1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,080 Speaker 1: Full Circle is an iheartwoman's sports production and partnership with 2 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on 3 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:13,200 Speaker 1: the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, y'all, 4 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:16,080 Speaker 1: welcome back to another episode of the Full Circle podcast. 5 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:21,079 Speaker 2: Hey Lexi, Hey birthday girl, Guys. Is Mar's birthday today? 6 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 2: Big twenty job. Happy birthday to the girl. 7 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:30,280 Speaker 3: Thanks queen working on her birthday, working on her birthday. 8 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 2: Look at her. 9 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:31,560 Speaker 4: It's a month. 10 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:34,880 Speaker 1: I never take a day off, you feel me never. 11 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:37,279 Speaker 1: But we have so much exciting stuff going on. 12 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:39,560 Speaker 3: I know, but this episode's gonna be short and sweet. 13 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 3: I know we always say that, but we actually mean 14 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,320 Speaker 3: it this time because we both have things to do today. 15 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 3: But first we had to tap in with our full 16 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 3: Circle family. 17 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:51,239 Speaker 2: So Mariah, what we got. How are you feeling? 18 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 3: I know you like, yeah, you love Island bubble and 19 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 3: then you come visit us once a week. Right? 20 00:00:58,160 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 2: Are you doing? Like? I'm great? 21 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 4: Love Island's over so I can go back to being 22 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 4: sane again. That had me. I was psychoanalyzing people I. 23 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 3: Don't every single night, and I was watching all of 24 00:01:09,160 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 3: your videos. 25 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, people keep saying that to me, They're like, 26 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:14,559 Speaker 1: I don't even watch it, but I was watching the recaps. 27 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 2: Yep, sure was. I didn't even need to watch it. 28 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 3: I had all of y'all on TikTok updating me and 29 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 3: telling me everything that was going on, and it was 30 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 3: crazy and I'm glad it's over. 31 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:28,880 Speaker 2: So right, Love Islanders night BA basketball? Right, listen to 32 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 2: basketball Talk. 33 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, we're halfway through the season and so right 34 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:35,520 Speaker 1: now we're going to take a look at who's rising, 35 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 1: who's stalling, what might be next for some of the teams, 36 00:01:38,959 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 1: and of course it is All Star week, so very exciting, 37 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:44,399 Speaker 1: very good time. 38 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:48,279 Speaker 4: Lexi gets a little breather. So how you feeling, Lexi? 39 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 3: Well, guys, if you have been following the WNBA season, 40 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 3: you've been noticing that I have not been playing like 41 00:01:57,520 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 3: at all. Really, I have had now back to back DMPs. 42 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:06,040 Speaker 3: I do want to set something straight because I've actually 43 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 3: had multiple people ask me if I'm okay, and yes, 44 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 3: I'm fine. 45 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 2: I am. 46 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 3: I'm one hundred percent healthy. I had to go get 47 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:20,639 Speaker 3: this procedure handled, like anybody dealing with a nagging injury 48 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 3: or anything like that like that needs to take a 49 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 3: few days to rest and recover. For some reason, my 50 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 3: journey with Crone's disease in the w has been very tumultuous. 51 00:02:34,680 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 3: If I could put it lightly, It's like a lot 52 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 3: of overreacting and misunderstanding like what I deal with day 53 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 3: to day. 54 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 2: I did not miss a single day of training camp. 55 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 3: I did not miss a single practice prior to my 56 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:53,080 Speaker 3: procedure and the procedure the games I missed the few 57 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 3: games before I. 58 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:55,519 Speaker 2: Decided to get the procedure. 59 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:57,560 Speaker 3: I was playing like less than five minutes a game, 60 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 3: so that was like a personal decision. The surgeon that 61 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 3: I have in Seattle was going out of town for 62 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:06,639 Speaker 3: a few weeks, so we had to get it handled 63 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 3: sooner than later, so we had to do it then. 64 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:12,799 Speaker 3: But I'm healthy and I want everybody to know that 65 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:16,359 Speaker 3: that I am fine. I just am not in the 66 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:19,920 Speaker 3: rotation on my team right now. And was that a 67 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 3: surprise to me? Yes, it's been a little bit of 68 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:24,800 Speaker 3: a surprise as the season has gone on. 69 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,799 Speaker 2: Was this what was communicated to me when I got traded? No, 70 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 2: it was not. 71 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 3: So this is just me, you know, I don't see 72 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 3: what people are saying. I just these are the conversations 73 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 3: that are literally coming to me in person and messaging 74 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,480 Speaker 3: and text and stuff and people like checking in, which 75 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 3: I really appreciate. But yeah, I'm like not playing because 76 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 3: I'm not in the rotation. My number one role on 77 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 3: this Seattle Storm. I have it on a printed piece 78 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 3: of paper in my locker. Efficient three point shot maker, 79 00:03:56,400 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 3: that is my number one role. 80 00:03:57,920 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 2: We don't take a lot of threes. 81 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 3: We don't don't shoot a lot of threes, we don't 82 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:04,160 Speaker 3: really have an offense set up for threes. So that 83 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 3: role has been a little difficult for me to fulfill. 