MilfordHusky
Voice of Reason
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The USA will open against Belgium, possibly with only 7 or 8 players. Very tough!
Here is the complete US pool play schedule.The USA will open against Belgium, possibly with only 7 or 8 players. Very tough!
Given the layout of the roster, it could go either way. Of course it all depends on who else among the potential 3s, 4s and 5s gets significant PT besides Wilson. All other options are very inexperienced in major competition. Atkins was on the team in Tokyo but played very little.
1-2: Gray, Plum, Loyd, Ionescu
2-3: Atkins, Laney, Copper
3-4: Stewart
4-5: Wilson, Austin, Jones, Thomas
Cheryl Reeve is an excellent coach but given the severe lack of practice time, we can expect some disjointed basketball.
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.Perhaps this year USA Basketball doesn't feel it can bring along players who aren't ready to play and contribute at a high level. The USA roster is just not as loaded as in previous events.
Thanks for this!Here is the complete US pool play schedule.
Team USA vs. Belgium | Wednesday, Sept. 21, 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Team USA vs. Puerto Rico | Thursday, Sept. 22, 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Team USA vs. China | Saturday, Sept. 24, 12:30 a.m. ET | ESPN+
Team USA vs. South Korea | Monday, Sept. 26, 12 a.m. ET | ESPN+
Team USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | Wednesday, Sept. 28, 12 a.m. ET | ESPN+
I am showing the US v China game is now on ESPN2Here is the complete US pool play schedule.
Team USA vs. Belgium | Wednesday, Sept. 21, 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Team USA vs. Puerto Rico | Thursday, Sept. 22, 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Team USA vs. China | Saturday, Sept. 24, 12:30 a.m. ET | ESPN+
Team USA vs. South Korea | Monday, Sept. 26, 12 a.m. ET | ESPN+
Team USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | Wednesday, Sept. 28, 12 a.m. ET | ESPN+
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.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.
Could Stewie play out of position against larger teams at the 3? Or, against smaller teams, do you have Gray run the point and play some combination of Loyd, Ionescu and/or the 2-3's listed.
Still, this feels like a transitional team -- assembled as much due to circumstances -- as much as anything else. Think the next iteration (for following Olympics) will be the new benchmark.
Maybe to start, but I don't see it by the time they get to the actual tournament.Atkins will start ahead of Lloyd at SG
Also showing the Sunday night game(midnight EDT going to Monday) vs Korea is also showing on my channel listing on ESPN2.I am showing the US v China game is now 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.Maybe to start, but I don't see it by the time they get to the actual tournament.
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.Stewie has been named captain of Team USA.
Good points. Just a few (quick) comebackers: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.
I see Atkins has more of a true guard and long range threat. Laney is a bruiser who loves to post up and the mid range shot. Copper is the slasher.
The other options for USA at these positions were Deshields, Rhyne Howard, and Jackie Young. I don't think Deshields of Howard get you anything different than Copper and LAney. You can certainly argue Young deserves to get in over one of them, she's kind of like a combo of all three players (Atkins/Copper/Laney), but perhaps team USA didn't want to go into the tournament down 4 players [instead of 3].
Skylar was at the end of the Olympic bench, she doesn't fit well in Fiba.Didn't think you were throwing any shade, was just pointing out I think their games are more different than you initially implied. [I also didn't realize how short Atkins is]
I definitely expect there to be a broader net for 2024, most notably people who weren't involved this round for various injury/personal reasons: Collier, Arike, A. Gray, Azura Stevens. McCowan, Kelsey Mitchell. From the college ranks: Boston, maybe Bueckers and Clark.
Unclear what SDD and EDD's futures are with the team, for different reasons.
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.Skylar was at the end of the Olympic bench, she doesn't fit well in Fiba.
Our biggest strength is the frontcourt in Fiba play.
Sue and former USA point guards set the table for the rest of the team, and we're secondary scorers.
Skylar doesn't play in that mold, and that's why Sue, Gray, and Loyd, and Diana were the ones that played in the Olympics.
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.)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.
I find it alarming that some people think a victory parade in Las Vegas is more important than joining the team in Australia:The USA will open against Belgium, possibly with only 7 or 8 players. Very tough!
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."
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Brittney Griner weighing on Team USA’s mind as it heads to Australia for World Cup
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...theathletic.com
They worked hard all season for this, as well as throughout their careers. Why shouldn't they get to enjoy the victory celebration with their city?I find it alarming that some people think a victory parade in Las Vegas is more important than joining the team in Australia
Uh, because they have a game to play. Are they on the team or are they not?They worked hard all season for this, as well as throughout their careers. Why shouldn't they get to enjoy the victory celebration with their city?
First major professional sports Championship for the city of Las Vegas. Gray was the only player on the team with a previous WNBA Title. It's kind of a big deal. Are they members of the Aces or are they not?Uh, because they have a game to play. Are they on the team or are they not?
A parade?! I can't believe this is an argument. If it's that important they can hold it after they get back. If the residents of Las Vegas are really proud of their team, they can surely also be proud that their star players have a plane to catch to Australia.First major professional sports Championship for the city of Las Vegas. Gray was the only player on the team with a previous WNBA Title. It's kind of a big deal. Are they members of the Aces or are they not?
@Plebe these are tonight's starters.Hmmmmm. I see a few scenarios:
1) Nurse, Carleton, Colley, Achonwa and Alexander.
2) Nurse, Carleton, Colley, Achonwa and Amihere.
3) Carleton, Colley, Fields, Achonwa and Alexander/Amihere (with Nurse coming off the bench and easing into things).
Per the broadcast, they have Nurse on a minutes count. Played just under 20 minutes.Nurse started but played only 8:36 in 1st half, had 7 points and 2 assists.
Canada up by 10 at the half over Serbia.
You're talking about having a parade at least 2+ weeks after the finals, well after the hype and excitement of the finals have died down. Having the event take place in a timely manner was crucial in taking advantage of the dwindling spotlight, especially in a league that barely gets that much mainstream attention in general. It was important to have event as soon as possible and to have stars/franchise players present.A parade?! I can't believe this is an argument. If it's that important they can hold it after they get back. If the residents of Las Vegas are really proud of their team, they can surely also be proud that their star players have a plane to catch to Australia.