1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:04,040 Speaker 1: I feel like we've regressed in the musical selections, you 2 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: know what I mean. Like, I feel like we had 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,399 Speaker 1: this great common ground in the beginning with acts, and 4 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: then with each week the music that that we've allowed 5 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: coach Stephanie White to pick for us, We've regressed. So 6 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:19,760 Speaker 1: it makes me wonder what the next one would be. 7 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: I mean, how close are we getting now to like 8 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: Milli Vanilli? Pretty close? 9 00:00:24,440 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 2: Right? 10 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:29,160 Speaker 1: She joins us now on the program Fever and Action. 11 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: Tonight it is Game three of the w NBA Playoffs 12 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:33,680 Speaker 1: with Las Vegas. Coach. How are you? 13 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 3: I'm good? How are you? 14 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: Did you like Milli Vanilli? I'm well, thank you? Did 15 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: you like Milli Vanilli? 16 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 3: I wasn't really a mill fan though. 17 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm going to say that's a little before your time, admittedly, 18 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:47,839 Speaker 1: but a little bit. Okay. I want to begin with 19 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: this and before we get into and there's plenty to 20 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: talk about and get to uh. And I know that 21 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: you talked about it obviously, you know, answered some questions 22 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: it publicly did. But I wanted to give you the 23 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: opportunity here because since we last to talk to you, 24 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: you know, we know of the passing of Nancy Leonard, 25 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:06,680 Speaker 1: who was just an absolute pillar in terms of sports 26 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: in this town, clearly in basketball in this town. And 27 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: I would assume that you had plenty of interaction with 28 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 1: but just your overall thoughts on the loss of Nancy Leonard. 29 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, you're absolutely right, a pillar of sports 30 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 2: and a pillar of this franchise. And you know, especially 31 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 2: you know from a from a female perspective as well, 32 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 2: the leadership, the vision, the commitment. It just you know, 33 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 2: someone of her stature who we have had the pleasure 34 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 2: of standing on the shoulders of, you know, and now 35 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:41,680 Speaker 2: I think responsibility to continue the legacy. 36 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: You know, the I thought about this stepping in and 37 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 1: I want your your thought on this. I oftentimes when 38 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: you think about Nancy Leonard, one of the narratives, of course, 39 00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: is you know, this this female athletic, this female pioneer 40 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,920 Speaker 1: in sports, because it was such the anomaly right to 41 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: have an assistant general manager that was a woman back 42 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 1: in those times as the Pacers were transitioning from the 43 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:12,279 Speaker 1: ABA into the NBA. And while I understand the relevance 44 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 1: of pointing out her gender because of the anomaly of that, 45 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 1: then the more I thought about it, the more I 46 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 1: thought but it wasn't necessarily even about that. It was 47 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:27,800 Speaker 1: just about the fact of being a leader, regardless of 48 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 1: you know what I mean, because she kind of transcended 49 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:35,919 Speaker 1: through that into simply face of the franchise, if you will. Now, 50 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:40,360 Speaker 1: is that selling short or is that discrediting the things 51 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 1: that she may have had to overcome earlier in her career? 52 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I think that when we look at 53 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 2: it from today's viewpoint, we can look at it like that. 54 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 2: But I do think it's short selling what she had 55 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 2: to overcome to be in that position. 56 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:57,799 Speaker 3: You know, certainly, I think we still have a. 57 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 2: Long way to go in terms of women in in 58 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 2: in sport, especially women in what have traditionally been male 59 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 2: sport dominate the areas, and you know that, I think 60 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 2: about the this organization, Nancy Leonard, think about the drafting 61 00:03:13,919 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 2: of Ann Myers and and the way that this franchise 62 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 2: has embraced women in leadership position in the way that 63 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 2: women have been at the forefront of change, and starting 64 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:29,519 Speaker 2: certainly with with Nancy Leonard UH, and then the commitment 65 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 2: UH to continuing to see the vision UH unfold. And 66 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 2: I think from a leadership standpoint, yes, leadership and sport 67 00:03:38,920 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 2: leadership and community, you know, understanding how to break barriers, 68 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 2: and you know, we say it all the time in 69 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 2: women's sports that if you can see it, you can 70 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 2: be it. 71 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 1: And she was one of the first the Fever in 72 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 1: action tonight taking on Las Vegas game number three. Let's 73 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 1: talk about game number two in the fact that and 74 00:03:57,680 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: when I looked at that game, it seemed to me 75 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 1: to be one And it was interesting because you guys 76 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: had you guys had a couple of different periods where 77 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: you made runs coaching that game. But at the same time, 78 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: it seemed like there was a more passive approach to 79 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 1: it than in game one. Game one, it was like 80 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: they came out and said, you know, there was we're 81 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:18,239 Speaker 1: taking this game right. There was just a will there 82 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 1: that seemed to drop a little bit in game two. 83 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: Am I being too critical? And I there? 