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Post by bulkey on Aug 1, 2021 15:24:18 GMT -5
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Post by bulkey on Aug 2, 2021 8:14:18 GMT -5
www.espn.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/31938833/aja-wilson-leads-us-women-basketball-team-france-olympic-quarterfinalswww.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/31938265/olympics-2021-us-women-basketball-advances-quarterfinals-sync-tokyo-gamesThe Americans won their 52nd consecutive game in Olympic competition Monday -- topping France 93-82 in the teams' last game of Group B play -- but this was far from some of the comfortable wins that have characterized many of Team USA's preliminaries over the past several Summer Games. Credit the rest of the world for improved play, for sure. But it seems like the Americans still aren't fully in sync in Japan.
That has especially been true of the first quarter. In their three group games, Team USA trailed 20-17 after the opening period against Nigeria, 30-28 to Japan and 22-19 to France.
All turned into victories, but the U.S. women are playing with fire. They can't afford to get burned from here on out if they hope to win a seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal. In the past, there were five preliminary games, but the format has changed so now there are just three. The Americans already had secured a quarterfinal spot with their first two wins in Tokyo, but they want to carry momentum into the medal round.
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Post by semper on Aug 2, 2021 21:07:12 GMT -5
Tina Charles’ 3-Pointers Send USA Women Past France in Pool Play Finale
Author:
Steve Drumwright, Red Line Editorial
Date:
Aug 1, 2021
Game Notes | Live Stats
Additional Quotes
Box Score
Olympic WBB Schedule/Results
Comprehensive USA Basketball Schedule
In a tight contest throughout, the U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team (2-0) fended off France (1-1) for a 93-82 win on Monday afternoon at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo.
The USA trailed 72-71 at 9:02 in the fourth quarter, but outscored France 22-10 to close out the win.
A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces/South Carolina/Hopkins, S.C.) had 22 points and seven rebounds; Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm/Connecticut/North Syracuse, N.Y.) added 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists; Tina Charles (Washington Mystics/Connecticut/Jamaica, N.Y.) finished with 15 points and five assists; Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury/Baylor/Houston, Texas) scored 11 points; and Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm/Notre Dame/Lincolnwood, Ill.) dished out eight assists.
The first quarter saw a 9-2 U.S. run to start the game, but France countered with a 9-0 stretch to go ahead 11-2 at 5:30. The game was tied at 11-11 and 13-13, before France closed by outscoring the USA 9-6 to lead 22-19 after the first quarter.
The teams traded baskets for the first 4:03 of the second quarter, and the USA tied the game 39-39 with two scores in a row at 5:15. France answered with a 3, and the lead changed hands three times before the USA closed with a 7-0 run to go ahead 50-44 at halftime.
Stewart had all 14 of her first half points in the second quarter, and the USA was a red-hot 66.7% from the field (12-18 FGs) in the second frame.
The USA was hurt by six turnovers in the third quarter, which saw France outscore the USA 23-21 to cut the USA’s lead to four points, 71-67, heading into the fourth quarter.
France scored the first five points of the final period to lead 72-71, but the USA responded with seven straight points to retake a 78-72 lead at 7:12 on the second-straight jumper from Wilson. After scores from both teams, the USA added a 3 from Sue Bird (Seattle Storm/Connecticut/Syosset, N.Y.) and did not let France any closer than six points from there. Charles scored eight of her points in the fourth, including two 3-pointers.
The USA will find out its quarterfinal match-up following the draw that will be held after the final preliminary round game is played tonight.
Check back soon for more.
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Post by bulkey on Aug 2, 2021 22:57:21 GMT -5
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Olympics!
Aug 3, 2021 1:36:22 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by huskymaniac on Aug 3, 2021 1:36:22 GMT -5
I chalked it up to sarcasm. Nope. They ultimately got what they deserved. |
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Post by semper on Aug 3, 2021 5:59:41 GMT -5
Too bad, in my view. But we have different views, which is perfectly OK.  |
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Post by swash on Aug 3, 2021 7:32:48 GMT -5
I chalked it up to sarcasm. Nope. They ultimately got what they deserved. a chance to play for a bronze medal? I agree that they didn't deserve a gold, but because of their play. My favorite thing about the Olympics is that there's no hiding. You put up your best or you get beat. I wanted them to shake out of their malaise and earn the gold. Not this time. |
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Post by semper on Aug 3, 2021 7:43:13 GMT -5
Hoping the 5x5 Women can shake whatever malaise they may have. Go USA!
