1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:04,560 Speaker 1: This show was independently created by iHeartMedia. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. 2 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:08,320 Speaker 1: Is the exclusive advertising partner. It is intended for informational 3 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 1: and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. 4 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any treatment decisions. 5 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're taking 6 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:23,119 Speaker 1: you beyond the basketball court. It's Wednesday, September seventeenth, and 7 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: on today's show will be skipping the need to know 8 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: and getting right into my transparent and informative interview with 9 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 1: Seattle storm Guard Lexi Brown. It's the latest installment of 10 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: our series Life Beyond Living Beyond Labels, a powerful podcast 11 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: campaign brought to you by Iheartwomen's Sports. I got up 12 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 1: with Lexi last month to talk about what it means 13 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:44,400 Speaker 1: to be a pro hooper when your biggest opponent isn't 14 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 1: on the other team, it's your own body. After being 15 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: diagnosed with Crohn's disease mid career, Lexi took on a 16 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 1: new set of challenges, learning to listen to her body, 17 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: advocate for herself in a physically demanding career, and speak 18 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: openly about an invisible illness that so many people silently endure. 19 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:07,119 Speaker 1: In this candid and empowering episode, Lexi reflects on resilience, identity, 20 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: and how prioritizing her health beyond the court has made 21 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: her stronger than ever. We also discuss her podcast Full Circle, 22 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: which she hosts right here on the Iheartwomen's Sports Network, 23 00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 1: and some of the narratives around her Seattle Storm team. 24 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 1: This WNBA season, Our Life Beyond series showcases the extraordinary 25 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 1: resilience and strength of successful women, diving deep into their lives, 26 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:32,360 Speaker 1: highlighting their personal journeys, passions, and the ways in which 27 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,400 Speaker 1: they're living beyond the labels they've been given by others. 28 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: My conversation with Lexi is coming up right after this, 29 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: returning to the show. She's a guard who plays for 30 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: the WNBA Seattle Storm and for Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball. 31 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: A former marilynd Terrapin and Duke Blue Devil, her professional 32 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 1: career has taken her to Connecticut, Minnesota, Cago, and LA 33 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 1: before joining Seattle. She's the co host of the Iheartwomen's 34 00:02:04,160 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: sports podcast Full Circle with Lexi Brown and Mariah Rose, 35 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 1: and a regular on the YouTube show Gill's Arena. She's 36 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: a fashion influencer. She loves a big furry boot, and 37 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 1: she likes staring at herself with music playing. It's Lexi Brown. 38 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 2: Hi, Lexi Sarah. 39 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:22,240 Speaker 1: Please enough, I've. 40 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 2: Upgraded from bikini connoisseur to obsessed with herself. Thank you 41 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 2: for that. 42 00:02:26,800 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 1: Yes, and furry boot connoisseur. I mean you have at 43 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 1: least two pairs, if not more. 44 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, I have two pairs of furry boots. I 45 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 2: absolutely do. They're my favor from Amazon. They're just from Amazon. Guys. 46 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 2: If y'all want to tap in thirty dollars, yep, you. 47 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: Can do it on the cheap. Well, welcome back. The 48 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 1: last time we sat down for a chat, it was 49 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: at south By Southwest in Austin, Texas. Back in March. 50 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 1: You were getting ready for your first season with the 51 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:54,960 Speaker 1: Seattle Storm. What stands out to you about this season 52 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: for you? 53 00:02:56,320 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 2: For me, because if y'all haven't known, I haven't really 54 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:02,240 Speaker 2: seen too much action on the court, So I've been 55 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 2: able to do a lot of observing and watching for 56 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 2: me because everybody is going to be a free agent 57 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:09,600 Speaker 2: next year, it looks like everybody's really playing for their 58 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:12,639 Speaker 2: next contract because they're going to be huge, God willing 59 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 2: our CBA negotiations go through, it just seems like, you know, 60 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 2: you have a few teams that are genuinely contending for 61 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 2: a championship, and then you have a lot of teams 62 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,519 Speaker 2: full of players that are trying to get paid next summer, 63 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:27,360 Speaker 2: which they have their right to do that, but it's 64 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,080 Speaker 2: for me as someone on the inside, it's very clear 65 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 2: what's going on around the league. But I mean, good 66 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 2: for them. We're finally going to be getting paid a 67 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 2: lot more money, and I think that's something that we 68 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 2: all have been wanting for a long time, and everyone 69 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 2: is having their opportunities. Their agents put a lot of 70 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 2: players and positions to have that opportunity to be unrestricted 71 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 2: free agents with this new CBA, because I remember last 72 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 2: CBA there wasn't very many unrestricted or restricted free agents 73 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 2: at all, so only a few players got to tap 74 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 2: into that new salary cap beginning. And then this time around, 75 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 2: you could tell that the agents were like, no, no, 76 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 2: we're not doing that. This time, We're going to get 77 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 2: as many as our clients as we can available for 78 00:04:08,160 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 2: that new money. And that's what I've been seeing from 79 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 2: the inside for sure. 80 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: So obviously we know based on the contracts that players 81 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:17,359 Speaker 1: signed that they were trying to time it so that 82 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 1: they'd be free and open to go somewhere and take 83 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:22,880 Speaker 1: advantage of the new CBA. But you sound like you're 84 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: saying in terms of even the way folks are playing, 85 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:27,440 Speaker 1: So you mean that people are trying to ball out 86 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 1: individually more so than play cohesively as a team, in 87 00:04:30,880 --> 00:04:32,919 Speaker 1: part because they're trying to impress the rest of the league. 