84 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 3: So I have given myself a new role, which is being, 85 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 3: you know, a professional, hard working, supportive teammate. And I've 86 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 3: been here before as a rookie. I was here in Chicago. 87 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 3: I was here, and I can do it again because 88 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 3: I'm a professional and that's what you do. 89 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:23,840 Speaker 2: You show up for work every single day. 90 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 3: So anybody wondering or a key key king, like why 91 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 3: likes he sick again, She's not playing, No, It's just 92 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 3: it is what it is. We've resigned, which we'll get 93 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 3: into it later with the salary cap stuff, because we're 94 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 3: definitely gonna talk about some salary cap stuff later. But 95 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:40,840 Speaker 3: we signed a new guard, Tiffany Mitchell actually, who was 96 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,799 Speaker 3: waived by the Aces, who we talked about on this show, 97 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 3: and she got here a few days ago. Her first 98 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 3: two games, she's played twenty plus minutes in both games. 99 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 3: So you know, sometimes it's a fit, sometimes it's not 100 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 3: a fit, and you just kind of have to figure 101 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:55,200 Speaker 3: it out. But I just want everybody to know that 102 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 3: I am healthy and I'm good and I'm fine, and 103 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 3: that is Lexi's I check. Sorry for another rant, but no, 104 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 3: it's important to me. Are like, yeah, yeah, I'm healthy. 105 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 3: I need everybody. Even fans at the game are like, 106 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 3: are you okay? Are you healthy? Are you good? Like 107 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 3: I'm fine. Just something that I had to take care 108 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:18,599 Speaker 3: of and handle. But every day I'm cool. I'm in 109 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:22,479 Speaker 3: the gym, I'm working out, doing my pilates, getting my 110 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 3: shots up, doing all of the things. So period, that's it. 111 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 3: That's the end of my rant. 112 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 4: You said the record strate, Lexi. I know that's right. 113 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 2: Yeah. 114 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 3: I just feel like all I do is set the 115 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 3: damn record straight. But it's like, this is what this 116 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:40,159 Speaker 3: platform is for. This is why I'm so grateful for it, 117 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:42,560 Speaker 3: because I don't want to throw anybody under the bus. 118 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 2: I'm not trying to. 119 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,520 Speaker 3: I don't want to be disrespectful, like that's never my intention, 120 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:51,479 Speaker 3: but sometimes like if you type something out or post something, 121 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 3: things can get lost in translations. So I prefer to 122 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:57,720 Speaker 3: do it here where people can hear me, people can 123 00:05:57,760 --> 00:05:59,919 Speaker 3: see me and understand that, like this is just the 124 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 3: ebbs and flows of a career sometimes, and you know, 125 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:04,440 Speaker 3: you just got to roll with it, amen. 126 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,239 Speaker 1: And I feel like if you aren't setting the record 127 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: straight for yourself, other people are going to do it 128 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:11,320 Speaker 1: for you. So there should be no shame in like 129 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:14,800 Speaker 1: speaking for yourself and about what's going on. And I 130 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:17,160 Speaker 1: love how you said you have a new role that 131 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 1: you form for yourself, and that's being a supportive teammate, 132 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: being a member of the organization, doing what you can 133 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,040 Speaker 1: with what you have, Like you're being a professional and 134 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: you're doing what you're supposed to do. So anybody who 135 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 1: has a knock on that. 136 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 2: Is bored is bored, and mean, yes, exactly. 137 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: But we're going to do a little mid season check 138 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:41,600 Speaker 1: in Lexie. I'm sure you have some thoughts or things 139 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,160 Speaker 1: to say about a few of the teams, but I 140 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:46,840 Speaker 1: guess we'll go through like the top couple, chop it up, 141 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: then go through the next Mm. 142 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 3: Hmm, okay, So what we got top four teams right now? 143 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:53,360 Speaker 3: Who are the top four teams? 144 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 1: Minnesota number one still the gold standard. They've had some 145 00:06:57,760 --> 00:07:00,479 Speaker 1: recent losses that have shown some vulnerability, but they're eighteen 146 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,880 Speaker 1: and four and still very much them. Phoenix had a 147 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 1: little bounce back fourteen and six. Do Wanta Bonner returns 148 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 1: and they have a road test incoming post All Star 149 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 1: Break which will be interesting. But I believe they have 150 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 1: the best road record of the entire w right now, 151 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 1: so I think that they'll be okay. But the Liberty 152 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 1: John Quell Jones injury has hurt them, but they're starting 153 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: to find their rhythm again. And then Seattle, they're kind 154 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: of in the middle of the pack thirteen to nine 155 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: more wins and losses, obviously, But the question people are 156 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 1: asking about y'all, Lexi is are they built for a 157 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,679 Speaker 1: playoff run? So how are you feeling about the top four? 158 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 3: You know, this top four the only team that has 159 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,840 Speaker 3: genuinely not surprised me. But we talked about it at the 160 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 3: beginning of the year of what this team was going 161 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 3: to look like is Phoenix, and I've always said this 162 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:54,679 Speaker 3: about them, like that is a very well put together 163 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 3: team that they have in Phoenix, and just adding to 164 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 3: Wanta Bonner just makes them even more dangerous. I think Minnesota, 165 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 3: New York US veteran led teams, teams that didn't make 166 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 3: too many changes in the offseason to their core being 167 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 3: at the top of the standings isn't really surprising to 168 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 3: me at all. 169 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 2: We've played all of those. 