Gymnastic news #22 - Tokyo or bust

[rfisher]

https://twitter.com/Lesdoggg/status/1408652400999628802

And, ITA that Lesdog should be the commentator for all sports.

 

[Doggygirl]

Despite her comparative lack of flexibility and often cringeworthy form, I really like Skinner's grit and determination. I find myself rooting for her despite all the reasons not to!

 

[viennese]

Come on people. Do you seriously think this isn't the Simone Show?

Wait until the Olympics.

 

[mattiecat13]

Compared to what we get for figure skating Daggett is great. Since somebody at NBC seems to be deathly in love with the sideshow act if they dumped him they probably put in Johnny and Tara there because they need something to do in the summer.l
NBC’s standards are pathetic

I think Tim is much improved since Terry and Nastia have joined him. It seems he’s loosened up a bit and the man knows the scoring system and can explain it. I could do without the constant Simone love but all three of them are guilty of that.

 

[just tuned in]

I think Tim is much improved since Terry and Nastia have joined him. It seems he’s loosened up a bit and the man knows the scoring system and can explain it. I could do without the constant Simone love but all three of them are guilty of that.

I like Tim. He leans a bit toward the Scott Hamilton School of Broadcasting and some of his commentary is repetitious, but he is okay.

 

[clairecloutier]

As a gymnastics newbie, I don't mind Tim. He does seem to know his stuff in terms of the elements. And he doesn't seem particularly biased toward anyone, which is important. (One reason why I can't take Johnny as a commentator is I feel that his personal biases are waaaayyy too evident.) I can't really say that Nastia adds too much to the commentary, although she doesn't detract either (unlike Tara). Her comments tend toward the generic, such as "She is so on today" or "She is so elegant when she hits" etc., etc.

Without knowing any teknik, I kind of like Kayla Dicello for the final team spot after Biles, Chiles, and Lee (the latter two seem like near-locks). I enjoyed watching her, she just seems good all-around, nice line and finish, but also a lot of power. I thought Kara Eaker was more impressive on beam than Riley McCusker was on bars.

Skinner seems to be the object of dislike for many--just curious why?

 

[BaileyCatts]

I like Tim Daggett commentating. He explains technical stuff well and I learn stuff that I don't know since I don't know anything technical about gymnastics and the elements and he points out how they made a mistake or why a skill is so much better from A than B. I think he's a good commentator.

 

[Aceon6]

Skinner seems to be the object of dislike for many--just curious why?

To my eye, she gets really sloppy when throwing the harder stuff, particularly her back, knees, and toe point. I had hoped that NCAA might help as she seemed to clean things up in the college meets.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Toss up for me between Kara on beam and Riley on bars.

Yeah I feel like Riley on bars might be the choice but idk

I think Riley is a neat lock for that spot. Bars is really the only spot where we have room for a specialist. Taking Kara seems silly to me when she might very well finish 3rd or 4th of the Americans in the event she’d be going for. Seems like a waste. Second bar finalist is the only way to use that spot

I think if Wong hits beam on day 2 and scores what she potentially should score with a hit routine, she’ll be on the team. She beat MyKayla Skinner on bars and floor and had a freak beam performance. She needs to hit on day 2 though.

TBH, I’m surprised so many people are mentioning Wong. Wong looked great night 1 of nationals, but ever since then, it feels like she’s been making small/medium/large mistakes depending on the routine. I don’t think there’s any chance the US would want to count on her. She just seems very inconsistent. I could be wrong, though. In some ways, the hard thing is that the Top 3 are so great, it’s hard to find anyone to put up there with them.

I feel like skinner mostly has strengths in places where the US top 3 are already strong.

 

[annie720]

I like Tim Daggett commentating. He explains technical stuff well and I learn stuff that I don't know since I don't know anything technical about gymnastics and the elements and he points out how they made a mistake or why a skill is so much better from A than B. I think he's a good commentator.

I love having the technical stuff explained. I think the problem with this broadcast team is that there seems to be a lot of disorganization. I find it hard to follow at times, and to know who it is they're talking about.

 

[ilovesalchows]

I think they should just take the top four for the team. It doesn't really matter, and it will help with their credibility with the general public. I was appalled at some of Skinners antics five years ago, but she's a woman now and seems to get along great with her peers. Her gymnastics is messy, but she's got a Katarina Witt level of grit. She will have to hit tomorrow night and if she "Missy Marlowes" (see how old I am ?) her way onto the team, more power to her.

 

[honey]

I kinda enjoy Tim. He seems like a passionate gymnerd. Sure a little OTT, but nothing terrible.

I think Nastia CAN provide insight and actual analysis, though it seems few and far between in terms of her saying much of substance. I remember at trials in 2016 her very clearly articulating why Gabby Douglas wasn’t going to get credit for a skill on bars after Tim tried to say he thought she might still be given credit. So I think it’s in there, it’s just not coming to the surface most of the time. I have to wonder if she’s been instructed to keep it simple and not get in the weeds.