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Post by bulkey on Aug 3, 2021 9:40:42 GMT -5
Hoping the 5x5 Women can shake whatever malaise they may have. Go USA! Players are fine. It's the head coach. |
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Post by justinesguy on Aug 3, 2021 10:02:42 GMT -5
As a Women's gymnastic's expert I have so say how proud I am of the team. First of all I dont think the gymnastic committee put the best team together. Of couse Biles, who is great is a no brainer as well as Suni Lee who is a classically beautiful gymnast but to select Jordan and especially Grace as team members was a bit head scratching. I would have had Jade and Mykayla rounding out the team of 4(which to only have 4 in itself is crazy and done just to hamstring the USA cause we have such depth from 5-7 as other countries do not.) When Biles bowed out for non injury reasons it must have been very unnerving to the team, although Biles has been having issues for months and this might not have been the hugest surprise in the world to them. To the girls credit Suni, really stepped to win Gold and Jade and Mykayla came thru on individual floor and valut respectfully.
For me im happy to see Biles move on, not because she dropped out of the team competition but I think it would be great to see the parody again. The announcers leading up to the olympics primarily talked about Biles and her greatness and not ONCE talked about any other gymnast in the world that can have an impact on these games. It was dubbed the Simone Biles show. This clearly didnt happen and I think the audience was a bit cheated not knowing as much about these other solid gymnasts from other countries.
In the end Simone really pushed the envelope with her craft and I can see how other gymnasts(especially US gymnasts) increased there degree of difficulty to try to catch up. Thats one hell of a legacy.
I look forward to the next group minus Biles, maybe it will have that TEAM FEELING again and not the Simone and her humble band of sous chefs..
Just my hot take.
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Post by vtcwbuff on Aug 3, 2021 10:25:21 GMT -5
Hoping the 5x5 Women can shake whatever malaise they may have. Go USA! Players are fine. It's the head coach. I think she has them playing SEC ball. |
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Post by chicagogg on Aug 3, 2021 11:14:40 GMT -5
As a Women's gymnastic's expert I have so say how proud I am of the team. First of all I dont think the gymnastic committee put the best team together. Of couse Biles, who is great is a no brainer as well as Suni Lee who is a classically beautiful gymnast but to select Jordan and especially Grace as team members was a bit head scratching. I would have had Jade and Mykayla rounding out the team of 4(which to only have 4 in itself is crazy and done just to hamstring the USA cause we have such depth from 5-7 as other countries do not.) When Biles bowed out for non injury reasons it must have been very unnerving to the team, although Biles has been having issues for months and this might not have been the hugest surprise in the world to them. To the girls credit Suni, really stepped to win Gold and Jade and Mykayla came thru on individual floor and valut respectfully. For me im happy to see Biles move on, not because she dropped out of the team competition but I think it would be great to see the parody again. The announcers leading up to the olympics primarily talked about Biles and her greatness and not ONCE talked about any other gymnast in the world that can have an impact on these games. It was dubbed the Simone Biles show. This clearly didnt happen and I think the audience was a bit cheated not knowing as much about these other solid gymnasts from other countries. In the end Simone really pushed the envelope with her craft and I can see how other gymnasts(especially US gymnasts) increased there degree of difficulty to try to catch up. Thats one hell of a legacy. I look forward to the next group minus Biles, maybe it will have that TEAM FEELING again and not the Simone and her humble band of sous chefs.. Just my hot take. Not to be picky, but did you mean "parity" as in more equal, as opposed to "parody" or satire? |
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Post by swash on Aug 3, 2021 13:39:14 GMT -5
As a Women's gymnastic's expert I have so say how proud I am of the team. First of all I dont think the gymnastic committee put the best team together. Of couse Biles, who is great is a no brainer as well as Suni Lee who is a classically beautiful gymnast but to select Jordan and especially Grace as team members was a bit head scratching. I would have had Jade and Mykayla rounding out the team of 4(which to only have 4 in itself is crazy and done just to hamstring the USA cause we have such depth from 5-7 as other countries do not.) When Biles bowed out for non injury reasons it must have been very unnerving to the team, although Biles has been having issues for months and this might not have been the hugest surprise in the world to them. To the girls credit Suni, really stepped to win Gold and Jade and Mykayla came thru on individual floor and valut respectfully. For me im happy to see Biles move on, not because she dropped out of the team competition but I think it would be great to see the parody again. The announcers leading up to the olympics primarily talked about Biles and her greatness and not ONCE talked about any other gymnast in the world that can have an impact on these games. It was dubbed the Simone Biles show. This clearly didnt happen and I think the audience was a bit cheated not knowing as much about these other solid gymnasts from other countries. In the end Simone really pushed the envelope with her craft and I can see how other gymnasts(especially US gymnasts) increased there degree of difficulty to try to catch up. Thats one hell of a legacy. I look forward to the next group minus Biles, maybe it will have that TEAM FEELING again and not the Simone and her humble band of sous chefs.. Just my hot take. Not to be picky, but did you mean "parity" as in more equal, as opposed to "parody" or satire? This was worth a snicker at the first read and I relived that chortle with this nit-pick from OGG. I hope you don't mind a little poke JG. It isn't like we jump on grammar all the time, but this one was funny because the other meaning would ... allll-most ... have fit right in there and carried nearly the opposite message. |
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Olympics!
