Is there any stopping Team USA? Australia once considered a strong contender for a medal in Paris, was effortlessly swept aside in the semifinals. While stars like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson have shone brightly throughout the tournament, not all members of the US roster have received universal praise. Despite their convincing 85-64 victory over Australia, certain players have been the target of intense criticism from fans on social media. These criticisms center on two athletes at opposite ends of their Olympic journeys: Kelsey Plum, making her debut in the 5×5 format at the Games, and Diana Taurasi, likely competing in her final Olympics. But why are they drawing so much ire?
Since being moved to the bench, Taurasi has managed only 3 points in her last 2 games, playing just 6 minutes in the semifinal. This followed a scoreless outing against Germany in the group stage. Conversely, Plum has struggled in the knockout rounds, scoring only 8 points so far, with just 2 points in the game against the Opals.
Diana Taurasi and Kelsey Plum Face Backlash from Fans
Kelsey Plum has emerged as one of the lowest-scoring players on the Team USA roster, with only 27 points across 5 games (5.4 PPG). What has particularly frustrated fans is her three-point shooting. Known for her 39% accuracy from beyond the arc in the WNBA, Plum has not only been hesitant to take deep shots but has also connected on just 36.4% of her attempts. One fan voiced their frustration: “Kelsey Plum has the worst shot selection ever.”
The Las Vegas Aces guard made her first appearance late in the opening quarter against Australia, immediately struggling by committing 2 turnovers and missing both a three-point attempt and a layup. These errors provided the Opals with scoring opportunities, which they capitalized on. Observing this recurring pattern throughout the game, another fan remarked, “I don’t know what Reeve sees in Kelsey Plum. We’ve been outscored every single minute she has played.”