88 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 2: I think. So, I mean, you get to a point 89 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 2: in the season where you know what the expectations are, 90 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 2: and I think it's a I think it's a great 91 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 2: opportunity to use those opportunities to show the entire league 92 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 2: what you can do. Whether you're in the position to 93 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:49,040 Speaker 2: make the playoffs, whether you're in the position to win 94 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 2: a championship or not, is an audition for everybody. Me however, 95 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 2: I'm already locked in for a contract for next season, so. 96 00:04:57,120 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: I'm one of the few. 97 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 2: Been around trying to figure out the few, and I'm 98 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 2: just kind of looking around seeing like, Hmmm, what are 99 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 2: these teams going to look like next year? We have 100 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 2: two more teams coming next year. People are looking at 101 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:12,280 Speaker 2: what Golden State is doing, what that looks like playing 102 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 2: for an expansion team. I know a lot of players 103 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 2: are wanting to go to these new expansion teams, and 104 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 2: I'm just I can't wait for next free agency. It's 105 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 2: gonna be it's gonna be a circus, but it's gonna 106 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 2: be so much fun and entertaining and it's gonna be 107 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 2: great seeing all these all these women getting the money 108 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:28,280 Speaker 2: that they deserve. 109 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, assuming the CBA gets done, we don't have a holdout, 110 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 1: and we're just talking about the flurry of activity that follows. 111 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:38,480 Speaker 1: That's going to be such a fun offseason to watch 112 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:40,919 Speaker 1: and be paying attention to. Let's stick with this season 113 00:05:40,920 --> 00:05:42,359 Speaker 1: for now, though, I want to talk about your storm 114 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: because I think the biggest narrative around the team this 115 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 1: year is a lack of consistency. A lot of big names, 116 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:50,919 Speaker 1: a lot of talented players, but questions about who shows 117 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 1: up on a given night. Why do you think that 118 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:54,360 Speaker 1: inconsistency is there? 119 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 2: I think one it's our I mean we talk about 120 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:01,160 Speaker 2: the roster turnovers around league. I mean I think our 121 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 2: team gets left out a lot in that conversation. As 122 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: far as roster turnover, We've had a lot of changes 123 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 2: throughout the season, starting from training camp. People coming in late, 124 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:16,599 Speaker 2: people not doing training camp, you know, trades, waves, you 125 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:18,800 Speaker 2: know all of the things, and that's something that we've 126 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 2: dealt with as as a team and for me personally, 127 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:26,920 Speaker 2: I mean, I just haven't really found a real role 128 00:06:27,040 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 2: on the team, so I can't even really speak to 129 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 2: what's going on the court. I'm just watching like mostly 130 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 2: everybody else is. And like I said earlier, like we 131 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 2: have an off day because this schedule is so crazy, 132 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 2: like we have to maximize these recovery days, so there's 133 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:44,280 Speaker 2: not really a lot of time for practicing and developing 134 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,960 Speaker 2: cohesiveness with different groups and different rotations because you have 135 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 2: half the team who doesn't play a lot, so on 136 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,640 Speaker 2: off days and recovery days, you're maximizing that time to 137 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:56,360 Speaker 2: get into the gym. And then you have the other 138 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 2: half of our team who plays a ton of minutes 139 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 2: and are maximizing those off days and rest days to 140 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:05,280 Speaker 2: actually rest and recover. So finding that cohesiveness and balance 141 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 2: without the lack of practice time is definitely hard. But 142 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:12,559 Speaker 2: again I think that everyone is like doing their best 143 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 2: at this point, Like I'd see the fatigue setting in 144 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 2: and I'm just sitting on the bench wishing and hoping 145 00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 2: that I would get an opportunity to help the team. 146 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 2: It just hasn't been in the cards for me this season, 147 00:07:22,320 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 2: which is absolutely fine. It comes with the territory of 148 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 2: being a professional athlete, dealing with the ups and downs. 149 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,560 Speaker 2: But I've now been, you know, leap frogged by two 150 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 2: new players that weren't here from the beginning of the season. 151 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 2: So I'm kind of just set and you know, working 152 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 2: on what I can work on and controlling what I 153 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 2: can control. 154 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, you mentioned some of the roster changes at the 155 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: beginning of the season. There were injuries that really affected 156 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:48,680 Speaker 1: and impacted the roles that folks were going to play 157 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: on the Storm. It also kind of kept some of 158 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: the French national team players Gaby Williams, Dominique Malongo from 159 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:58,040 Speaker 1: feeling like they should go play in EuroBasket. They felt 160 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 1: like they needed to stick around and help about a 161 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 1: Storm team that was struggling because of injury and roster issues. 162 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 1: So there's been a lot of change. Now you've added 163 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 1: Britney Sykes in a trade from the Washington Mystic. She 164 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: is having a hell of a year, an All Star year. 165 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: What does Britney bring to this Storm team? 166 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 2: She's brought so much energy, and I played with her 167 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 2: in LA my first season, and she's absolutely been one 168 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:23,640 Speaker 2: of my favorite teammates I've ever had in the W 169 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 2: She's so passionate and locked in on both sides of 170 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:30,880 Speaker 2: the floor, and what you see is what you get 171 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,360 Speaker 2: with Sykes, and that's something that I've always appreciated about her. 172 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:36,120 Speaker 2: I've known her since college days, back when she was 173 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 2: at Syracuse when I was at Maryland. We played against 174 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 2: each other all through college. So I'm happy that she's 175 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 2: in a situation where she feels is a championship contending situation. 176 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 2: I think she deserves that. I think she's earned that. 177 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 2: But again, lack of practice time is going to you know, 178 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 2: take a minute, you know for teams to meash. We've 179 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 2: were at what game thirty something and you're still seeing 180 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,080 Speaker 2: teams trying to find their co usiveness. So you've thrown 181 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:03,520 Speaker 2: an all star on our team that's already full of 182 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,680 Speaker 2: all stars. So it's going to be interesting to see 183 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 2: how all of the pieces connect in this what I 184 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 2: like to call Rubik's cube. I don't think every team 185 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,440 Speaker 2: is a puzzle. I think they're Rubik's cubes. But you know, 186 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:17,320 Speaker 2: she's come in and asserted her will and her dominance already, 187 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 2: and it showed in our first two games that she's 188 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 2: been here. So I'm really happy that she's here. She's 189 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:22,960 Speaker 2: great energy. 190 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,600 Speaker 1: You mentioned that you're trying to figure out where you 191 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 1: fit in. You've got this role where you come off 192 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 1: the bench usually when the team is up by a lot. 193 00:09:31,800 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: You're a professional yapper, self described, you have a lot 194 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 1: to say, you got a lot of opinions, You're very outgoing. 