170 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 3: Teams multiple times actually, so it actually is going to 171 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 3: be nice to start playing some new teams post All 172 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 3: Star Break because I feel like we've played the same 173 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 3: like four teams five thousand times so far this season. 174 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 3: So I will say, like these records, it's interesting because 175 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 3: it does feel like the same group of teams are 176 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 3: like have been just beaten up on each other for 177 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 3: the last few weeks. So I'm really excited for post 178 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:42,680 Speaker 3: All Star Break, especially for this top four group of teams, 179 00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 3: because I think they're going to see some newness, some 180 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 3: younger teams, some more. 181 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 2: Feisty teams, I should say. And yeah, it's going to 182 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 2: be exciting. You know. 183 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 3: The second half of the season is going to be 184 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,200 Speaker 3: really good because we're finally going to see some new matchups. 185 00:08:57,280 --> 00:09:01,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, and then after them, we've got Indiana eleven and ten. 186 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: The Caitlin Clark effect is real. Their offense is flowing again. 187 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: And then Atlanta twelve and nine sliding a little bit. 188 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: I got a little too big of my in my 189 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 1: birches at the beginning of the season. But we are 190 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 1: still solid. Just need a reset post All Stars. And 191 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:22,839 Speaker 1: then Washington some clutch queens, Okay, three Shaws right before 192 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: the All Star break. Do we feel like they're peaking 193 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 1: at the right time? And then Las Vegas ten and eleven. 194 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: This is surprising. I feel like it's in an underachievement 195 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 1: to what I assumed that they were going to do 196 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 1: at least at this point in the season, ten and 197 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 1: eleven below five hundred. But Asia is of course still 198 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 1: giving some MVP stat lines. 199 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:46,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, this group honestly is very interesting. Like you said, 200 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:49,600 Speaker 3: we'll start with Vegas. Like when they made that move 201 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 3: for jewele Lloyd, I think everybody was like, oh, like 202 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 3: they're about to be back on their shit. They're about 203 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 3: to be top of the league again, but not realizing 204 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 3: like Superstar, linking up is not always like the easy fix, 205 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:05,560 Speaker 3: the quick fix. We see it in the NBA all 206 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 3: the time, like these things take time. I think she 207 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 3: is figuring it out. Also their system. They actually are 208 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:15,080 Speaker 3: a team that has been at the top of the 209 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 3: transactions page constantly this entire season, which we'll get into 210 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 3: that a little bit later. But Asia is literally just 211 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:24,920 Speaker 3: chasing feed down for that MVP. I mean, I think 212 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 3: that it fees a ward to lose at the moment, 213 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:32,400 Speaker 3: but Asia is very close. Like if Asia got another MVP, 214 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 3: I would not be surprised. But she's gonna have to 215 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 3: turn this season around for that team, and obviously that's 216 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 3: a very heavy load. 217 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:40,160 Speaker 2: It's a lot to ask. 218 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,839 Speaker 3: One player to carry a team, especially a team that's 219 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:47,440 Speaker 3: struggling a little bit. But credit to her for always 220 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 3: showing up and willing her team to win. We just 221 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 3: played Washington yesterday and they beat us. They're a very 222 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 3: good team and definitely one of the overachievers, especially with 223 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 3: how young they are. Psych's fresh off of All Star 224 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:06,960 Speaker 3: snub came in with a vengeance and I've always enjoyed 225 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 3: watching Sonya. 226 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:09,679 Speaker 2: Citron play when she was at Notre Dame. 227 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 3: But her basketball IQ is off the charts and you 228 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:16,640 Speaker 3: didn't really get to see it that much at Notre 229 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 3: Dame because obviously she's WNBA player, so she's already light 230 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:24,959 Speaker 3: years ahead of her peers in college. So everything kind 231 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 3: of looked very easy for her. And she doesn't show 232 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:30,160 Speaker 3: a lot of emotions. She's very even keeled, so I 233 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:32,960 Speaker 3: don't think people really realize how elite she was. And 234 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,079 Speaker 3: I always thought she was one of the best players 235 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 3: on that Notre Dame team, So watching her live yesterday, 236 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:43,439 Speaker 3: I was very impressed with her, her poise, her leadership. 237 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:47,319 Speaker 3: Same with Kiki, like how she played at USC and 238 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 3: on the Mystics, it's like night and day, Like it's crazy, 239 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 3: but like she's so talented, she's a good defender, she's versatile. 240 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:57,680 Speaker 2: Like those two are going to be a problem. 