[mbdude]

Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi picked for fifth U.S. Olympic women's basketball team (espn.com)

[mbdude]

Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi picked for fifth U.S. Olympic women's basketball team (espn.com)

[BostonCard]

Sounds like no Stanford alums on the team...

The two most prominent players who were on the 2018 World Cup team but are not on this Olympic squad are Washington forward/guard Elena Delle Donne and Los Angeles forward Nneka Ogwumike, both former WNBA MVPs. Delle Donne was on the 2016 Olympic team, but Ogwumike didn't get selected that year, which was her MVP season when she won a championship with the Sparks. Ogwumike also did not get selected in 2012, her rookie season, when she was the No. 1 pick out of Stanford.

BC

[BostonCard]

Sounds like no Stanford alums on the team...

The two most prominent players who were on the 2018 World Cup team but are not on this Olympic squad are Washington forward/guard Elena Delle Donne and Los Angeles forward Nneka Ogwumike, both former WNBA MVPs. Delle Donne was on the 2016 Olympic team, but Ogwumike didn't get selected that year, which was her MVP season when she won a championship with the Sparks. Ogwumike also did not get selected in 2012, her rookie season, when she was the No. 1 pick out of Stanford.

BC

[BobK]

Nneka is hurt or she would have made it.

[BobK]

Nneka is hurt or she would have made it.

[BostonCard]

Hard to believe that she has never been on the Olympic team, especially given that the 2016 Olympics were during her MVP year (which wasn't just an MVP year, it was an all-time WNBA season).

BC

[BostonCard]

Hard to believe that she has never been on the Olympic team, especially given that the 2016 Olympics were during her MVP year (which wasn't just an MVP year, it was an all-time WNBA season).

BC

[crackpot]

Nneka is hurt or she would have made it.

Nneka is recovering and expected to be back shortly. She was snubbed.

Taurasi is currently hurt, yet made the team.

[crackpot]

Nneka is hurt or she would have made it.

Nneka is recovering and expected to be back shortly. She was snubbed.

Taurasi is currently hurt, yet made the team.

[MiniBlueHawkCard]

Chiney and her other younger sisters are rightfully pointing out some reasons why Nneka's omission is beyond disappointing. One injured player (Taurasi) was given the benefit of the doubt, the other, who has done everything right (except attending the wrong college if you want to be on Team USA), was left off. Incredibly frustrating, but predictable development.   

Chiney's thoughts

[MiniBlueHawkCard]

Chiney and her other younger sisters are rightfully pointing out some reasons why Nneka's omission is beyond disappointing. One injured player (Taurasi) was given the benefit of the doubt, the other, who has done everything right (except attending the wrong college if you want to be on Team USA), was left off. Incredibly frustrating, but predictable development.   

Chiney's thoughts

[Jskass]

This is ridiculous. Perhaps Nigeria needs a team captain and star. Taurasi selected. Collier selected as the new forward.

[Jskass]

This is ridiculous. Perhaps Nigeria needs a team captain and star. Taurasi selected. Collier selected as the new forward.

[teejers1]

Chiney and her other younger sisters are rightfully pointing out some reasons why Nneka's omission is beyond disappointing. One injured player (Taurasi) was given the benefit of the doubt, the other, who has done everything right (except attending the wrong college if you want to be on Team USA), was left off. Incredibly frustrating, but predictable development.   

Chiney's thoughts

Forgive me, but why is this "predictable?"

Effing outrageous, I get (who wouldn't?); but predictable?
Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

[teejers1]

Chiney and her other younger sisters are rightfully pointing out some reasons why Nneka's omission is beyond disappointing. One injured player (Taurasi) was given the benefit of the doubt, the other, who has done everything right (except attending the wrong college if you want to be on Team USA), was left off. Incredibly frustrating, but predictable development.   

Chiney's thoughts

Forgive me, but why is this "predictable?"

Effing outrageous, I get (who wouldn't?); but predictable?
Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

[magnus]

Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

Unless you're from UConn, you have to be head and shoulders and then some above the rest to make the team.

Candace Parker was also snubbed in 2016 after having been to 2 Olympics and winning multiple MVPs.

[magnus]

Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

Unless you're from UConn, you have to be head and shoulders and then some above the rest to make the team.

