On the Road to Rio | The Boneyard

On the Road to Rio

Status
Not open for further replies.

Wbbfan1

And That’s The Way It Is
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
9,164
Reaction Score
17,441
http://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2015/05/wnt-minicamp-day-3.aspx

Don't know how you select a roster of 12 without controversy. There's so much young talent.

You can have honest discussions that DT, Sue Bird and Catchings and maybe others are no longer the best at their position and younger players should make the team over them. However, does their their experience which is also valuable in Olympic and World Championships out weigh the slight differences in talent level.
 

UcMiami

How it is
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
14,101
Reaction Score
46,588
http://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2015/05/wnt-minicamp-day-3.aspx

Don't know how you select a roster of 12 without controversy. There's so much young talent.

You can have honest discussions that DT, Sue Bird and Catchings and maybe others are no longer the best at their position and younger players should make the team over them. However, does their their experience which is also valuable in Olympic and World Championships out weigh the slight differences in talent level.
Always the issue with National teams. Add in that you expect/need loyalty from these players who really are not being compensated and USA has to show some loyalty in return.
I think Sue and DT if healthy make the team - experienced guards are the most important part and I am not sure you have any new guards demanding inclusion over them. Catchings is a question mark in my mind as she is the oldest, and Sylvia because of health and other strong post competition. The wing/power forward positions seem to be really stacked with younger competition. Whalen is an interesting situation - she is a few years younger than Sue, but less of an 'institution' within the team and probably too old to be the 'bridge' player to younger PGs.
 
Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Messages
498
Reaction Score
1,872
Out of curiousity, who's better than DT at her position? You can say Maya if you tell me DT is a SF or Maya is a SG. But DT is anywhere from a PG to SF on the court depending on her team. But outside of her, who's passed DT?
 

UcMiami

How it is
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
14,101
Reaction Score
46,588
Really enjoyed the USA stories, videos, and gallery. Found it a neat split that the gallery from each day changed emphasis - Day 1 = the newest participants, Day 2 = the ones with a little experience, Day 3 = the vets. Videos were the reverse order Catch the Vet, Maya in the middle, and EDD the 'newbie'.
 

UcMiami

How it is
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
14,101
Reaction Score
46,588
Out of curiousity, who's better than DT at her position? You can say Maya if you tell me DT is a SF or Maya is a SG. But DT is anywhere from a PG to SF on the court depending on her team. But outside of her, who's passed DT?
Not sure anyone has 'surpassed' any of the vets on the team. DT definitely not, Sue - never the most gifted physically, but what is between her ears has always been her biggest asset and that just keeps getting better. Catchings? same thing. Sylvie - still a monster.
But the question for USA is not having complete turnover after Rio and 'blooding' a few more young players. Ideally they would want two young guards on the team and if Whalen, Bird and DT are selected that might be a problem, and with presumably EDD and Parker healthy, the competition for forward/wing is really monstrous - might Stewart be squeezed out?
 
Joined
Apr 10, 2015
Messages
11,335
Reaction Score
25,045
http://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2015/05/wnt-minicamp-day-3.aspx

Don't know how you select a roster of 12 without controversy. There's so much young talent.

You can have honest discussions that DT, Sue Bird and Catchings and maybe others are no longer the best at their position and younger players should make the team over them. However, does their their experience which is also valuable in Olympic and World Championships out weigh the slight differences in talent level.
Best statement ever!! Show us why we have to have you!!!! That works in Basketball, in Business, in the Military, in life. But how often have you heard management say that out loud?? Every kid that comes to Uconn should have written on their practice jerseys---Geno loves kids that get into a game and immediately make some impact. That's Geno 101..
 
Joined
Apr 10, 2015
Messages
11,335
Reaction Score
25,045
Not sure anyone has 'surpassed' any of the vets on the team. DT definitely not, Sue - never the most gifted physically, but what is between her ears has always been her biggest asset and that just keeps getting better. Catchings? same thing. Sylvie - still a monster.
But the question for USA is not having complete turnover after Rio and 'blooding' a few more young players. Ideally they would want two young guards on the team and if Whalen, Bird and DT are selected that might be a problem, and with presumably EDD and Parker healthy, the competition for forward/wing is really monstrous - might Stewart be squeezed out?
Thank you---Birds biggest asset=====what is between her ears always been her biggest asset and just keeps getting better. Doesn't that just define Sue Bird from day one??? Thank you..
 

MilfordHusky

Voice of Reason
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
36,913
Reaction Score
124,160
We were missing some talent in Istanbul--Big Syl, Candace, Catch, and Elena, plus others. But I don't think there is a better starting unit than Sue, Diana, Maya, Tina, and Britney.
 
Joined
Apr 29, 2015
Messages
16,721
Reaction Score
65,883
Just wonder which 12 players will be selected? Very tough question....
 

Nuyoika

Destroyer of Baked Goods
Joined
Sep 22, 2014
Messages
1,607
Reaction Score
3,370
Out of curiousity, who's better than DT at her position? You can say Maya if you tell me DT is a SF or Maya is a SG. But DT is anywhere from a PG to SF on the court depending on her team. But outside of her, who's passed DT?
Agreed, I can't find anyone you can really make that argument with.
 

Gate81

'Gate Grad Likes Cardinal & UConn Best
Joined
Jun 17, 2014
Messages
366
Reaction Score
533
okay let's show our value: who do we think are the 12?
Bird, Taurasi, Moore, Griner, Parker sound like definites (if Griner allowed/chooses). Other 7? Nneka, EDD, Stewart, Sims and Whalen the next 5? What about Diggins and Schimmel?
 
Joined
Jan 13, 2014
Messages
9,874
Reaction Score
29,425
okay let's show our value: who do we think are the 12?
Bird, Taurasi, Moore, Griner, Parker sound like definites (if Griner allowed/chooses). Other 7? Nneka, EDD, Stewart, Sims and Whalen the next 5? What about Diggins and Schimmel?
I think Tina Charles is a lock and Shoni is a "no way".
 

Gate81

'Gate Grad Likes Cardinal & UConn Best
Joined
Jun 17, 2014
Messages
366
Reaction Score
533
yes, makes sense on Tina Charles. Shoni "no way" because she's not the most team-oriented?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Online statistics

Members online
314
Guests online
1,471
Total visitors
1,785

Forum statistics

Threads
157,341
Messages
4,095,132
Members
9,985
Latest member
stanfordnyc


Top Bottom