241 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 3: And I hope that the Mystics keep together for a 242 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 3: few years because it will be really fun to watch 243 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 3: them continue to grow in their careers together, Like you 244 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,960 Speaker 3: don't really see that that much in the w two 245 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:11,720 Speaker 3: rookies or two young players kind of going through a 246 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 3: few years together. I think that's something that could be 247 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,800 Speaker 3: really fun and a great story for the Mystics moving forward. 248 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 3: How do you feel about your dream? We beat them 249 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:21,439 Speaker 3: on a game winner in Atlanta. 250 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:22,680 Speaker 2: That was lit. 251 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:26,160 Speaker 3: Shout out to Skyler, But I mean we had our 252 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:29,120 Speaker 3: hands full with them for sure, our residents during fan 253 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 3: over here. 254 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:34,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think, listen, things happen. It's a long season. 255 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:37,840 Speaker 1: It's a long season. It's a long season. I think, 256 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:42,440 Speaker 1: like starting off so hot, we're getting into All Star break. 257 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: Everybody's tired. You know, everybody needs a couple of days off. 258 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:50,280 Speaker 1: Well besides All Stars, but everybody needs a couple days 259 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 1: off to reset, get their minds right. It won't be 260 00:12:53,080 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 1: all right. You always say All Star happened so early 261 00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:58,559 Speaker 1: in the season. The teams are still getting you know, 262 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: their systems together. Things are so new in Atlanta right now, 263 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:06,400 Speaker 1: like they just need some time. But that's crazy, And 264 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: I am like, I have a bone to pick with 265 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,439 Speaker 1: the Dream because I wanted to obviously come to your 266 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:13,520 Speaker 1: game in Atlanta, and I didn't get my tickets until 267 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:15,440 Speaker 1: like an hour before the game, and by then I 268 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 1: couldn't go because I had to do a family thing. 269 00:13:17,520 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 4: So honestly, maybe it was like shielding me from the. 270 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 2: Get together Atlanta Dream. 271 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 4: But I'll be at the I'll be at the next 272 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:25,679 Speaker 4: one for show. 273 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 3: I didn't play anyway, So you didn't you ain't miss 274 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:29,920 Speaker 3: me do anything? 275 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 2: Guys. It's not This is not funny, guys, but it 276 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 2: has to be. 277 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 3: It has to be funny. I have to laugh sometimes 278 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 3: you have to keep crying my life. I don't think 279 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 3: y'all understand how much I must laugh to keep from 280 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 3: crying or crashing out. I think a lot of people 281 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 3: should take this approach to the rough times, not saying 282 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 3: that this is a rough time. I'm very blessed and grateful, 283 00:13:53,480 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 3: like my life is amazing, but I want to play basketball. 284 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 4: Okay, the bottom so we got Golden State. 285 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:14,199 Speaker 1: The bottom of the yare all WBA players, and y'all 286 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 1: know how we feel. 287 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:15,319 Speaker 4: Loven respect. 288 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: Okay, go to State ten and ten, historic start for 289 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 1: an expansion team, but hitting some growing pains, as to 290 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 1: be expected. Chicago seven and thirteen, but that number doesn't 291 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 1: encapsulate the big wins that they've had lately. 292 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 4: Camilla Cardoso's return is changing their energy. 293 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 1: Angel showed out for me after my little video. She 294 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 1: has been going crazy. Shout out to her for the 295 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 1: two K cover and all the crazy things she got 296 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 1: going on. The Sparks seven and fourteen quietly improving. They 297 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 1: need one more win to match last season, so good 298 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,680 Speaker 1: for them. Steady improvement is all we can ask for. 299 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 1: And Dallas six and sixteen page is the bright spot. 300 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: She looks great, as we've talked about, great, but some 301 00:14:56,600 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 1: consistency is missing, some growing pains obviously, and then Coneticuette 302 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 1: three and eighteen the streak might be over and less 303 00:15:03,680 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: something major changes, but again this was kind of to 304 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 1: be expected at the beginning of the season. 305 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:11,520 Speaker 2: Where do I want to start here? Golden State? We 306 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 2: play them Wednesday. They have our number. 307 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 3: We need to beat them for whatever reason. I'm like, 308 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 3: I feel like you keep playing them, That's what I say. 309 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 3: Like we're playing the safe teams over and over and 310 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 3: over for whatever reason. The Valkyries are a matchup nightmare 311 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 3: for us. We touched on this when the game happened. 312 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 3: Last time we played them. They beat us by like 313 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,400 Speaker 3: twenty five or something. Another game I didn't play in, 314 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 3: but I was not even there. I'm excited for that 315 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 3: game because we are in a space right now where 316 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 3: we're still finding our identity as a team, and this 317 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 3: game going into All Star Break I think is like 318 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 3: make or break. Honestly, this is just my opinion. Everything 319 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 3: I say guys, is just me. I'm not spilling no 320 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:02,120 Speaker 3: lockerroom keys, secrets, nothing. This is just how I feel 321 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 3: as a teammate and someone that has now is watched 322 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 3: more than I've played. 