Hoops

Opals team for 2012 Olympics

Lots of good points.

I think the role players point made by Yeti is a good one that extends to Cambage and Jackson. Two leaders aren't twice as good. I think one of our strengths in the past has been Penny being complementary to Loz and not competitive - she has effectively been a role player.

I suspect part of the problem in the Czech Republic was an identity crisis - are we Loz' team or are we now Liz' team.

I also think we need to adapt to the changes in the World game and in Loz' game - Seattle used her very effectively in the WNBA Finals getting her moving and catching and shooting after movement. Rarely was she asked to get a catch on the block and operate or isolated against a defender and asked to operate. That not her game any more (if it ever was).

Now for what I see as the biggest issue - our inability to contain permiter penetration. It cost us big time at the 17's - teams just shot the lights out from 3 - and it cost us big time with the Opals. If you can't contain penetration then you must provide help which then leaves a shooter naked for 3 - which you simply cant do.

I reckon you wont lose a game if you give up only tough two's but lay-ups and open 3's will kill you. We couldn't contain penetration for two reasons - our perimeter athletes were not good enough to contain players one on one and if they were, we did not do a good job defending the on-ball.

In terms of selections I don't think I'd ever pick Poto if you value team chemistry and I think Tippett (and I'm a fan) will not be ready by 2012.

I reckon there's significant re-loading to do - only, Jackson, Taylor, Cambage, Harrower (if she wants to stay) are certainties. Tolo needs a mid-range threat, Bishop needs athleticism, Grima needs an inside threat, Phillips needs complete control to run the point or extrarodinary shooting (at her size) to play the 2, Snell is done I think (unless she rediscovers her shooting form), O'Hea has potential which I think will work (she is a good athlete, shoots OK, can get to the rim and wants to play D and I expect her to continue to improve under Tom).

Not sure where the next generation are - thank you Mr Kinsman.

best thread for a long time as far as positive suggestions go - well done to all posters.

The main thing that the Opals need is time together as a team. Whilst it may be idealistic to think that the players would give up their professional careers for 3-6 months to achieve this, it is likely that 2012 will be the last opportunity for some of these girls to win an Olympic Gold. If the desire is strong enough, perhaps it might happen. The almighty $$ may be the ends to a means for a professional player but all those $$ cannot buy a Gold medal. It is the desire of the players and the sacrifices they are prepared to make that makes the dream a reality.

Agree with the above post on most points:

1. Selection for 2010 team should have some connection to the 2012 Olympic team;
2. The timing of the tournament certainly didn't help us and other countries to show-case our best; and
3. FIBA's tournament technical committee contributed to not only close games and upsets, but also to general confusion from teams and fans in watching the rule interpretations for that 2 weeks.

What can Graf do between now and 2012 concerning those 3 points:

a. Show some faith in the 1999 AIS graduating class - Jackson, Taylor and Harrower are the foundations. Build the offense around Jackson and Taylor, playing off penetration by Harrower and Phillips, and the almost certain double-teaming on Cambage;
b. Teach Bishop, Tolo, Grima and maybe Penaluma how to be complimentary role players to the big 3 (Jackson, Taylor & Cambage). Additionally our smalls must be able to score, thus I'd have Phillips and Poto in the team in a heartbeat;
c. Develop a small ball option that sees LJ in the Post or spreading the floor (depending on opponents); and lastly to really do that well
d. Similar to the Boomers, develop wings that can get to the hole/FT line consistently. Snell or O'Hea as staionery catch & shooters are too one dimensional. Give Tippet a sniff in some warm-up tournaments. She is a great athlete but lacks O'Hea's muscle, but I'd suggest because of her foot speed she can convert at a higher clip even at international standard.

My London Olympic Opals:
Harrower
Snell
Taylor
Jackson
Cambage
Phillips
O'Hea
Bishop
Tolo
Grima
Tippett
Poto

Apart from making Cambage the go-to player, can't think of any good plays from Graf, any spark she gave the team. She s ure makes Jan Stirling look good. Bishop, Phillips could have had more time, the team was very flat and played dull. Why keep Kristi on when she wasn't adding anything? Great player, but all players have off-days, so why not try a few new things?

Just wondering how the teams are shaping up. Have they had any trial matches yet?