Candace Parker was also snubbed in 2016 after having been to 2 Olympics and winning multiple MVPs.

[MiniBlueHawkCard]

[quote="MiniBlueHawkCard" pid='318899' dateline='1624291183']

Forgive me, but why is this "predictable?"

Effing outrageous, I get (who wouldn't?); but predictable?
Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

The predictable comment might be more geared towards my personal skepticism of the selection process for the Olympic team. Nneka was the first overall pick in 2012 and rookie of the year and she was not selected (fair enough, wait your turn). 2016 was Nneka's MVP year, she was left behind. 

The wrong school reference points to the fact that Stanford has not had a women's basketball United States Olympian since 1996. That is astounding, and contributes to my predictability comment. Stanford does not have a seat at the table among the selection committee, UConn and South Carolina do, which is another challenge that must be overcome in recruiting at this point.

[MiniBlueHawkCard]

[quote="MiniBlueHawkCard" pid='318899' dateline='1624291183']

Forgive me, but why is this "predictable?"

Effing outrageous, I get (who wouldn't?); but predictable?
Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

The predictable comment might be more geared towards my personal skepticism of the selection process for the Olympic team. Nneka was the first overall pick in 2012 and rookie of the year and she was not selected (fair enough, wait your turn). 2016 was Nneka's MVP year, she was left behind. 

The wrong school reference points to the fact that Stanford has not had a women's basketball United States Olympian since 1996. That is astounding, and contributes to my predictability comment. Stanford does not have a seat at the table among the selection committee, UConn and South Carolina do, which is another challenge that must be overcome in recruiting at this point.

[Happy1]

[quote="MiniBlueHawkCard" pid='318899' dateline='1624291183']

Forgive me, but why is this "predictable?"

Effing outrageous, I get (who wouldn't?); but predictable?
Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

Geno is on the Women’s Basketball Olympic selection committee. He needs to be taken off. That is the solution!!!

The predictable comment might be more geared towards my personal skepticism of the selection process for the Olympic team. Nneka was the first overall pick in 2012 and rookie of the year and she was not selected (fair enough, wait your turn). 2016 was Nneka's MVP year, she was left behind. 

The wrong school reference points to the fact that Stanford has not had a women's basketball United States Olympian since 1996. That is astounding, and contributes to my predictability comment. Stanford does not have a seat at the table among the selection committee, UConn and South Carolina do, which is another challenge that must be overcome in recruiting at this point.

[Happy1]

[quote="MiniBlueHawkCard" pid='318899' dateline='1624291183']

Forgive me, but why is this "predictable?"

Effing outrageous, I get (who wouldn't?); but predictable?
Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

Geno is on the Women’s Basketball Olympic selection committee. He needs to be taken off. That is the solution!!!

The predictable comment might be more geared towards my personal skepticism of the selection process for the Olympic team. Nneka was the first overall pick in 2012 and rookie of the year and she was not selected (fair enough, wait your turn). 2016 was Nneka's MVP year, she was left behind. 

The wrong school reference points to the fact that Stanford has not had a women's basketball United States Olympian since 1996. That is astounding, and contributes to my predictability comment. Stanford does not have a seat at the table among the selection committee, UConn and South Carolina do, which is another challenge that must be overcome in recruiting at this point.

[Blue Hawk (Mizzou) Card]

[quote="MiniBlueHawkCard" pid='318899' dateline='1624291183']

Forgive me, but why is this "predictable?"

Effing outrageous, I get (who wouldn't?); but predictable?
Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

The predictable comment might be more geared towards my personal skepticism of the selection process for the Olympic team. Nneka was the first overall pick in 2012 and rookie of the year and she was not selected (fair enough, wait your turn). 2016 was Nneka's MVP year, she was left behind. 

The wrong school reference points to the fact that Stanford has not had a women's basketball United States Olympian since 1996. That is astounding, and contributes to my predictability comment. Stanford does not have a seat at the table among the selection committee, UConn and South Carolina do, which is another challenge that must be overcome in recruiting at this point.