323 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 2: I see a lot. So this game is huge for us. 324 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 3: We need to win it, obviously, but in the case 325 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 3: that we don't win it, we have to at least 326 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 3: put together a forty minute game that we could be 327 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 3: proud of and build on. Golden State home court advantage 328 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 3: is crazy, like. 329 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 2: We talked about. 330 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 3: So they're going to get tested on the road, just 331 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 3: like all the other teams do. But I think that 332 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 3: they're very different home versus away, So we're going to 333 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 3: see that for Golden State. Like you said about Chicago, 334 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 3: they've quietly been figuring it out. Angela has been killing it, 335 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 3: Camilla is back, Elizabeth Williams has been holding it down 336 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:48,920 Speaker 3: in her absence. So shout out to you will friend 337 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 3: of the Pods, she was our guest. If you guys 338 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:53,560 Speaker 3: want to go tap in with her, go back to 339 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 3: one of our episodes the Sparks. Yes, they're about to 340 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 3: pass our wind total from last year. Very happy for them, 341 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 3: Lou Dallas Page. Like you said, it's the page show. 342 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:09,119 Speaker 3: But they're starting I think their last game they started 343 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:14,440 Speaker 3: for rookies, so they've really just pivoted to completely one 344 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:15,919 Speaker 3: hundred percent rebuild mode. 345 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:17,960 Speaker 2: And I love that for them. 346 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 3: I love that for that rookie group because they're playing 347 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 3: really well. They're playing extremely well, but there is just 348 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:28,920 Speaker 3: a gap of rookie talent and veteran talent and experience 349 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:31,000 Speaker 3: that is just going to show up in these games. 350 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 3: But that's not taking away at the level that those 351 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 3: rookies are playing at, they're very impressive. And then Connecticut 352 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:39,400 Speaker 3: they actually just beat us. Also in Connecticut they put 353 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:41,919 Speaker 3: up ninety three points on us, so they have the 354 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:44,840 Speaker 3: capability to beat teams. A lot of their losses are 355 00:17:44,880 --> 00:17:47,919 Speaker 3: actually very close losses. But again, they just have a 356 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:51,920 Speaker 3: lot of new players, young players, new coach, new staff, 357 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:56,000 Speaker 3: a lot of things that just aren't ideal for a 358 00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 3: WNBA team. They're about to get sold I think according 359 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:02,360 Speaker 3: to they reported earlier in the season. 360 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:04,440 Speaker 2: So there's a lot going on in Connecticut. 361 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 3: But they come out and play hard and I can't 362 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 3: knock anything that they're doing because they did beat us. 363 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,919 Speaker 3: So shout out to Connecticut and shout out to my 364 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 3: girl Brio Hartley. You know, she's been she's been killing 365 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 3: it and I'm really excited to see her back in 366 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:19,359 Speaker 3: the league. And she had a great season and athletes unlimited. 367 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:21,679 Speaker 3: So I'm going to shout out my girl, Bria Hartley 368 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:24,640 Speaker 3: because she's been holding it down even though they haven't 369 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 3: been able to get any wins for real, she's really 370 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:30,399 Speaker 3: been playing extremely well and solidifying her spot in this 371 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 3: league because she deserves to be in it. 372 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:35,240 Speaker 4: So shout out to Bria, Shout out to Connecticut. There's 373 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:36,120 Speaker 4: a lot going on there. 374 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:38,120 Speaker 1: I mean, when you lose your whole start in five, 375 00:18:38,359 --> 00:18:40,399 Speaker 1: you got to you gotta just chop the europe you 376 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:42,040 Speaker 1: know what I mean, Like you got to try your best, 377 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 1: and everybody individually kind of showing what they have to 378 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 1: bring to the league getting those wins where you can 379 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:50,919 Speaker 1: playing hard. Obviously, everyone's a professional, so they're not just 380 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 1: like it's not like they're out there just like playing 381 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 1: on exactly. 382 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:55,640 Speaker 4: But yeah, I just these things take time. 383 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 1: And that is always somebody in every sports league. It's 384 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: always some team. It sucks when it's you, but it's 385 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 1: always something to you. But I was excited to hear 386 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: what you had to say. About the salary cap moves 387 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: and roster manipulation. 388 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 4: Let's talk money, y'all. 389 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:15,600 Speaker 1: LEXI, I want to hear your overall thoughts on the 390 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:18,560 Speaker 1: very tight salary cap environment going on right now in 391 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:19,360 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five. 392 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,879 Speaker 3: Yes, guys, Okay, I know we had our CBA episode 393 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:26,640 Speaker 3: months ago, but in case y'all needed a brief refresher 394 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:29,800 Speaker 3: of what a salary cap is, I will tell you. 395 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 2: So. 396 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 3: Basically, what the salary cap is is the amount of 397 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 3: money a team has to spend on their players. Okay, 398 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 3: so our current salary cap per team is about one 399 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 3: point five million dollars, So that means you have the 400 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:45,399 Speaker 3: budget five million dollars to distribute. 