1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're wheels 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:06,320 Speaker 1: down in New York City for the espnW seven and 3 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:08,960 Speaker 1: a quick side quest to see Maya, Rudolph and O 4 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: Mary on Broadway. Speaking of my travel schedule, you might 5 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: be able to tell I'm not in a studio recording 6 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:17,319 Speaker 1: part of this episode. Nope, I'm actually coming to you 7 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: from the green room just outside where the espnW summit 8 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:23,239 Speaker 1: will take place. Wherever I am in the world, I'm 9 00:00:23,239 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 1: always going to make it work for you, slaces. It's Thursday, 10 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: May seventh, and today is the first of our WNBA 11 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 1: season preview shows. Yep, we're bringing back the shoot around, 12 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 1: just like last year, but this time smashed into two 13 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 1: jam packed episodes. We'll give you a look at each 14 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: and every w squad to get you prepped for the 15 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 1: historic thirtieth season of the league, starting with the Eastern 16 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:46,440 Speaker 1: Conference squads today. Whether you're tuning into the WNBA for 17 00:00:46,520 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 1: the first time this summer, or you've been rocking with 18 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 1: the Dubs since the start, Welcome. Now. We're splitting up 19 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:54,640 Speaker 1: these two episodes by conference. But remember when we talk 20 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 1: conferences in the w the league doesn't use conferences for 21 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 1: Playoff seating. The top eight teams in the league, regardless 22 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 1: of conference, qualify for the playoffs based on their overall 23 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: winning percentage. Conferences do matter when it comes to the 24 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 1: Commissioner's Cup, and for regular season scheduling to reduce travel, 25 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: teams play in conference opponents more than cross conference opponents. 26 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:17,040 Speaker 1: But for the purposes of these previews, we're going Eastern 27 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:21,320 Speaker 1: Conference and Western Conference. Buckle up, plus, grab your mittens. 28 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 1: It's the eleventh hour and complaints hit the clay. It's 29 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: all coming up right after this Welcome back Slays. Here's 30 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: what you need to know today. Let's start with hockey, 31 00:01:39,560 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: where the women's game is officially growing again. The PWHL 32 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 1: announced on Wednesday that the next expansion team will be 33 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: in Detroit, Michigan. The league's ninth team, will begin playing 34 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 1: in the twenty twenty six twenty seven season, with home 35 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: games to be played at Little Caesars Arena. P WHL Detroit, 36 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: as they're called for now, is joined by Ally Financial 37 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: as the team's inaugural partner, with team jerseys to feature 38 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 1: an exclusive Ally patch on the chest. Shout out to 39 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 1: friend of the show Andrea Brimmer, you did it again. Detroit, 40 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:11,079 Speaker 1: which is known as Hockey Town since the NHL's Detroit 41 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 1: Red Wings trademark the nickname in the nineties, is not 42 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,959 Speaker 1: a surprising addition for the PWHL. The city hosted the 43 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: league's first ever neutral site game at Little Caesars Arena 44 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 1: during its inaugural season in twenty twenty four, and they've 45 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 1: since hosted four more games, the most of any neutral 46 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 1: site city, with multiple of those games bringing in record 47 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: setting crowds. So congrats to Detroit and the p Dubs. 48 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 1: Now we're waiting to see if Detroit is the only 49 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: addition for next season, aka, will I be close to 50 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,519 Speaker 1: a PWHL city or is there still a chance I'll 51 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 1: be in a PWHL city. We'll also keep you updated 52 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:49,959 Speaker 1: on how the league will handle building out, expansion rosters, 53 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 1: more hockey. Sure, we're excited about next season, but this 54 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: season's playoffs can't miss already. On Tuesday, Montreal Victoire captain 55 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 1: Marie Feliepulenz scored her first ever postseason overtime winner in 56 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: the third overtime period to take down the Minnesota Frost 57 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 1: one nothing in Game two of the semi final series. 58 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: Who scored the game winning goal often assist from friend 59 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:14,119 Speaker 1: of the show Abby Rock, and it couldn't have come 60 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 1: soon enough for what I'm sure were some dead tired players. 61 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: The goal brought an end to the fourth longest game 62 00:03:20,160 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: in PWHL history. Viktwar goalkeeper and Renee Debn stopped thirty 63 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 1: eight shots en route to her first career playoff shutout, 64 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: helping the Victoire even the series at one game apiece. 65 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: The two time league champion Frost will host Game three 66 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 1: of the series tonight at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul. 67 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: Cuck Drop is at seven pm Eastern to the WNBA. 68 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: Tina Charles, the league's all time leading rebounder and number 69 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:47,760 Speaker 1: two all time scorer behind Diana Tarassi, is retiring. On Tuesday, 70 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: the fifteen year vet, an eight time All Star, announced 71 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 1: her decision to hang them up. Charles helped Yukon to 72 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 1: two NCAA titles, helped the US bring home three Olympic 73 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,880 Speaker 1: gold medals, earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in 74 00:03:59,880 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 1: twenty ten and MVP honors in twenty twelve. Was the 75 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: league's top scorer in two seasons, and entered the NYC 76 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: Basketball Hall of Fame as the head of the Class 77 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 1: of twenty twenty four, the first female to head a 78 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,520 Speaker 1: class at any major basketball Hall of Fame, and the 79 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: first active player ever inducted into the NYC Basketball Hall 80 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 1: of Fame. Now, despite all of her success, Charles never 81 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 1: got the chance to play for a WNBA title. Congrats 82 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 1: on a hell of a career. Tina more W News 83 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,920 Speaker 1: Schoolden State valkyriese guard Kate Martin was originally expected to 84 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:31,919 Speaker 1: miss up to two weeks due to a right quad 85 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 1: strain sustained during a preseason game on April twenty eighth, 86 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:37,039 Speaker 1: but the team is announced that Martin has been progressing 87 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:39,360 Speaker 1: well and she'll now be reevaluated on a day to 88 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 1: day basis, leaving the door open for her to take 89 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 1: the court for the team's home opener on Friday. And 90 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 1: an update on sabrinian Escu, the New York Liberty Star, 91 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:49,599 Speaker 1: is now expected to be out at least two weeks 92 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 1: nursing that foot injury suffered in the team's final preseason contest. 