Team USA Is Very Reliant on Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson
Paige Bueckers was right. A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are unfair together in the frontcourt. However, Team USA may be relying a little too heavily on the duo made up of the favorite for WNBA MVP this season from the Las Vegas Aces, and the reigning MVP of the New York Liberty.
A'ja Wilson today:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 1, 2024
23 PTS, 13 REB, 3 STL, 2 AST, 53% FG
Breanna Stewart today:
26 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 3 BLK, 57% FG
57th straight win for Team USA. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/tFPQjrFcjW
Wilson and Stewart combined for 49 of Team USA's 87 points in the win over Belgium. That's 56% of the squad's total points. In the opening victory over Japan, A'ja and Stewie registered 46 of the 102 scored. Therefore, the duo is accounting for nearly half of the scoring output for the Americans thus far. Which is probably why some fans and even WNBA players have begun to question the playing time of other members of the roster.
Truly just flabbergasted.
— Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4) August 1, 2024
Natasha Cloud of the Phoenix Mercury seemingly referenced the lack of tick for her teammate Kahleah Copper in a post during the game. Copper saw no action despite being the WNBA's second leading scorer this season. That's with no one else on the roster other than Stewart and Wilson hitting double figures.
If we don't wanna tell lies, A'ja and Stewie carrying this team.
— Black Dada Nihilismus (@Deuce1042) August 1, 2024
The lack of production from the backcourt or wings may not end up mattering. The women's basketball team has won 57 straight games in Olympics competition and has shown no signs of being stopped when it comes to the margin of victories. And it is very hard to foresee any other country having what it takes to counteract the dominance that Team USA has up front. Still, a lot of heavy lifting is being put on Stewie and A'ja in the quest to put another gold medal around their necks.
ROBIN LUNDBERG
Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!