The men’s and women’s Olympic basketball teams played exhibition games in Los Angeles last Sunday and Monday. The men dominated China 105-57 on Sunday at the Staples Center and the women beat a team of selected WNBA players on Monday 88-84 at USC’s Galen Center.
Maya Moore and Elena Delle Donne each scored 11 for the women. Other WNBA players on the women’s team are Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tina Charles (New York Liberty), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Sylvia Fowles (Minnesota Lynx), Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream), Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm) Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx). Moore plays for the Minnesota, Delle Donne for the Chicago Sky.
Coach Geno Auriemma (Connecticut) is assisted by Doug Bruno (DePaul), Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx) and Dawn Staley (South Carolina).
“Our strength is our experience,” says Auriemma. “We have done this before. We have the confidence to do what we need to do. Our guards can make shots but we need our post players to make sure they make plays around the basket.”
Auriemma is looking for the right combinations to make sure his team wins the gold medal in Rio. That is what exhibition games are for.
“We use these games like a practice session,” Auriemma said.
“We want to win the next three games before we get on the plane to Rio. I know who we have. But I don’t know what we can build on.”
He can start with four-time Olympian Taurasi. At 34, she still is one of the best in the world.
“We are going to get better in the next few weeks,” said Taurasi. “We have a lot of good people.”
On the Other Hand
Two Golden State stars, Kevin Durant (19) and Clay Thompson (17) sparked their victory.
The men’s team includes Carmelo Anthony (Knicks), Harrison Barnes Mavericks), Jimmy Butler (Bulls), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), DeMar DeRozan (Raptors, Paul George (Indiana Pacers, Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), DeAndre Jordan (Clippers) and Kyle Lowry (Raptors).
Mastering the international rules will be a challenge. Despite missing some of America’s best, Coach Auriemma has at least 25 stars to choose from.
Irving of the NBA champion Cavaliers is one of them. “We have a chance to get better,” he said. “It’s great getting to know different players who are now my teammates.
Mike Krzyzewski of Duke is excited to coach these talented players, strongly impressed by the Clippers’ Jordan of the Clippers. “I had only seen him on television,” said Krzyzewski. “He is even better in person.”
Krzyzewski’s assistants are Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, and two NBA coaches, Tom Thibodeau of the Timberwolves and Monty Williams of the Thunder.
“This is an easy group to get along with,” Krzyzewski said. “They even laugh at my jokes.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com