ERST LESEN! » -6 loss to the Kangaroos in Perth.The perf

NEW YORK -- You probably know the strict rule that actors should never give suggestions about performance -- notes in thespian-speak -- to other actors. Its supposed to be verboten, something thats left to the director.We mention this after seeing a great ensemble take center stage on Sunday here at Madison Square Garden, just down the street from the theater district in Manhattan. This is a group, though, that doesnt hesitate to give its cohorts critiques and advice, which bothers neither them nor their very well-respected director.In fact, after the U.S. womens basketball team beat Australia 104-89 in the Americans last tune-up game before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the sense was that the players are all eagerly learning from one another, along with a staff led by Geno Auriemma.One of the things he celebrated about what we were doing is how we let ourselves be coached by each other, said Maya Moore, who had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists on Sunday. When you have a team like that, you really cant be stopped. Because no ones going to take it personally. No ones going to shut down because of their feelings being hurt. Were just going to take it and move on to the next play.Thats one of the things I appreciate about this team that makes it fun. Everybody can share in everybody elses success.Of course, basketball isnt Broadway; in hoops, its not that uncommon for the players to share some thoughts on one anothers games. But with an all-star, cream-of-the-crop group of players, theoretically its possible that there could be some bristling amongst stars trading tips. Like, Who is she to tell me ... .But it isnt like that at all with the U.S. squad. To the contrary, especially with the very short preparation time the Americans have together as a team, its an all-hands-on-deck approach to constructive criticism and good old-fashioned encouragement.For instance, a few days ago, Diana Taurasi, whos headed to her fourth Olympics, gave some advice to Elena Delle Donne, who is going to her first Summer Games.I said, Elena, sometimes you get in these situations and you forget what youre good at, Taurasi said. Because youre around all these great players and personalities. I said, You be who you are.Delle Donne had 12 points on Friday in the Americans victory over Canada, then 19 on Sunday against Australia.It was huge, especially coming from her, Delle Donne said of Taurasis words of wisdom. Someone Ive looked up to my entire life. I love her game, and shes such a leader. So for her to say that, it helped me take a deep breath and say, Hey, its still the game of basketball. Im here to be me, and I need to play the way I can.It is just a slight exaggeration that Delle Donne has admired Taurasi her entire life; hey, lets not make DT feel too old here. Delle Donne is seven years younger, and shes already won a WNBA MVP award.But its emblematic of the personality of the U.S. team that Delle Donne has such admiration for her older teammates. That mentality has been part of why the Americans are going for their sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal.Of course, there is also their sheer talent, which was on display Sunday to the delight of the crowd of 13,520 at the Garden. Taurasi doesnt just give good advice, she can still torch the nets. She finished with a team-high 20 points against Australia, with 15 coming in the third quarter.Auriemma said that if Taurasi has a flaw in her play with the national team, its that she can be so focused on getting her teammates involved that she doesnt look enough for her own scoring chances.Diana is sometimes so unselfish that she doesnt impose herself on the game, Auriemma said. Shell pass up open shots because she wants somebody else to touch the ball and get them into the flow.She kind of sets the tone for our team. And when Dianas playing at a really high level, its really fun to watch.Sundays game definitely was entertaining, and part of that was the fight that Australia showed. The Opals no longer have the stalwart star inside, the great Lauren Jackson. And after this WNBA season, forward Penny Taylor will join LJ in retirement. But the Aussies always play hard, and center Elizabeth Cambage remains a very difficult player for any team, even the Americans, to guard. She led the Opals with 22 points and also had eight rebounds.Ultimately, though, the bottom line on Sunday was the same as it has been for the past decade since the United States last loss, which came in the 2006 world championship semifinals: The Americans were just too good. And they continue to play beautifully together, despite their very limited preparation time.Again, part of that goes back to their ability to critique one another without anyone getting their feathers ruffled.Moore attributes that to a few things, beyond just the fact that its become part of USA Basketballs tradition. She points out, pragmatically, that everybody on the team gets the same medal and that their investment is the same.One medal doesnt say leading scorer or leading rebounder or most blocks, Moore said. There is no pressure to try to get some sort of record, individually.But another aspect of it is that were just playing basketball. Were not doing a lot of complicated, secretive plays and actions. So all the things were telling each other are just basic things that make us better basketball players.Or as Brittney Griner -- who like Delle Donne and Breanna Stewart is a first-time Olympian -- said, With someone like Coach [Auriemma] and the players we have on our team, youre always learning something.Or maybe its learning things that you kinda forgot. You get into your habits, and sometimes theyre not the best habits. Its kind of like a refresher, like going back to college a little bit.A college with some great professors ... and also some top-notch student-teachers.If anything, being older, youve been through it all, Taurasi said of her veteran role. Ive been on a lot of teams where you get told a lot of things. At the core, you have to go back to what got you here. Stitched Oilers Jerseys .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Oilers Jerseys China . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. https://www.cheapoilers.com/ . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. Edmonton Oilers Shirts . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. Wholesale Oilers Jerseys . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Kiwis boss David Kidwell has mounted a spirited defence of star halfback Shaun Johnson, saying his teammates need to help take the weight off his shoulders.Johnson, 26, is the teams undisputed playmaker but produced a disjointed display in their 26-6 loss to the Kangaroos in Perth.The performance follows an NRL campaign with the Warriors marred by niggling injuries and inconsistency.However Kidwell believes Johnson had been forced to carry out too much defensive work as his forwards struggled to get on top.This had dulled his offensive talent and caused him to tire.If you look at the stats, Shaun had a massive defensive night (and) made 34 tackles, Kidwell said.Thats obviously good but its sucking up his juice so, for me, thats a team thing, we need to control the ball beetter to help him in attack.ddddddddddddHe also acknowledged the side needed to improve on their fifth-tackle decision making in the upcoming Four Nations, with numerous chances going to waste.Kidwell wants Johnson and halves partner Thomas Leuluai to have two options each time they kick.Meanwhile, the new Kiwis boss was confident his rusty side would bounce back from their insipid loss.The side had discussed their shortcomings against the Kangaroos and would look to rectify them.We want to continue to grow, our team culture is strong, the work ethic is there, Kidwell said.Were looking to whats going to be a tough opening game against England. 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