Laurie is clearly a natural in front of the camera. She has always been great at interviews, but I thought she handled those segments last night phenomenally. I could see her being brought in for the future. Either to commentate or in another capacity.

 

[VGThuy]

I think Riley is a neat lock for that spot. Bars is really the only spot where we have room for a specialist. Taking Kara seems silly to me when she might very well finish 3rd or 4th of the Americans in the event she’d be going for. Seems like a waste. Second bar finalist is the only way to use that spot



TBH, I’m surprised so many people are mentioning Wong. Wong looked great night 1 of nationals, but ever since then, it feels like she’s been making small/medium/large mistakes depending on the routine. I don’t think there’s any chance the US would want to count on her. She just seems very inconsistent. I could be wrong, though. In some ways, the hard thing is that the Top 3 are so great, it’s hard to find anyone to put up there with them.

I feel like skinner mostly has strengths in places where the US top 3 are already strong.

I just think Wong for sure is better than Skinner on 3 out of 4 events. With a cleanish beam routine, she would outscore Skinner by some margin. If she can’t make it than I don’t mind Grace who can fill the FX hole we have, which is more useful than what Skinner can provide on VT.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

I just think Wong for sure is better than Skinner on 3 out of 4 events. With a cleanish beam routine, she would outscore Skinner by some margin. If she can’t make it than I don’t mind Grace who can fill the FX hole we have, which is more useful than what Skinner can provide on VT.

I’d rather Grace than McKayla. I like Leanne better than McKayla, but I just don’t think what she’s shown over the last 2/3 days of competition is doing it. McKayla feels redundant to me.

 

[ryanj07]

I feel like we’ve been hearing for 20 years how the US men are weak on pommels and still there’s been no improvement really lol.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Okay, I’ve looked at the numbers and I feel like I have a better sense and I get why Leanne Wong is a still top choice for some. Focusing on trials so far because that’s the most important and I think also the best indicator of where they will be in a month:

Jordan, Simone, and Suni essentially maxes out bars and beam. Only putting Kara on the team to just do beam or Riley to just do bars would help. On a 5 member team, we honestly might put Riley on for bars. So the only thing the 4th member needs to do is be a solid backup on those two apparatuses in prelims.

So it comes down to vault and floor. Looking at the first day of trials, Grace, Leanne, McKayla, Kayla, and Shilese outscored Suni on both of those apparatuses yesterday. Shilese barely outscored Suni on floor, so I think not enough to matter.

Looking only at trials, Grace outscored Kayla on both apparatuses so it would be odd to take Kayla over Grace, but if you go back to nationals, Kayla was better than Grace. That being said, Grace has experience and momentum on her side.

Right now I feel like that leaves McKayla with the highest vault, Grace with the highest floor, and Leanne in the middle on both. I would put those 3 as my top contenders going into the last day but wouldn’t count Kayla out yet.

 

[rfisher]

Makulak is such a shy and lacking in self-confidence boy.

 

[ryanj07]

Makulak is such a shy and lacking in self-confidence boy.

I think that’s part of why I can’t get into him. He seems like such a fan of himself and not a lot of humility despite all of the meltdowns on the international stage…. Marta had tons of faults but he would’ve been done a long time ago were she the men’s coordinator.

 

[BaileyCatts]

I don't like the uniforms Yuls team is wearing. That big bird is too distracting.

 

[rfisher]

Well, all of them are doing the "See judges! I killed it" reaction.

 

[Rukia]

I don't like the uniforms Yuls team is wearing. That big bird is too distracting.

Yeah I hate those singlets. They always have an ugly eagle option though.

 

[jamesy]

Where is Simone?

 

[rfisher]

Where is Simone?

She's putting her eye makeup on. It takes a while.

 

[HeatherC]

I like Leanne Wong a lot, I think her gymnastics is beautiful, but her consistency doesn't seem to be there right now which is the only reason I'm not sure about putting her on this team. McKayla does seem to be redundant with Simone so unfortunately, I see her being named an alternate again because of that reason. IMO, Grace has been getting stronger and more consistent over the weeks which is why I give her the edge on that fourth spot as of right now. I see Grace as the Kyla Ross of this team....nothing gigantic or out of this world but strong, consistent, and confident, and someone that could be sent up first on beam or bars to set the tone for the team. Tomorrow night will definitely be exciting to see who brings it on Day Two!

 

[Carolla5501]

Never mind. Must have been an order adjustment

 

[Rukia]

I thought Whittenburg was going to die on both those vaults eek

 

[HeatherC]

I didn't realize until just now how much I want Yul on this men's team. I've always loved him and seeing him so confident tonight is making me very happy!

 

[Doggygirl]

At the risk of jinxing something, WOW the men are bringing it today!!! SO much more exciting than nationals!

 

[annie720]

I didn't realize until just now how much I want Yul on this men's team. I've always loved him and seeing him so confident tonight is making me very happy!

Yul’s a local boy so I can’t help but cheer for him. He’s what got me watching MAG again a few years back.

 

[just tuned in]

Nastia is overdressed again.