Team USA went three for three on Sunday in the group stage of the 5×5 women’s basketball tournament of the Paris Olympics. This came after a dominant rout of Germany, 84-57, which now has the Americans sitting atop Group C heading into the knockout phase.
Despite the national team’s dominance in the Summer Games, however, there is one glaring stat that has more than a few fans nitpicking the squad’s supposed shortcomings, particularly in the backcourt.
“The starting guards for Team USA have 4 total points in the Olympics (2/12 FG • 0/7 3PT),” read a tweet from StatMamba.
The starting guards for Team USA have 4 total points in the Olympics (2/12 FG • 0/7 3PT).
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) August 4, 2024
This shocking statistic was recorded before Sunday’s win against Germany. In two games, starting guards Diana Taurasi and Chelsea Gray combined for just four points on 16.7 percent shooting.
The pair didn’t do much better on Sunday, logging zero points yet again on a combined 0-of-4 shooting.
Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) looks on against the Chicago Sky during the second half of game two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center.
© Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The fact of the matter here is that Team USA has maintained a 100% record in the Olympics despite Taurasi and Gray struggling from the field. Nevertheless, more than a few fans on X, formerly Twitter, were quick to bring up the fact (again) that Caitlin Clark was snubbed from a spot on the national squad.
These supporters just aren’t buying the narrative that Clark isn’t good enough to be on Team USA.
“And they said Caitlin Clark wasn’t ready! 😆” said a fan.
And they said Caitlin Clark wasn’t ready! 😆
— just1n (@just1nvest) August 4, 2024
“CC would have done much better,” read a comment.
CC would have done much better.
— Genius (@Genius69322095) August 4, 2024
“Let me think! Mmm! Was there some other guard somewhere better? The initials CC are coming to mind,” another said.
Let me think! Mmm! Was there some other guard somewhere better? The initials CC are coming to mind.
— Irwin Deutsch (@irwind21947) August 5, 2024
“Cait Cait loves that stat line😭😭😭😭😭😭” wrote a Clark fan.
Cait Cait loves that stat line😭😭😭😭😭😭
— LowkeyGii (@GiiLowkey) August 4, 2024
“Caitlin will be fine… she’s laughing all the way to her $30+million bank account,” another stated.
Caitlin will be fine…
she's laughing all the way to her $30+million bank account
— JJ (@JJeffries1111) August 4, 2024
— CMSLA[G]LE (@cm_slagle) August 4, 2024
“Goes to show that DT and Gray were sympathy votes and didn’t deserve it over others who are better right now,” surmised a supporter.
Goes to show that DT and Gray were sympathy votes and didn't deserve it over others who are better right now.
— LowkeySportsizRight (@LowkeyRealm) August 4, 2024
Clark or no Clark, Team USA still remains the heavy favorite to bag the gold medal in the tournament. It’s off to the quarterfinals for them on Wednesday when they face Nigeria, who themselves are on an absolute high after being the first-ever African team to qualify for the quarterfinals in the Olympics.
You can be sure that Clark fans will be loud and proud yet again if Team USA’s backcourt continues to struggle the rest of the way.
