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My wife and I are flying to Tampa to watch my granddaughter's cheer team compete in the prestigious D2 Summit NSPA Championship. There will be a ton of teams and screaming young girls piercing my eardrums!!!
The athleticism of these young ladies is off the charts and the precision on their routines shows the hard work they put in it. Great teamwork and some wonderful individual tumbling.
Hoping they come home with a medal but this experience will be amazing for my 9 year old. I'm so proud!!!!
Just one more genius post from VolNation about Parker not being selected to the USA Olympic team.
Could Candace Parker Play For Another National Team? I truly don't know the answer. I don't know what steps would be needed for her to take. I know other American players have done so in the past. This USA Basketball organization doesn't really represent America anymore! It's a Gestapo unit based mainly in a tiny state in the Northeast part of the country! I would route for Candace and her team...and I think many who really know what's transpiring with USA basketball would do the same. The writer who took so much flack when he wrote the article that UConn is bad for women's game was spot on...a very well respected reporter in his field also. Geno needs to be removed from any connection with the Olympic team!
My god..comparing USA basketball to Nazis? Unbelievable. And this idiot would "route" for another country? Please, move now. We don't want you here.
My wife and I are flying to Tampa to watch my granddaughter's cheer team compete in the prestigious D2 Summit NSPA Championship. There will be a ton of teams and screaming young girls piercing my eardrums!!!
The athleticism of these young ladies is off the charts and the precision on their routines shows the hard work they put in it. Great teamwork and some wonderful individual tumbling.
Hoping they come home with a medal but this experience will be amazing for my 9 year old. I'm so proud!!!!
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Could Candace Parker Play For Another National Team? I truly don't know the answer. I don't know what steps would be needed for her to take. I know other American players have done so in the past. This USA Basketball organization doesn't really represent America anymore! It's a Gestapo unit based mainly in a tiny state in the Northeast part of the country! I would route for Candace and her team...and I think many who really know what's transpiring with USA basketball would do the same. The writer who took so much flack when he wrote the article that UConn is bad for women's game was spot on...a very well respected reporter in his field also. Geno needs to be removed from any connection with the Olympic team!
My god..comparing USA basketball to Nazis? Unbelievable. And this idiot would "route" for another country? Please, move now. We don't want you here.
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I've done some poking around about the Parker situation and this is what I've heard.
The decision not to include Candace Parker on the 2016 Olympic team seems to be a USA BB decision and not one that can be pinned solely on Geno Auriemma. It appears that USA BB did not like that Parker chose not to play in the 2010 world championships or the 2014 world championships, opting instead to have surgery and not miss any time playing overseas. The Olympics are obviously a more glamorous event but many players feel they need to play in the less desirable world championships in order to have a shot at making the Olympic team.
USA BB understands the need for the players to maximize their earnings by not missing time overseas where they make the bulk of their money. But that's an issue for all of the players, including those who've chosen to play in the world championships. Well, it seems that some players complained to USA BB about Parker getting special treatment. I would guess that USA BB already didn't like that Parker passed on the worlds and when other players complained they didn't feel right about putting her on the Olympic team again in 2016 (she made the team in 2012).
All this then raises the question of what type of surgeries did Parker have in 2010 and 2014 and was the timing elective. In 2010, Parker had shoulder surgery in June and missed the last 24 games of the WNBA season and, of course, the world championships. Remember she had shoulder problems while at Tennessee. Those problems persisted and 10 games in to the 2010 WNBA season she reinjured it going up for a rebound. It was described as a dislocation. Her shoulder used to pop out and in this instance did so without contact. She had the surgery in June and then decided to have relatively minor knee surgery while rehabbing her shoulder. Interestingly, there was an article in the LA Times that said she intended to have that shoulder surgery after the WNBA season in any event and decided to push it up after the injury. The Sparks were also 3-7 at the time and likely going nowhere under Jen Gillom. So, perhaps USA BB was aware of Parker's original surgery plans and knew she would miss the world championships. In any event, it seems USA BB gave her the benefit of the doubt as she made the Olympic team in 2012.
In 2014, Parker elected to have knee surgery after her team exited the WNBA playoffs in the first round. She played in 30 regular season games and 2 playoff games for the Sparks. After the season ended but before the 2014 world championship team was announced, Parker announced that she would miss the competition because of knee surgery. An ESPN story said the surgery was "minor" and Parker addressed the issue on twitter saying "My focus now is to get healthy and strong. I wish USA Bball the best and will be rooting them on in our quest for gold!" Apparently this didn't sit too well with some of her Team USA teammates and they let USA BB officials know about it.
So, Parker made her bed and now has to lie in it. She put money ahead of USA basketball by missing the 2014 world games and the powers that be made her the 13th player.
I'm sure that folks that support Parker or are from Tennessee will poo poo this, but I'm very comfortable with what I am presenting here.
Many folks that know me and my postings over the years know I have little appreciation for Parker. She is a real diva. A diva before Diggins was even thinking of being one. This USA team will be fine. Maybe she can get back in good graces with USA basketball before she retires, but she might have seen her last Olympic games.
The decision not to include Candace Parker on the 2016 Olympic team seems to be a USA BB decision and not one that can be pinned solely on Geno Auriemma. It appears that USA BB did not like that Parker chose not to play in the 2010 world championships or the 2014 world championships, opting instead to have surgery and not miss any time playing overseas. The Olympics are obviously a more glamorous event but many players feel they need to play in the less desirable world championships in order to have a shot at making the Olympic team.
