Nike Basketball News

Blogging the Journey: Sue Bird

sanampetri — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:37:30 GMT

The First Tip-Off: As the Games get underway, Sue talks about the challenges that lie ahead.

Training camp just started this week and everyone’s really excited to be here. Even though it’s the first time all of us are together at the same time, we all know each other really well, so it’s just like old friends getting back together.

As for the camp itself, it’s just a little bit of a refresher course. Just re-leaning all the plays and getting used to each other again.

Overall, I’m excited for getting to Beijing and playing a lot of these teams. Especially against the countries that beat us in the past, there's definitely some extra motivation there. Each team has a different style, and with each team comes a new challenge.

But in the upcoming weeks, the main thing we have to focus on isn’t our opponents really, but ourselves. That probably comes across as selfish, or that we underestimate our opponent, but because we haven’t had a lot of training time, we definitely just need to stay focused. We are talented enough to where, if we take care of ourselves and just play our game, we can beat a lot of these teams.

I remember the Olympics in 2004, back when I was the third point guard on the team. My role was different then. I was there if needed, but it was more trying to gain the experience by watching veterans first-hand. It was about learning the ropes, so I could kind of take the reigns when need be.

And now that time has come. And more is going to be asked of me. I’m going to get more playing time. More expectations, more possibilities. So it’s definitely an entirely different experience, but one I can’t wait to have.

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Blogging the Journey: Sue Bird

Hotnix — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:30:15 GMT

Team DNA: Different skills, different personalities, and a whole new playing field. How will they pull it off? Sue talks about the explosive chemistry on this year’s Team USA.

I think the makeup of our team is going to be the key for us this year. We have players who have a ton of Olympic experience. They’re real veterans, and with that comes a maturity level. They know how to win in the Olympics.

One of the biggest advantages for us is that pretty much our entire team will have international experience, even if it’s not in the Olympics. International play is really different than what you see in WNBA; the refs are different, the players are different, the moves are different.

International experience is also important because you already know the players you’re up against. I could go down the list of most teams I've played in the past and give you a full scouting report on every single player. Since you don’t really have a lot time to scout, and you don’t have a lot of time to prepare, it’s a huge advantage to have that experience.

This team is also special because we know each other so well. I’ve played for our coach for many years now, so I know her system, I know her style, and I can really help the team in a kind of leadership role. All of us are really close, I've played with some of these guys all the way back to college, plus overseas and in the league.

So I’m excited about it. It’s going to be very challenging, but I think we can pull it off. And I think we’re going to have a lot of fun doing it, and that’s mostly what I’m looking forward to.

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This Is Our Team: Sue Bird

GHarty — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:52:20 GMT

In 2004, Sue Bird was just happy to be on the team. In 2008, she'll be
the starting point guard, shouldering big expectations and even bigger
dreams.

For Sue Bird, returning to Team USA in 2008 is like coming back to her
home team. Between college ball, the previous Games, and her overseas
experience, Sue knows her teammates well - and knows they've got the
chemistry to win.

For the past two years, after the end of her season in Seattle, Sue has
headed over to play in the Russian league. On her team abroad, she's
played with Beijing-bound Diana Taurasi and Tina Thompson, cooking up
the skills necessary to dominate the Summer Games. And Sue's
relationship with Taurasi even pre-dates their professional play; the
two of them have been bringing home championships since they were
teammates at UCONN.

"For us, the good thing about USA Basketball is because we've had so
many training camps over the years, we all know each other," says Bird.
"We've all played either with each other or know each other from
playing against each other in the WNBA. We have all played together
before and it won't take us long to get back into it."

That team chemistry was evident the first time Sue Bird joined Team
USA. Playing in the Athens Summer Games in 2004, the U.S. Women's Team
didn't lose a single game on their way to winning the gold. And the
team that helped achieve the ultimate victory - players like Lisa
Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Katie Smith and Tina Thompson - will be joining
Sue again this year in Beijing, ready to do it all over again.

But things have changed since 2004. This time around, the U.S. doesn't
come into the tournament with the same air of invincibility it had in
Athens. Back in 2006, Russia beat down the U.S. Women's Team on their
way to winning the World Championships, and Team USA finds itself
fighting for redemption this year in Beijing.

"I'm really looking forward to not only that challenge but looking back
at the World Championship our loss has stuck with everyone," admits
Bird. "I think we have a lot to prove and I'm glad I can be a part of
that and play a bigger role."

And in 2008, she'll definitely have a bigger role to play. She might've
been the youngest team member back in Athens, but this time around,
she'll be coming to the team as the starting point guard, with a lot
more expected of her.

But as one of only six women ever to win a gold medal, an NCAA
championship, and a WNBA Championship, Sue has proven she's a natural
winner. And this year, she'll get a chance to prove that again - with
her old teammates by her side.

More on Sue
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Blogging the Journey: Sue Bird

Hotnix — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:29:34 GMT

What’s at Stake: As Sue prepares for the biggest challenge of her career, she’s thinking about what it means to represent her country in the 2008 Olympic Games.

With the Summer Games, what you’re representing is way beyond anything that you can even comprehend. At times, it takes on a meaning bigger than even basketball. It’s instant respect, a big challenge, and a big opportunity.

And we have a lot to prove this summer. Team USA has won gold after gold after gold, so that’s what the expectation is. That’s where the standard has been set, and that’s what we all want. We don’t want anything less.

As a player, you know it’s going to be hard, and you know you’re going to have to play your best. That’s when you have a chance to rise to the occasion, and I think all of us kind of live for those moments, and live to be successful in those moments.

For me personally, the last couple of years, I had the opportunity to play behind one of the greatest point guards ever to put the USA Basketball jersey on, and just learn from her. And I definitely know I am ready for this – not just physically, but mentally as well. I can definitely see a difference in myself, from 2002 to now. I’m way more experienced. I am ready.

I know what it takes because I’ve seen it. I’m ready to prove myself as the point guard. And I think everyone individually feels that way. As a team we feel that way.

I know that it’s going to be a challenge, but regardless, we’re going to have a good time doing it – and that’s equally as important sometimes. The more you get to know your teammates, the closer you feel, and the more you want to win for one another. It’s a comfort level that, when you hit it, it really helps on the court.

This is truly a good group. We know when to work and we know when to play. I think everybody, the veterans, the younger players and everyone in between, we’re just all there for one reason.

The USA is going to take the gold.

More on Sue
Read her Bio »

More on Team USA
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Meet the rest of her team »