Too early? Maybe, but who's your pool for 2014 World Championships?

[EricLA]

The pool from 2012 was (thanks Myers...)

Bird, Taurasi, Whalen, Harding, Lawson, Montgomery, Poindexter
Augustus, Cash, Brunson, Catchings, Dupree, Jones, McCoughtry, Moore, Parker, Young
Fowles, Charles, Appel, Griner

Catch is actually the oldest (a year older than Sue, Swin and Ashja), but i think all of them will be around in 2014. Looks like 20 or 21 players. Assuming a similar number, who would be in your pool?

Guards: Bird, Taurasi, Whalen, Harding, Lawson, Monty, Cappie, and maybe Simms, Diggins, Gray and Hartley. EDD? also maybe Vandersloot or Jasmine thomas? How about Tolliver or Prahalis? or even Epiph Prince?

Augustus, Cash, Brunson, Catch, Dupree, Jones, McCoughtry, Moore, Parker, Young and maybe Nneka, and Chiney, and possibly Danielle Adams. Maybe even Bree Stewart?

Fowles, Charles, Griner, and maybe Langhorne? It seems the 5 is the position of the highest need and smallest number of talented players. Maybe Dolson is on the list? E Williams?

My preliminary WC team...

Bird, Whalen (best PG in the world, and it's hard to take Lindsay off the team at this point)
Taurasi, Augustus (best player in the world and Siemone is terrific)
Catchings, McCoughtry, EDD (great offense, defense, and a ball hog, in no particular order)
Parker, Moore (2 of the best and most versatile players out there)
Charles, Fowles, Griner (is there a better trio of centers in the world? they might be #'s 1,2 and 3)

i think that team would be probably better than the current Olympic team - no offense meant to Cash or Jones. I'd also give Young a real look as well as Jones and Cash. No idea how they will be doing in 2 years, and Cash is currently a team captain. With so many great players as potential "locks", there is hardly any room for newbies.

I think guards like 'sloot, Simms, Diggins, Gray and Hartley won't get a real shot until Bird and Taurasi are gone. and i can see them both around for the 2016 Olympics...

 

[MilfordHusky]

Good questions. I think the players from 2001-02 are the keys. For example, when will Sue say that she's not interested, or her performance drop off, or her injuries take a toll? Catch is still great. When does age catch up with her? If they are 36-37 but can still outplay others on the court, they get the slots. However, at some point, USA Basketball needs to bring in younger players to play supporting roles in a transition to becoming leaders. The big question: When?

Looking at 2016, rather than 2014, I see Diana as still being on the team. Sue, maybe not. Swin and Asjha, probably not.

I see Lindsay Whalen on the 2016 team, but not the 2020 team.

I see Griner in 2014 and 2016. And beyond.

I see Elena in 2016. On a team with balance, she can bomb away against single coverage.

Tina, Maya, and Angel all have 4-8 more years. Maya may have 12.

Candace has at least 4 more years.

I think Nneka moves in by 2016.

There will be huge competition among PGs--Renee, Harding, Tolliver, Diggins, Sims, Gray, and Hartley. Maybe others.

I think Kaleena will be in the 2016 pool and on the 2020 team. 3-point shooting is big in the international game.

Our class of 2016 all has Olympic potential for some year. Breanna appears to be on the fastest track.