84 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 3: Oh, I think you're right. 85 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 2: You know, I think some of it had to do 86 00:04:25,640 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 2: with with how Las Vegas came. 87 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 3: Out in game one and in game two. 88 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 2: In game two, they certainly came out like a team 89 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 2: who's won multiple championships, who understood what it meant to 90 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:38,160 Speaker 2: be there, who had a desperation about them as. 91 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 3: As they should have and as we should have in 92 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:40,479 Speaker 3: game one. 93 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 2: You know, certainly you don't want to come back to 94 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 2: Indiana in a position where you're down O two. I 95 00:04:46,040 --> 00:04:48,839 Speaker 2: think you saw their experience come through. You know, we've 96 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:51,840 Speaker 2: got a group that's that's really not been through this 97 00:04:51,880 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 2: before in terms of our core group, and I think 98 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 2: you saw a little bit of lack of experience in 99 00:04:56,320 --> 00:05:00,480 Speaker 2: terms of mentality, what it takes consistently and and there's 100 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 2: no substitute for experience understanding the urgency of the moment, 101 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:06,680 Speaker 2: Understanding that not just every step that you take in 102 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:10,159 Speaker 2: the playoffs, but every game moving forward in the playoffs 103 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,039 Speaker 2: requires a different version of yourself and your team. Sense 104 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 2: of urgency continues to go up, you know, desperation, not 105 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 2: the reckless desperation, but desperation in terms of understanding how 106 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 2: important every play, every possession, every loose ball, you know, 107 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 2: every box out, every coverage is and and you. 108 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 3: Know this this we. 109 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 2: Got knocked in the mouth and we didn't have a response. 110 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 2: We had our moments, like you said, where we could, 111 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 2: but it was it was a little bit of a 112 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:38,359 Speaker 2: of a mirror image of Game two. You know, we 113 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 2: came out the aggressor, and then they were a little 114 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 2: bit on their heels and they made some runs and 115 00:05:41,880 --> 00:05:44,039 Speaker 2: we were able to make runs of our own to 116 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 2: extend and in Game two, they did what they were 117 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:48,560 Speaker 2: supposed to do, you know, and now fortunately for us, 118 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 2: we're back home. 119 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,600 Speaker 1: You know, when I look at this year in the WNBA, 120 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: and there are wonderful players across the WNBA, and obviously, 121 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 1: you know, you see one of the best in Las Vegas, 122 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:02,359 Speaker 1: right and Asia Wilson. But this year, and I know 123 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:05,360 Speaker 1: that not everybody can win an award, Kelsey Mitchell is 124 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: the most valuable player of the WNBA When I look 125 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: at just what's happened this year and all and really, 126 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: and I think I say that, coach, because of the 127 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 1: different roles over the course of a year she has 128 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:19,560 Speaker 1: had to fill at different periods, depending on what it 129 00:06:19,640 --> 00:06:22,360 Speaker 1: was you guys needed. It seems to me like she's 130 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:24,720 Speaker 1: been able to fill each and every void that has 131 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:27,920 Speaker 1: been asked of her. At what point this year did 132 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,919 Speaker 1: you see in her perhaps even that elevation of game 133 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:33,240 Speaker 1: to the point and she's been a great player. I 134 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: don't mean that she didn't have that to begin with, 135 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,599 Speaker 1: but when did you see this year where you thought 136 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:39,720 Speaker 1: to yourself, this is another level for her. 137 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,920 Speaker 2: I mean, I think at various points, but certainly, you 138 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 2: know when there was when we were at Chicago. 139 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 3: We were at Chicago, I know we were without Caitlin. 140 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: I can't remember, you know, who else was was not 141 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 2: playing at that moment when we were playing at the 142 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 2: United Center, and she just took over the ball game 143 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,479 Speaker 2: in the second half, you know, in Connecticut when she 144 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:03,239 Speaker 2: just took over the you know, she has these moments 145 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:06,799 Speaker 2: where she just can take over the ballgame. And and 146 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 2: and then when we lose you know Sophie, who was 147 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 2: kind of our third fourth backup point guard, and then 148 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 2: we asked her to start playing a little bit more 149 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,040 Speaker 2: primary ball handler, more point guard. 