Team USA triumphed over Belgium with an 87-74 win on Thursday, making their group play record 2-0. Head coach Cheryl Reeve faced criticism online during and after the game, prompting Dawn Staley to respond.
Staley, the South Carolina head coach, shared her thoughts on X. She reminded everyone watching from home that coaching such a talented team isn’t easy.
Reactions and Criticisms:
"Yall just so yall know itโs not easy coaching this talent filled teamโฆ.virtually impossible to play 12 players. Itโs all about combinations. Managing combinations within the game is extremely difficult. Letโs be patient with the process. And trust our coaches!" โ dawnstaley (@dawnstaley)
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Many fans were unhappy with Reeve’s choice to start guards Diana Taurasi and Chelsea Gray against Belgium. They struggled during the game, ending up with more turnovers (three) than points (zero) in over 23 minutes of playtime.
Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart shined again with a game-high of 26 points leading Team USA. Sabrina Ionescu and Jewell Loyd also contributed at guard with six and eight points respectively. However, Jackie Young played less than nine minutes and Kahleah Copper didnโt get any time on the court.
Fans might think it’s tough for Reeve to manage such a talented roster effectively.
Staley explained that playing all twelve players is "virtually impossible." She emphasized how tricky it is to manage player combinations during games.
"It’s all about combinations," Staley said. "Managing combinations within the game is extremely difficult."
Even though Team USA has won both of their games by a total of 37 points, some people are still not satisfied. While criticisms can be valid, Staley pointed out that Reeve’s job is unique and perhaps she deserves some understanding.
What do you think about Reeve’s coaching decisions?
