Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Women's Team Final
The women's team final is about to begin. I will not post spoilers since some will be watching live and others will be waiting to watch at 8 PM ET on Universal Sports.
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Quick Hits
Martha has made with the decision to use Macko on vault and Mattie Larson on floor exercise.
Aliya Mustafina was quick to let the Russian newspapers know that Mother Russia hasn't won anything yet. There are no medals for prelims.
As with any 6-3-3 situation, it could be quite the unpredictable day. If all teams hit, Team USA is looking at a fight between silver and bronze.
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Ooooooooooo... did you see Mustafina watching Mattie on FX in the beginning of the routine? Awesome.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the teams feel about the start list. Is there an event the Russian, Chinese, USA teams don't want to 'finish' with? Also, is USA at a disadvantage paired with Romania? I'm more of a skate fan so this stuff is sort of alien to me.
ReplyDeleteI think that the US has it easier ending on vault, which is a very steady event for them. Both the Russians and Chinese have some issues on floor. The key is for the US to hit and apply the pressure.
ReplyDeleteI really like that Marta is finally not being conservative. She has Mattie in on floor and with full difficulty. Even if they don't win, I can't fault Marta for going for it.
if it were me, I would've put sloan on floor for sure.
ReplyDeleteYeah... Sloan should've been on FX... clearly, based on Mattie's consistent string of botches. I mean, she didn't even practice any of her other passes besides the DLO! Such a juvenile approach. "Well, I missed my DLO, so I just need practice that pass."
ReplyDeleteUmmm, Mattie, you're 2.5 to punch front is HORRIBLE. You should probably practice that pass, too... and since you have a history of poor endurance, maybe you should do the double pike, too.
THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.
Holy shiznet, how much Mattie screwed the pooch. A so-so FX by Caquetto (skinny has helped her) or Sloan (gutting it out) would have been way better. I was up for rolling the dice on Larson, so don't fault Marta. But crap...crap...crap.
ReplyDeleteAnd before anyone tells me that China and Russia had falls, SO WHAT. We always had a strategy of avoiding falls and beating the other teams when they fell. We were relying on them falling and us not, since they have more difficulty, but less competetive experience and consistency. But Mattie fucked us. Damn!
Get Shawn in to replace Mattie. That will be a huge upgrade in consistency. Add Nastia with a code-high UB slice of juice. Jordyn for everything. And maybe another VT specialist with an Amanar or Cheng. And we will be in good shape.
I am so pissed the season is over and now I have to talk drafts and trades. Fuck. :(
stick a fork in mattie, she is done.
ReplyDeleteI don't see Mattie going anywhere after this. I imagine we're in for a diatribe from AJ... and Mattie's momma better brace herself. I feel an epic tongue lashing coming.
ReplyDeleteWell Brossie did OK despite shin. Sloan contributed. Macko was better than expected (skinnier and no crying...or falling). Alicia rocked. Raisman was consistent and contributed well.
ReplyDeleteWho'd have thunk Mattie on floor would be the killer. And two misses?!?!
John R.: No videos on not throwing Mattie under the bus. The bus goes thump thump...
ReplyDeleteGetting serious for a second: I'm not abandoning Larson forever. I think we should hold her accountable for the damage she did. At the same time, sport can be like that. If she chooses to continue competing, so be it. But she will reallllyyyy need to prove herself.
Mattie is done! Martha will never let her on a World or Olympic team. It's crazy to think that she cost the US a world title essentially. Aside, it was a thrilling and close competition b/n the top three.
ReplyDeleteStop blaming the loss on Mattie. Since it was a TEAM final, let's look at the team. Bross had errors on Beam. Sac had a huge step on her vault. Sloan missed a connection on bars. Everyone could have scored higher.
ReplyDeleteBlame Marta for putting Mattie in there in the first place. Marta's trying to pass the blame, "oh, all the other coaches really wanted Mattie to do floor." You're the NTC, Marta, the buck stops with you. YOU made the decision to use Mattie, you're the one to blame for that boneheaded mistake.
ReplyDeleteand show of hands, who's surprised that once again Marta made a stupid decision at a major event? Yes, anyone??
I guess I view it as Martha giving Mattie a chance. It was her first big international competition. And she choked. That's life. Yes, the decision was Martha's, but Mattie ultimately was responsible for the performance. I mean, if you really wanted to blame team members, you should point the finger all around. We PISSED away points because of landings. That's what always decides NCAAs, and it's what bit us in the ass at Worlds. Live and learn... and don't place singular blame on one athlete. That's irrational. If everyone had done their best, we would have beaten Russia given their mistakes. I mean, for christssake, Nabieva fell TWICE on bars. THAT'S TWO GODDAMN POINTS. If we couldn't make lemonade out of that, we didn't DESERVE to win. Period.
ReplyDeleteOMFG... watch the Gymnastike interview with Martha. TOTALLY placed the blame on Mattie. OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
ReplyDeleteLook what happened to Alicia in Beijing, now she is back and looking better than ever. Don't be so quick to count Mattie out. This will pass.
ReplyDeleteYoure beyond naive if you think the Mattie and Alicia scenarios are remotely equal.
ReplyDeleteI knew John Kennedy, and Mattie, you are no Alicia Sacramone.
ReplyDeleteI think some people forget how different in ages these girls are. Mattie is 18 while Alicia is going to be 23 in December. For some of these girls it can take years and years to develop the mental toughness necessary to perform at the elite level. Not everyone is blessed with it at 16 like Bross is. Alicia wasn't always the rock that she is now. When she was Mattie's age she was a bit of a headcase too, but she has been able to stick around long enough to mature. I think Alicia and Mattie's situations are more alike than people think.
ReplyDelete