Because someone was pointing out a shooting stat for Taurasi in an Olympic game, which really isn't comparable because the playing time per player is far less.
It’s literally the only stat he can find that helps his argument, so he has to pound it into the ground. He hitched his wagon to a lame horse and there’s no turning around for him.
What does that stat have to do with her performance up to June 10th, the approximate cutoff for team consideration?
It has everything to do with the fact that Taurasi is no longer one of the top 12 players in the league and hasn’t been for several years. With the exception of participating as a member of Team USA, she hasn’t even been selected to a WNBA All-Star game since 2018. She contributed very little to the Olympic team three years ago and so far she’s contributing even less this year.
Far fewer turnovers, far fewer assists. If only there was a ratio for something like that. You know to see who was better at it….. before as you keep pointing out Clark further eclipsed Grandma. So they went from essentially the same, Clark makes a big move to get to the ‘strongly considered’ stage while Grandma was an auto pick because of her vast experience. Wonder how players get experience…..
There is
It is your contention that the most important criteria for the selection committee is to put together the team that gives the USA the best opportunity to win a gold medal.
That is how the Olympics work.
I’ll take that as yes, you believe Taurasi gives Team USA a better shot at gold than any other player who could have been selected for that spot.
Hmm, I did point that out. But one was better than the other. The one with the better ratio and creates more points for the team wasn’t really considered for the team and the player with a worse ratio and creates fewer points for the team was a no doubt about it choice.
She has the experience and leadership ability.
Then, going 0-7 from 3 pt land in the WNBA AS game should give you pause...
Which also means PREVENTING the other team from scoring points.
Forget about Caitlin Clark for a moment. My question to you is whether you think Taurasi gives Team USA a better shot at winning gold than anyone else who would have been eligible for that spot.
No
Didn’t know they were even playing yet.
Probably
I really don't understand why you are working so hard to try and justify why Clark isn't very good. Her defense obviously isn't a strong point of her game but it isn't a liability either. Nobody runs an offense like Clark does. There's a reason both Phoenix and New York are actively working really hard to try and get her there as early as next year. I'm not sure how that's possible but it might be that with the new TV deal all contracts are null and void and players like Clark become a restricted free agent. To make the argument that she isn't one of the 12 best players in the league right now or one of the top 3 point guards in the league really is not a strong argument at this point.
She had foul trouble in like, 2 or 3 of her early games and it's been pretty smooth sailing since then. What she brings to an offense more than makes up for whatever she gives up on defense.
Except she has comparable offense numbers to Taurasi, and weaker defense.
Fouls per game through June 10:
If that was a factor then they were looking for excuses not to include her. Oh well, what's done is done. They decided to gamble and go with old people. Belgium gave them a run in their most recent game. There is a chance they could get upset in a knockout round. If that happens, there needs to be consequences for the people who decided to not send the best team we possibly could have sent to Paris.
Taurasi’s presence on the roster undermines the selection committee’s rationale for excluding Clark. They argue that increased tv ratings and sponsorships and exposure for the sport aren’t important because they had a sacred duty to assemble a team that gave the USA the best chance at a gold medal.
Really?
As has already been pointed out to you, she is a better defender than Clark, and has much more experience at the Olympic level.
So, you're asserting it's a "tossup" then.
It’s not a tossup when you calculate fouls per 40 minutes. The one aspect of her game where Taurasi arguably is still better than Clark is defense. And you pointed out that Clark was “picking up loads of fouls” early in the season. But Taurasi was picking up fouls at an even faster rate. So even in that aspect Taurasi doesn’t have an edge on Clark.
And as I have pointed out to you multiple times, I’m not simply comparing DT to CC. I’m comparing DT to the many players who would have been a better, more productive addition to Team USA.
She is better.