195 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 1: How do you balance like bringing your personality and support 196 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 1: to the team as a role player with the idea 197 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,319 Speaker 1: that maybe like what do I have to add or 198 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,439 Speaker 1: what should I say as someone who doesn't feel like 199 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 1: I've been really in the rotation and can speak to 200 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:55,520 Speaker 1: my teammates about what I see or what we should 201 00:09:55,559 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 1: be doing, because I'm not in there enough to feel 202 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 1: like I, you know, am part of that road and 203 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 1: can add those notes. 204 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I think because I do have, you know, 205 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 2: platforms that I do like to talk about basketball, like 206 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 2: away from you know, practice time, in game times, I 207 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:15,840 Speaker 2: think there's a perception of what my personality is going 208 00:10:15,880 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 2: to be in the confines of the court, and if 209 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 2: anybody has watched me for years and years and years. 210 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 2: I'm quite reserved when it comes to playing. You know, 211 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 2: I'm very locked in. I've always been, you know, a 212 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 2: lead by example type. I've never been the one to 213 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:31,839 Speaker 2: get into it trash talk like that's just not who 214 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 2: I am on the court. So I think there's always 215 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 2: kind of a disconnect at first, especially with new teammates 216 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 2: who see all the things that I do off the court, 217 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:42,439 Speaker 2: and then when I come into a basketball environment, I'm 218 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 2: very like about my business. So just coming in and 219 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 2: being about my business, showing up every day, working hard, 220 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 2: showing that I have the work ethic whether I'm playing 221 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,440 Speaker 2: forty minutes or not playing at all. I think that's 222 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 2: something that has been really important to me over the 223 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 2: course of the game. You know, I try to put 224 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 2: my input in where I can. But again there's like 225 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:06,319 Speaker 2: emotions are high, things are going on. Sometimes, like you 226 00:11:06,360 --> 00:11:08,719 Speaker 2: the last person you want to hear from is the 227 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 2: last person on the bench. But you know, I see 228 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 2: things that sometimes that they that they can't see in 229 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 2: the heat of a moment. So I try to stay 230 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:18,560 Speaker 2: as positive as possible in the huddles and on the bench, 231 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 2: in my conversations with my teammates. But of course, you 232 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 2: know that disappointment does trickle in sometimes when there is 233 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 2: a moment in the game where you're like, damn, I'm 234 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 2: not playing and I huh, And you still got to 235 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:33,360 Speaker 2: you know, stay locked in and stay you know, positive 236 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 2: and uplifting on the bench. And that's something that this 237 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 2: is not a new role to me. You know, I 238 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 2: had to do it my rookie year. I did it 239 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 2: in Chicago when we want a championship. So, like I said, 240 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:44,760 Speaker 2: this is just about the ebbs and flows of a career. 241 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 2: So I'm just trying to, you know, find my pockets 242 00:11:47,920 --> 00:11:51,000 Speaker 2: of contributions when I can. 243 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:53,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, you mentioned this guy. You actually had a great 244 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 1: game against Chicago not too long ago, five for five 245 00:11:56,440 --> 00:12:00,560 Speaker 1: from the field, you scorting double digits. Is it exciting 246 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:02,679 Speaker 1: in those moments or is it frustrating because you're like, man, 247 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:04,680 Speaker 1: if I got some more run, I could do this 248 00:12:04,920 --> 00:12:06,960 Speaker 1: on the regular. I just need to have enough time 249 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 1: to prove it. 250 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:11,079 Speaker 2: Yeah. I mean, for me, I'm a very black and 251 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 2: white person, So I was one. I know what the 252 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 2: Chicago sky are at this moment. Two we were the 253 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 2: game was well more than over by the time I 254 00:12:21,320 --> 00:12:24,439 Speaker 2: got into the game. So again, that's just me maximizing 255 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 2: my opportunities. You know, a lot of my friends and 256 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 2: family were like really excited about that game, and I 257 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,040 Speaker 2: was like, guys, like, I've literally scored twenty eight points 258 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:36,200 Speaker 2: in this league before, Like, let's everybody relax, but thank you. 259 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:38,280 Speaker 2: I'm glad that you guys are happy that you're seeing 260 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 2: me on the court, but like, let's keep let's keep 261 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 2: everything in the right perspective here. Twelve points is great, Like, 262 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 2: it was nice to see the ball going, it was 263 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 2: nice to get some genuine run. But I was like, 264 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 2: I don't want everyone to forget the type of player 265 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,440 Speaker 2: that I am, and I think that that happens sometimes. 266 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 2: It's true, last few years with me, Dylan, it's been, 267 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 2: it's happened, and then I've felt it, and you know, 268 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 2: I'm not the type of person to be like, well, 269 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 2: look at my highlights from five years ago, or look 270 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:07,640 Speaker 2: at my college highlights and things like that, even though 271 00:13:07,679 --> 00:13:10,600 Speaker 2: I so badly would like to Google is free if 272 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 2: people really want to see what type of player that 273 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:15,439 Speaker 2: I am, the player that I've been for the last 274 00:13:15,440 --> 00:13:17,920 Speaker 2: eight years in this seat, in this league. But it 275 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 2: was nice to have that game to go one hundred 276 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 2: percent from the floor, but it didn't. It hasn't really 277 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:26,200 Speaker 2: led into any change. 278 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: As to your point, my garbage time twelve points isn't 279 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:33,679 Speaker 1: the same as you know, heated the battle. Everybody, starters 280 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:35,960 Speaker 1: are out, their games on the line. It feels different, 281 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:37,679 Speaker 1: and so it feels good to have that, feels good 282 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 1: for your parents to see that box score. But you're 283 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: still like, I want more. I want to be in 284 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: there when when it matters the most. You know, you 285 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 1: mentioned the compact schedule this season, first time there's forty 286 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 1: four games in a season. It's only going to go 287 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 1: up from here with the new teams coming in. You 288 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:53,960 Speaker 1: looked it up on your show Full Circle. You talked 289 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 1: about this season teams are averaging two point seven days 290 00:13:57,040 --> 00:14:00,800 Speaker 1: between games. How has that seemed to act either your 291 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:02,439 Speaker 1: team or just the w in general? 