93 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 1: More W. Each team must submit its twelve player roster today, 94 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 1: so it's going to be a tough one for folks 95 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: who don't make the final cut. We've already seen a 96 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: handful of players waved or moved the last few days, 97 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: including the Chicago Sky Waving forward Matty Westbeld, who appeared 98 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: in twenty six games for the team in her rookie 99 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,360 Speaker 1: season last year. Over on the West Coast, the La 100 00:05:12,480 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 1: Sparks waved guard Sevgiya Zun and guard Julie vanlu Meantime, 101 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: Chloe Bibbie has been traded from the Portland Fire to 102 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 1: the Phoenix Mercury and dukelum Tyana Mayor has been signed 103 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: as a Seattle Storm developmental player, just a few days 104 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: after the team waived her man. Start of the season 105 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 1: is just one day away, and it's kind of feeling 106 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: like those infomercials that used to play at night. You know, 107 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 1: it's ten pm. Do you know where your children are? 108 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 1: Except it's the eve of season tip off? Do you 109 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,039 Speaker 1: know where your favorite players are? More w ploy wait 110 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 1: for Navisakllier to get healthy and make headlines again with 111 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:46,839 Speaker 1: her play, We'll settle for her dropping gems and interviews 112 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: about the league. In an interview with NPR Steve Inskeepe 113 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: that aired on Wednesday, Klier talked about the new WNBA contract, 114 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:56,840 Speaker 1: the upcoming season and her future in basketball. Now, we'll 115 00:05:56,839 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: link to the full interview in the show notes, but 116 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 1: we got to point out one part that left us dead. 117 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 1: When Inskeep reminded Klier that she had called league commissioner 118 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 1: Kathy Engelbert, quote unquote the worst leadership in the world, 119 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:11,479 Speaker 1: Collier softened her stance a little, saying, quote, thinking about 120 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 1: the state of the world right now, I think that's 121 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: a little dramatic. Yeah, fair, I mean, last I heard, 122 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 1: Kathy wasn't clearing a path so miners could use tanning 123 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: beds while simultaneously discouraging them from getting the measles vaccine. 124 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:28,359 Speaker 1: And she's not, you know, an alleged rapist pedophile to 125 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 1: college hoops. In a rare off season press availability on Monday, 126 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 1: Yukon head coach Gino Oriama was asked about his heated 127 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: postgame exchange with Game Cox coach John Staley during the 128 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: NCAA Tournament last month. Now, he avoided the first question 129 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 1: about the exchange, refusing to shed light on what conversations 130 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 1: have happened since then, but when asked again to reflect 131 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 1: on his actions, he opened up a bit. 132 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:51,080 Speaker 2: Take a listen, when I walked in the locker room 133 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 2: afterwards with the coaches. It was, you know, you're just 134 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 2: shaking your head, going, you know, on five more seconds. 135 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 2: You know, you couldn't keep it in for five more second, 136 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 2: So you know, you just feel like a dumbass, you know, 137 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:06,480 Speaker 2: for the way it played out. Yeah, we're all human 138 00:07:06,520 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 2: and we all do dumb shit. 139 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: A reporter then asked Gino how he handled the public 140 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 1: backlash that followed. Here's part of his answer. 141 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 2: I didn't see a lot of it, but that's to 142 00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 2: be expected, and I think that maybe some of it 143 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 2: was warranted and some of it was people have been 144 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,920 Speaker 2: lying in the weeds waiting for that moment. Unfortunately, that's 145 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 2: the world that we that we live in today. You know, 146 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:32,280 Speaker 2: it usually is one sided. I brought the criticism on myself. 147 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 2: I didn't bring the bullshit that came after that on myself. 148 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 1: Gino also said in the pressor that it's focus now 149 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 1: is on the twenty twenty six, twenty seventh season. Despite 150 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: the loss of two starters WNBA number one pick Asy 151 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 1: Fudd and Sarah Williams, the Huskies are expected to contend 152 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 1: for the title once again. To Volleyball, the Major League 153 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:53,240 Speaker 1: Volleyball Championships start tonight in Frisco, Texas. The top four 154 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 1: teams enter the single elimination semifinals with their eyes on 155 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:59,760 Speaker 1: the title and a one million dollar bonus. The actions 156 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: start with the number one in the Ignite taken on 157 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:05,240 Speaker 1: the number four Omaha Supernova's at Comerica Center at seven 158 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 1: pm Eastern. After that game, the number two Dallas Pulse 159 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:11,440 Speaker 1: will play the number three San Diego Mojo. The winners 160 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 1: of each game will face off in the finals at 161 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: three pm Eastern on Saturday. You can catch all the 162 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: postseason games on Ion to Tennis, where the pros are 163 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 1: calling out the upcoming French Open for what they call 164 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: a deeply disappointing prize pot Ahead of the tournament, tournament 165 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: organizers announced last month that this year's prize money was 166 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: increasing by about ten percent from last year for an 167 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: overall pot of seventy two point one million dollars. Sounds 168 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:37,559 Speaker 1: pretty good, right, But some of the world's top players, 169 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 1: including world number one Arena Sabalnka and number four Coco Golf, 170 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: are pointing out that the increase isn't in line with 171 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:45,560 Speaker 1: the increased revenue the tournament is bringing. 