these games mean nothing. It's a time to mesh players together to see who works best under a given situation. True it doesn't help when inconsistencies in shooting like this happen. But we'll be back (I hope
) when it counts.
I would agree if there were 2 months to the games but games are in 10 days. Yes, they will probably get out of their shooting funk but no way the players are 'ok' with these results. And showing vulnerabilityIMO these games mean nothing. It's a time to mesh players together to see who works best under a given situation. True it doesn't help when inconsistencies in shooting like this happen. But we'll be back (I hope
The best American guard in the Olympics might be Kelsey Plum, who was on the 2018 World Cup team. At least she can shoot, and pass.
Actually it was the young guards who played no defense.
And I would agree with you, except, what better time is there to move players in and out to see what works? As you said, the olympics are only a week and a half away! Is winning now that important? Not from where I stand. All those players deserve to be on that stage. I think there will be a completely different mindset when the games begin!
Yes, at least at the point. She is also very quick, can drive and pull up and is a lefty. Would have been a very solid replacement for Sue.
Unlike all the other guards on this team, a great outside shooter. She makes the Las Vegas team better, because she can shoot from anywhere. She also has a quick release.
I believe your comments on Kelsey Plum make her an outstanding choice for the 3 X 3 Gold Medal team. If you have seen her, KLS, Dolson and Gray ("The best Gray" ever), you know they are on a mission for gold. I was very happy that Kara Lawson was able to take the same four woemn that got the US qualified!!!
Many thx
Watching the replay of the 2016 gold medal game vs. Spain: Our team in Rio was just so stacked. 9 out of the 12 were returning Olympians, the chemistry was on point, and Taurasi was an absolute killer. Spain hung tough early but was down by 30+ after 3Q.
www.espn.com
I watched most of that game too. We miss Maya, Angel, Elena, and Mone. Other than Catch and Stewie, most of those players were at or near the peaks of their respective careers.Watching the replay of the 2016 gold medal game vs. Spain: Our team in Rio was just so stacked. 9 out of the 12 were returning Olympians, the chemistry was on point, and Taurasi was an absolute killer. Spain hung tough early but was down by 30+ after 3Q.
This year's roster is overall less experienced and took some sizable downgrades at the guard and wing positions: Instead of Whalen, Moore, Augustus, Delle Donne and McCoughtry, we now have Diggins, Gray, Loyd, Atkins and Collier. Add to that the fact Taurasi has been resting, it shouldn't be so surprising that the team has looked more vulnerable.
Here's an interesting write-up by Voepel with quotes from Staley, Loyd, Atkins, Taurasi:
Staley: U.S. feeling 'bit of pressure' off 2 losses
U.S. women's basketball coach Dawn Staley said the team feels "a little bit of pressure" heading into Sunday's game against Nigeria following back-to-back losses.
