Open season on Caitlin Clark

[Obliviax]

I would argue that individual competition athletes are different from team sports. There is definitely a need to have "tryouts" for these. I think for team sports you could assess who deserves to be on the team based on a variety of factors.

However, if the rules state that she must attend the tryouts then so be it. Maybe the rules on how we determine who is on the team sport teams need to be changed but if that's the requirements now then so be it. I really don't have an opinion on whether Caitlyn Clark should be on the Olympic team or not. I know she is now considered the most prolific NCAA women's basketball player, seems to be having a good rookie season so far and is also being targeted in the league by other players. Other than that I know nothing about women's basketball. I will say this though, if she was on the Olympic team I would probably tune in to their games in Paris.

Really? After playing 30-something games with many of the girls being professionals, you feel the need to fly them to a central location for a few days to see how well they play? What if one has the flu? What if one has a personal issue? What if one has commitments? How much more can you see in a few days that you don't see watching film of real games against the best competition in the world?

 

[lazydave841]

Really? After playing 30-something games with many of the girls being professionals, you feel the need to fly them to a central location for a few days to see how well they play? What if one has the flu? What if one has a personal issue? What if one has commitments? How much more can you see in a few days that you don't see watching film of real games against the best competition in the world?

I'm curious how she got named an alternate if she was participating in the Women's March Madness and couldn't be named to the actual Olympic team because of her missing the tryouts.

I think she ends up on the team before things tipoff.

 

[AWS1022]

Not saying she shouldn’t be on the team, just that it is not the unbelievable shocker that people are making it to be.

She is of average height. Undersized weight wise so not as strong as most. Never played pro ball or international ball.

Yet everyone acts as if she should have been automatically named to the top all star team and play a long tournament against the best all star teams of the world.

If she had been picked and then got woman-handled people would be saying what a dumb move that was.

Diana Taurasi never played pro ball and got put on the Olympic team as did Breanna Stewart. Funny how it’s okay for some but not for Clark. Also, you could take a team of all rookies and throw on Paige Bueckers and they would win the gold. The competition is worse than what they faced in college.

 

[MikeDerukey]

Really? After playing 30-something games with many of the girls being professionals, you feel the need to fly them to a central location for a few days to see how well they play? What if one has the flu? What if one has a personal issue? What if one has commitments? How much more can you see in a few days that you don't see watching film of real games against the best competition in the world?

I am not sure if you read what I wrote but I agree with you. I said, "I think for team sports you could assess who deserves to be on the team based on a variety of factors." So again, maybe they need to simply change the rules on what criteria is used to determine who is and who isn't on the team.

 

[Obliviax]

I am not sure if you read what I wrote but I agree with you. I said, "I think for team sports you could assess who deserves to be on the team based on a variety of factors." So again, maybe they need to simply change the rules on what criteria is used to determine who is and who isn't on the team.

sorry...then we agree! The team is a combination of talent and popularity. I get you want the best players but when you have a phenom available to grow the game you've GOT to play that card.

 

[GregInPitt]

Diana Taurasi never played pro ball and got put on the Olympic team as did Breanna Stewart. Funny how it’s okay for some but not for Clark. Also, you could take a team of all rookies and throw on Paige Bueckers and they would win the gold. The competition is worse than what they faced in college.

And I seem to remember when a top men's BB team took 1 very good college player with them knowing that he wouldn't play much or at all. I believe the reason was to get that player international experience with the thought that that player would be a leader on future olympic teams. Surely Clark will be a leader on future teams and that same theory could have benefited future women's olympic teams, although the U.S. women's BB talents seems so deep that it's pretty impossible to not field the the olympic field even for those that now put the U.S. team together....

Was it Christian Lattner....?

 

[Obliviax]

And I seem to remember when a top men's BB team took 1 very good college player with them knowing that he wouldn't play much or at all. I believe the reason was to get that player international experience with the thought that that player would be a leader on future olympic teams. Surely Clark will be a leader on future teams and that same theory could have benefited future women's olympic teams, although the U.S. women's BB talents seems so deep that it's pretty impossible to not field the the olympic field even for those that now put the U.S. team together....

Was it Christian Lattner....?

I think so. I think the context was that the USA lost to the Soviets because they played pros and we played college kids (plus some creative clock manipulation at the end). So we decided to send pros but there was some blowback that the olympics were for amateurs. So they reserved an amateur spot. According to wiki:

The first ten players for the team were selected on September 21, 1991: Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks, Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, and Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers.[17] On May 12, 1992, Clyde Drexler of the Portland Trail Blazers was chosen over Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons for the final professional roster spot.[8] As an acknowledgment to the previous amateur system, the U.S. basketball committee decided to include one collegiate player on the team:[18][19] Christian Laettner of Duke University was added on May 12, 1992, chosen over Louisiana State University's Shaquille O'Neal.[20]​

 

[jferretti]

And I seem to remember when a top men's BB team took 1 very good college player with them knowing that he wouldn't play much or at all. I believe the reason was to get that player international experience with the thought that that player would be a leader on future olympic teams. Surely Clark will be a leader on future teams and that same theory could have benefited future women's olympic teams, although the U.S. women's BB talents seems so deep that it's pretty impossible to not field the the olympic field even for those that now put the U.S. team together....