172 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:46,200 Speaker 3: In. 173 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: In a statement on Monday, the group of players said quote, 174 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:51,960 Speaker 1: player's share of role on Garrow's tournament revenue has declined 175 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 1: from fifteen and a half percent in twenty twenty four 176 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,440 Speaker 1: to fourteen point nine percent projected in twenty twenty six 177 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 1: end quote. Then on tuesday press conference in Rome, ahad 178 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: of the Italian Open. So I made the stakes clear. 179 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:06,560 Speaker 4: Take a listen when you see the number and you 180 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 4: see the amount that the player is receiving, and I 181 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 4: feel like the show is on us. I feel like 182 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 4: without us, there wouldn't be a tournament and it wouldn't 183 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:18,080 Speaker 4: be that entertainment. So I feel like, definitely we deserve 184 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:20,719 Speaker 4: to be paid more percentage. 185 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:23,040 Speaker 1: And I just really hope that. 186 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:27,679 Speaker 4: With all of the negotiations that we're having, we at 187 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 4: some point we're going to get to the right decision, 188 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:33,200 Speaker 4: to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with. 189 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: As you say, you're the show, how far do you 190 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:37,160 Speaker 1: think it could go? Do you think players would ever 191 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:39,679 Speaker 1: threaten to boycott and not play to I think at 192 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:41,439 Speaker 1: some point we will boycote it. Yeah. 193 00:09:41,559 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 4: I feel like that's going to be the only way 194 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:47,320 Speaker 4: to kind of like fight for our rights. 195 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 1: Now, this is just the latest in an ever growing 196 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: list of public complaints made by players over the last 197 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 1: few years about not just compensation, but also the length 198 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 1: of the season and a lack of rest and recovery time. 199 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 1: We got to pay the bills when we come back. 200 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,719 Speaker 1: We break down the Eastern Conference for part one of 201 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: the shoot Around. Welcome back Slices, and welcome to the 202 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 1: shoot Around Part one. Today we're doing WNBA Eastern Conference 203 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:22,559 Speaker 1: teams presented in order based on their regular season finish 204 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 1: last year. The Atlanta Dream The story of last season. 205 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:29,560 Speaker 1: The Dream finished this season thirty and fourteen under new 206 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 1: head coach and w first timer Carl Smesco, the best 207 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,760 Speaker 1: season in franchise history and good for a tie for 208 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 1: the number two seed in the playoffs. The story of 209 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 1: this season. The Dream are no longer up and coming. 210 00:10:41,679 --> 00:10:44,839 Speaker 1: They've arrived and they expect to make a deep postseason run. 211 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 1: What looks different this year? Let's talk about notable losses 212 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:50,680 Speaker 1: and additions. The team saw ten time All Star Britney 213 00:10:50,720 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 1: Griner depart for the Connecticut Sun in free agency, and 214 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:56,480 Speaker 1: defensive specialists Maya Caldwell was lost to the Portland Fire 215 00:10:56,520 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: in the expansion Draft, but they added the MVP of 216 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:04,360 Speaker 1: Australia's wnbl Isabelle Borlis, who averaged almost twenty three points 217 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 1: a game down Under, and six sixth center medda Ocott, 218 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: a rookie drafted number thirteen out of South Carolina. The 219 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:13,720 Speaker 1: stars for this team, while the Dreams starting five for 220 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 1: much of last year were all free agents, but the 221 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:19,439 Speaker 1: team was able to bring back all five Brianna Jones, 222 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:23,679 Speaker 1: Ryan Howard, Jordan, Canada Nas Hillman and Ali Shagray. Hillman 223 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: came off the bench for enough games last year to 224 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 1: qualify for and win sixth Player of the Year, and 225 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: Gray improved from just an All Star to a legit 226 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: MVP candidate. The team also traded future draft picks to 227 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,440 Speaker 1: the Chicago Sky to acquire two time All Star and 228 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 1: ferocious rebounder Angel Reese. Stats the dream led the league 229 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 1: in rebounds last year, and even though Brianna Jones is 230 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:46,679 Speaker 1: set to miss time recovering from knee surgery, when she's back, 231 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:49,280 Speaker 1: she and Reese are going to be a two headed 232 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,679 Speaker 1: monster on the boards, likely keeping Atlanta at or near 233 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 1: the top of that category again. The dream were also 234 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:58,959 Speaker 1: top five in points, assists, and blocks last season, and 235 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 1: they took care of the ball averaging the fewest turnovers 236 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 1: in the league last year. Some sounds from this team well, 237 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: Like I mentioned, the Dream will take the court this 238 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:12,280 Speaker 1: season with Angel Freakin Reese, star forward, model, actor, entrepreneur, 239 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:15,840 Speaker 1: met gala aficionado, pretty much all the things, and at 240 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 1: the Dreams opening press conference last month, Reese decided she 241 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: would shut down anyone who might say she isn't putting 242 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 1: basketball first. 243 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 3: I wouldn't be here without basketball, and that's always going 244 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 3: to be my priority. I mean, I think anybody that 245 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 3: knows me knows that I put my work first, and 246 00:12:29,160 --> 00:12:30,960 Speaker 3: I'm going to put a hundred percent in anything I do. 247 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:34,400 Speaker 3: And I'm here to who I'm a professional athlete, and 248 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:36,079 Speaker 3: I know how to take care of my business and 249 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 3: everything off the court is off the court, but when 250 00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 3: I come between the lines, it's about business, and I 251 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 3: think everybody knows that. 252 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: Tell them Angel. As for the stakes, well, after a 253 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: fantastic regular season in twenty twenty five, the Dream lost 254 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 1: to an injured but scrappy Indiana Fever squad in the 255 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: first round of the playoffs, a disappointing finish. They expect 256 00:12:54,400 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: nothing less than to contend for the championship this year 257 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 1: and The franchise is still looking for its first w tiitle, 258 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 1: so a win would be truly history, making the New 259 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: York Liberty. The story of last season, Well, the Liberty 260 00:13:06,760 --> 00:13:09,320 Speaker 1: suffered from a bit of a championship hangover, and it 261 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:11,679 Speaker 1: was made worse by a whole bunch of injuries. They 262 00:13:11,760 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 1: ultimately secured the number five seed and got bounced in 263 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,320 Speaker 1: the first round of the playoffs. The story of this season. 