Atkins will start ahead of Lloyd at SG
She played in the last two competitive-ish games for the United States:
Yeah, I'm fine with using Power Rankings to make a bold prediction, but Japan has proven several times that, even with changes in coaching and personnel, they should be considered the top of the three Asia-Oceania powers until one of the other two actually defeats them.
Here is the complete US pool play schedule.
The "2-3" positions are ones that I'm scratching my head at a bit -- along with Thomas (who UConnCat brought up, as well -- for this team. There seems to be a bit of replication at that position with Atkins and Laney & Copper (no shade intended to Rutgers), particularly since the latter two have little experience at a tourney like this.
Thanks for this!
I am showing the US v China game is now on ESPN2
On the replication at the 2-3: Atkins (5'8) is actually significantly shorter than Laney (6ft--has played from PG to PF for the Liberty) and Copper (6-1). Apparently Atkins was playing some PG for the team before Gray arrived as well.
Maybe to start, but I don't see it by the time they get to the actual tournament.
Also showing the Sunday night game(midnight EDT going to Monday) vs Korea is also showing on my channel listing on ESPN2.
I think she will , she showed it during the olympics and shes more consistent on both ends of the ball. She's a better defender than Lloyd and i would say their shooting is about equal. Lloyd is streaky but she does not play with the same confidence with Team usa as she does in the WNBA. That's what im interested in seeing from a few of these ladies mainly Alyssa Thomas.
It's a bit startling to realize she's the most senior member of the team in terms of major international competition. The lone member of the current team who was in Rio 2016.
Good points. Just a few (quick) comebackers:
Skylar was at the end of the Olympic bench, she doesn't fit well in Fiba.
Skylar played like a deer in headlights during the olympics , not sure if it were nerves but she was not the same player she was this past WNBA season . Unfortunately a few players tend to get shaky during international competition versus WNBA season . This group im as nervous as ever with that as a possibility lurking.
Speaking of her, is there a reason she didn't join the camp? Did she just opt out? (Sorry of this was covered upthread; I haven't read all the thread carefully.)
I find it alarming that some people think a victory parade in Las Vegas is more important than joining the team in Australia:
theathletic.com
After watching JJ for Bosnia-Herzegovina, she looks wiped. PR up 31-16 after 1Q.I find it alarming that some people think a victory parade in Las Vegas is more important than joining the team in Australia:
"Five players named to the World Cup team competed in the WNBA Finals that ended Sunday, and they’re trying to make their way to Sydney. Brionna Jones and Alyssa Thomas played for the Connecticut Sun, which lost the finals, and may get to Team USA before A’Ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum of the champion Aces can make it after celebrating their championship parade Tuesday in Las Vegas."
World Cup tipping off without Brittney Griner, leaving Team USA players despondent
At some point during each of the last 215 days, Team USA star Breanna Stewart has had the same thought. It could be when she is changing her daughter Ruby Mae’s diaper or boarding a plane for a road game with the Seattle Storm. She’s thought of it while standing for the national anthem, while...