Sorry, but it is clear to me (an admittedly skeptical Stanford fan who is getting quite tired of this happening) that two coaches (one of whom Tara did a lot for in her playing career and early in her coaching career) are using "do you want to get onto the Olympic team, because that never happens if you go to Stanford and it happens a lot of you go to the school I want you to attend" as a recruiting tool against Tara. Yukon and now Carolina players get every break when an Olympic team is selected.

The Olympic team is a BIG deal in women's hoops. Controlling access to it is a major advantage for the college coaches who are controlling it.

I am sorry, but I am just too old, too cynical, and too experienced (in watching this happen over and over) to think this is not a rigged process. At some point, the circumstantial evidence is mighty overwhelming.

No, Tara did NOT do this when she coached the Olympic team. Then again, IIRC, she was the coach who took over after the USA women had LOST in the Olympics, then brought them back to winning. Her priority as the Olympic coach was to win the Olympics. That is what the priority should be, not greasing the skids for her college team.

Then again, Tara has put a lot of effort into building the women's game. BTW, anyone with that perspective has to put Nneka onto this team. She is a great player and a great leader of the women's game.

This is an outrage. But it will just happen, then continue to happen. Stanford is not the SEC and it is not Yukon. So nobody cares.

Tara deserves better. More to the point (perhaps, for me, because Tara is the coach of the team I care about), women's basketball deserves better.

[Blue Hawk (Mizzou) Card]

[quote="MiniBlueHawkCard" pid='318899' dateline='1624291183']

Forgive me, but why is this "predictable?"

Effing outrageous, I get (who wouldn't?); but predictable?
Also, what is "the wrong school" reference?

The predictable comment might be more geared towards my personal skepticism of the selection process for the Olympic team. Nneka was the first overall pick in 2012 and rookie of the year and she was not selected (fair enough, wait your turn). 2016 was Nneka's MVP year, she was left behind. 

The wrong school reference points to the fact that Stanford has not had a women's basketball United States Olympian since 1996. That is astounding, and contributes to my predictability comment. Stanford does not have a seat at the table among the selection committee, UConn and South Carolina do, which is another challenge that must be overcome in recruiting at this point.

Sorry, but it is clear to me (an admittedly skeptical Stanford fan who is getting quite tired of this happening) that two coaches (one of whom Tara did a lot for in her playing career and early in her coaching career) are using "do you want to get onto the Olympic team, because that never happens if you go to Stanford and it happens a lot of you go to the school I want you to attend" as a recruiting tool against Tara. Yukon and now Carolina players get every break when an Olympic team is selected.

The Olympic team is a BIG deal in women's hoops. Controlling access to it is a major advantage for the college coaches who are controlling it.

I am sorry, but I am just too old, too cynical, and too experienced (in watching this happen over and over) to think this is not a rigged process. At some point, the circumstantial evidence is mighty overwhelming.

No, Tara did NOT do this when she coached the Olympic team. Then again, IIRC, she was the coach who took over after the USA women had LOST in the Olympics, then brought them back to winning. Her priority as the Olympic coach was to win the Olympics. That is what the priority should be, not greasing the skids for her college team.

Then again, Tara has put a lot of effort into building the women's game. BTW, anyone with that perspective has to put Nneka onto this team. She is a great player and a great leader of the women's game.

This is an outrage. But it will just happen, then continue to happen. Stanford is not the SEC and it is not Yukon. So nobody cares.

Tara deserves better. More to the point (perhaps, for me, because Tara is the coach of the team I care about), women's basketball deserves better.

[crackpot]

RIGHT? Tara took a whole !@#$ year off (which we could argue did more to damage her Stanford team than just missing out on another 30+ wins).

Also, I have instantly become a Devereaux Peters fan ('cos she's more ticked off about this than I am and that is pretty ticked off). Very interesting points:  Ms. Peters Plenty Mad

[crackpot]

RIGHT? Tara took a whole !@#$ year off (which we could argue did more to damage her Stanford team than just missing out on another 30+ wins).

Also, I have instantly become a Devereaux Peters fan ('cos she's more ticked off about this than I am and that is pretty ticked off). Very interesting points:  Ms. Peters Plenty Mad

[BostonCard]

No, Tara did NOT do this when she coached the Olympic team. Then again, IIRC, she was the coach who took over after the USA women had LOST in the Olympics, then brought them back to winning. Her priority as the Olympic coach was to win the Olympics. That is what the priority should be, not greasing the skids for her college team.

