Will Tina Be the Starting Olympic Center?

[JoePgh]

I have now seen two public references to the possibility that Tina Charles may be the starting center for the 2012 US Olympic team. One of these was from Geno a while ago (a passing reference which I believe was on one of the last "Geno Auriemma Show" editions of 2011-12). The other was in an article by John A in this morning's Courant -- also a passing reference.

Is it really likely that Tina will start at center over Sylvia Fowles? I would not have thought so, and I believe that Big Syl's stats in the WNBA, except obviously in rebounding, are still better than Tina's. When I have seen them play head-to-head at Mohegan Sun, it is a close contest, but Syl usually seemed to me to have the edge.

I know that Geno said in 2010, after coaching the USA team in that year, that Syl does not always play with the level of intensity that he would like to see. Neither did Tina before her senior year at UConn, but she seems (to this distant observer) to have overcome that problem in her professional career.

There will be another aneurysm among the Orange People if she actually does take the position from Ms. Fowles.

 

[easttexastrash]

Fowles would start for me. But I'm no Geno.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I think it is close. The 2 players are very even in my book. And very, very good. I would not be surprised either way.

If Geno starts 5 Huskies, there will be a major health crisis on Rocky Top.

 

[bbsamjj]

Fowles has more experience, but as the only two centers on the roster, they will both get plenty of minutes regardless.

 

[uconnfan68]

I have now seen two public references to the possibility that Tina Charles may be the starting center for the 2012 US Olympic team. One of these was from Geno a while ago (a passing reference which I believe was on one of the last "Geno Auriemma Show" editions of 2011-12). The other was in an article by John A in this morning's Courant -- also a passing reference.

Is it really likely that Tina will start at center over Sylvia Fowles? I would not have thought so, and I believe that Big Syl's stats in the WNBA, except obviously in rebounding, are still better than Tina's. When I have seen them play head-to-head at Mohegan Sun, it is a close contest, but Syl usually seemed to me to have the edge.

I know that Geno said in 2010, after coaching the USA team in that year, that Syl does not always play with the level of intensity that he would like to see. Neither did Tina before her senior year at UConn, but she seems (to this distant observer) to have overcome that problem in her professional career.

There will be another aneurysm among the Orange People if she actually does take the position from Ms. Fowles.

Plenty of room for Tina at PF. She can do that.

 

[Icebear]

I think it is close. The 2 players are very even in my book. And very, very good. I would not be surprised either way.

If Geno starts 5 Huskies, there will be a major health crisis on Rocky Top.

The governor of Tennessee has already ordered all bridges be lowered.

 

[pinotbear]

Heck, the Guv will order that the flags be lowered.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

DT and Sue are locks in my opinion to start. Tina would be a good option with Fowles coming in off the bench to provide supporting minutes. Asjha will be off the bench. I would be surprised if Swin starts. Maya should start but I have a feeling will be coming in off the bench to provide a little spark... I would not be shocked to see Parker start, or Augustus, or Catchings... This will be difficult...

 

[VAMike23]

I would go with Big Syl as the starter in the games where size is at a premium, with Tina subbing in at the 5. This is why they picked up Asjha, so Tina doesn't need to play the 4. (Parker will likely be the starting 4, but Asjha brings depth.) In a more run-and-gun type of game, Tina will get more minutes than Syl and could possibly start.

Keep in mind that the compressed schedule could result in different people starting just to give the 'true' starters a rest.

 

[SWHuskyFan]

I would go with Big Syl as the starter in the games where size is at a premium, with Tina subbing in at the 5. This is why they picked up Asjha, so Tina doesn't need to play the 4. (Parker will likely be the starting 4, but Asjha brings depth.) In a more run-and-gun type of game, Tina will get more minutes than Syl and could possibly start.

Keep in mind that the compressed schedule could result in different people starting just to give the 'true' starters a rest.

My Starting Five - and probably the most obvious. Sometimes the simple answer is the right one.
PG - Bird
SG - DT
SF - Catchings
PF - Parker
C - Fowles

 

[Blakeon18]

Is Australia our biggest roadblock? Penny Taylor being out will hurt them bigtime.

I do recall that the Tulsa center [forgotten her name] played well against both Fowles and Tina
in the USA/Australia game a couple of summers ago.

 

[meyers7]

My Starting Five - and probably the most obvious. Sometimes the simple answer is the right one.
PG - Bird
SG - DT
SF - Catchings
PF - Parker
C - Fowles

Yep that's mine too. I posted that on another thread.

 

[meyers7]

Is Australia our biggest roadblock? Penny Taylor being out will hurt them bigtime.

