The USA dominated again today, wiping out Spain, 103-63.
Quotes.
Photos.
Only this box score available that is non-PDF (??).
More results:
Canada roared back from an 18-point deficit to top Serbia, 71-67.
Japan took care of Brazil, 82-66.
China thrashed Senegal, 101-64.
Headlines I don't like:
Tamika Catchings is "at peace" with coming off the bench for Team USA.
Elena Delle Donne is also fine with her non-starting role.
In case you've missed it, the starters have been Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Brittney Griner. That's four former UConn athletes, and Griner.
And Phoenix Mercury fans are wondering where this version of Taurasi and Griner has been all season long. Word has it they have been "saving themselves" for Rio during the WNBA season.
I watched Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike playing today in Los Angeles. Not Rio.
Olympic basketball has become too political for me this year.
Team USA news:
The secret to this U.S. team's success? Never forget.
Twelve "must-see" plays.
The team has been overwhelming opponents with depth.
Player news:
Brittney Griner is finally at peace with herself.
Schedule:
Team USA plays next on Wednesday, as they'll face Serbia.
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6 comments:
For a PDF box score from the Spain game: http://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2016/08/woly-vs-esp-recap.aspx
I would argue that the distinction between starter and non-starter on this Olympic team is about as insignificant as it can be. Look at the distribution of playing time. Augustus wasn't a starter but ended up playing the third-highest number of minutes, and the non-starters played as many combined minutes as the starters did.
I would also that the obsessive bean-counting over who is or isn't a UConn grad is far more political than anything USA Basketball has done, and a huge disservice to the unselfish vibe that clearly prevails among these 12 outstanding women and players. True fans of women's basketball in this country would be wise to heed what Chiney Ogwumike had to say while others were losing their heads upon announcement of the Olympic team roster: "Trust the process."
You underestimate the level of resentment from the public about this issue. The cries began four years ago with the 2012 team. I didn't subscribe to it, and rooted for Team USA without reservation. But this year the politics - which have always been there - have been thrust under the microscope, and it's ugly. Numerous WBB fans are choosing not to watch Team USA's pursuit of gold this year because of the politics involved.
As for how the players really feel about the obvious UConn player bias on the team, it's anyone's guess. No one is going to come out and say they aren't for their team.
It's not that I underestimate the resentment; I just don't sympathize with it. It's clear to me that most of those succumbing to resentment have done so under the influence of parochial allegiances and rigid preconceptions.
When those in positions of authority make decisions that we disagree with or don't understand, the weak and easy response is to reflexively blame those decisions on "bias" or "politics" in a way that confirms our own personal biases and allegiances.
If the politics in USA Basketball were really so insidious, it would be very difficult for that not to manifest in the team's spirit and performance. I've played on teams that where the players mistrusted the coaches' decision-making ability, and that mistrust is highly corrosive and not an easy thing for players to ignore and cover up.
As for the "fans" who are (allegedly) boycotting viewership of the Games out of personal resentment, I'm finding it very hard to mourn for their absence because their solidarity has proven so fickle and conditional. Not exactly the kind of fans that I want to stand alongside anyway.
Nobody asked you to mourn, Paul, but I do encourage you to question authority and also question appearances. Things are never what they seem - especially in sports and entertainment.
I hear you, Sue. It may not show from my comments, but my general tendency in matters of politics and business is to question those in power. However, I'd like to think I've grown up enough to trust those who've earned the right to be trusted. Carol Callan's stewardship of USAWBB, dating back to the landmark 1996 Olympic win, has been synonymous with the program's excellence after the disappointing results of 1992 and 1994. The other members of the selection committee are, without exception, consummate professionals who have devoted their lives to the sport of women's basketball. It just defies logic that they would compromise their professionalism just to become puppets for the (alleged) ulterior agenda of a coach who is effectively their subordinate.
Alas, I know that most of those who disagree with me won't be changing their minds anytime soon. Just my two cents.
Let me know how today's game goes.
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