264 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:21,559 Speaker 1: Can the Liberties star studded roster rediscover the magic of 265 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,439 Speaker 1: their twenty twenty four title run and returned to greatness 266 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 1: under new leadership. What looks different this year? While it 267 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: starts with head coach Sandy Brondelo, who the front office 268 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 1: elected not to re up just one year after she 269 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:36,679 Speaker 1: led the franchise to its first ever championship, she heads 270 00:13:36,679 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 1: to Toronto and the team turns to Chris DeMarco, who 271 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 1: helped the mnba's Golden State Warriors achieve dynasty status in 272 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: the twenty tens and early twenty twenties and will be 273 00:13:45,640 --> 00:13:48,520 Speaker 1: coaching women for the first time in his career. As 274 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:51,520 Speaker 1: for players, niar Sable's gone lost to the Toronto Tempo 275 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 1: and the expansion Draft, but the Liberty added her sister, 276 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 1: the Unicorn Satu Sabai, fresh off of finals run with 277 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 1: the Phoenix Mercury. The team also so brought back Rebecca Allen, 278 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:03,280 Speaker 1: who was last in New York in twenty twenty two, 279 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 1: and Han Chu, who fell out of the rotation in 280 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three and spent the last two years getting stronger, smarter, 281 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: and somehow even taller. She's now six foot eleven. Benijel 282 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:16,079 Speaker 1: Lane Hamilton missed all of last season to a knee injury, 283 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:18,320 Speaker 1: so her return to the court and not just the 284 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: sidelines for this team is the equivalent of adding a 285 00:14:20,960 --> 00:14:23,920 Speaker 1: top player in free agency. The stars for this team 286 00:14:24,120 --> 00:14:28,240 Speaker 1: John Qwell Jones, Brianna Stewart and Sabrinian Escup. They all return, 287 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: and they each helped the squad by signing for one 288 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:33,360 Speaker 1: point one to nine million instead of the one point 289 00:14:33,400 --> 00:14:37,920 Speaker 1: four million Supermax. They'll join Sobli, Landy Hamilton, Leoni Phoebitch 290 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 1: and Marine Johanns to make for a loaded Liberty Corps now. 291 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 1: After injuries derailed their season last year, there's been a 292 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:46,480 Speaker 1: lot of talk of them needing depth, and they already 293 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 1: need to put it to use because Danescu will miss 294 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 1: at least the first couple games of the season with 295 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: an ankle injury. Let's talk stats for this team. Last season, 296 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 1: the Liberty were top five in points, field goal percentage, 297 00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:00,720 Speaker 1: three point percentage, free throw percentage, assists, and blocks the 298 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 1: most important stat though, because of injuries. They're big three 299 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: of Stuart, Jones and Unescu played just fifteen games and 300 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: two hundred and thirty four total minutes on the court together. 301 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 1: Staying healthy this year will be key. Two more numbers 302 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: to ponder, six and four, as in six foot four. 303 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 1: The Liberty starting lineup of Joanes, Stuart, Sabii, Phoebich and 304 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 1: Unescu is huge, six foot four and up for everyone 305 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: but Unescu. Let's get to some sound then. Because training 306 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 1: camp a few weeks ago, Stewie brought up that height advantage, 307 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: specifically what it means to have six foot four Satu 308 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 1: Sabli joined the team. 309 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 5: I'm really happy to have Satsu here. I think that 310 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:40,320 Speaker 5: it is a long time coming because we were up 311 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 5: on her lists pretty high in last year's free agency. 312 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 5: But she's someone wants to learn, you know. I'm gonna 313 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:48,600 Speaker 5: help guide her in whatever way she needs and her 314 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 5: to bring her versatility and offensive and defensive prowess to 315 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 5: our team is really exciting. And obviously the fact that 316 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 5: she's back healthy is the number one thing. So we're 317 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 5: going to be tall. It'd be very tall, which is 318 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 5: cool and yeah, let's see. 319 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 1: What happens tall indeed scary times for the rest of 320 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:10,160 Speaker 1: the league. Finally, what are the stakes for the Liberty 321 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:12,600 Speaker 1: this year? Well, with the talent on this roster, anything 322 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 1: other than a title is a disappointment. All eyes will 323 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: be on De Marco and whether the team was right 324 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,120 Speaker 1: to move on from two time WNBA Championship winning coach 325 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: Sandy Brondelo the Indiana Fever. The story of last season 326 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 1: for the Fever was injuries, injuries, and more injuries. Last 327 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:30,880 Speaker 1: year's postseason run, featuring a bunch of subs and mid 328 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: season pickups, was a remarkable show of grit and teamwork. 329 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 1: So the story of this season is with Caitlin Clark 330 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 1: back healthy and most of last year's team returning, the 331 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: Fever get a chance to redo last season, but now 332 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 1: with even bigger expectations. What looks different this year? Well, 333 00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 1: let's talk notable losses and additions for Indiana. Natasha Howard 334 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:52,720 Speaker 1: and Branda Turner left in free agency to sign with 335 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:55,920 Speaker 1: the Links and the Aces, respectively, while Chloe Bibby and 336 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:59,080 Speaker 1: Christy Wallace were lost to the expansion Draft. The Fever 337 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: did add South Carolin is Raven Johnson, who they selected 338 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 1: at number ten in the draft, and they're going to 339 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,040 Speaker 1: look to her immediately for energy and defensive pressure. Johnson 340 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:08,960 Speaker 1: can also bring the ball up and keep Clark from 341 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 1: taking a beating just getting the ball to half court. 342 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,159 Speaker 1: The Fever also added the Valkyrie's Moe Billings and the 343 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 1: Wings Maisha Heinz Allen and Ty Harris in free agency. 