I do recall that the Tulsa center [forgotten her name] played well against both Fowles and Tina
in the USA/Australia game a couple of summers ago.

Cambage (6-8) and Jackson (6-5) could cause some problems. This is were Griner might have been helpful.

 

[JS]

I'm smarter than I may appear

I'm not.

 

[speedoo]

My Starting Five - and probably the most obvious. Sometimes the simple answer is the right one.
PG - Bird
SG - DT
SF - Catchings
PF - Parker
C - Fowles

Shock troops (second unit):
PG - Whelan
SG - Augustus or Angel
SF - Cash or Angel or Maya
PF - Asjha or Maya
C - Tina

That is some team. Great flexibility.

 

[UConn990411]

Tina is the better player, but Fowles experience might get her the nod. Plus, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have Tina's offense coming off the bench since the starting 1-4s (presumably Bird, Taurasi, Catchings, Parker) will all be elite offensive players.

It really doesn't matter, though. Like someone else mentioned, Tina and Fowles are essentially equals, so depending on who is playing better or matchups (i.e. Fowles will probably play more against Australia's huge front line) will likely dictate playing time from game to game.

 

[Vowelguy]

Who from this Olympic team isn't likely to be back in 2016?

Catchings & Swin (37 in 2016) are the oldest
Sue & Ashja would be 36

I doubt Swin & Ashja. Not sure about the other two.

DT (34), Parker (30), Fowles (30), Tina (28), Maya (27) seem like sure things
Whalen (33), Augustus (32), Angel (29) probable

 

[EricLA]

Who from this Olympic team isn't likely to be back in 2016?

Catchings & Swin (37 in 2016) are the oldest
Sue & Ashja would be 36

I doubt Swin & Ashja. Not sure about the other two.

DT (34), Parker (30), Fowles (30), Tina (28), Maya (27) seem like sure things
Whalen (33), Augustus (32), Angel (29) probable

good post. assuming the 4 you mentioned are gone that would open the door for Griner, Ogwumike, possibly Simms/Harding/Montgomery, and then 1 other...

 

[Vowelguy]

good post. assuming the 4 you mentioned are gone that would open the door for Griner, Ogwumike, possibly Simms/Harding/Montgomery, and then 1 other...

Vandersloot, EDD, Hartley, Appel, Diggins, Wiggins, Dupree, Vaughn, D Robinson (looking at old USA rosters)

 

[bbsamjj]

Given how physically Catchings plays, I'd be surprised if her body is still holding up at an elite level at 37. I agree that Cash and Jones will also be about ready to move on. Bird could still play, particularly if the team hasn't found a suitable replacement yet.

 

[Vowelguy]

Given how physically Catchings plays, I'd be surprised if her body is still holding up at an elite level at 37. I agree that Cash and Jones will also be about ready to move on. Bird could still play, particularly if the team hasn't found a suitable replacement yet.

Kinda what I figured too.

 

[easttexastrash]

My Starting Five - and probably the most obvious. Sometimes the simple answer is the right one.
PG - Bird
SG - DT
SF - Catchings
PF - Parker
C - Fowles

This would be my starting 5. What a lineup!!!

 

[easttexastrash]

Given how physically Catchings plays, I'd be surprised if her body is still holding up at an elite level at 37. I agree that Cash and Jones will also be about ready to move on. Bird could still play, particularly if the team hasn't found a suitable replacement yet.

I think that Diggins and Sims will be ready by then. Diggins will have 3 years in the WNBA and Sims will have 2. They will be the best in the world by then. I'm not sure there is a PG in the world that Sims could not guard even at this point in her career.

 

[Vowelguy]

I think that Diggins and Sims will be ready by then. Diggins will have 3 years in the WNBA and Sims will have 2. They will be the best in the world by then. I'm not sure there is a PG in the world that Sims could not guard even at this point in her career.

The Olympic committee tends to place a lot of value on experience. A lot of people moaned when Katie Smith (~36) made the 08 team, thinking she was way past her prime. She ended up playing a lot of minutes.

I can see them keeping Bird around to help guide the youngsters, and get them used to the environment, setting them up for 2020.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Tina is the better player, but Fowles experience might get her the nod. Plus, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have Tina's offense coming off the bench since the starting 1-4s (presumably Bird, Taurasi, Catchings, Parker) will all be elite offensive players.

It really doesn't matter, though. Like someone else mentioned, Tina and Fowles are essentially equals, so depending on who is playing better or matchups (i.e. Fowles will probably play more against Australia's huge front line) will likely dictate playing time from game to game.

Better player? No (though it is close). More consistent player? Yes. More reliable player? Yes. But Fowles changes the game more defensively than Charles. Fowles also has more upside.