Only A Day Away

Sept. 22, 2010 • Ostrava, Czech Republic

With less than 24 hours before the USA Women open play in the 2010 FIBA World Championship against Greece at 12 p.m. EDT in Ostrava, Czech Republic, USABasketball.com talked with head coach Geno Auriemma and several players about making the team, which was just named yesterday, and the USA's preparedness.

Auriemma

Geno Auriemma, University of Connecticut
Today's got to be a little bit of a relief for you, being down to the final 12 players?
It is. This has really been a trying time for the coaching staff and Carol Callan, because we're here. We've lived with these players. We've been around them for a couple weeks. They've given us everything we've asked of them, and then you have to send two of them home and it's the most unpleasant part of the job. Now that it's over, now that the games are coming, we can turn our focus to that. But going through it was not something I enjoyed, nor would I want to do it again. I think it affected me and the way I approached my team for two weeks because I knew it was going to have to happen.

I don't think I've had to go through having someone getting cut in 35 years. What are you supposed to say? How are you supposed to handle it? It's never easy, but in this case it's even more difficult because of all the time and effort that everybody put in. But, when you end up with 12, you keep asking yourself the question 'which one of these 12 would you take off?' And that's when it gets difficult. Sure, you'd love to add so-and-so and so-and-so and so-and-so, but you can't. So, now all we have to do is go out and prove that this is the right 12.

How do you find Ostrava, the hotel and the arena?
I've been to the Czech Republic before. We're staying at a great hotel. When I walked in the arena, it's well-lit. The floor's brand new. It's perfect. I like the feeling and the people have been great. It's like being at home.

On the USA team's preparations and injuries:
Today was the first day that we had our whole team for practice. Sylvia (Fowles) is not 100 percent. But that's just the way it is. We're going to have to overcome it. Candace Parker's not here. Cappie Pondexter's not here. So, there's people where you say, 'Boy, I wish they were here.' But they're not. That's going to give some other players an opportunity that they might not have gotten if those other players were here. So, we have a good group. I like my team, and I think we're going to be really good.

What does Lindsay Whalen contribute to this team?
All through the training camp portion, I felt like Lindsay kept getting better and better, and she was growing on me because of her ability to get to the rim. She's strong. She's tough. She's an extremely physical player. She's made shots. When we started to evaluate all the guards that we have, obviously we didn't have Sue (Bird) and then Dee (Taurasi) showed up later, I don't know that anybody did more than Lindsay did. She might have been a part of USA Basketball a lot sooner if it hadn't been for her injuries and some other circumstances. I'm happy for her. I'm happy for us, and I know she was like a little kid at Christmas time when she found out she made the team. I was very happy to see that.

On Whalen's knowledge of the international game:
One thing she does is she makes plays for other people. She's a guard that can finish for herself, make plays for herself, and still find others. With as many good players that we have on this team, I think it's important that the guards that we have are really good at distributing the ball, and they're all really good at that. It would be really difficult for a guard to play on our team that was more scoring oriented than passing oriented and as I said, she's really good at finding others. The physical nature of the game over here really plays into Lindsay's hands. She's like a running back in football, she can hit people. She loves it, the physicalness of it. That's the kind of game that's going to be played here and I'm anxious to see her when the tournament starts tomorrow.

Appel

Jayne Appel, San Antonio Silver Stars
How does it feel to be a member of the 2010 USA Women's World Championship Team?
It was good. For me, it was a relief that the whole process was over with, and now it's time to focus on the tournament and beating the teams we came here to beat.

You've spent time on the sideline while injured at several training camps with the USA Women's National Team, does it feel like that time paid off?
It made the time worthwhile for me. Even if I didn't make it, it still would have been worthwhile, but it was nice to see my hard work paid off.

How is the team chemistry now that the official team has been named?
It's nice knowing what we have, and I will fight for these 12 people who are with us, but I think the entire training camp we had great chemistry and people who brought a lot of energy. So, I would say the chemistry hasn't changed all that much, but it's nice that we can now focus on 12 players.