401 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:49,639 Speaker 2: That's the budget to distribute to your players. So I. 402 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 3: Dug deep into the salary cap stuff this season. I 403 00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:58,520 Speaker 3: played for the Sky because I was a victim of 404 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:00,440 Speaker 3: salary cap manipulation and. 405 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 2: Gymnastics, so I had to. I brought it upon. 406 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:06,480 Speaker 3: Myself to get a better understanding of how this stuff works. 407 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:09,439 Speaker 3: So now when all these transactions are going on throughout 408 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 3: the season, I'm always tapped in because y'all know, I 409 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:14,400 Speaker 3: want to be a general manager one day. 410 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 2: I want to build a dream team with. 411 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:20,640 Speaker 3: A salary cap like that's literally, like the last goal 412 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,639 Speaker 3: I have on my little Lexi's checklist is to be 413 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:27,399 Speaker 3: a general manager. So I'm always tapped into these transactions. 414 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,680 Speaker 3: So I get all my information from this website called 415 00:20:30,720 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 3: her Hoop Stats, So shout out to them because they 416 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 3: just have everything laid out and very easy to read 417 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:40,160 Speaker 3: and understand. So, like I said, salary cap one point 418 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 3: five million dollars, like give or take, you know, a 419 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:45,840 Speaker 3: couple thousand per team. Each team is required to carry 420 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:50,320 Speaker 3: eleven to twelve players. A minimum contract salary for a 421 00:20:50,359 --> 00:20:54,720 Speaker 3: player with zero to two years is sixty six thousand dollars. 422 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:56,280 Speaker 2: We're estimating here, okay. 423 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:59,960 Speaker 3: The minimum salary for a player with three or more 424 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:05,240 Speaker 3: years is around seventy nine thousand dollars. A maximum contract 425 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:09,119 Speaker 3: for a player is two hundred and fifteen thousand dollars, 426 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:12,359 Speaker 3: and a super max contract is about two hundred and 427 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:16,600 Speaker 3: fifty thousand dollars. Okay, So with all these numbers in mind, 428 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:20,440 Speaker 3: we have nine teams that are carrying all twelve players. 429 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:24,720 Speaker 3: You have three teams carrying eleven, and you have one 430 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 3: team currently only carrying ten, and that's the Aces, and 431 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:31,159 Speaker 3: they are actually over their cap by about twenty grand, 432 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 3: so they're the only team that's like in the negative 433 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 3: when it comes to their salary cap. And then there's 434 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 3: five teams that have over six figures left in their 435 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 3: salary cap, and that's Connecticut, the Mystics, the Valkyries, the Liberty, 436 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 3: and the Fever. Okay, are you guys keeping up peer? Okay, 437 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:51,639 Speaker 3: this is what has been going on in the league, 438 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:56,640 Speaker 3: the manipulation of these salary caps. Since June first, there 439 00:21:56,640 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 3: has been over seventy transactions that in perspective, last season 440 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:05,320 Speaker 3: at this same amount of time in the season, there 441 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:08,400 Speaker 3: was less than half of that as far as transactions, 442 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:10,920 Speaker 3: so there's been a lot of moving around. 443 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 2: Fans are lost, fans are confused. I'm confused. 444 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:17,720 Speaker 3: July thirteenth, which was yesterday, was the last day to 445 00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:19,080 Speaker 3: cut or wave players. 446 00:22:19,119 --> 00:22:21,399 Speaker 2: So now all of our contracts are guaranteed for the 447 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 2: rest of the season. 448 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:25,720 Speaker 3: But the trade deadline is August seventh, so there still 449 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:29,480 Speaker 3: could be movement. But your players are safe for now, 450 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:33,600 Speaker 3: because in my experience in this league, no one's ever safe, 451 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:36,120 Speaker 3: so I don't put nothing past anybody. 452 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 2: So that is what's going on with the salary cap. 453 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:42,360 Speaker 2: And Riot. 454 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:46,000 Speaker 3: She wrote down a few key moves that have like 455 00:22:46,160 --> 00:22:49,119 Speaker 3: peaked people's interest about this salary cap moving because like, 456 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 3: what the hell is actually going on? 457 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, there's been some mid season hardship signings. 458 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,960 Speaker 1: We talked about hardship contracts and a couple episodes ago, 459 00:22:57,080 --> 00:23:00,320 Speaker 1: but basically because of the roster spots, people getting hurt 460 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:03,440 Speaker 1: and things, people getting other opportunities, and actually, I believe 461 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:06,639 Speaker 1: we talked about how it is unlikely or like a 462 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:10,159 Speaker 1: little bit more difficult for somebody to prove themselves with 463 00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 1: a hardship and like get an opportunity. But Airy got that, 464 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 1: so I mean a little bit different in her case, 465 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:20,400 Speaker 1: but she did get an opportunity. And then veteran waves 466 00:23:20,440 --> 00:23:25,359 Speaker 1: slash trades, slash leaving slash very dramatic. We got do 467 00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:28,960 Speaker 1: Wanna Bonner's exit from Indiana, and then we've got teams 468 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:33,159 Speaker 1: like Chicago and Washington reshuffling their rotations, players being waved 469 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:35,680 Speaker 1: to make room for other players that are being traded. 470 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:37,320 Speaker 4: Very interesting. 471 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:40,480 Speaker 1: My question to you, Lexi is since the trade deadline 472 00:23:40,560 --> 00:23:43,119 Speaker 1: is so late from now and we just saw that 473 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:45,520 Speaker 1: big move where obviously there was the trade and then 474 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 1: players getting waved and picked up and whatever. Now that 475 00:23:49,320 --> 00:23:52,000 Speaker 1: players can't be waved, does that mean there will be 476 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:55,280 Speaker 1: less trades because you can't wave players to make room 477 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:55,800 Speaker 1: in the cap. 478 00:23:56,280 --> 00:24:01,840 Speaker 3: Correct, So, like I said, it's always hard to make 479 00:24:01,920 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 3: trades in the league because people's contracts and their talent 480 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:12,320 Speaker 3: versus their peers, like it's very hard to get those aligned. 