292 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 2: I think fatigue has started to hit a lot of players. 293 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:13,880 Speaker 2: And maximizing recovery and things like that are more important 294 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:16,840 Speaker 2: than they've ever been. And when you have some teams 295 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 2: that have everything that you could possibly need at their disposal, 296 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 2: like the Storm, and then you compare it to some 297 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 2: other organizations that might not have all those same things 298 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 2: as far as recovery and treatment, Like you'll see a 299 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:31,800 Speaker 2: disparity in that as well. And I don't think that's 300 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:35,160 Speaker 2: necessarily fair, but you I mean, that's not an excuse, 301 00:14:35,200 --> 00:14:37,440 Speaker 2: but like that's the reality. Like some teams have way 302 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,360 Speaker 2: more access to things than others. We're seeing a lot 303 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 2: more injuries this season, I feel like, and I'm noticing 304 00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 2: like a lot of teams like don't really go deep 305 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 2: into their benches at all, Like it's not just a 306 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 2: storm thing. It's like a league wide thing. And I've 307 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 2: I had noticed it before, but I think this season 308 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 2: I've noticed it more than anything, because you do have 309 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 2: a lot of players that are talking about the compact 310 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:04,240 Speaker 2: schedule and the fatigue, but then you look at the 311 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 2: box score and they're at like thirty five, thirty six, 312 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 2: thirty seven minutes every single night. Not that they can 313 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 2: control their minutes. Obviously, you never want a player to 314 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 2: be like, Okay, let me play less because I'm tired. 315 00:15:15,880 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 2: Like that's never going to happen. So I'm looking at 316 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 2: like the gms and coaches right now, like okay, like 317 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 2: how are you guys going to maximize your starting group 318 00:15:25,440 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 2: but also maximize the talents you have on your benches 319 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 2: to make sure that this season doesn't take people out because, 320 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 2: like you said, the seat it's only going to get 321 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:35,640 Speaker 2: longer and it's only going to get harder. I don't 322 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 2: see roster spots expanding. You know, that would be game changing, 323 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 2: But a lot of these teams are going like six 324 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:46,400 Speaker 2: seven players deep every night and that's a lot of 325 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:47,120 Speaker 2: wear and tear. 326 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think that is something they want to address. 327 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:51,040 Speaker 1: The one because you're trying to think about why that 328 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: might be the case. If you're not getting enough rest, 329 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 1: if injuries are up, if it feels like the starting 330 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 1: players are getting all the minutes and there's not a 331 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 1: greatation of the bench. But we also argue that really 332 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: good players are getting waived because there isn't enough room 333 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 1: on the roster for the number of athletes that could 334 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 1: be contributing. You have to try to figure out where 335 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 1: the disconnect is, and to me, it feels like maybe 336 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:15,640 Speaker 1: it has to do with a really short training camp. 337 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,560 Speaker 1: You have this incredibly quick turnaround between the end of 338 00:16:18,600 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 1: the NCAA season, the draft, and the start of the 339 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: w season where you're trying to get all of your players, 340 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: Like you said, find some cohesiveness early and start getting 341 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 1: after it when you get those couple players that work 342 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: well together, that have established themselves as the best, and 343 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:37,000 Speaker 1: then it's really hard to keep a roster of bench 344 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:39,880 Speaker 1: players on and have enough time to actually like integrate 345 00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 1: them into the game. See who fits right when you 346 00:16:43,000 --> 00:16:45,040 Speaker 1: sub someone out, see who can get some minutes, and 347 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: you don't have drop off on either side of the court. 348 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 1: Like to me, it feels like that's got to be 349 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 1: about also to your point, the games being so close together, 350 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 1: you can't use practices to identify those bench players that 351 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 1: you can trust, and so you end up complaining both 352 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:01,280 Speaker 1: about the fact that there's not enough room on the 353 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: bench and then also not using the bench players that. 354 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 2: You have, right, So it's kind of like counterintuitive. And 355 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:08,639 Speaker 2: when people are like talking about it, I'm like, do 356 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 2: y'all understand, Like, yes, y'all want more spots, but like 357 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 2: for what they don't even utilize the spots that we 358 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:15,439 Speaker 2: already have. 359 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:18,280 Speaker 1: We got to take a quick break when we come back. 360 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:30,760 Speaker 1: The rest of my conversation with Lexi Brown, You know, 361 00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 1: you talk about all this stuff on your show Full Circle. 362 00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:36,880 Speaker 1: You talk about your own personal issues and the way 363 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:39,399 Speaker 1: you approach your game and then also larger issues to 364 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 1: the league. What have you enjoyed most about doing that 365 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:43,640 Speaker 1: show since you launched it in January? 366 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:49,200 Speaker 2: For me, it's like kept me very engaged and locked in. 367 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:53,439 Speaker 2: Especially this season, it has not gone My season, not 368 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:56,199 Speaker 2: the show. My season has not gone how I was 369 00:17:56,280 --> 00:18:00,199 Speaker 2: expecting it. So I had approached, you know, having a 370 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:04,680 Speaker 2: basketball podcast during the season one way, and I completely 371 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:06,800 Speaker 2: had to like shift my mindset of how I was 372 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:09,040 Speaker 2: going to approach having a show during the season as 373 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 2: somebody who is not seeing a lot of time. And 374 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,680 Speaker 2: for me, it actually has kind of benefited the show 375 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:17,879 Speaker 2: because I really have been paying attention to, like my 376 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:20,680 Speaker 2: own team very closely, and I'm I mean, I'm always 377 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 2: watching WNBA games, but I've really been super extra locked 378 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:26,120 Speaker 2: in on, you know, teams that maybe we don't play 379 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:27,719 Speaker 2: for a couple of weeks, but like I've already been 380 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:29,480 Speaker 2: watching them because I want to talk about them on 381 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:34,159 Speaker 2: the show. Uplifting players, seeing trends in the game. I mean, 382 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 2: I think this is all just ways for me to 383 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 2: segue into my dream front office position, and I'm just 384 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:42,400 Speaker 2: going to continue to utilize the access and the information 385 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 