Brazil Women’s National Team, usually known for its running game, had to put the brakes on last night against United States’ full-court pressure. The U.S. National Team’s dominance on the defensive end forced Brazil into 25 turnovers. Team USA was also dominant in their half-court offense and defense, frustrating two of Brazil’s star players and WNBA players, Erika de Souza and Iziane Castro Marques, into early foul trouble.
Head coach Geno Auriemma had the team focused and from their first lead of the game, they never looked back. As I stated in an earlier blog, this team is destined to arrive in London and make those London bridges come falling down. They are just too tough, too athletic, too deep, too smart, too tall, too quick, too explosive and too well coached not to win the gold.
Diana “Da Truth” Taurasi is BACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCK! After being side-lined for most of the WNBA season, it was great to see her back on the court. She was four out of seven from the 3-point line scoring from way beyond the arc and as always making it look easy. At one point it was unclear whether she would be healthy enough for the Olympics, but she erased all doubt last night coming off the bench tallying 16 points and seven assists.
Last but not least, missed shots rarely make highlights or re-plays, but the two dunk attempts by Chicago Sky’s Sylvia Fowles and Atlanta Dream’s Angel “AMac” McCoughtry brought much excitement to a game that was over in the first quarter. Sylvia, or “Big Syl” as I like to call her at 6 feet 6 inches, stole the ball at half-court and went in for a one-handed slam. She missed with the ball rimming out, but the aggressiveness was great to see.
The 6-foot-1-inch Angel McCoughtry, after a steal of her own, tried to show “Big Syl” how it was done by attempting a one-handed dunk of her own. Since her days at Louisville, this young woman has shown no fear. She missed the dunk but she gets an ‘A’ for effort. I have nothing but love for someone with that type of passion, guts and fearlessness to go after it. I also have nothing but love for this game!
This article was originally posted by WNBA veteran Chasity Melvin on July 17 at Chas #44 City.com.
Photo credit: Geoff Burke/US PRESSWIRE