150 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 3: And this is this comes with more decision. 151 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 2: Making, it comes with more facilitating, it comes with more responsibility. 152 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:26,760 Speaker 2: And she just continued to get better and continued to 153 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 2: shoulder that responsibility and elevate her game from that standpoint. 154 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 2: And then as we headed into the playoffs, the position 155 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 2: that that she'd only been in, you know, last year 156 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:37,560 Speaker 2: for the first time in her career, and her leadership 157 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 2: really started to come through and her uh hold taking 158 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 2: you know, accountability and holding one another accountable, her communication, 159 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 2: just just different different areas that she's continued to grow. 160 00:07:48,440 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 2: I mean, she's always been a great player, and she's 161 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 2: always been a terrific score and I think that at 162 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 2: various points this year, and certainly as we've made this 163 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: playoff run, you've seen her playmaking and her leadership. 164 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:02,520 Speaker 4: Steph, how is your relationship with Kelsey grown from when 165 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 4: you were hired and when you started out trying to 166 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:06,560 Speaker 4: convince her to come back to the Indian and Fever 167 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 4: to now where she has been. She arguably has been 168 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:12,320 Speaker 4: one of the best players in a season in the 169 00:08:12,360 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 4: Fever history. 170 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: This year. 171 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 2: I mean our relationship has continued to grow. You know, 172 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 2: I know I know that she knows how much I 173 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 2: believe in her, how much I trust her. You know, 174 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 2: I could speak from from the outside when when we 175 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 2: were trying to bring her back just just how excited 176 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 2: I would would be to coach her and how much 177 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,439 Speaker 2: we want to put her in positions to be successful 178 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 2: and put her in positions to do some things with 179 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 2: this franchise that that that she hadn't done and we 180 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:40,720 Speaker 2: hadn't done in a long time. And you know, I 181 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,400 Speaker 2: think that she knows that I trust her, and I 182 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:45,320 Speaker 2: do and I trust her as well. I mean, she 183 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:47,880 Speaker 2: is just The thing about Kelsey Mitchell is that she 184 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 2: just wants to play ball. 185 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 3: Man. She is just somebody who just loves the game. 186 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:52,480 Speaker 3: You know. 187 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:54,720 Speaker 2: She doesn't get caught up and and all of the 188 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 2: things you know that that are a part of of 189 00:08:57,280 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 2: being a basketball player in this league. 190 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 3: She just wants to hoop and that she's the ultimate 191 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:04,199 Speaker 3: competitor in that way. 192 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 2: And you know, we've continued to layer things for her, 193 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 2: and so I think her trust in us, and certainly 194 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:12,720 Speaker 2: our trust in her has just continued to grow. But 195 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 2: I absolutely love her. I mean, she is one of 196 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:17,560 Speaker 2: the best human beings around. She is one of the 197 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:20,079 Speaker 2: hardest workers you know, that I've ever been around. And 198 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: she is one of the ultimate competitors. 199 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: By the way, when's the last time you just hooped? Like, 200 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 1: when's the last time you just went out and played? 201 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:30,839 Speaker 3: Uh, I don't know, Jake went like twenty years ago. 202 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 3: Maybe it's been a long time. 203 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:34,960 Speaker 1: I mean, honestly, like, do you do you ever just 204 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 1: pick up a ball and like nobody's around, You're like, 205 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:38,800 Speaker 1: you know what, I'm just gonna put up one hundred 206 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:39,599 Speaker 1: fifty shots. 207 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 3: I'll put up some shots. I don't think it's one 208 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:42,440 Speaker 3: hundred and fifty anymore. 209 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 2: And every once in a while I would go out 210 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:45,719 Speaker 2: there with the kids, but now they're getting too big 211 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 2: and strong, so I'm not trying. 212 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 3: To get hurt. 213 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:50,600 Speaker 1: Well just wait, wait, like wait till you're my age, 214 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 1: and then all of a sudden you're like, oh my gosh, 215 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: Like I think I told you. I was playing pick 216 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 1: up ball and this is probably eight years ago, and 217 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 1: I go for a routine putback I've done a thousand times, 218 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:02,840 Speaker 1: and just when I'm about to basically lay it back in, 219 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:05,320 Speaker 1: this young buck comes up. I look over and I 220 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,559 Speaker 1: see like knees elevating above me for a put and 221 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:09,600 Speaker 1: I'm like, that's it, you know what I mean, that's it. 222 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 1: You've just done you know when you got to be done? Right? 