Team USA and Team WNBA
July 14, 2021 7:00 pm EDT
Team USA and Team WNBA meet Wednesday in the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game at the Michelob Ultra Arena.
Team USA is led by coach Dawn Staley, who coaches South Carolina and the women’s national team. Team USA has two double-digit Allstars on its roster in Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi. This is a very experienced roster overall, as Ariel Atkins is the only first timer out of 12 selections. Brittney Griner, Tina Charles and Sylvia Fowles all make their seventh appearance in the exhibition, while Skylar Diggins-Smith makes her fifth trip and is the third player on the squad representing the Phoenix Mercury. Team USA also has arguably the two best players in the game right now in A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. From experience to elite level play at every position, Team USA is lauded across the board.
Team WNBA will be coached by WNBA legends in Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson. Unlike Team USA, there’s a lot of inexperience in terms of Allstar trips, as there’s seven players making their first appearance. That list includes Kahleah Copper, Courtney Williams, Brionna Jones, Arike Ogunbowale, Dearica Hamby, Betnijah Laney and Satou Sabally. I’m sure those players will be eager to prove themselves on the big stage. Liz Cambage provides some size on the roster and DeWanna Bonner is still getting it done at a high level despite turning 34 next month. The seasoned veteran of Team WNBA is Candace Parker, who makes her sixth all-star appearance and adds to a ridiculous hall of fame resume. There’s a nice balance of youth and experience on this roster and the fact there’s so many newcomers to the event, I expect the competitive juices to be flowing.
Like most all-star games, you can make a case for either side and breaking things down is basically splitting hairs. There’s not a lot of weaknesses to point out and neither team has a true edge. However, Team USA is the deeper team in terms of experience and probably top level talent. Heck, Taurasi is arguably the best player ever, while Stewart and Wilson are the best in this era. All three of those players are on the same team. While I’m taking nothing away from Team WNBA, the other roster is more impressive and has several players who can takeover for longer stretches.
I’ll take Team USA and lay whatever the line is.