Aug 3, 2021 13:48:03 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by huskymaniac on Aug 3, 2021 13:48:03 GMT -5
Nope. They ultimately got what they deserved. a chance to play for a bronze medal? I agree that they didn't deserve a gold, but because of their play. My favorite thing about the Olympics is that there's no hiding. You put up your best or you get beat. I wanted them to shake out of their malaise and earn the gold. Not this time. And part of that crappy play is their head not being in the game. When you hit the field/court your sole focus should be the game, not what political statement you are going to make. Keep that crap for outside the game. |
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Post by swash on Aug 3, 2021 14:07:58 GMT -5
a chance to play for a bronze medal? I agree that they didn't deserve a gold, but because of their play. My favorite thing about the Olympics is that there's no hiding. You put up your best or you get beat. I wanted them to shake out of their malaise and earn the gold. Not this time. And part of that crappy play is their head not being in the game. When you hit the field/court your sole focus should be the game, not what political statement you are going to make. Keep that crap for outside the game. Your statement may well be true, but there is no evidence that this was the cause of this team not putting balls into nets. Many goals were called back for offside (two or three per game! That is a season's worth in this tournament alone), but all of the plays (and replays) I saw No Goal was the correct call ... some were close. That's one of those things in soccer where you're not sure about being happy or mad until after the games are done. It may indicate that the team is undisciplined and not attending to the details - ie focus is off as you imply. But it may also mean that they are being aggressive and pressing the action, which they needed to do in this tournament to get their normally potent offense into gear. Perhaps, they were simply a bit unlucky, too. Show me a striker who is never offside and I'll bet we're not looking at a star. Even more important is most offside calls are meaningless, but in this case the player in question successfully finished the play at the end. If there were no focus I would expect to see some additional evidence such as a million badly-missed shots or open nets left open with the crossbar or the post as the only defense. Neither of these seemed to happen. There were too many defensive and midfield give-aways and silly fouls, so that may argue in your favor. |
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Post by vtcwbuff on Aug 3, 2021 19:35:53 GMT -5
I was hoping (and rooting) for New Zealand transgender weight lifter Laurel Hubbard to win a Gold medal. Maybe then it would force the governing bodies to reach an honest, non PC, resolution of the transgender (biological male) athlete competing aqainst true females.
Unfortunately, Hubbard wasn't up to the task.
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Post by knightsbridgeaz on Aug 3, 2021 19:51:09 GMT -5
I was hoping (and rooting) for New Zealand transgender weight lifter Laurel Hubbard to win a Gold medal. Maybe then it would force the governing bodies to reach an honest, non PC, resolution of the transgender (biological male) athlete competing aqainst true females.
Unfortunately, Hubbard wasn't up to the task.
Well, they have hormone level rules - and those levels must be maintained a year before you are even allowed to begin competing. Of course, I realize there are other competitive issues, as well. But the larger point is that one of the problems I see in the US is that organizations are reluctant to make any rule other than "allow them all" or "prohibit them all". I never assumed that the international organizations were anywhere near that PC. And of course, they are not. |
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Post by bulkey on Aug 3, 2021 20:59:22 GMT -5
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Post by rvwsleep on Aug 4, 2021 4:45:48 GMT -5
Stewie demolishes Australia with 20 points in the first half. USA cruises to a 79-55 win.
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Post by semper on Aug 4, 2021 7:54:53 GMT -5
Stewball was a race horse.
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Post by vtcwbuff on Aug 4, 2021 8:31:26 GMT -5
What's up with Tina Charles? No score (0-8) in 21 minutes of play.
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Post by semper on Aug 4, 2021 9:15:44 GMT -5
Last time out she was great. Dunno. Will Phee ever play?
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Post by UConnChapette on Aug 4, 2021 9:30:47 GMT -5
Last time out she was great. Dunno. Will Phee ever play? Doubtful Phee will see much time. Dawn has no inclination to play her. Is she really the worst player on the team? Or simply the youngest? Or is it the UConn connection and Dawn feels there are too many UConn alum on the team? |
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Post by semper on Aug 4, 2021 10:18:05 GMT -5
Last time out she was great. Dunno. Will Phee ever play? Doubtful Phee will see much time. Dawn has no inclination to play her. Is she really the worst player on the team? Or simply the youngest? Or is it the UConn connection and Dawn feels there are too many UConn alum on the team? I think the latter. Last time out she was great. Dunno. Will Phee ever play? |
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Post by semper on Aug 4, 2021 10:18:38 GMT -5
I am the one who wrote "I think the latter" but it came out in Chappy's text.
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