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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24397 Location: London
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Posted: 09/21/18 7:53 pm ::: |
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ClayK wrote: |
Good point ... so Australia is a threat. Anyone else? |
It's a short list. Spain has some talent and hopefully a vocal home crowd behind them (and a player in Torrens that USA basically don't have a matchup for if she should happen to have one electric night); and France have been the other best team in Europe for a while (but will miss Dumerc). Any of those three beating the US would be a shock - anyone beyond that group beating them would be a super-shock. |
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Michelle89
Joined: 17 Nov 2010 Posts: 16464 Location: Holland
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Shades
Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 63872
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Posted: 09/22/18 10:47 am ::: |
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Shades wrote: |
Adding late arrivals and arranging into more appropriate positions, I come up with:
Bird/Plum
Taurasi/Loyd/(TMitchell or KMitchell)
Delle Donne/(Tuck or Collier)
Stewart/Ogwumike/Wilson
Griner/Charles
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Sort of a boo-yah moment back from the final 16 players. Missed Clarendon, but got all the roster designations right.
Positions from FIBA site
Bird G/Plum PG
Taurasi SG/Loyd G/Clarendon SG
Delle Donne SF/Tuck SF
Stewart PF/Ogwumike F/Wilson F
Griner C/Charles C
_________________ Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned
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Coyotes
Joined: 28 Jan 2018 Posts: 1467
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Posted: 09/22/18 11:55 am ::: |
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Griner out versus Senegal due to minor injury. I wonder if they wish they had brought Williams now.
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PRballer
Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 2559
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Posted: 09/22/18 10:19 pm ::: |
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Coyotes wrote: |
Griner out versus Senegal due to minor injury. I wonder if they wish they had brought Williams now. |
Exactly. If Griner gets hurt our in foul trouble, who is gonna guard Cambage?
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Michelle89
Joined: 17 Nov 2010 Posts: 16464 Location: Holland
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Posted: 09/23/18 4:55 am ::: |
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PRballer wrote: |
Coyotes wrote: |
Griner out versus Senegal due to minor injury. I wonder if they wish they had brought Williams now. |
Exactly. If Griner gets hurt our in foul trouble, who is gonna guard Cambage? |
Jep that would be a problem because you cant really double team against the Opals when their other 4 players are shooters. But even with Griner guarding her i think Cambage will get her 20+ points. If you can keep her to 25 pts then its about stopping everybody else from going off.
_________________ "Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24397 Location: London
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Posted: 09/23/18 6:00 am ::: |
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This is also not the most organised Aussie team we've ever seen. The lack of an actual point guard who's any good is pretty glaring. Madgen isn't any kind of PG and Ebzery doesn't really want to be there either. Lavey's just sort of there. Even the US, with their motley collection of perimeter defenders, might pressure the Aussies and create issues. |
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PUmatty
Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 16379 Location: Chicago
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Posted: 09/23/18 10:52 am ::: |
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It took Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor together for Australia to win the gold, and even then they weren't the team that beat a mess of a USA in 2006. I don't think a lesser Australian team is going to be able to do it.
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Michelle89
Joined: 17 Nov 2010 Posts: 16464 Location: Holland
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Posted: 09/23/18 12:45 pm ::: |
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PUmatty wrote: |
It took Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor together for Australia to win the gold, and even then they weren't the team that beat a mess of a USA in 2006. I don't think a lesser Australian team is going to be able to do it. |
Exactly my point, sometimes talent is not enough. This team is a bit of a mess on its own so when they have an off shooting night and Opals or maybe Spain have a great shooting night then.
They got beat by Russia and Russia got beat by MVP Penny who played on 1 leg really. She had been dealing with a groin injury earlier in that tournament
_________________ "Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant
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miller40
Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 1334
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Posted: 09/23/18 3:55 pm ::: |
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This Opals team doesn’t even look like a lock for second or third best team to me.
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Luuuc #NATC
Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 21951
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Posted: 09/23/18 4:04 pm ::: |
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miller40 wrote: |
This Opals team doesn’t even look like a lock for second or third best team to me. |
We're far from a lock for anything, I agree. Capable of beating the other silver medal contenders but also very capable of losing to them.