223 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, that's for sure. 224 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 1: I don't know why or where this came about this 225 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 1: in this postseason run, coach, but I've seen a lot 226 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 1: in the last couple of days of people saying, wait 227 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:29,319 Speaker 1: a minute, there's this weird language within the WNBA rules 228 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: of when a player's out that they're still eligible in 229 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 1: the postseason, and that means that Caitlin Clark can still play, 230 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,080 Speaker 1: especially if they get in the finals, et cetera, et cetera. 231 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 1: Your thoughts on that, I. 232 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:44,319 Speaker 2: Don't know anything about that language. I haven't had one 233 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 2: thought on that. I have not seen anything about that. 234 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 2: So it's the first time I'm hearing it, you know. 235 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 3: But no, I mean, Kaitlyn Clark is out. 236 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:55,959 Speaker 2: Kaitlin Clark is again priority long term health and wellness, 237 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,319 Speaker 2: making sure that she's ready to go and ready to 238 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:01,079 Speaker 2: be healthy for our team a year from now, well 239 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:02,680 Speaker 2: not a year from now, but for next season. 240 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 1: Correct, So she is. There is no situation where she 241 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:08,599 Speaker 1: would play in the remainder of this year, regardless of 242 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: how many games are left. 243 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,439 Speaker 3: Well, I mean, I cannot foresee. 244 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 2: I don't like to use the words always and never, 245 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 2: but there's not a situation that I could could absolutely foresee. 246 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:22,280 Speaker 1: Fair Somebody asked me this question, which I think is 247 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 1: a good one, and I know that there's still basketball 248 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: have to be played, and I want to get into, 249 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 1: you know, before we let you go about tonight, what 250 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:32,079 Speaker 1: things we might anticipate. But I think it's a good question. 251 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 1: When you look at the number of players that you 252 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: have been able to utilize this year and the players 253 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:41,480 Speaker 1: that were not on the roster at the beginning of 254 00:11:41,520 --> 00:11:44,600 Speaker 1: the year that have found themselves there now because of attrition. 255 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: Is there one that jumps out of you where you say, 256 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: to yourself, boy, if there's a way to keep them 257 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,480 Speaker 1: long term and get them on the roster beyond just 258 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:56,200 Speaker 1: this short window, I'd love to have it. Who would 259 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: that be? 260 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 3: Wow? I mean, you know, I don't I don't know. 261 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 2: That's a that's a tough question, especially because pretty much, 262 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:07,199 Speaker 2: you know, most people on our roster are going to 263 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:09,840 Speaker 2: be free agents anyway. But you know, I think the 264 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 2: thing that we've that we've continued to learn, and I 265 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 2: think those of us who have been in this game 266 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 2: a long time, you know, know, is that you got 267 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:19,319 Speaker 2: to stay ready so you don't have to get ready right. 268 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 2: And you know, I think Odyssey Simms has been a 269 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 2: difference maker for us. When she's aggressive and she's hunting, hunting, 270 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 2: you know, shots and hunting opportunities at the rim. 271 00:12:27,320 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 3: We're a different team. 272 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 2: You know, Shay Petty is the ultimate you know, leader teammate. 273 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:34,600 Speaker 2: You know, got guy who can come in and make 274 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 2: an impact, and and and and that player who can 275 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 2: make an impact in our. 276 00:12:37,640 --> 00:12:39,839 Speaker 3: Locker room and on the sideline and aerial power. 277 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,120 Speaker 2: Stayment's like her energy to be able to come in 278 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 2: at the point that she came in and really impact 279 00:12:44,679 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 2: our team in that way give us some things that 280 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:48,679 Speaker 2: we needed we missed without the side that we had 281 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:50,839 Speaker 2: on the perimeter. I mean, every single one of them 282 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 2: has has played a vital role in us getting to 283 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 2: the point you know that that we are. You know, 284 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 2: I think it'd be tough to say if there's one 285 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 2: that you absolutely, you know, have to have because they've 286 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 2: all been so important to what we're doing. 