Team USA women aim for eighth consecutive gold amid tighter competition
PARIS — In a modest gym north of Paris, U.S. team coach Cheryl Reeve pondered what gave her team the upper hand at the Olympics. “Depth,” she mused. “No, size. 1A, 1B.” Reeve’s assessment isn’t far off the mark. With three players over 6 feet 4 inches tall and several guards around 6 feet 1 inch, Team USA boasts a significant height and length advantage over most opponents. Their depth is equally formidable; while other nations might field competitive starting lineups, few can match the talent of the U.S.’s reserves. It’s a scenario where bench players like the WNBA All-Stars…