Though these stats come from a Tennessee board, where posters have various theories about Olympic Coach Geno Auriemma's player choices, the numbers are interesting, and worth contemplating:
Here are early season WNBA stats for the players who will represent Team USA in London:
Seimone Augustus: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 49% FG
Tamika Catchings: 19.5 points, 7 rebounds, 46% FG
Tina Charles: 20.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, 51% FG
Candace Parker:18.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.6 blocks
Angel McCoughtry-23 points, 5 rebounds ,3 assists, 4 steals, 43% FG
Sylvia Fowles-19 points, 13.7 rebounds, 66% FG
Maya Moore-14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 46% FG
Diana Taurasi-injured
Lindsay Whalen-11 points, 5 assists, 51% FG, 2:1 A/TO
Swin Cash: 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 34% FG
Asjha Jones: 12.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 43.5% FG
Sue Bird: 12.6 points, 5.5 assists, 39.7% FG, 1.7 A/TO
Top Players Not on Team USA:
Nneka Ogwumike: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 60% FG
Epiphanny Prince: 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 51% FG
Crystal Langhorne: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 57% FG
Katie Douglas: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 43% FG
Rebecca Brunson: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 57% FG
Cappie Pondexter: 19 points, 4 rebounds ,3 assists
Kara Lawson: 14.1 points, 3.7 assists, 56% FG, 50% 3pt, 2.5:1 A/TO
As I understand it, the Olympic team is named in mid-spring so athletes have a chance to play and practice together before going to the Games; witness the two May exhibitions in Seattle. But it's unfortunate that the WNBA schedule is right in the middle of this process, as it prevents USA Basketball from making the best possible selections, unlike the men's team.
If you could replace any player(s) on the Olympic team, who would they be and why? And whom would be her replacement?
Other Olympics:
Geno Auriemma says the lawsuit against him shouldn't be a distraction at the Games.
NCAA:
Kristen O'Neill has been promoted to associate head coach at Seattle University, with Joan Bonvicini. Shaquala "Shaq" Williams has been hired as an assistant coach.
Swin Cash and Ashja Jones with Nneka Ogumike and Cappie... IMO Nneka and Cappie are more athletic and bigger threats than the Olympians. I love Swin, but she is past her prime. Never been that big of a fan of Ashja....
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Nneka! I was surprised that Nneka wasn't added to the USA pool at the same time as Griner. Geno should have known better. Can they replace Diana if she can't play? If so I assume they can only pull from the pool, right?
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