Bird

Sue Bird, Seattle Storm
How was the transition from celebrating a WNBA championship to traveling to join the USA Women's National Team?
It has been a little bit of a blur, but an enjoyable blur. Winning was, I can't really describe it, that's how much fun it was and how great of a feeling it was. But once I got back to Seattle and we had our parade and the pep rally, I knew that soon after that it was time to kind of flip that switch. I think once I started packing, that's when I really started to get in USA Basketball mode. It was a pretty long travel day. I'm glad it's over, and I'm glad to get my first practice under my belt, so it feels good.

How hard is it to switch gears from what you were doing with Seattle to what you need to do with USA Basketball?
It's actually not that hard because I am familiar with it, and it's something I did in college. Even though college was, unfortunately, a long time ago, it's just innate for me. You're in a system for so long, you never forget.

Cash

Swin Cash, Seattle Storm
How was the transition from celebrating a WNBA championship to traveling to join the USA Women's National Team?
Well, I had a little bit of a harder time than Sue because I have a rental apartment there. So, I had to pack everything up and ship about 15 boxes back home, and then get ready to come here. It was crazy, like whirlwind.

How much does it help to be familiar with Geno Auriemma's offense?
It helps a lot because if I would have come here and tried to learn something new that fast, I mean, I just felt a comfort level knowing ahead of time that I had to come directly here, so you can prepare a little bit. But I'm comfortable with the offense, comfortable with coach and so for me the transition is a lot easier.

How much does knowing most of the other players help?
That always helps. Even when you play against a lot of the other girls who didn't make it to Connecticut, you are familiar with their game so you know what their strengths and weaknesses are.

How hard is it to switch gears from what you were doing with Seattle to what you need to do with USA Basketball?
I think that's the thing about having experience in this league. For my team my role is completely different than it is for the national team, but I understand that so it's an easy adjustment for me. Just the biggest thing, I would have to say, is the physical play going from a three position to playing the four at the international level and just preparing myself for that, but I'm ready to go. I've been waiting a long time for this, and I'm excited.

Catchings

Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
As a veteran of USA Basketball, is it still special to be named to this team?
Yeah, definitely. I think even over the years as you get older and grow up, seeing the young players reminds you of where you started, like Sue (Bird) and I. It's always a memorable experience and really special to be a part of a group that is so talented.

Is this team ready to open play tomorrow?
Yeah. We don't have a choice. We have to be ready. But I feel like with the caliber of players that we have and the talent and just the attitude as far as being able to mesh together, I think when you look from player to player and what everybody brings, I definitely feel like we are ready. But one of the things coach keeps harping upon is we have to come out and not just know we are talented, we have to play every single game, every single minute like the team that we know we can be.

Jones

Asjha Jones, Connecticut Sun
How does it feel to be a member of the 2010 USA Women's World Championship Team?
I just felt relief. We have been going through this process for a while now, and it's been a little unsettling not knowing if you are coming or going. So, when they finally told us it was kind of a long day, everybody sitting around waiting for their time. It was just relief when I finally knew I had made the team.

How is the team chemistry now that the official team has been named?
I think we have gotten a little tighter as a group now that we finally know who we are going into battle with. Everything is finalized, you have no more worries about anything else, and you can totally put your energy and focus into the first game.

Is this team ready to open play tomorrow?
I think so. I think for the short amount of time this team has been together, we looked good today. With as many people who have played against each other or with each other for a long time, I think no matter how long we've practiced together, we are going to gel pretty quickly.

Taurasi

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
How is the team chemistry now that the official team has been named?
It feels good now to know what the team is. The 12 we have, it's a great bunch, and now it's going to be whether we can be cohesive in a short amount of time, which I think has always been our strength. We all play unselfish and as a team.

Is this team ready to open play tomorrow?
We're going to come out aggressive and ready to play. I think we are all antsy to get on the court and get this thing started.

Whalen

Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota Lynx
How does it feel to be a member of the 2010 USA Women's World Championship Team?
It feels great just to be a part of the U.S. team and to be here amongst so many great players and coaches. It's just really a great honor. I'm very happy to be here, and I'm ready to work hard and do whatever it takes.

How is the team chemistry now that the official team has been named?
I think getting over to Spain and being all together, having meals together and watching video, we are learning about each other and each other's games and getting Coach Auriemma's system down. Having now the official 12 players just feels like we are really coming together and ready to go and work hard.