344 00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 1: Billings notably played with Clark and Mitchell on tam Usa 345 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:24,160 Speaker 1: this offseason. The stars of this team, well, the big 346 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,320 Speaker 1: three of Kelsey Mitchell, Aleah Boston, and Caitlin Clark, are 347 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 1: all healthy and ready to go. Lexi Hall and Sophie 348 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 1: Cunningham returned this season as well. Stats last season, the 349 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 1: Fever were top five in points, field goal percentage, three 350 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: point percentage, and steals, but they were in the bottom 351 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: five in rebounding, free throw percentage, and blocks. They'll need 352 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:46,440 Speaker 1: to improve on defense. The Fever were eighth in points 353 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 1: allowed per game and ninth in opponent field goal percentage. 354 00:17:49,680 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 1: Oh and one more stat forty four. As in all, 355 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 1: forty four of the Fever's games will be broadcast nationally 356 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 1: this season. Some sound from this team. If folks wondered 357 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,520 Speaker 1: how rookie Raven Johnson would fit in with this Fever squad, 358 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,879 Speaker 1: she sounds real comfortable. Take a listen to her answering 359 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 1: a question about her new coach, Stephanie White. Oh she's funny. 360 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:11,120 Speaker 6: Oh don't know how it is, but her wife's chants 361 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 6: and pregnant moatther day and I'm like, hey, you got taste. 362 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:22,119 Speaker 1: But shout out to Lisa salters Man, you got the 363 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: Raven Johnson sealed approval. The stakes for this Fever team Well, 364 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 1: Indiana was one overtime period away from making the finals 365 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:33,800 Speaker 1: last year, despite Caitlin Clark's sidelined in street clothes. They're 366 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: hungry for another shot, especially knowing how previous teams with 367 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:40,560 Speaker 1: back to back number one picks have fared in this league. 368 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 1: The Saddle Storm in twenty four and twenty eighteen and 369 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 1: the Las Vegas Aces in twenty twenty two each won 370 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:49,120 Speaker 1: a title within three seasons of having back to back 371 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:52,280 Speaker 1: overall number one draft picks, So, with Boston and Clark 372 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 1: selected number one in twenty twenty three and twenty twenty four, respectively, 373 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 1: the Fever are on the clock and hoping to repeat 374 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:02,560 Speaker 1: the pattern the Washington Mystics. Well. The story of last 375 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 1: season was that the twenty twenty five Mystics were clearly 376 00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 1: in the first year of a rebuild. They finished with 377 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:10,400 Speaker 1: a sixteen and twenty eight record and their eyes firmly 378 00:19:10,520 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 1: on the future all season long. The story this season 379 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 1: They've got a very young team, still in a rebuild, 380 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:18,800 Speaker 1: with a bit of a lopsided roster that they'll have 381 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:21,200 Speaker 1: to figure out. So what looks different for the Mystics 382 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 1: this year? More than half the team is new via 383 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:26,640 Speaker 1: the draft just a few days before season tip off. 384 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:30,200 Speaker 1: There are ten rookies in Mystics camp, including UCLA stars 385 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalleach taken at number four and 386 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:36,520 Speaker 1: number nine respectively, and number eleven pick Cody McMahon out 387 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:39,360 Speaker 1: of Ole. Miss Georgia Amore might as well be part 388 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:41,920 Speaker 1: of the twenty twenty six rookie class after an acl 389 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:44,880 Speaker 1: tair sidelined her before she could even get started last year, 390 00:19:45,080 --> 00:19:47,200 Speaker 1: though she will have a leg up on the first years, 391 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 1: having had a season to watch and learn from the bench. 392 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:53,119 Speaker 1: The team also added veteran Mikaela Onionuede, who spent the 393 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 1: last two seasons with the Chicago Sky and was an 394 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:59,120 Speaker 1: assistant coach for UCLA's national title run, so she's worked 395 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:02,200 Speaker 1: with Bets and Dougallee. Meantime, the Mystics traded j C. 396 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 1: Sheldon to Chicago, Steph Dolson and Jade Melbyn left for 397 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 1: Seattle in free agency, Alicia Clark left a sign with 398 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:11,000 Speaker 1: the Wings, and Emily Engstler went to Portland in the 399 00:20:11,040 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 1: expansion draft. So the stars of this team are last 400 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 1: year's rookie standouts Kiki Eriefen and Sonya Citron, both all 401 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: stars in their first season. They joined fifth year vet 402 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 1: Shakira Austin to form the core of this very young team. 403 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: The stats well, the Mystics were bottom three in the 404 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: league in points, rebounds, assists, and steals last season, and 405 00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,120 Speaker 1: they were dead last and three pointers attempted per game 406 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:35,800 Speaker 1: just over seventeen a game, but they didn't add any 407 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:38,520 Speaker 1: three point threats or shooters at all for that matter, 408 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:41,159 Speaker 1: in the offseason. Also, their youth showed up when it 409 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 1: came to taking care of the ball, they finished with 410 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:46,359 Speaker 1: the second highest turnover rate in the league. More numbers 411 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:48,800 Speaker 1: to Know two as in the number of players on 412 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 1: the Mystics with more than one year of experience in 413 00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 1: the w Austin and Onionwayde and six the number of 414 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:57,720 Speaker 1: first round draft picks from the last two seasons that 415 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:01,400 Speaker 1: are on the roster of this team. While Kiki erie 416 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:03,400 Speaker 1: E Fence spoke to the team's youth during a press 417 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 1: conference on Monday, she said she learned a lot in 418 00:21:05,720 --> 00:21:07,920 Speaker 1: her rookie season and that'll make her a better player 419 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:08,679 Speaker 1: this time around. 420 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 6: I'm just a competitor, and I feel like this level really. 421 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:15,240 Speaker 1: Taught me that. Like in college, you are a competitor, 422 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:16,359 Speaker 1: but when you go to like. 423 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:19,520 Speaker 6: A great program and a great team, like you're expected 424 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:22,200 Speaker 6: to win, so you don't have so many moments where 425 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:26,119 Speaker 6: you're losing to people. But here everybody is so talented, 426 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:29,680 Speaker 6: like you're seeing ten of you, so it's really hard 427 00:21:29,720 --> 00:21:31,920 Speaker 6: to win. And I think that's when I really saw 428 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:34,639 Speaker 6: how competitive I am. Like, losing is not fun, but 429 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:38,159 Speaker 6: winning is really really hard. So just having to you know, 430 00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:39,879 Speaker 6: maybe not have the outcome you have one night and 431 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 6: then forty eight hours later. You have to be your 432 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:45,159 Speaker 6: best self again to play another great team. Just that 433 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:48,160 Speaker 6: competitive spirit in that fire I think really came out 434 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:48,919 Speaker 6: of me last season. 