481 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 3: And because we have a hard cap in the NBA, 482 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:19,120 Speaker 3: if you go over the cap, you just get financially penalized. 483 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 3: In our league, you just can't go over at all, 484 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:23,560 Speaker 3: Like it's just you can't do it. 485 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:27,240 Speaker 2: So I don't know if trades will happen. 486 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,960 Speaker 3: They're possible, Like I said, there's a good amount of 487 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 3: teams that have enough money to sign players and trade 488 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:38,679 Speaker 3: players and make space in their salary caps. But the 489 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:42,240 Speaker 3: Valkyries waved Stephanie Talbot yesterday and she was on a 490 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:46,840 Speaker 3: protected contract. So, like I said, like you might think 491 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:50,080 Speaker 3: you're protected, you might think you're good, and you're not. 492 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:55,119 Speaker 3: So being in this league, for I would say the 493 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 3: majority of players is like mental warfare. 494 00:24:58,480 --> 00:24:58,920 Speaker 2: Every day. 495 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:02,520 Speaker 3: You're literally trying out to stay on the team every 496 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,679 Speaker 3: day until the middle of the season. If you're on 497 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:09,919 Speaker 3: a protected or an unprotected contract guys. I played in 498 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:13,720 Speaker 3: this league for six years on unprotected deals, So for 499 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:16,720 Speaker 3: half of the season every year of my career until 500 00:25:16,760 --> 00:25:20,200 Speaker 3: this year, I was worried about getting waves or cut 501 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 3: if we weren't winning enough, if I wasn't doing my 502 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 3: job well enough, Like that's. 503 00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:27,480 Speaker 2: Something that's in the back of your mind all the time. 504 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:30,120 Speaker 3: The teams with the most transactions this season have been 505 00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:34,600 Speaker 3: Golden State, Phoenix, Vegas, Dallas, and LA, and none of 506 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:38,679 Speaker 3: their reasonings for the transactions are the same. You know, 507 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:41,919 Speaker 3: Dallas has been dealing with a lot of injuries, a 508 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:44,960 Speaker 3: lot of players going to play in Europe for EuroBasket. 509 00:25:45,520 --> 00:25:48,639 Speaker 3: You have LA, which seems like they're just trying to 510 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:51,480 Speaker 3: like get their roster together. But like then you're like, 511 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:54,040 Speaker 3: what is the point of training camp if now we're 512 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:57,399 Speaker 3: halfway through the season and you're like redoing your entire roster. 513 00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:00,920 Speaker 3: Golden State I think has the most transaction by far, 514 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:03,600 Speaker 3: and again you have training camp. You have players that 515 00:26:03,640 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 3: don't make the team in training camp, and then two 516 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:09,000 Speaker 3: months later, while I here, they are And that's basically 517 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:12,040 Speaker 3: what happened to me in Chicago. So I did a 518 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 3: whole training camp, got cut, was brought back after my 519 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 3: salary fell under the cap, and now I'm just seeing 520 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:23,719 Speaker 3: a master manipulation from these front offices of these salary caps. 521 00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:26,399 Speaker 3: You mean to tell me that you just signed to 522 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 3: Wanna Bonner for a veteran minimum. 523 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:31,600 Speaker 2: Do Wanna Bonner is a Hall of Famer. 524 00:26:31,640 --> 00:26:34,960 Speaker 3: Do Wanna Bonner is top three and scoring all time 525 00:26:35,080 --> 00:26:39,080 Speaker 3: and she's right now playing way under her value, way 526 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:42,920 Speaker 3: under her value. And shout out to Phoenix for making 527 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:45,720 Speaker 3: that happen. I mean, there's loop poles and for everything. 528 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 3: It's like little things like that that make me just 529 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 3: look at front offices like what does the intent of 530 00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 3: some of the decision make? And that's going on, and 531 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:03,719 Speaker 3: that's kind of even how I feel about the trade. 532 00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:07,280 Speaker 3: For me, what was the intent? Nobody told me anything. 533 00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:11,200 Speaker 3: I still don't know why the trade happened. So LA 534 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:16,960 Speaker 3: has been recycling and shuffling their roster. I'm playing about 535 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:19,240 Speaker 3: the same amount of minutes I played my first season 536 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 3: in the league. 537 00:27:20,240 --> 00:27:22,480 Speaker 2: So for me, I'm just sitting. 538 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 3: Like looking at the front offices like, Okay, what was 539 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 3: the reason? 540 00:27:25,800 --> 00:27:26,480 Speaker 2: What was the point? 541 00:27:26,520 --> 00:27:29,560 Speaker 3: Because it doesn't really seem that either situation has benefited 542 00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:33,560 Speaker 3: from the trade. That I had absolutely no conversation about 543 00:27:33,640 --> 00:27:36,800 Speaker 3: or saying. So it's like little things like that, And 544 00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:39,840 Speaker 3: then again, you're looking forward to next year, where the 545 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 3: whole CBA is hopefully going to be improved and better 546 00:27:43,160 --> 00:27:45,639 Speaker 3: and everybody's a free agent and everybody's going to be 547 00:27:45,640 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 3: moving around again, and you just have a lot of 548 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 3: these front offices treating players like they're just disposable things 549 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:55,680 Speaker 3: that don't have feelings and didn't work their whole lives 550 00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:58,000 Speaker 3: to get here. And because next year it's all going 551 00:27:58,080 --> 00:27:59,919 Speaker 3: to just be a free for all again, people have 552 00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:02,440 Speaker 3: it's showing that there's a little bit of a lack 553 00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 3: of loyalty and. 554 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:05,640 Speaker 2: Professionalism from the top. 555 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:08,280 Speaker 3: And I'm not really afraid to say that because that's 556 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:09,960 Speaker 3: something that I want to do and I don't want 557 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:12,280 Speaker 3: to if I ever get the opportunity to run a 558 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:14,680 Speaker 3: team and be a general manager, I would never treat 559 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:16,919 Speaker 3: players a way that I've seen players being treated in 560 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,239 Speaker 3: the way that I've been treated throughout my career. So 561 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:23,040 Speaker 3: I think it's fun to look at this and see 562 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:25,320 Speaker 3: what's going on, but I also it's also not fun 563 00:28:25,400 --> 00:28:29,000 Speaker 3: seeing players being waved and sent home and re signed 564 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:31,919 Speaker 3: and playing way under what they deserve and all this 565 00:28:32,040 --> 00:28:35,400 Speaker 3: other stuff that goes on. But like again, business, business 566 00:28:35,480 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 3: is business, and it's ugly sometimes, and the fans are 567 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:43,880 Speaker 3: definitely like, this is brutal, and it is. Y'all are right, 568 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 3: it is brutal. It's nasty work for the most part. 569 00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:52,440 Speaker 1: Extremely Yeah, And that's why it's important though, to have 570 00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:55,600 Speaker 1: people like you and players in positions of power in 571 00:28:55,680 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 1: the league because you have had these experiences. You know 572 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:01,480 Speaker 1: how it and what it's like, how you'd want those 573 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:04,120 Speaker 1: things to be handled. Everyone knows that business is business 574 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:06,840 Speaker 1: and money is money, and the teams and general managers 575 00:29:06,880 --> 00:29:09,440 Speaker 1: have to do what they have to do for their organization. 576 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:14,000 Speaker 1: But conversations can be had with your players, Things can 577 00:29:14,040 --> 00:29:16,440 Speaker 1: be spoken about. There can be a level of transparency. 578 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:19,880 Speaker 1: People can get paid what they deserve. Absolutely, your contract 579 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:23,040 Speaker 1: should match your level of talent. Hopefully next year with 580 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,400 Speaker 1: the free for all, things balance out a little bit more. 581 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 1: But it's really nice to hear your perspective on that, 582 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:30,520 Speaker 1: because I feel like a lot of people don't know 583 00:29:30,520 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 1: when they're just. 584 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:32,240 Speaker 2: Like, yeah, what's going on. 585 00:29:32,640 --> 00:29:35,400 Speaker 3: I mean, it's crazy, like people can say or feel 586 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:39,520 Speaker 3: however they want about my game, my career, et cetera. 587 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:42,760 Speaker 3: But I feel like I have the utmost respect for 588 00:29:42,840 --> 00:29:45,560 Speaker 3: every player in this league, and I have the utmost 589 00:29:45,600 --> 00:29:47,560 Speaker 3: respect for this game that I love and that has 590 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:51,360 Speaker 3: given me so many opportunities. So I've gotten to the 591 00:29:51,400 --> 00:29:53,720 Speaker 3: point where, like, i just want to talk about things 592 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:56,640 Speaker 3: that affect me, that have affected me and that affect 593 00:29:56,720 --> 00:29:58,960 Speaker 3: other players, because I'm not the only player that has 594 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 3: dealt with situation that I've dealt with. 595 00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:02,360 Speaker 2: But like the. 596 00:30:02,280 --> 00:30:07,360 Speaker 3: Vastness of my experiences in this league, like there's not 597 00:30:07,520 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 3: very many people that can talk about this type of 598 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:14,120 Speaker 3: stuff because I've really experienced literally any little crazy thing 599 00:30:14,160 --> 00:30:18,040 Speaker 3: that you can experience, good and bad, like lowest the 600 00:30:18,080 --> 00:30:21,560 Speaker 3: low's getting cut, highest of highs, winning a championship like 601 00:30:21,920 --> 00:30:25,680 Speaker 3: and everything in between. And I'm really happy that I 602 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:28,760 Speaker 3: have this show, I have you to talk about these 603 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:32,760 Speaker 3: things and judgment free Zone because people who tune in 604 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:34,600 Speaker 3: want to tune in because they want to hear what 605 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:38,960 Speaker 3: we have to say. So yeah, I'm just glad that 606 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:42,760 Speaker 3: the Waves are done. They're over, But I don't see 607 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:47,240 Speaker 3: the transaction stopping, Like transactions are going to continue because 608 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:50,800 Speaker 3: that's what the season is. And yeah, I mean I 609 00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 3: think It's good that everyone could just take a deep breath, 610 00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:57,400 Speaker 3: go into All Star Weekend, enjoy themselves, and then lock 611 00:30:57,480 --> 00:30:59,440 Speaker 3: back in for the second half of the season. 612 00:30:59,320 --> 00:31:00,800 Speaker 4: And we'll be here recap it all. 613 00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:03,440 Speaker 1: So before we go, I just want to remind everybody 614 00:31:03,560 --> 00:31:06,800 Speaker 1: that All Star Weekend is happening this weekend and d 615 00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:09,520 Speaker 1: We've got the three Point Contest and Skills Challenge on 616 00:31:09,600 --> 00:31:13,360 Speaker 1: Friday in the All Star Game on Saturday night on ABC, Disney, 617 00:31:13,560 --> 00:31:16,920 Speaker 1: ESPN wherever you get your sports Okay, watch it. I 618 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:18,840 Speaker 1: am so excited for All Star Weekend. I hope you 619 00:31:18,840 --> 00:31:21,280 Speaker 1: guys will all be tuned in like I am, and 620 00:31:21,320 --> 00:31:21,960 Speaker 1: I can't wait to. 621 00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:25,360 Speaker 4: Debrief next week. Thanks for listening to Full Circle. 622 00:31:25,440 --> 00:31:28,400 Speaker 1: We'll be back next week with more basketball for the Girls, 623 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 1: by the girls. 624 00:31:29,560 --> 00:31:30,560 Speaker 4: We want to hear from you. 625 00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:33,120 Speaker 1: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and tell us 626 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:35,520 Speaker 1: what you want us to talk about. Full Circle is 627 00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:38,880 Speaker 1: hosted by Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose. Our executive producer 628 00:31:38,960 --> 00:31:42,520 Speaker 1: is Jesse Katz. Our supervising producer is Grace Fuse. Our 629 00:31:42,560 --> 00:31:46,600 Speaker 1: producer is Zoe Danglab. Listen to Full Circle on America's 630 00:31:46,640 --> 00:31:50,200 Speaker 1: number one podcast network, iHeart Open your free iHeart app 631 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:52,640 Speaker 1: and search Full Circle with Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose 632 00:31:52,680 --> 00:31:53,520 Speaker 1: and start listening