Worse than that, Tara was saddled with Rebecca Lobo when she was coaching the Olympic team, a player who came into camp out of shape and was not of the same caliber as some of the other players:

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-...story.html
https://www.sfgate.com/books/article/Tar...829477.php

For much of the year, VanDerveer worried that her players were too small to beat the larger and more formidable Russian and Chinese women. She urged the team's sponsors to replace some of them, including media star Rebecca Lobo. When that didn't work, VanDerveer vented her concerns to USA Today.

But Lobo was the media star, and Geno was on the selection committee, so Tara was obliged to keep her. Lobo contributed 3.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg, mostly in garbage time.

BC

[BostonCard]

No, Tara did NOT do this when she coached the Olympic team. Then again, IIRC, she was the coach who took over after the USA women had LOST in the Olympics, then brought them back to winning. Her priority as the Olympic coach was to win the Olympics. That is what the priority should be, not greasing the skids for her college team.

Worse than that, Tara was saddled with Rebecca Lobo when she was coaching the Olympic team, a player who came into camp out of shape and was not of the same caliber as some of the other players:

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-...story.html
https://www.sfgate.com/books/article/Tar...829477.php

For much of the year, VanDerveer worried that her players were too small to beat the larger and more formidable Russian and Chinese women. She urged the team's sponsors to replace some of them, including media star Rebecca Lobo. When that didn't work, VanDerveer vented her concerns to USA Today.

But Lobo was the media star, and Geno was on the selection committee, so Tara was obliged to keep her. Lobo contributed 3.9 ppg and 2.0 rpg, mostly in garbage time.

BC

[PVTree]

So Lobo was the Christian Laettner of the WBB Olympic team?

[PVTree]

So Lobo was the Christian Laettner of the WBB Olympic team?

[UltimateCard]

The predictable comment might be more geared towards my personal skepticism of the selection process for the Olympic team. Nneka was the first overall pick in 2012 and rookie of the year and she was not selected (fair enough, wait your turn). 2016 was Nneka's MVP year, she was left behind. 

The wrong school reference points to the fact that Stanford has not had a women's basketball United States Olympian since 1996. That is astounding, and contributes to my predictability comment. Stanford does not have a seat at the table among the selection committee, UConn and South Carolina do, which is another challenge that must be overcome in recruiting at this point.

Actually, Stanford WBB alum Bethany Donaphin, now Head of League Operations for the WNBA, is on the selection committee. Still, it does seem the deck is stacked.

[UltimateCard]

The predictable comment might be more geared towards my personal skepticism of the selection process for the Olympic team. Nneka was the first overall pick in 2012 and rookie of the year and she was not selected (fair enough, wait your turn). 2016 was Nneka's MVP year, she was left behind. 

The wrong school reference points to the fact that Stanford has not had a women's basketball United States Olympian since 1996. That is astounding, and contributes to my predictability comment. Stanford does not have a seat at the table among the selection committee, UConn and South Carolina do, which is another challenge that must be overcome in recruiting at this point.

Actually, Stanford WBB alum Bethany Donaphin, now Head of League Operations for the WNBA, is on the selection committee. Still, it does seem the deck is stacked.

[old spanish trail]

So, so, sooooooooo unfair. And, she's so cool. Verrrry unfair....and dumb.

[old spanish trail]

So, so, sooooooooo unfair. And, she's so cool. Verrrry unfair....and dumb.

[Griffins78]

Why are college coaches on the National Team coaching and selection committees? Why not just have the WNBA decide and provide the coaches? 

Having college coaches is unfair.

[Griffins78]

Why are college coaches on the National Team coaching and selection committees? Why not just have the WNBA decide and provide the coaches? 

Having college coaches is unfair.

[OutsiderFan]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/MsPeters14/status/1407099988388286466[/tweet]

[OutsiderFan]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/MsPeters14/status/1407099988388286466[/tweet]

[BostonCard]

Thanks for the link OF.  I'm glad someone said it because you know Nneka is too classy to do so.

BC

[BostonCard]

Thanks for the link OF.  I'm glad someone said it because you know Nneka is too classy to do so.

BC