USA BB understands the need for the players to maximize their earnings by not missing time overseas where they make the bulk of their money. But that's an issue for all of the players, including those who've chosen to play in the world championships. Well, it seems that some players complained to USA BB about Parker getting special treatment. I would guess that USA BB already didn't like that Parker passed on the worlds and when other players complained they didn't feel right about putting her on the Olympic team again in 2016 (she made the team in 2012).
All this then raises the question of what type of surgeries did Parker have in 2010 and 2014 and was the timing elective. In 2010, Parker had shoulder surgery in June and missed the last 24 games of the WNBA season and, of course, the world championships. Remember she had shoulder problems while at Tennessee. Those problems persisted and 10 games in to the 2010 WNBA season she reinjured it going up for a rebound. It was described as a dislocation. Her shoulder used to pop out and in this instance did so without contact. She had the surgery in June and then decided to have relatively minor knee surgery while rehabbing her shoulder. Interestingly, there was an article in the LA Times that said she intended to have that shoulder surgery after the WNBA season in any event and decided to push it up after the injury. The Sparks were also 3-7 at the time and likely going nowhere under Jen Gillom. So, perhaps USA BB was aware of Parker's original surgery plans and knew she would miss the world championships. In any event, it seems USA BB gave her the benefit of the doubt as she made the Olympic team in 2012.
In 2014, Parker elected to have knee surgery after her team exited the WNBA playoffs in the first round. She played in 30 regular season games and 2 playoff games for the Sparks. After the season ended but before the 2014 world championship team was announced, Parker announced that she would miss the competition because of knee surgery. An ESPN story said the surgery was "minor" and Parker addressed the issue on twitter saying "My focus now is to get healthy and strong. I wish USA Bball the best and will be rooting them on in our quest for gold!" Apparently this didn't sit too well with some of her Team USA teammates and they let USA BB officials know about it.
So, Parker made her bed and now has to lie in it. She put money ahead of USA basketball by missing the 2014 world games and the powers that be made her the 13th player.
I'm sure that folks that support Parker or are from Tennessee will poo poo this, but I'm very comfortable with what I am presenting here.
Many folks that know me and my postings over the years know I have little appreciation for Parker. She is a real diva. A diva before Diggins was even thinking of being one. This USA team will be fine. Maybe she can get back in good graces with USA basketball before she retires, but she might have seen her last Olympic games.
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By David in Naples
Two mainstays of next year's UConn team will be sophomores Kia Nurse and Gabby Williams. Together, they both played in every game this season and started 50 times. They scored a combined 690 points and averaged over 18 pts per game. Although Gabby and Kia are comparable in size and disposition, they bring very different talents to the Huskies. Consider:
1. Nurse broke the 100 assist level in each of the last two years, with 104 this season and 108 in 2014-15. Gabby had 51 this year and 50 the prior year.
2. Gabby is a rebounding machine with 213 this past season, after 218 in 2014-15. Nurse's boards fell off to 74 after 122 last year.
3. Nurse has been a steady free throw shooter with accuracy rates of 72.2% and 75.4%. Williams made huge jump from 46.2% to 75%.
4. Both are physical defenders, with Kia fouling opponents 57 times this past season, while Gabby had 60. Neither fouled out of a game this most recent season.
5. Gabby is the better thief with 72 steals vs 50 for Kia. She is also the better shot blocker with 13 vs 6 for Nurse.
6. The Gabulous one is a monster on the offensive boards. Her 75 offensive rebounds exceeds Kia's 74 total rebounds.
7. Nurse, on the other hand, has made 104 three point baskets in two seasons. Gabby has tried 1 three in two years and missed it.
Kia and Gabby are best friends and two very free spirits on the Huskies. They both will be key contributors next season for the Huskies. But, their talents are very different. Each will need to continue to do what they do well and improve where they aren't quite as excellent. In both cases, the best is yet to come..!!
Go Huskies..!!
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UCONN LINKS
UConn Women's Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma Back At Work, Feeling Better Patch
Another busy summer for UConn's Nurse Jim Fuller
Jamie Carey named Texas Women's Basketball assistant coach Texas Team Site
In spring update, Walz excited for team upside Courier Journal
WNBA /USA TEAMS LINKS
Hot photos of Team USA women's 2016 Rio Olympics basketball team Examiner
Road to Rio: Team USA celebrates 100 days until Summer Olympics Nanonews
Former UConn star Tuck thrilled to remain in Connecticut Jim Fuller
Getting Olympic spot never gets old for UConn legends Jim Fuller
Kia Nurse ready to end women's basketball medal drought CBS Sports
Tamika Catchings will be oldest U.S. women's player in history USA Today
WNBA salaries for the 2016 season Examiner
Veterans Lead U.S. Olympic Basketball Team New York Times
Liberty Hosts Media Day at MSG Training Center WNBA
New Sun Coach Curt Miller Ready To Get Going — His Way Courant
Morgan Tuck Off To New Start With New Number As Member Of Connecticut Sun Courant
Candace Parker disappointed, will not be on US hoops roster New Pittsburgh Courier
Wait is over for Isabelle Harrison Our Sports Central
Elzy returning to UK staff ABC36
Storm guard Jewell Loyd intends to play without fear in her 2nd WNBA season Seattle Times
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