Was it Christian Lattner....?

Yes, and if memory serves he was selected over Isiah Thomas and Shaq.

 

[Obliviax]

Yes, and if memory serves he was selected over Isiah Thomas and Shaq.

Thomas was left off because nobody liked him. As the leader of the bad boys, the guys like MJ, Stockton and Magic didn't want him. Laetner was selected over Shaq, who was still in college at LSU at the time.

 

[Lion_Backer]

What is the purpose of compiling an all star team for the Olympics? Is it to assemble a roster of the best players or is it to assemble a roster that hopefully comprises the best team?

In my youth, I recall taking my neighborhood all star team to compete against some of the best talent in the area in pickup basketball games. Because we were familiar with each other and played as a unit, we were able to defeat a lot of teams that we really had no business beating.

Examples abound. With the passing of Bill Walton, the NBA channel featured the 1977 NBA finals between the Portland Trailblazers and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers had the superior roster, but they succumbed to the superior team. And team chemistry is an important component of team success.

Does anyone remember 'The Freeze-out game''?

The Michael Jordan inaugural 1985 All-Star game became the famous “Freeze-Out” game when NBA stars, supposedly led by Chicago native Isiah Thomas, allegedly kept the ball away from the super popular rookie Jordan in an attempt to embarrass him and demonstrate that he’d have to wait his turn behind the stars of the day, like Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, George Gervin, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, and, of course, Thomas.

This stuff has been going on for a while....

 

[NewEra 2014]

What is the purpose of compiling an all star team for the Olympics? Is it to assemble a roster of the best players or is it to assemble a roster that hopefully comprises the best team?

In my youth, I recall taking my neighborhood all star team to compete against some of the best talent in the area in pickup basketball games. Because we were familiar with each other and played as a unit, we were able to defeat a lot of teams that we really had no business beating.

Examples abound. With the passing of Bill Walton, the NBA channel featured the 1977 NBA finals between the Portland Trailblazers and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers had the superior roster, but they succumbed to the superior team. And team chemistry is an important component of team success.

Does anyone remember 'The Freeze-out game''?

The Michael Jordan inaugural 1985 All-Star game became the famous “Freeze-Out” game when NBA stars, supposedly led by Chicago native Isiah Thomas, allegedly kept the ball away from the super popular rookie Jordan in an attempt to embarrass him and demonstrate that he’d have to wait his turn behind the stars of the day, like Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, George Gervin, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, and, of course, Thomas.

This stuff has been going on for a while....

Isiah Thomas seems to be a real piece of work.

 

[Lion_Backer]

Isiah Thomas seems to be a real piece of work.

I was never a big Isaih Thomas fan either. A great player in his own right but will always be perceived a as notch below MJ, Magic and Larry.

 

[Obliviax]

I was never a big Isaih Thomas fan either. A great player in his own right but will always be perceived a as notch below MJ, Magic and Larry.

...don't forget his inglorious stint as GM of the Knicks. Not only did they suck....

The WNBA And Its Isiah Thomas Problem

I grew up as an Isiah Thomas fan. He was the hard-nosed leader of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. Thomas was an example of what it meant to fight as the underdog. His competitiveness brought pride to the City of Detroit, and we collectively cheered “Bad Boys” as they won back-to-back NBA...

www.forbes.com

 

[AWS1022]

What is the purpose of compiling an all star team for the Olympics? Is it to assemble a roster of the best players or is it to assemble a roster that hopefully comprises the best team?

In my youth, I recall taking my neighborhood all star team to compete against some of the best talent in the area in pickup basketball games. Because we were familiar with each other and played as a unit, we were able to defeat a lot of teams that we really had no business beating.

Examples abound. With the passing of Bill Walton, the NBA channel featured the 1977 NBA finals between the Portland Trailblazers and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers had the superior roster, but they succumbed to the superior team. And team chemistry is an important component of team success.

Does anyone remember 'The Freeze-out game''?

The Michael Jordan inaugural 1985 All-Star game became the famous “Freeze-Out” game when NBA stars, supposedly led by Chicago native Isiah Thomas, allegedly kept the ball away from the super popular rookie Jordan in an attempt to embarrass him and demonstrate that he’d have to wait his turn behind the stars of the day, like Magic Johnson, Julius Erving, George Gervin, Larry Bird, Moses Malone, and, of course, Thomas.

