As Team USA geared up to solidify its dominance in Group C with a match against Germany, a new wave of criticism emerged, particularly aimed at veteran Diana Taurasi. The U.S. team, which had previously won both of its games, faced an unexpected challenge as Germany outperformed them, taking a 19-16 lead in the first quarter. The sluggish start, marked notably by Taurasi’s lack of scoring, sparked backlash from fans and commentators alike.
Colin Cowherd, a prominent sports commentator, expressed his frustration through social media, stating, “I’m sorry but DT needs to be on the bench. Kahleah Copper needs some minutes early. JY0 Too. #USABWNT #OlympicGames.” The criticism comes as Taurasi, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and a key player in her sixth Olympic Games, struggled to make an impact on the court. Her performance has been under scrutiny throughout the tournament, with zero points scored in the last game against Belgium and only four points in the opener against Japan.
The call for Taurasi’s benching has gained traction among fans, who are advocating for Kahleah Copper to receive more playing time. Despite not seeing action against Belgium, Copper made a noticeable impact in her limited time against Japan. In just six minutes on the floor, Copper scored four points, made two rebounds, and registered one block, highlighting her potential as a strong contender for a starting position.
Cheryl Reeve, Team USA’s head coach, initially included Taurasi in the starting lineup alongside Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Chelsea Gray. However, the team’s inability to curb the German onslaught early in the game further fueled criticism of the current lineup. Fans were particularly vocal about the slow start, with one remarking, “Chelsea Gray and Diana Taurasi are moving 1 mph… how are they starting on this team?” Gray, who also failed to score in the first quarter, joined Taurasi in the spotlight of fan discontent.
The criticism extended to Gray, with fans suggesting that players with a stronger defensive presence should be brought in. This discontent included indirect calls for Caitlin Clark, a notable point guard who was controversially omitted from the Olympic roster. One fan voiced their frustration, saying, “If Cheryl Reeve doesn’t get Sabrina into this game and get Taurasi the f*** out of there, USA is gonna lose this game #USABWNT.” Sabrina Ionescu, who had performed well in previous games with 11 points against Japan and 6 against Belgium, was suggested as a replacement for Taurasi.
Despite the mounting pressure and the calls for change, it is important to note that Gray had recently returned from a lengthy injury hiatus, which may have impacted her performance. She missed the first 12 games of the WNBA season due to an injury sustained in the 2023 WNBA Finals.
As the tournament progresses, Taurasi, in what may be her final Olympic appearance, has the opportunity to prove her critics wrong and make a significant contribution to the team’s quest for their 58th consecutive Olympic win. Meanwhile, fans and analysts will be closely watching the decisions made by Cheryl Reeve and the performance of the players as Team USA continues its Olympic journey.
Stay tuned for more updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show,” where our host BG12 will sit down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.
