US/Aussie Game Thread

[easttexastrash]

I don't know why Sims isn't playing more. She is a much better on ball defender and doesn't give up height to Erin Philips or Leilani Mitchell who are burning USA from the outside.

I was just wondering why Geno would put Stewart in for the last 50 seconds and leave Sims as the only player not to get into the game.

 

[pap49cba]

Whalen and Dupree didn't play all that many minutes. Wonder if Geno was trying to rest certain players.

 

[UcMiami]

I don't know why Sims isn't playing more. She is a much better on ball defender and doesn't give up height to Erin Philips or Leilani Mitchell who are burning USA from the outside.

Because it isn't the on-ball defense but the defense off of screens which USA still doesn't play very well, though better than last week.

I was just wondering why Geno would put Stewart in for the last 50 seconds and leave Sims as the only player not to get into the game.

Not sure he thought of it and really 50 seconds wouldn't have mattered - not sure why he put Stewart in to be honest.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

Because it isn't the on-ball defense but the defense off of screens which USA still doesn't play very well, though better than last week. Not sure he thought of it and really 50 seconds wouldn't have mattered - not sure why he put Stewart in to be honest.

Hmmm. I see your point but I think I would have like to see Sims try. Can't do anything sitting on bench and to be fair she is the quickest and best defensive guard.

 

[easttexastrash]

Because it isn't the on-ball defense but the defense off of screens which USA still doesn't play very well, though better than last week.

Not sure he thought of it and really 50 seconds wouldn't have mattered - not sure why he put Stewart in to be honest.

Interesting that he would have thought to put Stewart in, but not Sims. Can't be a very good feeling to be the only player that didn't get a second of playing time when the person that you sat next to for 39 minutes was inserted. I'm pretty sure that also putting Sims in was going to put the game at risk. Just seems like it would have been the right thing to do.

 

[UcMiami]

I agree. Sims could have easily taken Angel's minutes, she plays better defense and makes better decisions on offense.

They were switching on a ton of screens so he may have preferred to have a taller player with more experience to guard Taylor or other wind/forwards on the switches.
And for a lot of the second half he was harping on rebounding which I think is why Dupree played less than Nneka - though per minute in this game Dupree was more effective rebounding and much more effective scoring.
I thought the rookies that played in this game really struggled - Nneka - 1-5 and 3 rebounds and three turnovers and 2 fouls in 18 minutes; Griner 3-5 with 4 rebounds and three turnovers and five fouls in 17 minutes. They both had 3 assists but especially with Griner just never looked like she got into the game.

 

[UcMiami]

Interesting that he would have thought to put Stewart in, but not Sims. Can't be a very good feeling to be the only player that didn't get a second of playing time when the person that you sat next to for 39 minutes was inserted. I'm pretty sure that also putting Sims in was going to put the game at risk. Just seems like it would have been the right thing to do.

Probably. I don't think it was an intentional diss, unless something happened in practice. In checking the number of games played by Bird I realized that she must have been held out of two of 2002 WC games so maybe it is a guard thing?!

 

[easttexastrash]

Looking at the box score, Whalen and Bird had a combined zero assists and 3 TOs. How can the two PGs for a team with this many offensive weapons have zero assists?

 

[easttexastrash]

Game ball goes to Tina...what a performance she had today with 18 points and 9 rebounds. And Maya with 16 points and a team-high 5 assists. Looked like their days together at UCONN.

 

[alexrgct]

Well if anyone needed a reminder as to how Maya and Tina managed 78 college-level wins in a row together, they certainly got one today.

 

[alexrgct]

Game ball goes to Tina...what a performance she had today with 18 points and 9 rebounds. And Maya with 16 points and a team-high 5 assists. Looked like their days together at UCONN.

HA! Great minds...

 

[easttexastrash]

One more to go! Is Spain better than the Aussies? Sancho Lyttle is a very good player but Tolo is bigger and stronger and probably played BG as well as anyone has in a long time. Who is going to guard Torrens? She seems to be a better player than anyone on the Aussie squad.

 

[UcMiami]

Fiba posted video of the press conference:
http://www.fiba.com/world/women/2014/0410/Australia-USA
USA runs a lot of plays that involve two passes and three players - there was one beautiful one where Bird in a transition situation dribbled across the free throw line made a pass back to Taurasi who because bird had crossed and shifted the defense to the left had a perfect angle for a great assist to Tina cutting to the basket from the right. It is plays like that which do not get told in statistics and one of the reason USA basketball is so good.

 

[UcMiami]

One more to go! Is Spain better than the Aussies? Sancho Lyttle is a very good player but Tolo is bigger and stronger and probably played BG as well as anyone has in a long time. Who is going to guard Torrens? She seems to be a better player than anyone on the Aussie squad.

I think Australia displays more confidence in playing the USA than any other country in the world and that is a big thing. I do think Spain will be at a disadvantage in the low post with Charles and Griner against Little and Nichols. Torrens is very good but I think a combination of Maya, Augustus, and maybe Angel and DT will end up causing her problems. And I don't think Spain is as deep as Australia.
And Australia was really hurt by Taylor's foul issues - I thought they were legit fouls, but also very unfortunate.

 

[UcMiami]

Hmmm. I see your point but I think I would have like to see Sims try. Can't do anything sitting on bench and to be fair she is the quickest and best defensive guard.

Not trying to knock Sims, but I am not sure she is the best defensive guard in that she has tended to pick up fouls very quickly - she is absolutely the fastest, but not necessarily the smartest or best defender at this point.

 

[easttexastrash]

I think Australia displays more confidence in playing the USA than any other country in the world and that is a big thing. I do think Spain will be at a disadvantage in the low post with Charles and Griner against Little and Nichols. Torrens is very good but I think a combination of Maya, Augustus, and maybe Angel and DT will end up causing her problems. And I don't think Spain is as deep as Australia.
And Australia was really hurt by Taylor's foul issues - I thought they were legit fouls, but also very unfortunate.

I agree. I would really like to have seen the US have to beat an Aussie team with Cambage and Jackson on the floor. However, I would also like to see Parker on the floor for the US. Her ability to rebound and then take the ball the length of the court is a hard match-up for any team. And the US could use Catching for her defense. So even though Australia can be better, so can the US.

 

[JoePgh]

Don't forget that the USA team is also missing Elena Della Donne and Sylvia Fowles. I think if the basketball gods put back all six players (Cambage and Jackson for Australia; Parker, Catchings, EDD and Fowles for the US), the USA would still have pretty much the same overall talent advantage.

Who do you think would have been left off the current team if those four players had been available?

 

[easttexastrash]

Don't forget that the USA team is also missing Elena Della Donne and Sylvia Fowles. I think if the basketball gods put back all six players (Cambage and Jackson for Australia; Parker, Catchings, EDD and Fowles for the US), the USA would still have pretty much the same overall talent advantage.

Who do you think would have been left off the current team if those four players had been available?

Since all of the players are 4s or 5s, I think that is where we see the changes. I am guessing that Stewart and Dupree would be replaced by Parker and EDD. The committee may decide not to keep Sims and replace her with one of those four, especially since she is getting so little playing time and doesn't seem to be a player that Geno thinks adds value. I am not convinced that Catching's body will be ready to go in international play again

Out: Stewart, Sims and Dupree
In: Parker, EDD and Fowles

 

[DavidinNaples]

Looking at the box score, Whalen and Bird had a combined zero assists and 3 TOs. How can the two PGs for a team with this many offensive weapons have zero assists?

ETT...you are just a bundle of negativity. Did you notice the post players coming out to the foul line and getting the first pass from Bird & Whelan? Much like Dolson did for UConn. USA ran much of the offense that way. Did you notice TIna, Griner and Nneka had 8 assists? Did you notice USA missed 30 shots? Hard to get an assist when the shooter misses after a nice pass. Maybe they get some assists if shots are made.

Do you know Bird and Whelan had 24 assists in the first four games? That is tied for 2nd and 3rd on he team. Clearly they are capable of getting assists on a team "with this many offensive weapons." Maybe it was just one of those statistical oddities that happens when you take stats from one game and try to make a big deal out it.

Why is 3 turnovers an issue w/ you? That is quite good for two guards who played 40 minutes combined in a high pressure game. Several players had 3 all by themselves. And finally, maybe, just maybe, Geno knows what he is doing. You're always "just wondering" why Geno did this or didn't do that..... Speaking just for myself, it's really tiresome.

Go Team USA..!!

 

[easttexastrash]

ETT...you are just a bundle of negativity. Did you notice the post players coming out to the foul line and getting the first pass from Bird & Whelan? Much like Dolson did for UConn. USA ran much of the offense that way. Did you notice TIna, Griner and Nneka had 8 assists? Did you notice USA missed 30 shots? Hard to get an assist when the shooter misses after a nice pass. Maybe they get some assists if shots are made.

Do you know Bird and Whelan had 24 assists in the first four games? That is tied for 2nd and 3rd on he team. Clearly they are capable of getting assists on a team "with this many offensive weapons." Maybe it was just one of those statistical oddities that happens when you take stats from one game and try to make a big deal out it.

Why is 3 turnovers an issue w/ you? That is quite good for two guards who played 40 minutes combined in a high pressure game. Several players had 3 all by themselves. And finally, maybe, just maybe, Geno knows what he is doing. You're always "just wondering" why Geno did this or didn't do that..... Speaking just for myself, it's really tiresome.

Go Team USA..!!

Thanks for the feedback. Go Team USA!

 

[RadyLady]

Am I the only one watching this? RadyLady, where you at?

sorry my friend - I was in Temple all day for Yom Kippur services
So far you're doing a great job

 

[RadyLady]

Maya and Charles showed great chemistry today.

Maya and Charles working together at UConn was a thing of beauty. It is a treat for the UConn fans to see them back together again

 

[RadyLady]

Well if anyone needed a reminder as to how Maya and Tina managed 78 college-level wins in a row together, they certainly got one today.

I can't wait to see the game when I get home I loved watching those two play together

 

[MilfordHusky]

Maya and Charles showed great chemistry today.

I believe they won a few games together. And some championships. And NPOY awards.

 

[easttexastrash]

They were switching on a ton of screens so he may have preferred to have a taller player with more experience to guard Taylor or other wind/forwards on the switches.
And for a lot of the second half he was harping on rebounding which I think is why Dupree played less than Nneka - though per minute in this game Dupree was more effective rebounding and much more effective scoring.
I thought the rookies that played in this game really struggled - Nneka - 1-5 and 3 rebounds and three turnovers and 2 fouls in 18 minutes; Griner 3-5 with 4 rebounds and three turnovers and five fouls in 17 minutes. They both had 3 assists but especially with Griner just never looked like she got into the game.

Both of Griner's second half fouls were bogus, but she certainly did have a sub-par game. She usually follows up a game like that with a dominant performance, like game 2 of the LA series in the playoffs.

 

[VAMike23]

Maya has gotten really good at attacking the lane and finding cutters or open players when the defense helps. She has always done if just not with the frequency or tenacity she does it with these days.

 

[easttexastrash]

Maya has gotten really good at attacking the lane and finding cutters or open players when the defense helps. She has always done if just not with the frequency or tenacity she does it with these days.

I agree. That is the biggest improvement since her college years. She has such a powerful and intimidating physique.

 

[caramel]

Since all of the players are 4s or 5s, I think that is where we see the changes. I am guessing that Stewart and Dupree would be replaced by Parker and EDD. The committee may decide not to keep Sims and replace her with one of those four, especially since she is getting so little playing time and doesn't seem to be a player that Geno thinks adds value. I am not convinced that Catching's body will be ready to go in international play again

Out: Stewart, Sims and Dupree
In: Parker, EDD and Fowles

Great players,often,rise to another level of play,when the competition for play time is exceptional.If Parker and EDD where available for a team spot,I wouldn't necessarily want the pleasure of picking who would play and whom would be sent home.Except for Stewart,because of her experience and youth,and maybe even Sims,along the same lines,as far as experience,we might have seen those women on the team now,even raise their game a bit,knowing how good Parker and EDD are.
No matter whether U.S.A. wins the gold or not,this is a team of tremendous talent,and I would not want to speculate,the what if idea.
I also would like to point out the growth as competitors that Tina and Maya have shown us,from when we had the joy of watching their respective college careers.
If they play along the level that they demonstrated,against Australia,it would be shocking,to me,to not see them win the gold.

 

[JoePgh]

Since all of the players are 4s or 5s, I think that is where we see the changes. I am guessing that Stewart and Dupree would be replaced by Parker and EDD. The committee may decide not to keep Sims and replace her with one of those four, especially since she is getting so little playing time and doesn't seem to be a player that Geno thinks adds value. I am not convinced that Catching's body will be ready to go in international play again

Out: Stewart, Sims and Dupree
In: Parker, EDD and Fowles

I think Sims would still be kept because they need to prepare a young point guard for 2016. I agree about Fowles and Parker replacing Dupree and Stewart. I think EDD might replace Augustus even though Augustus has played very effectively -- she can (if fully healthy) shoot from midrange just as well as Augustus and she adds 3 - point range, five inches of height, and five fewer years of age -- important for 2016 preparation.

If Tamika Catchings can pick up a basketball and wants to play, it would be politically impossible to leave her off the team. Who would she replace? Probably Nneka even though that would be unfortunate.

By the way, I think that the reason why Sims did not enter the Australia game is probably that she did something to displease Geno at the last practice, and he is sending a message. That would be consistent with the modus operandi of both him and her. If she absorbs the message, it won't have any carryover beyond this one game.

 

[HuskyNan]

Both of Griner's second half fouls were bogus, but she certainly did have a sub-par game. She usually follows up a game like that with a dominant performance, like game 2 of the LA series in the playoffs.

She's a rookie - she'll learn and do better next time. BG will eventually be a key player for the US but she doesn't need to be just yet. It's all good.