435 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 1: The youth of this team is going to make them 436 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:53,880 Speaker 1: exciting and high energy, but there will be some mistakes 437 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:57,440 Speaker 1: to iron out for sure. Stakes of this team, well, 438 00:21:57,680 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 1: the stakes and expectations are fairly low for the Mystic, 439 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 1: but year two of the rebuild does need to be 440 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:05,480 Speaker 1: about more than just continuing to develop young talent. The 441 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:08,399 Speaker 1: team needs to find an identity. With a logjam in 442 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:11,879 Speaker 1: the paint with Eriefen, Austin, and Betts all battling for 443 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:14,800 Speaker 1: minutes and a dearth of shooters, this team's not going 444 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:18,359 Speaker 1: anywhere until there's a better built roster. The Connecticut Sun 445 00:22:18,440 --> 00:22:20,640 Speaker 1: The story of last season. The twenty twenty five son 446 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:23,320 Speaker 1: were the first team in WNBA history to lose its 447 00:22:23,440 --> 00:22:26,080 Speaker 1: entire starting lineup between the last playoff game at the 448 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 1: previous season and the start of a new season. So 449 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: they started fresh, finished the season eleven and thirty three, 450 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:33,480 Speaker 1: and missed out on the playoffs for the first time 451 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 1: in eight years. The story of this season. One year later, 452 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:40,760 Speaker 1: the team is somehow even more rudderless they'll play out 453 00:22:40,760 --> 00:22:44,320 Speaker 1: the year, cleverly named their Sunset season, knowing that next 454 00:22:44,359 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: year brings new ownership and a relocation to Houston, and 455 00:22:47,760 --> 00:22:50,439 Speaker 1: potentially a new head coach too. Second year man Rashid 456 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 1: Mezzin has already been announced as the coach for EuroLeague 457 00:22:53,040 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 1: team Galatasaray in the fall, and he's not likely to 458 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 1: be able to do both jobs and what looks different 459 00:22:58,320 --> 00:23:00,760 Speaker 1: this year. While Marina Maybrey is going, she was left 460 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: unprotected and snagged by the Tempo in the expansion draft. 461 00:23:04,160 --> 00:23:06,960 Speaker 1: Lindsay Allen chose to leave for Dallas, and veteran Tina 462 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:10,720 Speaker 1: Charles just announced her retirement this week. Diamond Miller arrived 463 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:12,880 Speaker 1: to the sun via trade with Dallas, and they also 464 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,840 Speaker 1: added vetts via free agency, Kennedy Burke, Shape Petty, and 465 00:23:15,880 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 1: most notably ten time All Star Britney Griner, who's a 466 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:22,240 Speaker 1: Houston native and presumably hoping to stick around through the 467 00:23:22,280 --> 00:23:25,159 Speaker 1: relocation so she can finish her career at home. The 468 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:27,880 Speaker 1: team also added talent via the draft, including grabbing two 469 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:31,560 Speaker 1: national champs in UCLA's Gianna Neepkins and Charlie Sledger Walker. 470 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:35,000 Speaker 1: Also French forward Nell Angloma the stars of this team, 471 00:23:35,119 --> 00:23:37,560 Speaker 1: while the Sun returned their young core, all on rookie 472 00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:41,520 Speaker 1: contracts Aliah Edwards, Senaia Rivers, Anissa Morrow, and French star 473 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:44,480 Speaker 1: Leila Laken who arrived mid season last year but had 474 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:47,320 Speaker 1: a big impact, and of course Griner is still a 475 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 1: game changer and a draw for fans. Stats, the Sun 476 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:54,200 Speaker 1: were bottom two in the league in points, field goal percentage, 477 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:58,160 Speaker 1: three point percentage, rebounds, and assists. With one of the youngest, 478 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 1: most unproven rosters in the league, It's yet to be 479 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 1: seen which of their young could be stars steps up 480 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:07,280 Speaker 1: to help improve those numbers. Another number to know twenty four, 481 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 1: as in twenty four seasons of Connecticut Sun basketball coming 482 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 1: to an end after this season sounds well. One thing 483 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: we can count on. According to the Connecticut Sun's Instagram 484 00:24:17,760 --> 00:24:20,000 Speaker 1: is a whole lot of b G and Sanaia Rivers 485 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:22,960 Speaker 1: content throughout the season. The team posted a video during 486 00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:26,080 Speaker 1: training camp showing the duo goofing around with six foot 487 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:28,800 Speaker 1: nine Griner making six to one Rivers look like a 488 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 1: true little This is my bodyguard and nobody is even more. 489 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:39,000 Speaker 3: Yeah back up, yeah, I wish you would, I wish 490 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 3: you I wish you about. 491 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:49,439 Speaker 1: Help that pick, and we out. We can't wait for 492 00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:53,399 Speaker 1: all of these antics. The stakes for this team. Expectations 493 00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:55,880 Speaker 1: are low, but the stakes are high when it comes 494 00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:58,560 Speaker 1: to respect. This team somehow needs to find a way 495 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:01,520 Speaker 1: to give loyal Sun fans the goodbye they deserve, even 496 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:03,919 Speaker 1: though everyone knows this is sort of a lame duck season. 497 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:07,919 Speaker 1: As for the future, if they struggle, at least Houston 498 00:25:07,920 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 1: fans can look forward to a fresh start featuring a 499 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:12,960 Speaker 1: big name draft pick like Juju Watkins or Hannah Hidalgo 500 00:25:13,720 --> 00:25:16,720 Speaker 1: the Chicago Sky. The story of last season for the Sky. 501 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:19,480 Speaker 1: The twenty twenty five team finished the season tied for 502 00:25:19,640 --> 00:25:22,200 Speaker 1: dead last in the league at ten and thirty four, 503 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:25,840 Speaker 1: with locker room turmoil and a disgruntled second year star 504 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:29,199 Speaker 1: Angel Reese with one foot already out the door. The 505 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:32,680 Speaker 1: story of this season. Yet another Sky star departed before 506 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:35,440 Speaker 1: her contract was up. That's Reese, But the team didn't 507 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:38,080 Speaker 1: just lick its wounds this time. It actually added feisty, 508 00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:42,000 Speaker 1: exciting talent in free agency. So what looks different this year? 509 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:46,399 Speaker 1: A whole lot departures and additions marked this Sky off season. 510 00:25:46,840 --> 00:25:49,760 Speaker 1: Reese went to Atlanta in a trade and Beck Allen, Mikhaela, 511 00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 1: Onionwade and Kia Nurse left in free agency. 