2: that I continue to get every day being a WNBA 386 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 2: player to hopefully one day be a general manager and 387 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 2: build my dream team and win some championships as a 388 00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:55,600 Speaker 2: general manager. Love that, but it's been really fun. It's 389 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 2: been really fun. 390 00:18:56,400 --> 00:19:00,639 Speaker 1: Yeah, what have you heard from any teammates or fellow 391 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:03,439 Speaker 1: w players on other teams about stuff you've said on 392 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 1: the show or opinions you've given. Do you ever get 393 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 1: feedback from people about what you say about the CBA 394 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:10,960 Speaker 1: or their play or anything else. 395 00:19:12,600 --> 00:19:16,199 Speaker 2: Honestly, it's like an interesting thing, like you don't know 396 00:19:16,920 --> 00:19:20,239 Speaker 2: who's watching or listening for whatever reason. Like if I 397 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 2: listen or watch something of somebody and I see them, 398 00:19:23,119 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 2: I tell them and I tell them I enjoy it 399 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:28,720 Speaker 2: or I ask them about it. Whereas people when it 400 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:32,159 Speaker 2: comes to me, they act like they don't know it exists, 401 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:35,680 Speaker 2: but they know things that I've said. So it's been 402 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:37,680 Speaker 2: like kind of interesting, like I'm not really sure who 403 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:41,520 Speaker 2: is listening and who's not listening. But from fans that 404 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 2: I've interacted with, like on the road and in Seattle, 405 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:46,840 Speaker 2: and the feedback that I've been getting from my iHeart, 406 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 2: it's been like super positive. I try to keep my 407 00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:52,320 Speaker 2: show like really light and positive and really about basketball. 408 00:19:52,800 --> 00:19:56,879 Speaker 2: So I've really tried very hard to like not offend 409 00:19:56,920 --> 00:20:00,400 Speaker 2: anybody or not rub anybody the wrong way, because that's 410 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:02,680 Speaker 2: not what I'm interested in doing. I'm trying to just 411 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 2: uplift everybody as much as that as much as I can, 412 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:08,520 Speaker 2: but like still come from like an objective place of 413 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 2: analytics and stats and and things like that. But I 414 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 2: don't try to like get too personal or deep into 415 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:17,040 Speaker 2: things to where there's going to be a problem. Like 416 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 2: I was just with Natitia and Courtney when they played 417 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:24,159 Speaker 2: us in stuff. You know, they have their stud this 418 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,560 Speaker 2: stub buds stuff, so I was like, can I get 419 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:29,639 Speaker 2: on the stub ustream please? And They're like, yeah, come on, 420 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:32,320 Speaker 2: And then me and s were just talking about, you know, 421 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:34,359 Speaker 2: having these platforms and things. She didn't even know how 422 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,119 Speaker 2: to podcast, so I generally believed her though that she 423 00:20:37,160 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 2: didn't know because this is a very like niche thing 424 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 2: that I'm doing right now. She was going to tap 425 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:45,679 Speaker 2: in and thinks it's yeah and it's new, so she 426 00:20:45,720 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 2: says she was gonna tap in, But I'm like, yeah, 427 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:50,440 Speaker 2: I've mentioned y' all before because we love the stub buds. 428 00:20:50,480 --> 00:20:54,680 Speaker 2: Everybody loves the stub yet So yeah, to your point, 429 00:20:54,760 --> 00:20:56,760 Speaker 2: like even my own teammates, like, I don't know if 430 00:20:56,760 --> 00:20:59,679 Speaker 2: they listen or not. Gabby says she wants to come 431 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:02,119 Speaker 2: on the show, so I'm probably gonna great, yes, one 432 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:02,720 Speaker 2: of these days. 433 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:06,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, we had her on and she was fantastic. You know, 434 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 1: you mentioned wanting to bring like positivity and talk about basketball, 435 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:11,439 Speaker 1: and that's something we talked about the last time you 436 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:12,879 Speaker 1: were on the show. It's like, you're so sick of 437 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 1: hearing other people talk about shit they don't know about 438 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 1: when the people that are in the game can bring 439 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: like facts and information And I wonder, you know, I 440 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 1: want to say this year has been less toxic than 441 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:29,600 Speaker 1: last year. The whole Caitlin versus Angel, like everyone suddenly 442 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: showing up wanting to watch and spout their opinions was 443 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:35,679 Speaker 1: really hard. That's not to say it's fixed. There is 444 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:38,400 Speaker 1: still a lot of garbage that's happening this season. There's 445 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:40,159 Speaker 1: a lot of takes that are wrong. There's a lot 446 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 1: of intentional misinformation and fake news that gets spread around, 447 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:48,439 Speaker 1: quotes that athletes never said, stuff like that. Inside the 448 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,400 Speaker 1: w what are you and other players talking about when 449 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:53,440 Speaker 1: it comes to that, do you notice when there's certain 450 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:56,960 Speaker 1: reporters that seem to be spreading something for a personal agenda. 451 00:21:57,080 --> 00:21:59,680 Speaker 1: Do you notice when people are talking out their ass 452 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 1: and don't know what they're talking about and are creating problems? 453 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:05,120 Speaker 2: Like what do you guys talk about? 454 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: When it comes to media coverage of this league? 455 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:11,479 Speaker 2: Honestly, for me, I've kind of unplugged from a lot 456 00:22:11,560 --> 00:22:15,120 Speaker 2: of the w coverage and media and it's actually been 457 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 2: very good for me. It's been very positive. It's been 458 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:22,320 Speaker 2: really nice to like not really hear anything that's going 459 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 2: on or being said, and I think more players should 460 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:28,159 Speaker 2: do the same. But yeah, it is funny hearing you know, 461 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 2: some of the older players they know like what reporters 462 00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:34,800 Speaker 2: are saying what and like who'll be talking shit and 463 00:22:34,840 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 2: who don't be like I know. You just saw Arique 464 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 2: and her presser when she was like, I don't remember 465 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:42,159 Speaker 2: what your little Twitter figures would saying? Say it to 466 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 2: my face and he was like, let's say about Yeah. 467 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:46,879 Speaker 2: So I watched that. 468 00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:49,640 Speaker 1: And Rika Goombawle of the Dallas Wings had this exchange 469 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:52,000 Speaker 1: with a reporter and I did want to figure out 470 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 1: who the reporter was and go check his tweets and 471 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:57,639 Speaker 1: make sure that they were something worth calling out because 472 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: everyone hopped on Erique side and I was like, totally yeah, 473 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:04,160 Speaker 1: but wait, hold on, is what he said accurate and 474 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:07,880 Speaker 1: just not complimentary or was it actually rude? Like did 475 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:10,960 Speaker 1: he say something factual like she's oh for thirty from 476 00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:14,160 Speaker 1: beyond the arc or clutch whatever? Because I do think 477 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: that's also something W players have to get used to 478 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 1: statistically accurate critical analysis of their game, because that's what 479 