I mean, the guard play has been inconsistent if I’m being kind and extremely poor if I’m being mean. Taurasi and Grey started each game in group and combined for 1.33 ppg. Yes, really. Neither scored against Belgium or Germany and DT’s total statline in those games was a single assist. That shouldn’t be a thing for a Team USA bench player but for a starter to have a multi-game statline like that is nuts.

Fortunately, Reeve saw the writing on the wall and went with Young and Gray this time with Young providing a major spark. I hope she sticks with Young and I’d like to see her start either Loyd or Kah, the former for her defense and the latter for her offense. We’ll see what she does against the Opals.

I mean, ultimately it’s not going to matter because between A’ja, Stewie, AT, and BG it’s a god-tier frontcourt untouchable by anyone else but the guard play this year has left an awful taste in my mouth. The best PG/facilitator on the team is probably AT and while she’s elite, that shouldn’t be the case. That problem should solve itself by LA, however, and possibly sooner at the World Cup in '26, should probably see CC at that one. And idk, I’d love for them to collectively get out of this god awful 3 point shooting funk that’s gone the entire tournament. 24/78 30.7% and not a single player has been consistent, that stat would be demonstrably worse if a few players didn’t have a single great performance here and there.

It’s nitpicking but we’re fortunate we’re so blessed with the depth and frontcourt we have because if this was another country, the guard play probably would cost us if it hadn’t already. But I get it. We’re crashing boards better than everyone and spreading the ball around like crazy (+40 assists through 4 games compared to the opposition) and the defense is strong and we’re great at staying out of foul trouble. Whatever wins gold is what matters but just hope we get better guard play in the future.