Lack of time together plus last-minute injuries to our point guards makes it quite the crapshoot for the Opals. Very thankful to have been scheduled 2 easy games to start the tournament. Turkey - the other team in our group - not looking too brilliant themselves, thankfully.
_________________ Thanks for calling. I wait all night for calls like these.
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SDHoops
Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 1183
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Posted: 09/24/18 4:25 pm ::: |
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If Griner wasn't going to play for whatever reason, why not take Collier or Williams for some experience? If Griner's there for insurance, what good is she going to be if she isn't getting any floor time throughout?
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24397 Location: London
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Posted: 09/24/18 6:44 pm ::: |
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SDHoops wrote: |
If Griner wasn't going to play for whatever reason, why not take Collier or Williams for some experience? If Griner's there for insurance, what good is she going to be if she isn't getting any floor time throughout? |
She reportedly tweaked her ankle and they're understandably being ultra-cautious. I fully expect that she'll play in the games that matter. Might even throw her in for a few minutes tomorrow against Latvia just to test it and knock off some rust. |
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014 Posts: 4255
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Posted: 09/24/18 8:11 pm ::: |
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The Hayes being pressured not to play theory seems to be gaining some credence. Polkowice announced the signing of Kelsey Bone and it would not have been possible to field their full roster in EuroLeague if Hayes had switched back from European to non-European. |
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Randy
Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 10911
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Posted: 09/24/18 9:59 pm ::: |
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Might be the only "pressure" was reminder from her agent that joining Team USA would be great except that it would cost her the bundle she could get paid as Euro Hayes.
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bballgrl
Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 3629
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Posted: 09/25/18 5:52 pm ::: |
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Richyyy wrote: |
It's unfair after a season where she easily could've been All-WNBA second team, but I can't help but be unenthused about adding Loyd (and relying on her enough to be a de facto starter). She's just essentially disappeared for three-quarters of her team's playoff games. And now she's a key cog in a World Cup for Team USA? Won't be the least bit surprised if she's sat on the bench in high-leverage moments. |
I thought the same thing and after reading the stats for the 1st 3 games I still question her being there. A'ja has better stats than Stewie in total.
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Michelle89
Joined: 17 Nov 2010 Posts: 16464 Location: Holland
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Posted: 09/26/18 3:07 am ::: |
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bballgrl wrote: |
Richyyy wrote: |
It's unfair after a season where she easily could've been All-WNBA second team, but I can't help but be unenthused about adding Loyd (and relying on her enough to be a de facto starter). She's just essentially disappeared for three-quarters of her team's playoff games. And now she's a key cog in a World Cup for Team USA? Won't be the least bit surprised if she's sat on the bench in high-leverage moments. |
I thought the same thing and after reading the stats for the 1st 3 games I still question her being there. A'ja has better stats than Stewie in total. |
You probably should watch the games before jumping to conclusions. When Wilson is in the game she has the green light to take whatever shot she wants. They make her the go to player inside. Stewart is playing on the perimeter most of the time so that others can play inside.
Loyds role on this team is to come in and bring defense and hustle. Just watch her defense against Latvia and you will get what i mean.
Not everyone can be a go to scorer on this loaded team. Everyone needs to find their role
_________________ "Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson were and are the dynamic duo. They're the one-two punch. They're all the clich�s possible to describe people that perfectly complement each other, who make each other better and also bring out the best in the team." �Karen Bryant
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Randy
Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 10911
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Posted: 09/26/18 6:30 am ::: |
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It probably also helped Wilson to be available when training camp started. Stewart was busy doing something else.....
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CamrnCrz1974
Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Posts: 18371 Location: Phoenix
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Posted: 10/01/18 1:11 pm ::: |
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bballgrl wrote: |
Richyyy wrote: |
It's unfair after a season where she easily could've been All-WNBA second team, but I can't help but be unenthused about adding Loyd (and relying on her enough to be a de facto starter). She's just essentially disappeared for three-quarters of her team's playoff games. And now she's a key cog in a World Cup for Team USA? Won't be the least bit surprised if she's sat on the bench in high-leverage moments. |
I thought the same thing and after reading the stats for the 1st 3 games I still question her being there. A'ja has better stats than Stewie in total. |
In six games, Jewell Loyd averaged 5.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
In the semis against Belgium, she had 8 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals (in 19 minutes). In the final against Australia, she had 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in 22 minutes.