This stuff has been going on for a while....

It would be fine if they were putting together the roster that creates the best team if that’s what they were trying to do…but they keep saying they took the 12 best players, which they didn’t. So by their own admission they didn’t take the players that would create the best team and they obviously didn’t take the 12 best players, so their selection was based on something else.

 

[Lion_Backer]

It would be fine if they were putting together the roster that creates the best team if that’s what they were trying to do…but they keep saying they took the 12 best players, which they didn’t. So by their own admission they didn’t take the players that would create the best team and they obviously didn’t take the 12 best players, so their selection was based on something else.

JMO. If you are attempting to put together a team for competitive purposes, then you do not necessarily select all of the best players to be on your team.

If you are selecting the top players for an all-pro team or to put on some sort of exhibition, then their lip service regarding only selecting the best players would have more validity.

Unless there are specific criteria for comparative purposes to decide exactly who is qualified, you are going to have subjectivity in the process.

If they put Clark on the team and she was treated to the 'big freeze' tactic that the NBA all stars allegedly pulled on MJ in the '85 all star game, that would only work to exacerbate the problem.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Isiah Thomas seems to be a real piece of work.

Oh, he is. His cherubic smile is a facade for a complete asshole

 

[AWS1022]

JMO. If you are attempting to put together a team for competitive purposes, then you do not necessarily select all of the best players to be on your team.

If you are selecting the top players for an all-pro team or to put on some sort of exhibition, then their lip service regarding only selecting the best players would have more validity.

Unless there are specific criteria for comparative purposes to decide exactly who is qualified, you are going to have subjectivity in the process.

If they put Clark on the team and she was treated to the 'big freeze' tactic that the NBA all stars allegedly pulled on MJ in the '85 all star game, that would only work to exacerbate the problem.

If they would have come out from the beginning and said we’re looking for the 12 right players, not the 12 best players, there would t be as much backlash…but they didn’t, they said the 12 best players then proceeded to put Taurasi on the team as well as Gray who hasn’t played all year.

 

[Lion_Backer]

If they would have come out from the beginning and said we’re looking for the 12 right players, not the 12 best players, there would t be as much backlash…but they didn’t, they said the 12 best players then proceeded to put Taurasi on the team as well as Gray who hasn’t played all year.

Women's Olympic Basketball Team selection criteria

The identification and nomination of players to the Pool and to USA Basketball teams will be based on the following criteria (note that the selection criteria listed below are NOT listed in any order of importance):
- United States citizenship
- Availability
- Position played
- Playing ability
- Versatility to play other positions
- Coachability
- Attitude
- Adaptability to team concept
- Leadership
- Adaptability to international game
- Likelihood of contributing to success of team

Athletes comprising the Player Pool will be evaluated according to the criteria listed above using the most recent basketball season as well as the training camps and competitions listed above (Section 1.2.1 & 1.2.2) as the primary evaluation period.

Additionally, a player's previous basketball season(s) and previous USA Basketball experience may be considered.

So how do the above criteria lead you to believe that the selection committee was looking for the best vs the right players?

 

[Delcolion915]

Dr Umar now blames "Snow bunnies" Charles Barkley, Shannon Sharpe, and Steven A., for supporting Caitlin.

Then again he's a racist fraud, so there's that fact.

 

[AWS1022]

Women's Olympic Basketball Team selection criteria

The identification and nomination of players to the Pool and to USA Basketball teams will be based on the following criteria (note that the selection criteria listed below are NOT listed in any order of importance):
- United States citizenship
- Availability
- Position played
- Playing ability
- Versatility to play other positions
- Coachability
- Attitude
- Adaptability to team concept
- Leadership
- Adaptability to international game
- Likelihood of contributing to success of team

Athletes comprising the Player Pool will be evaluated according to the criteria listed above using the most recent basketball season as well as the training camps and competitions listed above (Section 1.2.1 & 1.2.2) as the primary evaluation period.

Additionally, a player's previous basketball season(s) and previous USA Basketball experience may be considered.

So how do the above criteria lead you to believe that the selection committee was looking for the best vs the right players?

Because they keep saying it.

 

[Obliviax]

 

[Obliviax]

 

[AWS1022]

View embedded media

Fans: Caitlin Clark is the best thing that ever happened to the WNBA.

WNBA players: Caitlin Clark is the worst thing that ever happened to the WNBA.