512 00:25:52,720 --> 00:25:52,960 Speaker 3: J C. 513 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:56,040 Speaker 1: Sheldon arrived via trade with the Mystics, and second year 514 00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:59,040 Speaker 1: standout Rakia Jackson arrived via trade with the Sparks that 515 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:02,680 Speaker 1: sent Aeriel act Kins to LA. Free agent additions were 516 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:06,000 Speaker 1: huge for the Sky Skyler Diggins, as A, Ray Stevens, 517 00:26:06,119 --> 00:26:09,399 Speaker 1: dj A Carrington, and Natasha Cloud all joined the team, 518 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 1: and they also added some promising draft talent in Gabriella 519 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: Hakez out of UCLA. The stars for this team Diggins, Stevens, Jackson, 520 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:20,160 Speaker 1: and Cloud joined third year center Camilla Cardoso to form 521 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:22,800 Speaker 1: the core, and at some point in the season, veteran 522 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:25,439 Speaker 1: point guard Courtney Vanderslut will turn from acl tair that 523 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:28,119 Speaker 1: sidelined her for almost all of last season. Now, the 524 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:30,439 Speaker 1: jury still out on how all these stars in the 525 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:33,359 Speaker 1: Sky will fit together, but this team will be entertaining, 526 00:26:33,520 --> 00:26:36,600 Speaker 1: that's for sure. Stats for this team. While Chicago was 527 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:38,560 Speaker 1: tied for last in the league in points last year 528 00:26:38,560 --> 00:26:41,520 Speaker 1: and finished the season tops and turnovers, they were second 529 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:44,359 Speaker 1: in rebounds thanks to Reese, who won't be around to 530 00:26:44,359 --> 00:26:46,520 Speaker 1: save him on the boards this year. It's tough to 531 00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:48,639 Speaker 1: base anything off of last year's numbers, though, as an 532 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:51,479 Speaker 1: almost entirely different team will step on the court this season, 533 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:55,879 Speaker 1: but it is still worth mentioning one notable number, infinity, 534 00:26:56,119 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 1: which feels like the number of stars who have asked 535 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:00,800 Speaker 1: out of Chicago before their contracts were up, from Molina 536 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:03,840 Speaker 1: Dela Dan to Sylvia Fowls to Kalia Copper and this 537 00:27:03,960 --> 00:27:07,040 Speaker 1: year Angel Reese. Let's hope the influx of free agents 538 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:09,919 Speaker 1: choosing to come to Chicago this offseason means things are 539 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:13,800 Speaker 1: changing in the Windy City sound. I am very excited 540 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:16,439 Speaker 1: as a Chicago Sky fan for this new look Sky squad, 541 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:18,520 Speaker 1: but I'm also a little worried about some of the 542 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:21,199 Speaker 1: newbies after watching the team's recent We listen, but we 543 00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:25,879 Speaker 1: don't judge social video, specifically Djana's lip gloss trick and 544 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 1: Rakia's food choices. Okay, we listen and we don't judge. 545 00:27:29,760 --> 00:27:34,560 Speaker 3: Sometimes big games, I'll play with some lipgloss tucked in 546 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:39,200 Speaker 3: my spandex so that at any moment I can reapply. 547 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 1: We listen, but we don't judge. Sugar goes on mac 548 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:49,760 Speaker 1: and cheese and spaghetti. Period. We listen, and who are 549 00:27:49,760 --> 00:27:53,480 Speaker 1: you Rikia, Buddy the Elf. The stakes for the Sky 550 00:27:53,560 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 1: team well, angry fans like yours truly definitely softened when 551 00:27:57,240 --> 00:27:59,400 Speaker 1: the Sky followed up the Reese trade with a handful 552 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:02,520 Speaker 1: of blockbusters acquisitions, moves that should make the team, at 553 00:28:02,560 --> 00:28:05,560 Speaker 1: the very least super fun and exciting to watch and 554 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:09,160 Speaker 1: at best a playoff squad. Jury's out on which one 555 00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:12,840 Speaker 1: it'll be. The Toronto Tempo. The story of last season, 556 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 1: there wasn't one. Last year. The Tempo were in planning 557 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:18,879 Speaker 1: mode for their debut season. The story of this season, 558 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:22,120 Speaker 1: while matching the Golden State Valkyrie's first year postseason run, 559 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:25,800 Speaker 1: may not be realistic, but establishing Toronto as a women's 560 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:28,960 Speaker 1: hoop city and a free agent destination well just might 561 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,719 Speaker 1: be what looks different this year. While there are actually 562 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:35,359 Speaker 1: players in those Bordeaux colored jerseys, namely the folks they 563 00:28:35,359 --> 00:28:39,120 Speaker 1: acquired via the Expansion Draft, including Marina Maybray, Julia Alamond 564 00:28:39,200 --> 00:28:42,120 Speaker 1: and Niarasabli, the team also grabbed twenty twenty five All 565 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:46,000 Speaker 1: Star Britney Sikes, Tammy fag Benley, Isabel Harrison, and Canada 566 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:49,000 Speaker 1: native Kia Nurse all in free agency. They also grabbed 567 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:52,440 Speaker 1: UCLA's Keky Rice, who headlined their Tempo draft class the 568 00:28:52,480 --> 00:28:54,960 Speaker 1: stars of this team. While we'll start with head coach 569 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 1: Sandy Brondello, a two time WNBA Championship winning coach who 570 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:01,040 Speaker 1: is certainly one of the team stars. She'll try to 571 00:29:01,040 --> 00:29:06,160 Speaker 1: make Pikes, mabray alamand and more household names in Toronto Stats. 572 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:08,480 Speaker 1: Two stats before the team has ever even played a 573 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:12,400 Speaker 1: regular season game. First eight two hundred and ten. That's 574 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 1: the number of fans who packed Coca Cola Coliseum for 575 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:19,160 Speaker 1: the Tempo's home preseason game. Second forty one and a 576 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:22,760 Speaker 1: half million. It's the population of Canada, all of them 577 00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:26,080 Speaker 1: potential Toronto Tempo fans if the team plays its cards right. 578 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:29,320 Speaker 1: Sounds While I caught up with coach Brondela last November 579 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:31,120 Speaker 1: to hear what it was about the Tempo that made 580 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:33,200 Speaker 1: her want to jump on board. Here's what she said. 581 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:35,400 Speaker 7: Took my time in the process and make sure it 582 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,320 Speaker 7: was the right fit. And I feel like Toronto is 583 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:40,040 Speaker 7: and you know, at the stage of my career, I'm 584 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:42,160 Speaker 7: a little older now, I've been around a while, I've 585 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:45,200 Speaker 7: won two championships, but I've never you know, coached an 586 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:48,040 Speaker 7: expansion team. And what really sold me was you know, 587 00:29:48,120 --> 00:29:51,400 Speaker 7: in a whole different country, so it's not just Toronto's team, 588 00:29:51,400 --> 00:29:52,560 Speaker 7: it's Canada's team. 589 00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:55,440 Speaker 1: And yeah, I think my experience, like you said. 590 00:29:55,280 --> 00:29:58,360 Speaker 7: Just being an international coach, have played around the world, 591 00:29:58,800 --> 00:30:01,400 Speaker 7: coached around the world. But I am also the Australian 592 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:04,240 Speaker 7: head coach, so I know what that's like when you're 593 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:07,000 Speaker 7: playing for the whole country, not just for the city, 594 00:30:07,040 --> 00:30:08,640 Speaker 7: and the expectations that come with that. 595 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:10,880 Speaker 1: I can't think of a much better situation for an 596 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:14,480 Speaker 1: expansion team than having a coach like Brondelo on the sideline. 