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CB
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caune
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ajdawg7
Joined: 19 Aug 2005
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 Posted: 07/11/08 12:38 pm ::: |
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| It is for the obsessedwithHammonites.
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Richyyy
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| Posted: 07/11/08 12:42 pm ::: |
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| p_d_swanson wrote: |
Whalen An Alternate For Olympic Team
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"The only thing that seemed to work against her over the last couple of years, and she'd admit this, was that it was very difficult for her to take part in many of the team's training sessions because of her injuries, her wedding last year and her obligations to play internationally," Thibault said.
"We're trying to foster an environment [on the national team] that encourages players to be more regular participants. Those who are on the team were able to put in the time and are deserving of the honor. If something happens to one of the other players, she may get her opportunity. But she has plenty of time left, at least a couple of more cycles in her career, and I think she will make her case." |
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If the qualifications required for the head coach position remain the same Thibault looks like the obvious favourite to take over after the Games. If that's the case, you've gotta think Whalen might have a chance to take the starting point-guard spot away from Bird with her long-term WNBA coach in charge. I'd be surprised if she's not on the 2010 Worlds squad.
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Swoopes_O'grady
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caune
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Richyyy
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caune
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Richyyy
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| Posted: 07/11/08 2:20 pm ::: |
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| caune wrote: |
go read Tara VanDerVeers book about coaching the team...it's very enlightening about the slection process.
Thibault can't consistently use Whalen as his starting point if she doesn't give up money and rest to be available for all those games can he? |
Although I haven't read it, I've heard about what VanDerVeer said. I've also heard that Chancellor said he "got everyone he wanted" when he was in charge. But it's a different head of the women's branch of USA Basketball these days, and a different make-up for the committee, and obviously a different coach - with all those changes I wouldn't expect the dynamic to necessarily remain the same.
And it only takes Bird and Whalen showing up together to one or two of those many, many training camps, and Bird being chained to the bench while Whalen plays 30+ minutes, to make a pretty explicit point. I'd expect Whalen to be more inclined to show up to some of them if she thinks there's a legitimate shot to win the starting spot as well. Bird's been preordained as the starting point guard for the last 4 years (at least), and especially with Donovan in charge the most Whalen would ever have been competing for in those training camps is 10 minutes per game as a backup. Personally I'd be far more likely to make time in my schedule and show up if I thought it was going to be a realistic may-the-best-woman-win contest.
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ladeeda
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
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| Posted: 07/11/08 2:44 pm ::: |
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| If Whalen makes the commitment, she will make the 2012 Olympic team. Whether or not she will take Sue's starting spot is another story.... it really depends on how they play from now on...
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