It's true that it doesn't matter how you start, but how you finish is what matters. The U.S. women’s basketball team will seek a stronger beginning when they enter the Tokyo Games medal round.The Americans won Monday's 52nd consecutive Olympic game, beating France 93 to 82 in Group B play. However, this was far from the comfort wins that Team USA has enjoyed in their preliminaries during the past few Summer Games. For their improved play, credit must be given to the rest of the globe. It seems that the Americans are still not in complete sync in Japan.This is especially true in the first quarter. After the first period against Nigeria, Team USA was down by 20-17 to Japan, 30-28 to Japan, and 22-19 to France in their group games.All these victories turned into wins, but the U.S. ladies are still playing with fire. If they want to win the seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal, they can't afford not to burn. There used to be five preliminary games. But the format has changed and now there are only three. With their two wins in Tokyo, the Americans had already secured a place in the quarterfinals. But they are determined to continue that momentum into the medal round.They technically did win, even though they won by double digits. France was briefly ahead in the fourth quarter.We'll be looking at the positives and negatives of Team USA's group play. Here are five key takeaways.Can Team USA come up with a better opening act for Team USA?How much should women in the United States be concerned about their uncertain start?U.S. coach Dawn Staley stated, "Here's what's the deal: We take everyone's best effort." A marathon can't be won in the first quarter, and it takes a lot of effort to win the first half. Everyone gives their best shot, and both sides feel the adrenaline rush. It is difficult to separate.Results"I don’t think it’s a slow start [by USA], but it’s just a fast starting by other teams. We must take them on their heels, and we have to continue doing what we are doing."Understandable. It is however troubling that this happened in all three games. On Monday, the Americans were outscored in both the first and third quarters. However, they won the points battle in each of the second and fourth quarters. France held on to the lead until the end.Defensive consistency still lackingAlthough there is no such thing as a great defense every second, the U.S. women's defense in the three games was subpar. This despite the fact that they have two former WNBA Defensive Players of the Year winners. Brittney Griner, a center, has twice won the honor while Sylvia Fowles won it three times.France capitalized on some American weaknesses. They weren't putting enough pressure on the ball, and allowed the French to take the shots they wanted. Although the U.S. defense was much sharper in the second half, that is part of this tournament. You can see glimpses of the dominant, aggressive defensive team the United States can be. There are also lapses that can be frustrating for Staley and the players.Even going back to their exhibition losses in Las Vegas, one in the WNBA All-Star Game, players have spoken about the importance of communication on court and how it's the most important factor in defense. They are still trying to figure it out.Living up to your expectations in the workplaceTina Charles was the leading scorer in WNBA's season. She made all three of her 3-point attempts, and shot 6-for-9 overall from the field for 15 points Monday. Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesAlthough we knew that the U.S. women would have their greatest strength in the interior, they have proven to be even more impressive than we could have imagined. A'ja Wilson, forward, was a player in her first Olympics. She scored 22 points. She scored 19 points against Nigeria and 20 against Japan in the opener.Team USA shot 56% of the field Monday, led by Wilson's 9-12 performance. She is 24th out of 37 in the Olympic tournament (64.9%). Tina Charles (15 points), was 6-of-9, with three 3-pointers. Breanna Stewart (17 was 7-of-14), Griner (11) 5-of-9, and Fowles (9 was 2-of-3).Charles, who was the leading scorer in the WNBA at Olympic break (26.3), didn't shoot 3-pointers when she first entered the pros. She only made 2 of 17 attempts from behind a arc during her first six seasons. This has all changed. She has now made 117 of the 364 goals since 2016. Charles's ability to hit from a long distance really helped the U.S offense in some tension moments Monday.Guard play can growThe five guards who participated in Monday's game -- Olympic rookie Ariel Atkins did not play -- scored 19 points combined, with Sue Bird scoring six. Although the Americans scored nine 3-pointers, five of them were made by post players Stewart or Charles. Team USA had 30 assists. However, 15 of those came from post players. With eight assists, Jewell Loyd was the leader among guards.In the first quarter, Diana Taurasi, starting guard, sustained a wrist injury. She was able to return to the game in the second half, but only took two shots. Bird was a fellow starter and took only three shots.Skylar Diggins Smith was only able to play for 5.5 minutes, and Atkins didn't see the floor at all. This meant that two of Team USA’s best perimeter defenders couldn't make an impact. All in all, the Americans were aware that this team would be post-dominant, but they wanted to see better perimeter play going forward.Are rotations a concernBreanna Stewart scored 14 points of her 17 in the second quarter. She also made all six of her field goals in that period. Aris Messinis Pool/Getty ImagesThe NCAA tournament is when the college coaches will tell their students that the bench becomes shorter. This can also be true during the Olympics.Sometimes, no matter how hard Staley tries to use her entire team in a game, it's just not possible. Not in close games like Monday's. Atkins was not able to get into the game. Napheesa, a fellow Olympic rookie, also did not see any minutes.Meanwhile, two-time WNBA Finals MVP Stewart played 38 minutes.Staley admitted that she tends to favor players with more Olympic experience, though Wilson is an exception.Staley stated, "Substitution patterns and rotatings -- it is hard." "You tend not to stick with those players who have done it."