597 00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:17,680 Speaker 1: The stakes for this team. Expectations are always pretty low 598 00:30:17,680 --> 00:30:20,200 Speaker 1: for expansion teams when it comes to record, so the 599 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 1: wins for the Tempo will be mostly in attendance, awareness, enthusiasm, 600 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:27,720 Speaker 1: and having enough success and promise to draw free agents 601 00:30:27,800 --> 00:30:31,640 Speaker 1: up north next season. We made it slices. We're halfway 602 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:34,960 Speaker 1: through all fifteen w teams. You may want to download 603 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:37,160 Speaker 1: or maybe save this episode to refer back to as 604 00:30:37,160 --> 00:30:40,000 Speaker 1: the season gets going. It's a lot of info to remember, 605 00:30:40,640 --> 00:30:42,400 Speaker 1: but we did hear from some of you that we're 606 00:30:42,440 --> 00:30:45,600 Speaker 1: a comfort show of sorts. So what's more comforting than 607 00:30:45,640 --> 00:30:48,000 Speaker 1: being reminded of the hope that prevails at the start 608 00:30:48,000 --> 00:30:50,600 Speaker 1: of every new season. All right, we got to take 609 00:30:50,640 --> 00:30:53,600 Speaker 1: a break when we return. We love when slices sing 610 00:30:53,640 --> 00:31:04,040 Speaker 1: our praises, especially when they're doing it on TV. Welcome 611 00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:07,880 Speaker 1: back Slices. With the lights perhaps brightest on opening night. 612 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:10,320 Speaker 1: The players of the w are certainly feeling the pressure 613 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:13,000 Speaker 1: ahead of tomorrow's season tip off. Here's a message from 614 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:16,040 Speaker 1: Colgate and the Colgate Women's Games about pushing through doubt 615 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:20,720 Speaker 1: to find confidence on the other side. It's remarkable the 616 00:31:20,800 --> 00:31:22,880 Speaker 1: number of ways doubt can pop up when we put 617 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:27,360 Speaker 1: ourselves out there as athletes, vulnerable to criticism, vulnerable to failure. 618 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:30,400 Speaker 1: We might doubt whether we're as fast or strong as 619 00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:32,720 Speaker 1: the person next to us, whether we could push through 620 00:31:32,760 --> 00:31:35,640 Speaker 1: pressure to succeed when the lights are brightest, whether we 621 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:37,800 Speaker 1: can find an extra gear at the end of a race, 622 00:31:38,040 --> 00:31:40,600 Speaker 1: or calm our nerves to hit that game winning free throw. 623 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:44,560 Speaker 1: Self doubt can paralyze us. But the incredible thing about 624 00:31:44,640 --> 00:31:47,720 Speaker 1: self doubt is that the resilience you find within yourself 625 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:49,360 Speaker 1: to come out on the other side of it can 626 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:52,440 Speaker 1: prove to be a powerful reminder for future moments of 627 00:31:52,480 --> 00:31:56,480 Speaker 1: fear or uncertainty. Doubt fuels you, sends you on a 628 00:31:56,480 --> 00:31:59,320 Speaker 1: mission to find strength within, and when you're smiling at 629 00:31:59,320 --> 00:32:02,560 Speaker 1: the finish line, we're celebrating. After that final buzzer, you 630 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:04,760 Speaker 1: know you've pushed beyond what you believed you could do. 631 00:32:05,400 --> 00:32:08,120 Speaker 1: The next time you're at the foul line, the starting line, 632 00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:11,320 Speaker 1: or the starting blocks, you remember the moments you found 633 00:32:11,360 --> 00:32:14,760 Speaker 1: success before to find doubt, to push ahead and win. 634 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:19,080 Speaker 1: For over fifty years, Colgate has supported the Colgate Women's Games, 635 00:32:19,360 --> 00:32:21,800 Speaker 1: giving women and girls a sense of personal achievement and 636 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:25,080 Speaker 1: self esteem, plus the chance to earn scholarships to pursue 637 00:32:25,120 --> 00:32:29,320 Speaker 1: a healthier, brighter future. In total, five thousand academic scholarships 638 00:32:29,320 --> 00:32:31,600 Speaker 1: totally more than one and a half million dollars have 639 00:32:31,680 --> 00:32:35,280 Speaker 1: been awarded through the Colgate Women's Games. Now that's something 640 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:39,680 Speaker 1: to smile about. We love that you're listening slices, but 641 00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:41,320 Speaker 1: we want you to get in the game every day too. 642 00:32:41,400 --> 00:32:44,080 Speaker 1: So here's our good game play of the day. Watch 643 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:47,000 Speaker 1: the WNBA. Yeah, I mean, if we haven't convinced you 644 00:32:47,040 --> 00:32:49,960 Speaker 1: by now, frankly, that sounds like a you problem. But 645 00:32:50,160 --> 00:32:52,720 Speaker 1: put the games on your calendar, make those plans in 646 00:32:52,760 --> 00:32:55,360 Speaker 1: the group chat, whatever it takes. You're not going to 647 00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:58,840 Speaker 1: want to miss this historic thirtieth season. We always love 648 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:00,960 Speaker 1: to hear from you, so us up on email Good 649 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:03,760 Speaker 1: Game at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a voicemail 650 00:33:03,760 --> 00:33:06,880 Speaker 1: at eight seven two two oh four fifty seventy, and 651 00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:10,240 Speaker 1: don't forget to subscribe, rate and review. It's easy. Watch 652 00:33:10,840 --> 00:33:14,480 Speaker 1: Minnesota Aurora FC president Sara has soon spreading the gospel 653 00:33:14,520 --> 00:33:17,640 Speaker 1: of Good Game, rating ten out of ten for execution 654 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:21,800 Speaker 1: checks in the mail. Sara review on a recent edition 655 00:33:21,880 --> 00:33:26,480 Speaker 1: of Watch Read Listen on Minnesota's KSTPTV. Hasson chose Good 656 00:33:26,520 --> 00:33:30,280 Speaker 1: Game as her listen recommendation. She said, in part quote, 657 00:33:30,360 --> 00:33:33,000 Speaker 1: I had to shout out our community owner Sarah Spain here, 658 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:35,960 Speaker 1: but also just a phenomenal voice in women's sports. Sarah 659 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:38,240 Speaker 1: does a really good job of mixing entertainment and humor 660 00:33:38,320 --> 00:33:40,840 Speaker 1: with a lot of really good information about women's sports. 661 00:33:41,040 --> 00:33:43,240 Speaker 1: So I've heard so many of my friends because I 662 00:33:43,280 --> 00:33:45,440 Speaker 1: talk about this all the time. So many of my 663 00:33:45,560 --> 00:33:48,440 Speaker 1: non sports friends have started listening to Good Game, and 664 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:50,480 Speaker 1: she just does such a good job. It's such an 665 00:33:50,560 --> 00:33:52,720 Speaker 1: easy entry point. You don't have to be an expert, 666 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:54,960 Speaker 1: you don't have to know everything. I always just feel 667 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:57,520 Speaker 1: so much more informed about what's happening, and it's great. 668 00:33:58,040 --> 00:34:01,480 Speaker 1: End quote. She then all so deemed our podcast teen 669 00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:04,400 Speaker 1: appropriate and said I was, quote the perfect role model 670 00:34:04,600 --> 00:34:08,719 Speaker 1: for that space. You just gotta, you know, ignore the foks. Right, 671 00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:13,000 Speaker 1: We'll link to Sara's review. I'm sorry the TV segment 672 00:34:13,120 --> 00:34:14,640 Speaker 1: in the show notes. If you want to check it 673 00:34:14,680 --> 00:34:18,080 Speaker 1: out now, it's your turn. Y'all rate and review, Thanks 674 00:34:18,080 --> 00:34:20,840 Speaker 1: you listen, See you tomorrow for all the story Steake, stats, 675 00:34:20,840 --> 00:34:24,520 Speaker 1: stars and sounds for the Western Conference of the WNBA. 676 00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:28,200 Speaker 1: Good Game. All the GMS presidents, agents and marketing folks 677 00:34:28,280 --> 00:34:31,520 Speaker 1: working to make this thirtieth w season great Good Game 678 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:36,360 Speaker 1: WNBA legend. Tina Charles for your incredible career, Hugh. The 679 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:39,280 Speaker 1: fact that in the thirteen hours between recording this episode 680 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:42,280 Speaker 1: and it being published, even more players could get cut, 681 00:34:42,320 --> 00:34:50,239 Speaker 1: making our thoughtfully research previews partly inaccurate. Good Game with 682 00:34:50,280 --> 00:34:53,360 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain is an iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with 683 00:34:53,400 --> 00:34:55,960 Speaker 1: Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on 684 00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:59,680 Speaker 1: the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 685 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:03,280 Speaker 1: Production by Wonder Media Network, our producers are Alex Azzi 686 00:35:03,360 --> 00:35:07,280 Speaker 1: and Bianca Hillier. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, 687 00:35:07,360 --> 00:35:10,440 Speaker 1: Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. Our editors are Emily Rudder, 688 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:14,040 Speaker 1: Lucy Jones, Britney Martinez and Gianna Palmer. Production assistant from 689 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:16,640 Speaker 1: Avery Loftus and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain