MilfordHusky
Voice of Reason
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 37,526
- Reaction Score
- 128,430
I enjoyed the games live and in person. Thanks to TJI, my MSG ticket broker. 
Also, after spending most of Friday with Breanna's aunt, uncles, and grandmother, I ran into and chatted with Brian and Heather today. Very, very nice people. I hope I didn't intrude.
Congrats to Kia and Canada for an impressive win over a good French team. I thought they were heavy underdogs.
I thought the U.S. looked good and is on the right track. Today's game was likely a preview of the Gold Medal game (I have 2 tickets for anyone going to Rio). The Aussies are very good. Penny Taylor is a world-class player, Cambage is huge and skilled, and both Phillips and Mitchell can play.
Some more semi-random thoughts:
The 2 biggest concerns against the Aussies are their post scoring and 3-point scoring. Our defense on those points was mediocre. I hope we can improve. In terms of the post play, Geno's plan seems to be to rotate Tina, Sylvia, and Britney. None is as strong as Liz. I think that Brit's length helped her. Some of the 3-point shots came off ball reversal or drive and kicks. The Aussies are well coached. The U.S. defense, like UConn defense, likes to pressure the ball, but leaves shooters open. If we get enough TOs, it works on balance.
FT shooting was 27-33 for the U.S. and 17-17 for Australia. Don't foul Penny Taylor or Cambage! Or anyone else!
In terms of individual play today ...
Sue didn't score (on only 1 shot), but had 6 assists and 0 TOs. That's why she's on the team.
Diana was as energetic as I've ever seen her. She shot well from most areas, including the arc, and had 20 points. I see her on the 2020 Olympic team. She played 30 minutes and looked fresh.
Catch got the start--well deserved--and had 6 points in 9 minutes. No one plays harder than her.
Maya's shot was off (4-13 overall), but she had 6 assists (some spectacular) and 6 rebounds. She was +15 in 22 minutes.
Tina had only 1 points, but 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 14 minutes. She was overpowered by Cambage, but played her effectively in 2012. Tina will be fine. She got the loudest ovation today.
Syl had 4 points and 4 fouls in 12 minutes. Not her best results. She was -8 (tying Stewie for the worst on the team).
Elena shot 7-10 for 19 points. She put up 11 in her first 5 minutes. She's unguardable one on one. I think one of her FTs grazed the rim, which may have been her low point. She also had 2 blocks. She was +16.
Lindsay had 8 points in 12 minutes. Yes, her game is to take the ball into the lane. She's been doing it for 15 years. Occasionally, she needs to kick it out.
Seimone had 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 14 minutes. A quiet game.
Angel had 12 points in 13 minutes as the Energizer Bunny again. Geno seemed happy with her again. She is quick laterally, but also vertically. She reminds me of Gabby in terms of getting off her feet quickly.
Brit was a very pleasant surprise with 15 points and 4 boards in 13 minutes. She looked like the player I saw in Istanbul, not the impostor in Phoenix this year. She did a decent job against Cambage on defense, but more importantly, she was aggressive on offense and scored almost at will. Geno gave her a long, encouraging talk as she left the court.
Stewie had 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in only 9 minutes. I would have liked to see her play more. She obviously can't defend Cambage, but she can play at this level, even against a team as good Australia. She had a couple of nice plays.
Geno and the assistants are experimenting with matchups and strategies. Some of the lineups are insanely talented, Diana, Maya, Stewie, and Elena, for example. He's done some pressing on defense. One area where he should get props is coaching certain players. He gives Angel, Britney, and Sylvia the tough love that they need. And he also gives them pep talks. He has brought out the best of Angel in 2012 and 2016. I think he got Griner going today. The WNBA opposition may not be happy about that. Brit, Diana, and Penny are really, really good.
I think there is a practice in Houston and then the trip to Rio. (They must be flying United.) Safe travels! Have fun and bring back the Gold! I wish I were going, but I'll watch on the new 65" Samsung SUHD 4K screen.
Also, after spending most of Friday with Breanna's aunt, uncles, and grandmother, I ran into and chatted with Brian and Heather today. Very, very nice people. I hope I didn't intrude.
Congrats to Kia and Canada for an impressive win over a good French team. I thought they were heavy underdogs.
I thought the U.S. looked good and is on the right track. Today's game was likely a preview of the Gold Medal game (I have 2 tickets for anyone going to Rio). The Aussies are very good. Penny Taylor is a world-class player, Cambage is huge and skilled, and both Phillips and Mitchell can play.
Some more semi-random thoughts:
The 2 biggest concerns against the Aussies are their post scoring and 3-point scoring. Our defense on those points was mediocre. I hope we can improve. In terms of the post play, Geno's plan seems to be to rotate Tina, Sylvia, and Britney. None is as strong as Liz. I think that Brit's length helped her. Some of the 3-point shots came off ball reversal or drive and kicks. The Aussies are well coached. The U.S. defense, like UConn defense, likes to pressure the ball, but leaves shooters open. If we get enough TOs, it works on balance.
FT shooting was 27-33 for the U.S. and 17-17 for Australia. Don't foul Penny Taylor or Cambage! Or anyone else!
In terms of individual play today ...
Sue didn't score (on only 1 shot), but had 6 assists and 0 TOs. That's why she's on the team.
Diana was as energetic as I've ever seen her. She shot well from most areas, including the arc, and had 20 points. I see her on the 2020 Olympic team. She played 30 minutes and looked fresh.
Catch got the start--well deserved--and had 6 points in 9 minutes. No one plays harder than her.
Maya's shot was off (4-13 overall), but she had 6 assists (some spectacular) and 6 rebounds. She was +15 in 22 minutes.
Tina had only 1 points, but 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 14 minutes. She was overpowered by Cambage, but played her effectively in 2012. Tina will be fine. She got the loudest ovation today.
Syl had 4 points and 4 fouls in 12 minutes. Not her best results. She was -8 (tying Stewie for the worst on the team).
Elena shot 7-10 for 19 points. She put up 11 in her first 5 minutes. She's unguardable one on one. I think one of her FTs grazed the rim, which may have been her low point. She also had 2 blocks. She was +16.
Lindsay had 8 points in 12 minutes. Yes, her game is to take the ball into the lane. She's been doing it for 15 years. Occasionally, she needs to kick it out.
Seimone had 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 14 minutes. A quiet game.
Angel had 12 points in 13 minutes as the Energizer Bunny again. Geno seemed happy with her again. She is quick laterally, but also vertically. She reminds me of Gabby in terms of getting off her feet quickly.
Brit was a very pleasant surprise with 15 points and 4 boards in 13 minutes. She looked like the player I saw in Istanbul, not the impostor in Phoenix this year. She did a decent job against Cambage on defense, but more importantly, she was aggressive on offense and scored almost at will. Geno gave her a long, encouraging talk as she left the court.
Stewie had 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in only 9 minutes. I would have liked to see her play more. She obviously can't defend Cambage, but she can play at this level, even against a team as good Australia. She had a couple of nice plays.
Geno and the assistants are experimenting with matchups and strategies. Some of the lineups are insanely talented, Diana, Maya, Stewie, and Elena, for example. He's done some pressing on defense. One area where he should get props is coaching certain players. He gives Angel, Britney, and Sylvia the tough love that they need. And he also gives them pep talks. He has brought out the best of Angel in 2012 and 2016. I think he got Griner going today. The WNBA opposition may not be happy about that. Brit, Diana, and Penny are really, really good.
I think there is a practice in Houston and then the trip to Rio. (They must be flying United.) Safe travels! Have fun and bring back the Gold! I wish I were going, but I'll watch on the new 65" Samsung SUHD 4K screen.