287 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 1: How have you changed as a coach from the last time, 288 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:08,360 Speaker 1: you know, over the just the course of It's hard 289 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 1: to believe that it was what ten years ago before 290 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: you came back to coach this franchise. When you look 291 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 1: at where you guys are now and some of the 292 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:19,720 Speaker 1: things you've had to navigate, you've handled that differently now 293 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: than you would have, say, ten years ago, in what way, 294 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 1: if at all? 295 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 2: Well, I think number one, you know, life experience. You 296 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:30,520 Speaker 2: understand that you got to play the hand that you're dealt, 297 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:33,760 Speaker 2: number one. But number two, you know, maintain perspective, keep 298 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 2: it in perspective. So maybe ten years ago, you know, 299 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 2: I would have been caught up in in what we 300 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:43,080 Speaker 2: don't have instead of really reprising and rethinking about what 301 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 2: we do have and how we can make that work. 302 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 3: You know. 303 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 2: I think the other thing is is just learning that 304 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 2: that I have to adjust to what our team needs 305 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:57,479 Speaker 2: from us, and whether that's you know, energy, whether that's 306 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:00,199 Speaker 2: you know, being a being a hype man, whether that uh, 307 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 2: you know, as much as X's and O's, it's also 308 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 2: about presentation and production, and what they feel from me 309 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:09,240 Speaker 2: is what as much as what they see from me. 310 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 2: And so you know that different players need different things, 311 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 2: and so I think my ability to adjust and be 312 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 2: flexible to what they respond to as opposed to just 313 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 2: being rigid and how I do things, I think that 314 00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:24,880 Speaker 2: that's changed, and I think it impacts different players in 315 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 2: different ways, you know, And and certainly I think you know, 316 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 2: from my standpoint, learning what that is and and and 317 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 2: and it's been different at various points throughout the year too, 318 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 2: and being flexible and being able to adjust to that. 319 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:39,000 Speaker 2: But I think more than anything, you know, it's just 320 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:42,240 Speaker 2: understanding that that we've got to control what we can 321 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 2: control and how we put one foot in front of 322 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:46,320 Speaker 2: the other, and how we approach the day to day 323 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 2: in terms of putting the players that we have on 324 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 2: the floor in the position to be success, be successful. 325 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 2: And you know, maybe ten years ago I might got 326 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 2: I might have got caught up in some of those 327 00:14:56,320 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 2: things that we couldn't control and have not been or 328 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:02,040 Speaker 2: would I have been able to lead a group like 329 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 2: this in the way that I am now. 330 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 1: And the response that you would like to see tonight 331 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: in terms of what's going to tell you early on 332 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: how the night's going to go would be what from 333 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:12,480 Speaker 1: your team. 334 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 2: I want to see it's be aggressive. I want to 335 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 2: see us attack of pain. I want to see us 336 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 2: get to. 337 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:18,520 Speaker 3: The rim, get to the foul line. 338 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 2: I don't want to see hesitation and taking shots in 339 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 2: decision making. I want to see you know, active and aggressive, 340 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 2: you know, dictating on the defensive end of the floor. 341 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:29,160 Speaker 2: I want to see that energy. I want to see 342 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 2: that attention to detail. I want to see that fire, 343 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,120 Speaker 2: competitive fire that our team has shown, you know all 344 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 2: season long. Look, I mean the reality is the pressures 345 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 2: not on us right like we I want them to 346 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 2: go out and I want them to play hard. 347 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 3: I want them to play together. I want them to 348 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 3: play free. 349 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 1: It's pretty special, though, isn't it. I Mean, it's an 350 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:47,600 Speaker 1: awesome night outside, it's a great sports calendar, it's a 351 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 1: great time in Indianapolis. Chad by Cannon talked to yesterday 352 00:15:50,240 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: about the fact that winning has become contagious amongst the 353 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 1: franchises in this town and collegiately and everything else. It's 354 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,160 Speaker 1: going to be a pretty big atmosphere down there tonight. 355 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:00,920 Speaker 1: I know you've got to be excited about it. 356 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 3: I'm absolutely excited. 357 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 2: You know, this city has been waiting a long time 358 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 2: to have playoff games in our home arena in the 359 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:10,200 Speaker 2: w NBA calendar and w NBA season, and now being 360 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 2: able to do it in the semi finals is a 361 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 2: huge opportunity. We know that they're gonna they're gonna show up. 362 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:17,360 Speaker 2: We know that they're gonna show out, and we're gonna 363 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:19,320 Speaker 2: we're gonna lean on them, you know, to give us 364 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 2: that added edge, to give us that added adrenaline tonight. 365 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:24,480 Speaker 1: Coach Stephanie White, appreciate it as always. We look forward 366 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: to talking to you again. All right, all right, thank you, 367 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:29,000 Speaker 1: best to luck tonight. Coach Stephanie White. Game number three 368 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:33,280 Speaker 1: tonight between the Fever and the Las Vegas Aces.