Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

JustaMercuryFan · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Phoenix, Az

No comments?

M6Zara · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 51 Location: Maryland

Well, while I have no doubt that the US could pull it off, I thought it was a little too close for comfort. I have to agree with Van Chancellor though that it was what the team needed. The starters played really well as the second string seemed to struggle.

I was kind of surprised that Sue did not play until the 4th quarter. Some people on another board have speculated that it may have something to do with the fact that she has not been shooting well. The 3-point shooting is still off for the whole team, and I hope they get it together when they face the tougher competitors.

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

The second unit never played as one in this game. The starters played very well, but I think subsituting in one second unit player isn't going to help that team with making their shots. Shannon was 1-7, Diana was 0-3, Swin was 0-2, and Sue was 0-4 (0-11) the last two games. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to put Tamika, Diana, Swin, Sue, and Yolanda in at the same time, with maybe Lisa and/or Tina in place of Tamika and/or Yolanda.

Keegan · Joined: 13 Jun 2002 Posts: 977

The American guards have to step it up. They've shot poorly and they haven't played the higher calibre teams yet (I rank Australia, Russia and Brazil above the #2 team in Group B).

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

I'm sure the American guards (Dawn, Diana, Shannon, Sue, Katie, and Sheryl...kind of) will be fine. They all looked really good against New Zealand, then that whole situation with the men's perimeter shooting came up, and now the females can't shoot the three ball.

JustaMercuryFan · Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 132 Location: Phoenix, Az

best thing to do, in my opinion, is to put Tamika, Diana, Swin, Sue, and Yolanda in at the same time, with maybe Lisa and/or Tina in place of Tamika and/or Yolanda.

I totally agree is that they shouldn't put Dee out there without Swing & Sue. I saw the Spain and Czech games. I agree with Ann Meyers, game commentator, that Dee is being too selfish, that Dee should take the shot, 2 or 3 when whe is open. Ann said that Diana had even said this isn't my time, it's the Olympians time, it's my job to shoot.

Coach needs to tell Dee to shoot, shoot, shoot. Like DeForge said in a radio interview, "you never have to tell me to shoot".

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

You mean selfless, I think:)

Coach Graf is the only one who has been able to get Diana to shoot.

M6Zara · Joined: 31 Jul 2004 Posts: 51 Location: Maryland

I totally agree :D She never holds back in the Mercury games. I know that she respects the Olympians and veterans before her, but she should really shoot when she is open. As for Sue, her shots are jsut not falling this time. I also agree with not putting the second unit together. Van has been putting them in one-by-one, and it's really not working well. The New Zealand game was great for them.

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

I think the guards will be fine, but sometimes the shot selection was poor. They didn't seems as patient with working the ball around as they did in the other games.

Spain's defense was better than any that they had seen so far and it kind of threw them out of rhythm. Maybe this was a bit of a wakeup since they've waltzed through the other games.

We did have some good shots, but they just weren't falling. As for Dee she needs to shoot when she's open within the flow of the offense. Her teammates expect her to shoot.

Team USA is going to be fine.