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:24,479 Speaker 1: happens when you get more publicity and media coverage and 480 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:26,920 Speaker 1: money that CBA comes to you and you're gonna be 481 00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:28,359 Speaker 1: making a lot of money and people are gonna be 482 00:23:28,359 --> 00:23:30,400 Speaker 1: talking about you on a bunch of shows. That's why 483 00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 1: podcasts can get funded, That's why websites can exist, because 484 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:36,440 Speaker 1: people can get paid to talk about you now because 485 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:38,719 Speaker 1: more people are watching, and that means they might not 486 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:41,119 Speaker 1: say you had a great game, and you've got to 487 00:23:41,160 --> 00:23:43,479 Speaker 1: be able to deal with that, right. So I wasn't sure. 488 00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:45,159 Speaker 1: I'm not talking about that exchange because I don't know 489 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:47,000 Speaker 1: who the guy was and what he said, but people 490 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:48,600 Speaker 1: are going to always say you is out of the 491 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 1: player there, and I'm like, but what did he say? 492 00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:52,919 Speaker 1: Was it bad or just honest, I. 493 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:56,760 Speaker 2: Say, it's depends on the player. I know, I know, 494 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 2: W fan, it really depends on the player. But I 495 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:01,960 Speaker 2: thought that was like a funny thing because you do 496 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:04,160 Speaker 2: see that happen a lot in the NBA, and that 497 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:07,320 Speaker 2: hasn't really trickled into the W space yet. But like 498 00:24:07,359 --> 00:24:10,879 Speaker 2: I said, like, why any of us are still on 499 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 2: X is beyond me. You don't make money on there. 500 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:20,000 Speaker 2: People just spew hate and the trash and garbage on 501 00:24:20,040 --> 00:24:23,000 Speaker 2: there all the time, So I don't know why anybody 502 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:26,119 Speaker 2: is still on that platform at all. But I mean, 503 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 2: I completely agree with you, Like as we get bigger, 504 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:31,040 Speaker 2: as more people are watching, there are going to be 505 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:34,920 Speaker 2: more conversations and dialogues. But when you can come from 506 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 2: like a place of objectivity with stats and analysis, you're 507 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:43,960 Speaker 2: allowed to like flip flop, Like if somebody is shooting 508 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 2: poorly this month and then they shoot better the next month, 509 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:50,200 Speaker 2: you can say, yep, I said that they were shooting 510 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 2: this way. Yeah no, no, now they're shooting better, Like great. 511 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:56,080 Speaker 2: But if you it's they lose me, it's like they'll 512 00:24:56,119 --> 00:24:58,080 Speaker 2: get there and then they'll be like and then this, 513 00:24:58,359 --> 00:25:00,760 Speaker 2: and it's something that has nothing to do with anything, 514 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:04,480 Speaker 2: And I'm like, now you've lost credibility to me, the players, 515 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 2: the league, and probably a lot of fans, So I 516 00:25:07,240 --> 00:25:10,159 Speaker 2: want that. Like it's like just I don't know, the 517 00:25:10,359 --> 00:25:13,560 Speaker 2: just the little jabs, like what is wrong? Totally yeah, 518 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,280 Speaker 2: I know, I agree, and just take random jabs at people. 519 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:18,920 Speaker 2: It's so weird. It's something that I've had to deal 520 00:25:18,920 --> 00:25:22,119 Speaker 2: with for years actually, like just the random jabs And 521 00:25:22,119 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 2: I'm like, can we just if you think I'm not 522 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:28,080 Speaker 2: good at basketball, cool, but don't talk about my outfits 523 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:28,879 Speaker 2: or anything. 524 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 1: I think it's like number one, hurt people. Hurt people, 525 00:25:32,160 --> 00:25:34,480 Speaker 1: and if you are not a satisfied, happy, healed person, 526 00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: you are looking to take other people out because it 527 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:38,560 Speaker 1: makes you feel better about your shit that you haven't 528 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:41,560 Speaker 1: figured out. But secondarily, the media landscape is so messed 529 00:25:41,640 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: up right now that it really values and validates negativity 530 00:25:47,560 --> 00:25:50,840 Speaker 1: and engagement that usually comes from negativity. There is more 531 00:25:50,880 --> 00:25:53,640 Speaker 1: engagement on a post saying Lexi Brown sucks than saying 532 00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:56,040 Speaker 1: she had a great game, and so people are gonna 533 00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 1: start reaching for that to try to get their own 534 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:02,000 Speaker 1: pockets bigger. And if you have no principles and no 535 00:26:02,280 --> 00:26:04,879 Speaker 1: credibility and accountability, in the work that you do. It 536 00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:08,000 Speaker 1: will eventually come to bite you, but early on you 537 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:09,680 Speaker 1: could probably get a lot of clicks and a lot 538 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 1: of likes for some bullshit. And unfortunately that's just what 539 00:26:12,880 --> 00:26:14,639 Speaker 1: a lot of the landscape is right now, which is 540 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 1: really frustrating for any of the actual journalistic background. 541 00:26:18,840 --> 00:26:23,280 Speaker 2: But no, I can't imagine how frustrating it is for y'all. 542 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:26,560 Speaker 2: Like people who put the work in, have the education, 543 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:29,360 Speaker 2: have the background, and then you have these just random 544 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:33,800 Speaker 2: rage baiters who build their platforms on doing just that. 545 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 2: Like even like the sentile page. You know, it's funny, 546 00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 2: but it's like there are like a lot of people 547 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:46,440 Speaker 2: that get who think it's real. But I've seen more 548 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:49,240 Speaker 2: pages pop up like that that I've never seen before, 549 00:26:49,320 --> 00:26:53,520 Speaker 2: like even on Instagram now, and people like really just 550 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:56,840 Speaker 2: believe everything that they see on the internet. And that 551 00:26:56,880 --> 00:26:59,640 Speaker 2: doesn't just go for sports, that goes for anything everything. 552 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:04,240 Speaker 2: It's so dangerous here's me. Yeah, it terrifies me actually, 553 00:27:04,280 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 2: because what if somebody says that you said this and 554 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:11,160 Speaker 2: it's offensive or you offend the wrong person. Now you 555 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 2: have like some random person who wants to like hurt 556 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:17,600 Speaker 2: you because you said something that they didn't like, like 557 00:27:18,200 --> 00:27:20,560 Speaker 2: it's very dangerous and I don't like that, but like, 558 00:27:20,680 --> 00:27:23,119 Speaker 2: yeah it was funny, like joking, and then. 559 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:23,679 Speaker 1: Now it's not. 560 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 2: You know, people just take that so far. Yeah. 561 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:30,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, you have been outspoken about like how you handle 562 00:27:30,280 --> 00:27:32,480 Speaker 1: your social media and finding your peace and keeping the 563 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:34,480 Speaker 1: main thing the main thing. And you've also been outspoken 564 00:27:34,520 --> 00:27:37,600 Speaker 1: about having to deal with balancing your health with being 565 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:39,400 Speaker 1: a professional athlete. And last time you were on the show, 566 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:42,280 Speaker 1: we sort of briefly touched on you dealing with managing 567 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:44,199 Speaker 1: your Crohn's disease. But I want you to tell us 568 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:47,240 Speaker 1: a little bit more about that, because having to figure 569 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:50,040 Speaker 1: out being a professional athlete on its own is enough, 570 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:53,640 Speaker 1: but doing that with something that's chronic and can come 571 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:56,199 Speaker 1: and go in spurts and stops is really hard. So 572 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:58,280 Speaker 1: can you tell us first about being diagnosed and sort 573 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:01,199 Speaker 1: of learning that chron is what was causing some of 574 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:02,520 Speaker 1: the issues you didn't understand. 