 

[Obliviax]

 

[Delco Lion]

She suffered a ruptured eardrum on a cheap shot. I think she needs to take a swing at someone. Obviously there is no one on her team that has her back. These hits are very flagrant . I had an eardrum ruptured, do you know how hard you have to be hit to have your eardrum ruptured? https://bleacherreport.com/articles...-eardrum-after-running-into-screen-vs-liberty

 

[Lion_Backer]

She suffered a ruptured eardrum on a cheap shot. I think she needs to take a swing at someone. Obviously there is no one on her team that has her back. These hits are very flagrant . I had an eardrum ruptured, do you know how hard you have to be hit to have your eardrum ruptured? https://bleacherreport.com/articles...-eardrum-after-running-into-screen-vs-liberty

Let's be accurate in depicting what occurred.

Clark was blindsided by a hard screen because her TEAMMATE failed to adequately communicate with her the situation on the floor.

According to the article, Clark blamed herself claiming that she needed to hear better?

SMH. I understand some of the previous criticisms and concerns; but this is just basketball....

 

[GregInPitt]

Saw that Clark is the 2nd leading vote getter for their all star game.

That should add some fuel to the fire of those claiming she's only popular because she's not a minority and straight....


Also:

NaLyssa Smith had 21points and nine rebounds,Caitlin Clark added 16 pointsand seven assists, and the Indiana Fever beat the AtlantaDream 91-79 in front arecord-breaking crowd of17,575 at State Farm Arenain Atlanta. Atlanta’s record had been 11,609.

Clark seems to be adding $ to every venue she plays in. Attendance record broken by 50 percent on what was likely her first game played in Atlanta.........

 

[PaoliLion]

Caitlin leads the league in…you guessed it…turnovers and she’s tied for last in turnover %. Out of all starting guards, she also has the worst “+/-“ rating. Give her time, but at the moment…she’s a waste of floor space

 

[Obliviax]

Caitlin leads the league in…you guessed it…turnovers and she’s tied for last in turnover %. Out of all starting guards, she also has the worst “+/-“ rating. Give her time, but at the moment…she’s a waste of floor space

lol. Who is on a four game win streak and selling out both home and visiting arenas.

Clark, Fever top Dream in front of record crowd

The Fever beat the Dream 91-79 in front a record-breaking 17,575 fans at State Farm Arena. The game was played at the home of the Atlanta Hawks due to high ticket demand to see Caitlin Clark.

www.espn.com

 

[AWS1022]

Caitlin leads the league in…you guessed it…turnovers and she’s tied for last in turnover %. Out of all starting guards, she also has the worst “+/-“ rating. Give her time, but at the moment…she’s a waste of floor space

Obviously you don’t watch her games. She has more assists and rebounds than any other guard in the league except for maybe one and also averages 1.4 steals per game and has more blocked shots than a lot of the bigs in the league…pretty good waste of floor space. Then throw in the fact that their offense comes to a stop when she’s out of the game and you can see your comment is ludicrous.

 

[YYZ86]

Obviously you don’t watch her games. She has more assists and rebounds than any other guard in the league except for maybe one and also averages 1.4 steals per game and has more blocked shots than a lot of the bigs in the league…pretty good waste of floor space. Then throw in the fact that their offense comes to a stop when she’s out of the game and you can see your comment is ludicrous.

Cut him a break. He is often way off base.

 

[Obliviax]

Most expensive WNBA game ticket EVER!

 

[YYZ86]

Most expensive WNBA game ticket EVER!

View embedded media

I am happy for the WNBA even though I can’t watch five minutes of it.

 

[Obliviax]

 

[psulongago]

racist bleep going on!!

Only reason WNBA is wa

Racist WNBA!!!!!!!!

Only reason anyone watches WNBA, thus ratings will increase and salaries will jump all because of Caitlin Clark. How many of you never watched or cared about WNBA, now how many of you take an occasional peek.

 

[Delcolion915]

It's not about race. It's about sexual orientation: About 80 % of these athletes are gay, and she's straight. Her teammates are not helping her either. There's no Laimbeer or Salley there to have her back.

 

[Obliviax]

Only reason WNBA is wa

Only reason anyone watches WNBA, thus ratings will increase and salaries will jump all because of Caitlin Clark. How many of you never watched or cared about WNBA, now how many of you take an occasional peek.

well, that is why ratings go up...people are watching.

 

[Obliviax]

 

[Ski]

Your memory is flawed. The NBA championship was shown on tape delay before Bird and Magic.

I just watched a piece of ESPN's 30 for 30 three part series talking about the Celtics/Lakers rivalry, and not only were the finals shown on tape delay prior to Bird and Magic, the finals with Magic in 1980 and the finals with Bird in 1981 were also shown on tape delay. 40 plus years later it feels mind boggling.

 

[AWS1022]

I just watched a piece of ESPN's 30 for 30 three part series talking about the Celtics/Lakers rivalry, and not only were the finals shown on tape delay prior to Bird and Magic, the finals with Magic in 1980 and the finals with Bird in 1981 were also shown on tape delay. 40 plus years later it feels mind boggling.

The good news was without the internet we likely didn’t know the score before we watched it.