Very solid contributions in the last two games.
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J-Spoon
Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Posts: 6827
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Posted: 10/01/18 11:49 pm ::: |
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Yes I think this Worlds really gave Loyd and Plum a leg up to secure the 2 or 3 open spots on the perimeter come 2020.
When you're a new player in these situations you need to fit in, be ready when your number is called, and perform your role. Plum and Loyd both accomplished this.
And it doesn't hurt that Loyd will have built in chemistry with Bird and Stewart and Plum with Wilson on a team where time to develop chemistry is at a minimum.
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24397 Location: London
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Posted: 10/02/18 7:30 am ::: |
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Loyd did step up a bit in the final couple of games and was clearly the 'third guard' on the team. She definitely has a strong shot at being there in 2020. Plum, on the other hand, pretty much started out as Bird's backup and lost the job as the tournament went along. And lost it to a player who'll only be on the squad in 2020 if 15 people fail to show up again. Plum might be there in two years but only if we see significant development at club level (and/or if half the squad doesn't show up again). I wouldn't count her as any kind of shoo-in. |
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NoDakSt
Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 4929
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Posted: 10/02/18 7:50 am ::: |
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Plum may be on the team because she's a good glue player ala Tuck. Don't really need her oncourt exploits especially if you have Bird and Tauasi.
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 24397 Location: London
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Posted: 10/02/18 8:43 am ::: |
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NoDakSt wrote: |
Plum may be on the team because she's a good glue player ala Tuck. Don't really need her oncourt exploits especially if you have Bird and Tauasi. |
Who are going to be 38 and 39 by the time we get to Tokyo. Backups who Staley is actually willing to play against decent opponents would be nice. |
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ClayK
Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 11187
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Posted: 10/02/18 9:46 am ::: |
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Richyyy wrote: |
NoDakSt wrote: |
Plum may be on the team because she's a good glue player ala Tuck. Don't really need her oncourt exploits especially if you have Bird and Tauasi. |
Who are going to be 38 and 39 by the time we get to Tokyo. Backups who Staley is actually willing to play against decent opponents would be nice. |
It is an interesting situation, really. It's possible, if not likely, that Bird and Taurasi will give the US its best chance to win gold in 2020 -- and despite the American dominance, winning a gold medal is no easy task. Replacing the minutes of those two with Plum and Loyd would move the U.S. from being a prohibitive favorite to just the favorite.
Staley's charge is to win gold, not develop the 2022 or 2024 team, so if she rides Bird and Taurasi to the top of the podium, she's done her job. Then all three ride off into the sunset, gold medals in hand, and ... well, that's pretty unclear, but it's not her problem.
_________________ Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā
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canadaball
Joined: 24 May 2013 Posts: 519
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Posted: 10/02/18 1:11 pm ::: |
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ClayK wrote: |
Richyyy wrote: |
NoDakSt wrote: |
Plum may be on the team because she's a good glue player ala Tuck. Don't really need her oncourt exploits especially if you have Bird and Tauasi. |
Who are going to be 38 and 39 by the time we get to Tokyo. Backups who Staley is actually willing to play against decent opponents would be nice. |
It is an interesting situation, really. It's possible, if not likely, that Bird and Taurasi will give the US its best chance to win gold in 2020 -- and despite the American dominance, winning a gold medal is no easy task. Replacing the minutes of those two with Plum and Loyd would move the U.S. from being a prohibitive favorite to just the favorite.
Staley's charge is to win gold, not develop the 2022 or 2024 team, so if she rides Bird and Taurasi to the top of the podium, she's done her job. Then all three ride off into the sunset, gold medals in hand, and ... well, that's pretty unclear, but it's not her problem. |
One interesting factor looking to 2020, is the significant likelihood of some sort of player stoppage related to negotiating a new CBA. Should the WNBA season be shortened etc., that would probably help the oldsters Bird and DT b/c there might be less opportunity for everyone see them slowing down.
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