575 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:07,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I think the journey to the diagnosis 576 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 2: was the hardest thing as far as like when my 577 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:13,320 Speaker 2: symptoms started, dealing with them, trying to figure out what 578 00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:18,159 Speaker 2: was going on. So that happened twenty twenty three. I 579 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:22,280 Speaker 2: want to say training camp. I was journaling during camp, 580 00:28:22,320 --> 00:28:24,880 Speaker 2: and I could like looking back, I was like, Oh, 581 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:26,480 Speaker 2: this is when I started feeling like this, So this 582 00:28:26,520 --> 00:28:28,800 Speaker 2: is when I started feeling like that. So I mean 583 00:28:28,840 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 2: one thing I will say, like people like people journal 584 00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:33,639 Speaker 2: for like mental health and all that stuff, but like 585 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:36,160 Speaker 2: it's a great way to like keep track of, like 586 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:39,680 Speaker 2: if you're getting sick or something's going on, Like it's 587 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:42,479 Speaker 2: a great tool to like go back and be like, oh, 588 00:28:42,600 --> 00:28:44,720 Speaker 2: this is on this date. I felt like this on 589 00:28:44,760 --> 00:28:46,920 Speaker 2: this date this happened. So I think that was something 590 00:28:46,960 --> 00:28:50,000 Speaker 2: that was so important, especially when well, you know, I 591 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:51,840 Speaker 2: got with my doctors finally and we were trying to 592 00:28:51,880 --> 00:28:54,480 Speaker 2: piece together the timeline of when everything was going on. 593 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:57,920 Speaker 2: I think that, you know, the worst is behind me. 594 00:28:58,080 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 2: Like I don't think I'm ever going to get that 595 00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:04,800 Speaker 2: bad ever again, God willing. But it took about six 596 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:07,200 Speaker 2: months to get the diagnosis, and then it took like 597 00:29:07,200 --> 00:29:10,400 Speaker 2: an additional two three months to get on my first 598 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:14,000 Speaker 2: round of medication. And then after starting that first round 599 00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:18,240 Speaker 2: of medication, it started affecting other parts of my body 600 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:21,480 Speaker 2: that also in turn, you know, preventing me from being 601 00:29:21,480 --> 00:29:23,280 Speaker 2: able to play. So we had to get off of 602 00:29:23,280 --> 00:29:27,640 Speaker 2: that medication, start from you know, ground zero and figure 603 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:29,960 Speaker 2: out what the next steps were. And you know, that's 604 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:33,400 Speaker 2: why I missed majority of last season as well, was 605 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:35,720 Speaker 2: me having to you know, let my body just heal, 606 00:29:37,000 --> 00:29:40,120 Speaker 2: you know, stay away from major inflammation, which would happen 607 00:29:40,160 --> 00:29:43,480 Speaker 2: when I was exercising and working out and playing and 608 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:46,440 Speaker 2: figuring out what my medication would be. So now I'm 609 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:49,160 Speaker 2: on a great regimen. You know, I have to prick 610 00:29:49,240 --> 00:29:52,280 Speaker 2: myself once a week, which is kind of annoying, but 611 00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 2: it's working and I feel great and I'm healthy. And 612 00:29:55,560 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 2: I had to do a minor procedure this season just 613 00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:01,040 Speaker 2: to you know, clean up some stuff that could potentially 614 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:04,640 Speaker 2: have been problematic in the future because I didn't do 615 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:07,320 Speaker 2: that the first time. I let things fester for a 616 00:30:07,320 --> 00:30:09,880 Speaker 2: little too long and it turned into something really dangerous 617 00:30:09,920 --> 00:30:12,080 Speaker 2: and life threatening, and I did not want to go 618 00:30:12,120 --> 00:30:14,800 Speaker 2: down that road again. So I made that decision for myself, 619 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:20,920 Speaker 2: which I think wasn't received like I thought it would be. 620 00:30:21,280 --> 00:30:25,960 Speaker 2: But I feel great by whom your team or Yeah, 621 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:31,680 Speaker 2: I just feel like my dealing with crones in general 622 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:36,280 Speaker 2: has not been handled well by the teams I've been 623 00:30:36,280 --> 00:30:41,480 Speaker 2: on and the medical staff that they have been great. 624 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:44,560 Speaker 2: They always make sure I'm at my appointments, they connect 625 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:48,440 Speaker 2: me with doctors, they check in on me all the things. 626 00:30:48,440 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 2: So the medical staffs in LA and Seattle have been 627 00:30:52,400 --> 00:30:56,080 Speaker 2: outstanding as far as making sure that I'm good. I 628 00:30:56,120 --> 00:31:00,719 Speaker 2: don't always put the blame on others for not understanding 629 00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:03,560 Speaker 2: what having crones is like, because it truly is something 630 00:31:03,560 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 2: that you cannot understand unless you have it. And visibly, 631 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:12,800 Speaker 2: I normally look good. I look fine, I don't look sick, 632 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:15,760 Speaker 2: I don't look like I'm having a flare up or 633 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:19,400 Speaker 2: anything like that. And I like purposely do that because 634 00:31:20,360 --> 00:31:23,800 Speaker 2: it's not other people's problem to worry about. It's my 635 00:31:23,880 --> 00:31:25,800 Speaker 2: problem to worry about. And I have to figure out 636 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:27,640 Speaker 2: a way to show up as my best self every 637 00:31:27,680 --> 00:31:31,880 Speaker 2: single day and come and do my job. But surprisingly 638 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:34,480 Speaker 2: that is kind of like bit me in the ass 639 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:37,160 Speaker 2: a little bit because the days that I do have 640 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:40,680 Speaker 2: to like have some downtime or feel I don't feel 641 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:42,360 Speaker 2: that great right now. Everyone's just kind of looking at 642 00:31:42,400 --> 00:31:45,480 Speaker 2: me like, but you look fine, you don't look like 643 00:31:45,600 --> 00:31:49,120 Speaker 2: you need the da da da, And I'm just like, well, 644 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:51,960 Speaker 2: I'm telling you, and that's the only thing that we 645 00:31:52,040 --> 00:31:53,960 Speaker 2: can do here is you have to listen to me. 646 00:31:54,120 --> 00:31:57,120 Speaker 2: There's not a test. There's not You can't check my wrists. 647 00:31:57,200 --> 00:31:59,240 Speaker 2: You can't be like, oh, she will be good in 648 00:31:59,280 --> 00:32:01,600 Speaker 2: a few days. She'll be good if I tape it up. 649 00:32:01,960 --> 00:32:05,200 Speaker 2: You just have to believe me. And the lack of 650 00:32:05,240 --> 00:32:08,200 Speaker 2: empathy that I have felt, you know, since this has started, 651 00:32:08,240 --> 00:32:10,080 Speaker 2: has been a little bit odd. 652 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:11,200 Speaker 1: I'm so sorry. 653 00:32:11,440 --> 00:32:13,640 Speaker 2: No, it's okay because I have a great support system 654 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:15,880 Speaker 2: at home. My friends and family have been great, and 655 00:32:15,920 --> 00:32:19,840 Speaker 2: like I said, my medical staffs have been awesome. My 656 00:32:19,880 --> 00:32:22,360 Speaker 2: medical team of doctors in LA have been great. The 657 00:32:22,400 --> 00:32:24,640 Speaker 2: doctors I have here in Seattle have also been great, 658 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:28,560 Speaker 2: super understanding. Every time I see a new doctor, they're like, 659 00:32:28,640 --> 00:32:31,160 Speaker 2: how are you playing basketball right now? Or why are 660 00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:33,480 Speaker 2: you playing basketball right now? Like do you have all 661 00:32:33,520 --> 00:32:35,280 Speaker 2: of this going on? And I'm just like, because I 662 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:37,960 Speaker 2: love it, and I want to show people that, yeah, 663 00:32:38,080 --> 00:32:42,800 Speaker 2: absolutely play basketball and deal with crone disease. So that's 664 00:32:42,920 --> 00:32:45,160 Speaker 2: kind of something that just continues to motivate me to 665 00:32:45,800 --> 00:32:47,600 Speaker 2: push for Yeah. 666 00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:49,760 Speaker 1: Yeah. I mean, one of my very best friends has 667 00:32:49,800 --> 00:32:52,560 Speaker 1: crones disease and I have been along the ride with 668 00:32:52,600 --> 00:32:54,760 Speaker 1: her as she tried to figure out the right kind 669 00:32:54,800 --> 00:32:57,080 Speaker 1: of medicine. At one point, she was on a ton 670 00:32:57,120 --> 00:32:59,040 Speaker 1: of medicine since she thought that was the only answer, 671 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:01,120 Speaker 1: and it kind of sucked. She found a new doctor. 672 00:33:01,240 --> 00:33:04,640 Speaker 1: They took her off almost everything. She gets transfusions every 673 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:07,320 Speaker 1: month instead that are a one off as opposed to 674 00:33:07,320 --> 00:33:10,360 Speaker 1: pills every single day. It's been better for her to manage. 675 00:33:10,360 --> 00:33:14,719 Speaker 1: But it is very unpredictable. It's inflammatory, it's disruptive to 676 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:17,560 Speaker 1: your digestive system, to your vowel movements, to all this 677 00:33:17,600 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 1: stuff that people don't really want to talk about. But 678 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:23,720 Speaker 1: it's to your point. It's happening. Whether or not people 679 00:33:23,760 --> 00:33:26,760 Speaker 1: can see that your wrist looks swollen or something. You're 680 00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:30,040 Speaker 1: still dealing with it, and that sucks that you can't 681 00:33:30,040 --> 00:33:32,080 Speaker 1: always be honest about it or feel like you can 682 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:34,200 Speaker 1: share what's going on because you're worried it might affect 683 00:33:34,200 --> 00:33:36,320 Speaker 1: your playing time or how coaches see you and whether 684 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:39,880 Speaker 1: they think you'll be ready to go. What do your 685 00:33:39,920 --> 00:33:44,280 Speaker 1: doctors say about that? Do they warn you against, you know, 686 00:33:44,400 --> 00:33:46,880 Speaker 1: playing through it, or not being able to speak up 687 00:33:46,920 --> 00:33:49,480 Speaker 1: if it feels like something's particularly flared up. 688 00:33:51,240 --> 00:33:53,920 Speaker 2: It's actually fun. I always say this, like It's so 689 00:33:54,080 --> 00:33:58,760 Speaker 2: funny interacting with these doctors as opposed to like sports 690 00:33:58,840 --> 00:34:02,560 Speaker 2: medicine doctors, because they literally like could care less about 691 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:07,320 Speaker 2: any sport or anything, like every kind of how do 692 00:34:07,320 --> 00:34:11,120 Speaker 2: you care of yourself? How do you feel? Like, Like 693 00:34:11,160 --> 00:34:13,080 Speaker 2: when I had my procedure, they were like, okay, well 694 00:34:13,120 --> 00:34:14,719 Speaker 2: when can she get back? When can she get back? 695 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:17,319 Speaker 2: And I'm like, first of all, I'm playing like three 696 00:34:17,360 --> 00:34:19,840 Speaker 2: minutes per game right now. If I need three weeks 697 00:34:19,880 --> 00:34:22,479 Speaker 2: to heal, like I better, like I should be able 698 00:34:22,480 --> 00:34:24,719 Speaker 2: to have as much time as I need. But that 699 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:28,200 Speaker 2: was not the energy that I was presented with. It 700 00:34:28,280 --> 00:34:30,160 Speaker 2: was like, okay, well when can she be back? When 701 00:34:30,160 --> 00:34:32,000 Speaker 2: can she be back? And I'm just kind of like, 702 00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:35,560 Speaker 2: I don't like this, but I will be back as 703 00:34:35,640 --> 00:34:39,839 Speaker 2: soon as I can. And even that was still kind 704 00:34:39,880 --> 00:34:43,080 Speaker 2: of like a back and forth like Okay, well she's 705 00:34:43,080 --> 00:34:47,000 Speaker 2: not back yet. She's not back yet. And every time, 706 00:34:47,080 --> 00:34:48,719 Speaker 2: you know, I reach out to the doctor or they 707 00:34:48,719 --> 00:34:50,560 Speaker 2: reach out to the doctor, They're like, well she can go, 708 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:54,000 Speaker 2: you know, as tolerable as tolerable, you know, she can 709 00:34:54,000 --> 00:34:56,480 Speaker 2: go back to day to day, Like my day to 710 00:34:56,560 --> 00:34:59,200 Speaker 2: day is not the same as this person's day to day. 711 00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:01,319 Speaker 2: My day to day is having to show up and 712 00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:05,000 Speaker 2: be a professional athlete. So even having that conversation with 713 00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:08,840 Speaker 2: the doctors, I'm they're teaching me. I'm teaching them. You know, 714 00:35:08,880 --> 00:35:12,000 Speaker 2: they don't see very many professional athletes for Crone's disease, 715 00:35:12,160 --> 00:35:15,560 Speaker 2: So it's just building that relationship and trust with them 716 00:35:15,680 --> 00:35:18,120 Speaker 2: and me trusting them when they tell me, like, no, 717 00:35:18,239 --> 00:35:21,400 Speaker 2: you need to rest. So I'm like, so I'm always like, 718 00:35:21,480 --> 00:35:23,560 Speaker 2: write me a note, write it, write it down, because 719 00:35:23,600 --> 00:35:25,600 Speaker 2: if I say, they're going to be like, are you 720 00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:27,480 Speaker 2: sure you need to rest, because you're going to ask 721 00:35:27,480 --> 00:35:30,239 Speaker 2: an athlete, well, can you go? Of course I could, 722 00:35:30,320 --> 00:35:33,200 Speaker 2: I can if you need me. Of course I'm going 723 00:35:33,239 --> 00:35:35,680 Speaker 2: to be available if you need me. So every time 724 00:35:35,800 --> 00:35:37,920 Speaker 2: like it gets to that point where I need to 725 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:40,799 Speaker 2: like actually take time off, I make them I get 726 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:44,359 Speaker 2: a doctor's note, like I'm in elementary school, like here, 727 00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:47,080 Speaker 2: this is the doctor's note, and then they're right, okay, 728 00:35:47,280 --> 00:35:47,920 Speaker 2: you can rest. 729 00:35:48,040 --> 00:35:50,399 Speaker 1: There's been a handful of NFL players who have dealt 730 00:35:50,400 --> 00:35:53,560 Speaker 1: with Crohn's disease and have kind of talked about it, 731 00:35:53,920 --> 00:35:57,719 Speaker 1: usually quietly, and after their career is done, they come 732 00:35:57,760 --> 00:36:00,160 Speaker 1: out and tell everyone this is something I've been dealing 733 00:36:00,200 --> 00:36:03,040 Speaker 1: with and you know it's completely personal to you how 734 00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:04,520 Speaker 1: much you want to talk about it. But I think 735 00:36:04,600 --> 00:36:07,279 Speaker 1: it's really admirable and brave of you to talk about 736 00:36:07,280 --> 00:36:09,040 Speaker 1: it in the moment while you're dealing with it, while 737 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:10,960 Speaker 1: you're battling it, because you'll help a lot of people 738 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:13,480 Speaker 1: understand to your point, you can play with it, you 739 00:36:13,480 --> 00:36:15,680 Speaker 1: can deal with it, but also that people need to 740 00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:19,279 Speaker 1: understand that these quote unquote invisible diseases come with a 741 00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:21,680 Speaker 1: lot of challenges and just because you can't see it 742 00:36:21,719 --> 00:36:24,200 Speaker 1: doesn't mean it's not difficult for the person dealing with it. 743 00:36:24,320 --> 00:36:26,520 Speaker 1: So I think it's great that you're talking about it, 744 00:36:26,880 --> 00:36:29,759 Speaker 1: Like you said, professional yapper. So you know, we know 745 00:36:29,840 --> 00:36:31,680 Speaker 1: you're gonna you know you're gonna be honest. We know 746 00:36:31,719 --> 00:36:34,080 Speaker 1: you're going to be talking about everything on the court 747 00:36:34,120 --> 00:36:37,280 Speaker 1: and off on your podcast and elsewhere. So we appreciate 748 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:39,719 Speaker 1: you sharing your story with us. I want to ask 749 00:36:39,719 --> 00:36:42,160 Speaker 1: you one last question. I want you to fill in 750 00:36:42,200 --> 00:36:45,120 Speaker 1: the blank. If you look at Lexi Brown beyond the court, 751 00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:46,560 Speaker 1: you'll find. 752 00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:51,160 Speaker 2: What ooh dang. Does it have to be a word 753 00:36:51,680 --> 00:36:54,880 Speaker 2: or it could be a sentence? Yeah, Oh, this is 754 00:36:54,920 --> 00:36:57,399 Speaker 2: a hard you copy off guard Sarah with this one. 755 00:36:58,880 --> 00:37:01,000 Speaker 1: Well you did say ball or GM who's on the 756 00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:01,760 Speaker 1: way to a title? 757 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:07,400 Speaker 2: But hey, that's a good sentence right there. I'll say, 758 00:37:07,560 --> 00:37:13,000 Speaker 2: you'll find there's a lot. There's a lot more that 759 00:37:13,080 --> 00:37:16,360 Speaker 2: meets the eye, guys, I promise there is, but there's 760 00:37:16,440 --> 00:37:20,040 Speaker 2: a I'm like sometimes I describe myself as like a 761 00:37:20,080 --> 00:37:22,880 Speaker 2: princess in a castle with a moat and a drawbridge, 762 00:37:22,880 --> 00:37:27,720 Speaker 2: and the moat has alligators and piranhas and everything in there. 763 00:37:27,880 --> 00:37:30,120 Speaker 2: But once you get into the castle, it's lit in there. 764 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:32,239 Speaker 2: You'll love it in there. So I feel like that's 765 00:37:32,280 --> 00:37:35,960 Speaker 2: gonna be. That'll be my sense that Lexi is a 766 00:37:35,960 --> 00:37:38,400 Speaker 2: little princess in a castle with a moat full of 767 00:37:38,440 --> 00:37:41,040 Speaker 2: gators and a drawbridge, but once you get inside you 768 00:37:41,080 --> 00:37:41,839 Speaker 2: will love it there. 769 00:37:42,440 --> 00:37:45,040 Speaker 1: It's worth the journey. It's worth the journey. 770 00:37:45,120 --> 00:37:51,799 Speaker 2: Yes, thank you, Lexi, of course, thanks Sarah. 771 00:37:52,480 --> 00:37:55,160 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 772 00:37:55,160 --> 00:37:58,319 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 773 00:37:58,360 --> 00:38:01,800 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 774 00:38:01,880 --> 00:38:05,520 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, our 775 00:38:05,560 --> 00:38:09,240 Speaker 1: producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive producers 776 00:38:09,280 --> 00:38:13,280 Speaker 1: are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutterer. 777 00:38:13,719 --> 00:38:17,120 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutter, Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch and 778 00:38:17,160 --> 00:38:21,640 Speaker 1: Gianna Palmer. Our associate producer is Lucy Jones. Production assistance 779 00:38:21,680 --> 00:38:24,800 Speaker 1: from Avery Loftus and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain